X Close Editor

Submitted by: Ken DeHart

Title

Comment
Trusting your strokes is obviously a mental skill. In my program "Defeating the Monsters in Your Mind", we approach the "trust" factor like this. First a definition of Mental Tuffness - "The ability to perform a skill, based upon what you know at this point in time and then perform the skill without fear of success or failure". The lack of trust begins with not having a picture of success. Your mind is not on the shot at hand but already in the future, concerned with the consequences - before they ever happen. Because you are a competent rally person, you are focused on the task at hand - 1. read the in-comming ball 2. make a decision as to its speed and location 3. move into a position that best allows you to execute your shot of choice and then perform that skill 4. allowing your eyes to stay in the contact zone well after the ball is gone 5. allow your movement to continue after the shot as you begin recovery and entry into position for the next shot In the practice phase of the game your focus is on the execution of the shot. In the match the focus switches to the result of the shot - before it is made Drills to enhance your ability to perform in match play like you do in practice include: 1. Look for the spin on the ball as it is coming toward you. 2. The sooner you can "see" the spin the more time you will have to prepare for the shot. This level of focus - 8 or 9 on a scale of 1-10 will help you evaluate your "focus level" and see how it compares to your practice level. 3. Count as you contact the ball and as your opponent contacts the ball. The counting (1-2-3 etc) makes you focus on the ball as it is coming to you so you can count - at the moment of contact and count as the opponent contacts the ball as well. The actual count needs to occur at the true moment of contact and not before or after. 4. Counting also helps you to breathe - non-breathing is a major cause of stress in a rally which causes the player to "freak-out" and go for a winner because they can no longer breathe. This is commonly called "choking". 5. Make tennis a "moving experience" by counting the number of steps you take after you contact the ball and before you contact it again. The pros average about 10-12 steps, an average player averages about 4-6 steps and a beginner averages about 2-4 steps. You drop one skill level for each 2 steps you drop in your movement. *The reason for the dropped steps is two fold: 1. Didn't know I was to take a specific number of steps. 2. As I start worrying about the future of my shot I get tighter and my feet move less. These are typical ways to counter the "Monsters in Your Mind". Any thought about the fear of success or failure of your shot is in the future. You can only control your future by your decisions at this moment. "See the ball spin", count and move to stay in the present. All the best, Ken DeHart USA High Performance Coach PTR and USPTA Master Pro Wilson Premier Advisory Staff

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

Updating Comments page...

X Close Editor

Submitted by: Julian C.

Title

Comment
Inspiring words and knowledge shared by Ken DeHart. Not to mention that it rings so absolutely true in my own experience. I was exactly at the same place where Tyler is right now. Good technique/strokes that would -almost tragically ! ;-( vanish into oblivion during match play. A very hard pill to swallow for someone who "looks great" when rallying... and takes pride on his technique and shot making. One of the main aspects fueling this psychologically debilitating situation for a player (as it was for me) is that deep down you feel you are a better executioner/shot maker than your opponent. Which in turn is validated by being labeled "the best" (as in Tyler's case) when they see him rallying... But regardless of all of that, they're consistently beating you !! This (of course) adds to the pressure, and has a way of getting in your head, taking you even further away from the present and the job at hand, where your focus and attention should be. I beat this problem. I wouldn't be here excited to share this with you if I hadn't. For me, it was this website and Tomaz writings which took me to the next level. Especially what I learned about strategy... don't ever neglect that part of your game !! Just be patient with yourself. Stop beating yourself on the court. Soak up these very valuable teaching and apply it. Happy Tennis !

Cancel Delete Delete & Ban

Updating Comments page...