Staying focused during the whole of a match
Mental Preparation
Stephen Martin Asked 9 years ago
Quite often I am 2 games in front and then loose the next 3 or I am 2 games behind win the next 2 to level at 2 all and then loose the 5th. Can you help me Alois with some good advice ?
Steve.
Guernsey. Channel Islands.
Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago
Hi Stephen,
I think the key is to take each point as it comes. Often we get ahead of ourselves especially in situations where we are 2 games ahead and start to think about the finish line. The next point is the important one. If you start to focus on the end, then you aren't paying attention to what you need to be doing at the time. You are also not focusing your attention on the ball.
Take a look at our series on Sports Psychology for some ideas and thoughts as well.
Let me know if this helps.
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We could have called this master class never give up. It's amazing when you are on the back foot in a rally how many times you can actually win the point just by making your opponent play one extra ball. Watch the video to find out how effective this is and how you can practice this skill.
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martinand bernard Posted 9 years ago
yes two games ahead, mind a lot, say to you you are not ahead;
Fouad Hafnium Posted 9 years ago
Like Alois said, the key is to give all your attention to the next point. I find it particularly useful to try to see each point as a game of chess on its own. Watch Werner Schlager vs Ma Lin to know what I mean.
Dieter Verhofstadt Posted 9 years ago
When your opponent is of equal strength, then after a 2-0 lead, their chance of winning the match is 1/8 and yours is 7/8. So your chances are 7 times as high as theirs to win the match. Not less but also not more.