The following post is an excerpt from The Tennis Parent’s Bible. Thanks for visiting, Frank Giampaolo
Below I’ve listed some of the more common roadblocks you will be facing in the near future. View difficulties as opportunities to grow. Pressing through or around obstacles is critical!
Common Road Blocks:
Believing that if you’re the better athlete, then you will win
Being a better physical athlete is only one third of the battle. If you are weaker mentally or emotionally, you will struggle. Another way to look at this issue is if an opponent looks physically superior to the rest of the field then there is most likely something missing or something broken in their mental or emotional components. If they were superior in all three, they would be playing on the pro tour.
Procrastination
Big time national titles are won by the champions because they accept the fact that they will be shedding serious blood, sweat and tears two months before the event begins. Procrastinators often do everything else except focus 100 percent on improving and fixing their problems. As long as they do not actually give 100 percent on the practice court, they will have a built-in excuse…”If I had the time to practice, I could of beaten her…etc.”
Quantity of practices versus quality of practice
Hopefully this tip is beginning to sink in, but rallying back and forth to a hitter or even worse, having balls fed right to your favorite strike zone does not in any way simulate tough playing conditions. Our battle cry is “Practice in the manner in which you are expected to perform.” Remember high-end tennis is not a game of catch; it is a game of keep away!
Thinking that practicing hard for one hour is enough
Top tournament play often requires that you compete in two, best of three sets, singles matches a day. Since doubles play results count for your overall ranking, throw in a doubles matches as well. So how many hours are day are you prepared and committed to run your tail off?
Under training off court
If you “think” that you are mostly in shape…then you are most likely not in shape. Players that are in great shape know they are in great shape. Getting past the third day of a big event is going to be a challenge for every junior who only “thinks” they’re in shape.
FUN FACT: Remember, solid fundamentals will get you in the draw. Being crazy fit keeps you in the draw. But being mentally and emotionally stable under stress wins titles.
Cramming last minute for an event
Peak performance requires that you apply periodization. Cramming in training days before a national event will lead to your “batteries” being half full. Also, your millisecond decision-making skills won’t be sharp. You will hesitate with judgments and often over think under stress. In addition, last minute crammers usually end up playing sore or injured.
Mistake management
It is essential that you understand the difference between a “good” mistake and a “bad” mistake. Did the mistake stem from technical form, inappropriate “shot selections” or poor movement? Mentally making the appropriate corrections without emotional condemnation is important.
Anger management
Poor preparation is the source of the problems that cause the anger. Plans and patterns should be nurtured months before an event. Tools are sharpened and the rust is buffed out. It’s not the opponent that causes the anger issues in a match. It’s the fact that the opponent has exposed a weakness that wasn’t fixed before the match began.
Blame management
Blaming is a common excuse many juniors prefect. Changing string tension, racquets, coaches, and academies is a short -term feel good fix. However, designing a strong personalized developmental program and sticking to it is the solution to your problems. Intermediates spend most of their time working on the strokes they already own. Advanced players spend most of their time perfecting the strokes and patterns they wish to add to their tool belt.
Lack of pre-match routines and rituals
Essential routines and rituals are used by professionals and often overlooked by junior competitors. Teens are often too cool to prepare. Rituals may include equipment preparation, nutrition and hydration at the right times, warming up your primary and secondary strokes, applying visualization sessions, and going for a short run before going on the court. Champions act like champions long before they become champions.
Which of the above roadblocks do you see as your biggest challenges on the road to success? What can you do to push through these roadblocks?
Contact: Frank Giampaolo
FGSA@earthlink.net
MaximizingTennisPotential.com
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