The following post is an excerpt from the Second Edition of The Tennis Parent’s Bible
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THE ART OF CONSISTENCY
The battle cry heard daily on every teaching court around the world is, “You need to be more consistent!” Makes sense right? It sounds simple, but how? If your child has an issue with consistency the information applied below will surely push them into a higher level. These mental training tips should be revisited often by your entourage of intelligent coaches.
Being consistent holds different meanings for different levels of players and is dependent on their individual growth development schedule. To some readers, playing at ones peak performance level for three shots in a row is successful consistency. For others it may require playing solid for three points in a row, or three games in a row. Followed by performing at a high level for three sets in a row, or even three matches in a row…dare I say, consistently playing well for three tournaments in a row?
Incorporate the following solutions into your athlete’s developmental plan to help your athletes become more consistent.
Expose Strengths
Practice in the manner in which you’re expecting to perform. Design patterns and positions to expose your strengths and hide your weaknesses. Winning two tough matches a day for 5 days straight is the criteria for winning a national title. Winners expose their efficiencies and hide their deficiencies on a daily basis.
Rehearse Shot Selection
The most common type of error in the higher levels of junior tennis stems from low percentage shot selection. Abiding by the laws of offence, neutral and defensive is a factor. Consistently focus on choosing to hit the appropriate shot the moment demands.
Focus on Depth
On-court depth is a goal while seeking consistency. Lack of depth opens up the opponent’s on-court angles which translates to your athlete playing defense. The “window” their ball travels above the net is crucial in the development of depth. This is called “air zones.” Consistent height and depth is a key to consistent wins.
Simply Match the Speed of the Incoming Ball
Champions are comfortable matching the ball speed. Fighting the compulsion to always increase the ball speed is a sure fire way to be more consistent. When you don’t have the feel in a match, shift to this plan. This is also a super warm up routine. It shows the opponent you are stable versus crazy.
Hit the Appropriate Side of the Ball
Beginner and intermediate players are happy simply hitting any part of the ball. If they’re getting a tan, they’re happy! Top players understand that to hit secondary shots such as short angles, topspin lobs and slice shots, it requires more skill. The part of the ball your athlete strikes dictates its outgoing spins and angles.
Spacing
Proper movement and positioning around the strike zone is called spacing. Using adjustment steps to align each stroke is an underlying factor in the ability to actually use good form. A common cause of errors is spacing.
Proper Form
Form includes grips, backswings, strike zones and follow-throughs. Core strength and balance is required to keep the head still throughout the strike zone phase of the stroke. Cleaning up flawed strokes often involves “trimming the fat” versus adding more to the player’s stroke.
Master Spin
In high level tennis, spin is simply used as a consistency tool. The key ingredient in hitting the ball hard and in is… spin. Also, as the ball speed increases in a rally, a player then must slow down the ball with spin (usually under spin) to re-gain a positioning advantage. Controlling the point consistently is done with spin.
Avoid Repainting the Line
It is not the player’s job to paint the lines. Risky competitors who gun for the lines typically become early spectators. Hitting the lines also allows a cheater easy access to hook. Gunning for the lines increase frustration and complicate even the easiest of matches.
Increase Your Fitness
Being fit has wonderful benefits. It increases your overall confidence, allows you to stay in points longer, think clearer, problem solving better, accelerate and decelerate quicker, use cleaner strokes, calm the breathing and heart rate, recover faster after long points, recover after long matches and prevent injuries.
Increase Your Focus Ability
A common issue with inconsistency is playing solid, winning tennis three games in a row; then getting bored or unfocused and giving three games right back. Staying in the moment and focusing on your next point’s performance goals is “key.” This is done by mastering an inner game. Focus on simply winning three points in a row when you are bored or feel you are losing focus.
“Being great once and awhile means your good… not great.”
Coaches and players should make time in their developmental plans to visit the above solutions proven to help the art of consistency.
