The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s newest book, The Soft Science of Tennis.
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ISFP: Introvert Sensate Feeler Perceiver
Challenge: ISFP athletes tend to have their own agendas and schedules. They “beat to their own drum.” The structure and rules of others are often difficult for them to follow.
Solution: When too many demands and obligations fall upon them, these introverted individuals need alone time to recharge their batteries. Their SF function makes them want to do everything correctly to make others proud. Provide information and instruction at a rate that is comfortable for them to digest so that they can better assimilate. Excessive details tend to bog down ISFP’s.
Challenge: Pay particular attention to the amount of criticism offered to the ISFP. Lack of appreciation is a sure fire way for them to pull away from the sport.
Solution: Apply the five-compliments to one-criticism approach when working with this cerebral design. Use video analysis to point out their incredible strengths and improvements instead of only their weaknesses and failures. Instead of offering advice in the heat of the moment, offer to be available to chat when they’re ready to talk through their feelings.
Challenge: Under stress, this type can become excessively critical of themselves and others trying to assist them. These athletes tend to be harsh as they obsess over their mistakes and imagined problems.
Solution: Validate that you understand their feelings but reassure them that feelings are simply emotions and emotions are often speculations, not absolute facts. Have some fun as you remind them that their catastrophic thoughts are just thoughts and often not reality.
Challenge: Due to their FP design, these individuals are likely to mentally drift into future thoughts after a lead is established. These outcome thoughts include: “what’s my ranking going to be?”, “Who do I play next?”, “What are my friends going to say when I beat this top seed?”
Solution: Assist the ISFP’s in remaining on script, within their performance state of mind after they’ve built a lead. Drifting into outcome-oriented scenarios while still in the match is a receipt for disaster.
