people have always told me i'm a pretty good player at the sport. and in practice i'm always the one doing the best. yet when it comes to playing the match i always find myself playing awful. any advice??
2007-02-15 15:51:57 · 6 answers · asked by joemomma 2 in Sports ➔ Tennis
my friends tell me its prolly a mental thing with me and i get brought down easily or something like when i'm down i always mentally give up. although i myself dont feel that way maybe i'm mentally downing myself subconciously
2007-02-15 18:09:06 · update #1
I would say, if you've tried everything, go to the link below and read that book. I read that book before my season of '05, and i went undefeated. I was also got MVP that year. I'm not saying that you're never gonna lose again, but the book gets you thinking, and it gets into your brain, and gets you to act the right way during tough situations. Tennis is a very mental game, and the book addresses that very much
Also, I would not suggest VISUALIZING anything tho. Prepare mentally for your match by remembering what your strengths are and how to play to those strengths, but don't VISUALIZE that you're going to hit all these crazy shots, because it could be a little far-fetched.
I think it's ludicrous that visualizing beats practice. That goes against the oldest rule in the book that all professionals live by "practice makes perfect". You can visualize all you want that you're going to beat someone, but if they're better than you, then visualizing isn't going to make you better. Practice will.
That's my advice. Hope everything works out for you! Good luck!
2007-02-16 01:16:29 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Don't use body language, it gives your opponent an edge.
Stay calm, and just know that you can win the match.
I've been down 6-0 6-1 (with a triple match point but I came back and broke serve) and pulled off a win before. Just be confident and tell yourself that anything's possible and that you can win.
Play every point as if it's the first point in the match, especially when you're down a set/match point.
Anything's possible.
Good luck.
2007-02-16 04:21:26 · answer #2 · answered by Dude~ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't give much info....
I learned the following in boxing for 6 years.
First: Keep working at it and toughen up a little. It's not meant to be easy to win.
Diet: Stay off caffeine and alcohol at least for the days before a match. Stay well hydrated. Nothing works as well as pure water! Increase your carb intake for a couple days previous to competition for improved match energy ("carb loading"). Do not eat heavy protein for the last 3 meals before a match. Always take a good, easily digested, vitamin/mineral supplement for the potential holes in your diet.
Mental preparedness:
Stay focused before the match but do activities that are light-hearted and relaxing, saving your energies for competition. Start a winning attitude today! Physical improvements take days, weeks, months, years. Mental improvements can be had almost instantly. A good attitude can turn the whole thing around in no time. Don't be too self-critical. As long as you say "I can't" you are probably right. Start saying (things like) "I can", "I am improving", "I have a chance to win", "I am strong", "I am prepared", "I am fast". It may seem silly but some good self-talk goes a long way.
Finally, one of the fastest, easiest ways to improve your competitive edge: Use visualization to your advantage. Perhaps you have heard of what was done with a basketball team. Half of the team practice their free throws on the court like normal. The other half went in a separate room and visualized their shots going through the hoop. The visualizing group measurably beat the other half in their free through percentage. Visualize your serves blazing into the unreachable corner! Visualize reaching the unreachable return. Visualize your success.
Good luck!
2007-02-15 17:15:40 · answer #3 · answered by Yowdy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
two terms, 3 words
shot selection and PRACITCE
you need to figure out before you hit each shot,
how hard
how high
how much spin
which spin
also match pracitce is invaluable. play at least 5 competitive matches every week and you are sure to improve.
2007-02-16 02:25:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dont be too nervous, Dont think you're gonna win, and Dont cloud your mind ( stay focused and forget everthing ) and be healthy when you play ( stay hydrated)
Play it and love it
2007-02-15 15:56:50 · answer #5 · answered by BlazenAzn215 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
u have to have fun...if ur having fun then u have no fear...u must go into the match excepting that one player must win and that one player must lose..and if u can truly grasp that..u can aleivate a lot of unesecary pressure and just have fun
2007-02-17 16:09:19 · answer #6 · answered by shvee21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take everything slowly, dont rush. play consistenly
2007-02-17 14:38:00 · answer #7 · answered by mj 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋