mental strength
General
David Unknown Asked 15 years ago
Hi, as i play i naturally make mistakes, sometimes silly ones, but i tend to get very stressed by them and consiquently lose lots more of unforced points. Secondly, sometimes after a great set i cannot maintain my full consentration and lose almost easily. These two factors frustrate me a lot and damage my game. Your suggestions maybe the key for improving it, please....
Alois Rosario Answered 15 years ago
Hi David,
Having a stable attitude is key to performing well.
If we get too low or too high we don't perform as well. Getting stressed is self fulfilling. The more you stress the worse you will play. Similarly if you gett too excited about your performance you may also start to perform worse.
Try to take a deep breath to start off with whenever you find yourself in either of these situations. Then start to focus on what you would like to do with the next point. It may help you.
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Andrew T Posted 15 years ago
This has happened to me as well. After I take a deep breath I try to remind myself the main reason I am playing is to have fun. That way I can relax a little bit, evenn in a tough match. Even if at the moment it feels like you are letting your attitude slip when you take that bit of pressure off your game can really open up (in the good way).
After winning a set it can be difficult to maintain concentration. Try to keep the points simple and play within yourself. If you tend to miss a lot make them hit good shots to win, don't just give it away.
Good luck,
Andrew
Ji-Soo Woo Posted 15 years ago
Interestingly enough, I find I usually know early in a match (usually the first game or two) whether I will win or lose. It's got nothing to do with scores...more with my own frame of mind. Sometimes I feel very calm, and can clearly VISUALISE how I will win. In that frame of mind, I find myself relaxed, even if I am behind or the match becomes close. And when I win, it feels the most natural thing in the world. Other times, I feel desperate and CAN'T visualise myself winning for the life of me. Even when I am up 10-7 and have game points, I feel like I am just going through the motions and the opponent will almost certainly come back unless I get a lucky net tip or edge. I try to finish off points with wildly optimistic smashes and hope I get lucky...meanwhile giving up a ton of unforced errors. It all becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
I have not yet learnt how to control this frame of mind...