Help!
A tennis tournament is coming up this weekend and I'm in a heap of nerves! I play really well (I know so and everyone says so!) but I only play my best when I'm just chilling...not competing. I miraculously made it through the qualifying games this morning but only cause I was really lucky! When I was playing I couldn't seem to concentrate...I played some moves I never play when I practice. I was really out of control! I almost lost to the worst player in the club!
Please tell me how I can keep my cool. How can I control those butterflies in my tummy? They're driving me crazy!!
Help me please!
2006-09-18 22:23:56 · 21 answers · asked by Omniscient BoogyChick! 1 in Sports ➔ Tennis
Oh, and by the way...I've tried the breathing thing and it doesn't seem to work!
2006-09-18 22:37:18 · update #1
same problem with me. but recently i've been doing well. with my new mood i was calm enough to beat a varsity player from our local high school. he was 17. im only 13. im not evn in high school yet. that was my best accomplishment so far. as 4 you, what reccomend is.....just dont think to much. i no its sounds weird but if stop and look at what you said, you said you perform better when just chillin and having fun. thats what u gotta do. but dont get to loose. u have to use ur brain. for me i usually dont think "o what shot am i using next," i just react to where the ball is hit. and if u start to lose dont worry at all. negative attidude KILLS ur game. sometimes i get so down that i just dont put effort into my shots and i let up. i let up so i try to get it in. but if u want to no the truth, by letting up, i had more unforced errors, AND less winners too.
so mainly just focus on the game. ignore any fan attention or anything like that. just do what u do.
2006-09-19 02:34:43 · answer #1 · answered by Chi Town Sports Fan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your problem is psychological!
- You're afraid of what?
- Of loosing or winning... Are you a professional tennis player? Is there somthing very interesting to win after the tournament?
- Answer these questions first. There are no breathing lessons or meditation that you must practice, it's all rubbish coz you're going to have your match very soon.
- Alright, have you answered your question? What's your motivation to play tennis or to play simply this tournament?
- If you're playing just to enjoy yourself, fine... just keep it easy and repeat again and again that you are playing just to spend a nice time. there is no need to be stressed! You're not going to beat Sharapova or Justine... Am I wrong?
- If you are playing quit seriously to win the match. Then, what's your perception of "winning"? Is winning the trophee to impress your families and friends your MAIN objective.
- When I use to play matches - my aim is to always PROGRESS AND TO PLAY MY BEST TENNIS. How to do it? "Just let it go" - let your mind flow and let it do what it really wants. You are having butterflies coz you want to control your mind, your are afraid not to play your best tennis.
- TO REMEMBER: You're going to play your BEST TENNIS only if you play a humble tennis and let your mind flows. In other words, let your mind play instead that you do it. It is rather diffcult but keep enjoying all what you do will help you better.
- "relaxed concentration" also is a nice thing. Again, learn to enjoy the match you're playing, whatever the enormous fault you are making.
- Need some more advice - mail me.
2006-09-19 07:35:21 · answer #2 · answered by Li 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a nationally certified Tennis Instructor and former Top 20 tennis player in New England. So, I feel particularly well-qualified to answer your question.
Besides monitoring the calm rhythm of your breathing, you should also focus on playing just one point at a time.
This prevents you from dwelling on the entire match and projecting a negative outcome with its accompanying fear and paralysis.
2006-09-19 06:52:07 · answer #3 · answered by jeff spin 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Shoulders back, breath through your nose and take deep long breaths. You will be fine. If you do loose at least you will get practice agings hitting with other players. If you have a positive attitude you will play better than if you were mad and didn't want to be there. Good luck!!
2006-09-19 21:19:09 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jeff Spin is correct in advising playing one point at a time. Between points, take your mind off of the last point by looking up at the sky or looking at an object off the court and clearing your mind. Adjust your clothing, dry your hands, or whatever else you need done then take a deep breath and step up into your ready position for the next point.
2006-09-19 15:49:58 · answer #5 · answered by jstout 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This works for me, before the match I use the light a candel and sitting in front of the candle focos on the light the more you can, do it at least 20 times, without blinking. During the match play poiint by point, do not think before the next point. Good Luck
2006-09-19 09:41:52 · answer #6 · answered by pelancha 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make it such that this isn't such a big deal for you. The expectation of others and your own expectations as well make it such that you are under pressure to perform.
At the same time it could work to your advantage. By your own admission you know you are good, so go out there and prove it. Believe that you will do well, not that you only got there by luck. You know in your head that you are good but really believe it, and set out to impress. Give it your best shot. What happens after that just happens...
2006-09-19 06:18:27 · answer #7 · answered by stj 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The same thing happened to me and I totally agree with Jeff Spin's advise, concentrate on the point ahead. Don't think about the venue, the people around it, the score or even the skills of your opponent focus only on that ball coming towards you.
2006-09-19 11:24:10 · answer #8 · answered by Lumas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sheesh! I wish I knew! I also suffer from the disease! I think it's called butterflitis! Hahaha!
Those breathing excercises don't work much for me either but a friend of mine told me to not think too much about it. He said I must think of it like it's one of those games you play just to have fun.
I like to think that my opponent is in just as much pressure as I am...he could even be feeling worse! When I have that in mind I play offensive and attack his weak spots!
That helps a bit. The only downfall is that you might get to confident...and that's a tragic mistake!
2006-09-19 05:45:44 · answer #9 · answered by Dahv Inchi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
there are two ways to go about this.
1. Imagine you are mad at your opponent. focus on scrubbing his/her face on the floor running after the ball. rage can take over fear sometimes.
2. Sometimes its like performing in front of an audience. The spotlight hits you so you don't see them and it seems like you are only performing for yourself.
In the end, its all going to be for you. Your win will only benefit you. How much do you really want this?
2006-09-19 05:37:44 · answer #10 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋