Last week we talked about taking
your mind, that is your conscious mind, off your tennis, so
your subconscious could take over. Continuing with our focus
on using your brain to help you play better tennis (or at
least not hindering your ability to play to your potential),
let's look at some ways to get your brain involved in the
right ways.
1.
Know your
strengths- take some time to
analyze your strokes, better yet, have a
tennis pro evaluate your game. Once you
know which shots or abilities (baseline
rallying, net play, movement, etc) are
your strengths, you can design your
style around them. You may excel at long
baseline rallies due to a good forehand,
great stamina, and excellent foot
movement. You may have a great net game
and choose to serve and volley
frequently.
2. Commit
to your playing style- once you
understand your game, you can gain
confidence in it and commit to
practicing and perfecting it. Knowing
your on-court identity will help you
weather those games where you are making
mistakes and, in the past, doubted your
abilities.
3.
Think about
tactics, not results (and
definitely not mechanics)- many times
the score can get in the way of your
best tennis. And thinking about the
mechanics of a stroke is the kiss of
death to fluid, focused play. Think
about patterns you want to
execute..."get into a forehand,
cross-court rally until I see an opening
for a short angle or down-the-line
winner", serve to his backhand and
charge the net", etc. It also helps to
analyze your opponent's
patterns...."When she's going to serve
out wide, she stands further from center
mark", "when I give him a short ball, he
cranks a forehand down the line." Never
think about the actual stroke mechanics,
that's what practice and lessons are
for.
"Before
I learned the art, a punch was just a punch, and a kick,
just a kick.
After I learned the art, a punch was no longer a punch, a
kick, no longer a kick.
Now that Iunderstandthe
art, a punch is just a punch and a kick is just a kick."
-- Bruce Lee
While we are focusing on the mind right
now, don't forget the body. Nutrition is a big part of being
healthy enough to play your best, and supplements may help
with that. Try the Vitamin Shoppe for nutrition and
supplement needs.
