The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s NEW Amazon #1 New Tennis Book Release, Preparing for Pressure.
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“How do I spot when I’m losing focus?”
“Be on high alert for signs of mental detachment.”
In matches, it’s not uncommon for athletic individuals to realize that the opponent isn’t the only cause of their losses. It’s their roller coaster performance. Their detachment fuels bouts of sloppy play which complicates even the most routine matches. So, how can a player spot when their performance level is about to take a dive?
The following are 10 common signs of an athlete detaching from their script.
- Unfocused Eyes: “Are my eyes starting to wander outside my court?”
- Reckless Shot Selection: “Am I now attempting shots the moment doesn’t really demand?”
- A Drop in Intensity: “Has my energy level or focus intensity dropped?”
- Frustration-Body Language: “Am I calm or agitated?”
- Rushed /Panicking Play: “Is my breathing shallow and is my heart racing too fast?”
- Choking/Pushing: “Am I worried about the outcome?”
- Lack of Rituals: “Am I skipping my between point rituals?”
- Hesitating: “I know how to play my game, but am I chickening out?”
- Attempting to Play above Your Level: ‘Do I really need to hit this big?”
- Wandering Mind: “Am I thinking about irrelevant, contaminating thoughts?
If detachment is spotted, disconnect and reboot before returning to play. Verbal and physical triggers pull the athlete back on script. Verbal triggers include “Get back on script.” “One point at a time.” Physical triggers involve moving your feet and doing some loose shadow swings.
Reconnecting to the correct headspace starts with picking up these available clues.
