Mental Training

Adam Unknown Asked 16 years ago

how can I improve my mental skills, cause sometimes, my stroke become wrong when i hit the ball but when I doing my shadow, I can do it well. Another thing is, I cant see the spin of the ball clearly, and I can't see the ball when its so fast.

our coach told us to close our eyes and think only of the ball and its sound for 5 minutes. AFter that, he makes us relax our body.

how can I apply good mentality in playing this game? 

Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago

Hi Adam,

It is a long process from being able to do the stroke correctly to being able to do it in an important match situation.

First your body needs to learn the movements of the stroke.
Second it needs to be able to do the stroke with the ball.
Third it needs to be able to do the stroke in a situation where you don't know where the ball is coming.
Fourth it needs to be able to do the stroke in a practice match situation.
Fifth it needs to be able to do the stroke in a real match.
Sixth it needs to be able to do the stroke in a tight match situation.

Depending on the stroke and the person this could take 6 months or longer.

About watching the ball:
This is often talked about but it can NEVER be emphasised too much.  It is not even a matter of watching the ball, but it is about being absolutely intensely looking at the ball.  This does not happen immediately.  It also takes practice.  Some of your training session should be dedicated just to practicing watching the ball.  May sound crazy but it will help.  As you get better at watchig the ball the ball will seem to slow down for you.  At the moment you think the ball is too fast but it will get easier.

In a match situation you do not have time to think about your strokes or footwork or anything technical, it is all about watching the ball and letting yourself play with the strokes and technique that you have learned during practice.

Your coach is right.  Relaxation plays a big part in how well you perform.

This is a big topic and  we may be able to cover it more fully in time.