The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thank you for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Self Destructing on-Court
Question: My daughter seems to self-destruct every tournament. Can you help?
Answer: Below I have outlined five solutions to eliminating self-destruction.
Choose a Solution + Rehearse the Solution = Eliminate Self Destruction
Secrets to Eliminate Self Destruction
- When you are donating points with first or second strike errors, simply focus on hitting three balls clean straight down the center of the court. You’ll go from handing the opponent the trophy to making them earn a seven ball rally. Trust me, this really works.
- While being too eager to see your beautiful shot, you sneak a peek early, pull out of the strike zone and shank balls off the frame. A new twist on an age old tip is to simply say “bounce” when the incoming ball lands on your court and “turn” as you begin to uncoil the kinetic chain into the ball. Trick yourself into thinking that you can see the ball “hit” the strings of your racket. Wa-la! No more shanks.
- Future thoughts are a common enemy of high quality tennis. Thinking ahead to the award presentation, your new ranking or what your friends are going to say when you beat this seed is a sure fire path to Loserville. Focus on the present execution of your performance patterns versus the post- match outcome drama.
- Mistakes often lead to anger. Anger leads to increased ball speed. Increasing ball speed leads to more errors. To steady up, simply match the opponents ball speed until you get your game back to a controllable level. Yes, champions simply match the ball speed.
- Likewise, self-destruction leads to mindless, quick walking and reckless play. Re -commit to applying the three pillars of between point rituals. Truly get over the past points, stop for a few seconds and plan the next point’s pattern. Then apply your rehearsed relaxation rituals.
Accept the fact that sometimes your opponent will be playing in the zone and/or that you will be off your game- but this is the time you must re-focus on your training (your game). believe in your game and apply your game strategies as best as you can. Win or loose-self-destructing on court is handing the opponent the match. Maria Sharapova is a perfect role model for self-belief. She believes in her game and she never gives up until the last point is played! Be sure your child’s coach is training competition strategies to help eliminate on court self destruction. Thanks, Frank Giampaolo
Contact Frank Giampoalo
FGSA@earthlink.net
www.MaximizingTennisPotential.com
