The following post is an excerpt from Frank’s NEW Amazon #1 New Tennis Book Release, Preparing for Pressure.
Click Here to Order
“IT’S LOSING TO THE WEAKER PLAYERS THAT KILLS ME…
I SELF-DESTRUCT!”
“Self-destruction unknowingly begins in the preparation phase.”
The worst part about the feelings of self-destruction in competition is that the athlete is fully aware it’s happening but can’t do anything to stop it. Their muscles begin to tighten, they shank every other ball, and their brain is fixated on contaminating outcome thoughts. We’ve all been there. You’re choking, and you know it, the opponent knows it, even the spectators know it, but you weren’t taught any self-destruction solutions, so the match feels like a slow death.
Rehearsing self-destruction solutions on the practice court provide the athlete with a practical “go to system.”
The following are a few proactive solutions to employ during match play to aid in regaining focus:
- Focus on Hitting 3 Balls Deep Down the Middle
- Apply the Old School Bounce-Hit Method of Vision Control
- Return to your Script of Top Patterns of Play
- Reboot your Between Point Rituals
I recommend the player choose two of the previous solutions and play a few practice sets, and focusing exclusively on the selected solutions to stop imploding behavior.
Preparing for pressure requires pre-set solutions to common problems.
