In-Between Points
Continuing from last week's discussion, since tennis is mostly an individual sport it is psychologically demanding. This week I'd like to discuss briefly about a single aspect of the game that is often overlooked. If you chart a tennis match on a time-scale, about 60-80% of a player's time during a match is actually spent in-between points and this makes it especially important to consciously utilise this time in a positive manner to help re-inforce one's mental aspect of the game. This can go a long way in keeping focus on the game and many a time, make a come back from tough situations.
Tennis players have their ups and downs through points, games & sets and it is in this time, between points, that they can use various startegies to help them play the next point better. In my experience working with young tennis players I have observed that it is easy for them to lose focus more rapidly when they are down a set. This is because they tend to keep thinking about their previous mistakes in that set. In such situations, it is very important for a player to focus on the “here & now”. One can and should learn to quickly analyse what went wrong in the previous point or game, reflect on what can be done to improve it and forget about it, then and there. This strategy goes a long way in helping the player stay focused, on a point by point basis and keep up the confidence even if they have lost a game or set. When one observes Maria Sharapova play, it is very evident that between points her focus and concentration is on the racquet strings and she seems to almost have this as a means to avoid getting distracted. Similarly one can adopt other strategies to help keep focus and stay in the game.
Routines are another important part of a players' startegy to help them cope better with the ups and downs involved in the game of tennis. Next week we shall discuss routines in detail.
Tennis players have their ups and downs through points, games & sets and it is in this time, between points, that they can use various startegies to help them play the next point better. In my experience working with young tennis players I have observed that it is easy for them to lose focus more rapidly when they are down a set. This is because they tend to keep thinking about their previous mistakes in that set. In such situations, it is very important for a player to focus on the “here & now”. One can and should learn to quickly analyse what went wrong in the previous point or game, reflect on what can be done to improve it and forget about it, then and there. This strategy goes a long way in helping the player stay focused, on a point by point basis and keep up the confidence even if they have lost a game or set. When one observes Maria Sharapova play, it is very evident that between points her focus and concentration is on the racquet strings and she seems to almost have this as a means to avoid getting distracted. Similarly one can adopt other strategies to help keep focus and stay in the game.
Routines are another important part of a players' startegy to help them cope better with the ups and downs involved in the game of tennis. Next week we shall discuss routines in detail.
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