Mind
Training for Tennis Tip 7
Winning
When You Are NOT Playing Well!
http://www.tennispsychology.com
The
sure sign of a good player is one who can win when they are not playing
their best. The champions do this several times each week, as they play so many
matches are rarely at the very peak of their form for most of them.
While
it's obviously better if you can play your best most of the
time, it's also important that you have backup plans in place so
you can succeed when your A-game deserts you.
The
first thing is not to panic when you are not playing well.
Know
that you can still win the match without necessarily playing at
your best, and that it is also a distinct possibility that you will
be able to play yourself in and raise your game as the match
wears on.
It's
also important that you do not waste the entire match abusing
yourself for the shots you are missing (that you would normally
make) as this is only going to drag you down further mentally and
give your opponent a big psychological lift.
The
very last thing you want is for your opponent to know that
you are frustrated with yourself, insead let them wonder
just what is going on in your mind - so keep your frustration inside
and instead channel it into your game plan.
Remind
yourself that you are willing to stay out there as long as it takes to
win the match, and that you have the ability, cleverness and mental strength to
win regardless of whether you are playing your best or not.
This
is definitely a good time to use some positive self-talk in between points,
or even a mantra that you repeat over and over between points (eg.'powerful
and consistent') - definitely better than tearing yourself down with a barrage
of self-abuse as most players do in this situation! (and a much more impressive
image you are projecting down the other end to your opponent as well).
You
may also need to make some tactical changes if your A-game
is not firing.
Of
course, often it is only particular shots which are not firing,
while the others are going fine - so this might just mean taking
some a slightly different approach to these particular areas
of your game that you left at home.
For
instance, if your huge first serve is simply not landing into court
that day, you might choose to take 20% off the serve and add more
spin, to increase your first serve percentage.
Then
maybe you can use the big serve as more of a surprise that
you blast down at given times, rather than trying to rely on it
throughout the entire match.
Or
if your big forehand is not firing that day, possibly you might
need to keep the ball rallying more consistently and further inside
the lines on the day, rather than going for the accurate line shots
that you usually go for when you are at your best - or just waiting
a little longer before you go for that big shot.
Needless to say, it is quite possible you may play these shots
in as the match wears on, and you may find these particular
shots firing on all cylinders by the end of the match!
Last
of all, try to relax between points and especially when you are
hitting your shots - as one of the biggest reasons for players not
being in the zone is due to mental and physical stress (or
nervousness) which tightens up the body and prevents the possibility
of fluid, free-flowing hitting.
Some
deep breaths in between points and even closing your eyes for a
moment to center yourself (eg. at the change of ends) can help you
to click back into a powerful mindset that will lift your game.
You often see this happening on court in the pro game.
So
from now on, you know it is possible for you to win any match regardless
of how you are playing. Never give up on yourself during a match and you
will pull out some surprising wins.
