Your Mind: It Matters
The world’s best players have a mental strategy for their games, and so should you
Players often prioritize the technical and tactical elements of their games, but don’t take as much time to improve the game between their ears. In tennis, you have to quickly recover from bad shots, deal with internal and external stress, and take lessons from each match. Its mental challenge cant be understated, and unless you're playing doubles, you only have yourself to rely on.
This is where good meets great. Just as there should be a physical plan for your on-court performance, there should also be a dedicated mental approach. Here are three ways you can start making your mind into a weapon all its own.
1/Visualize and Meditate Whether you're playing a match or having a friendly hit, write down what you want to accomplish. Then sit down, close your eyes, and envision yourself doing that on the court. If you are practicing new tactics or form, visualize yourself making these adjustments. If your goal is getting to the net, see yourself doing it,
2 / BE PRESENT Once you step on the court, work and life should be left outside the gates. Only tennis should be on. your mind. Before you get ready to hit, take a minute, close your eyes, take three deep breaths through your nose, and a big exhale out of your mouth. This will help ground you. Set an intention for the practice or match you are about to participate in. Your focus will remove distraction and keep you present.
3 / REFLECT AND GET FEEDBACK Start keeping track of what you do well, and what you can improve upon. After every practice or match, take five minutes to reflect and give yourself constructive feedback in a journal or on your phone. This will establish a path for improvement, while also allowing your mind to realize your strengths. It will also help your coach, if you have one, for future practices and matches.
Players often prioritize the technical and tactical elements of their games, but don't take as much time to improve the game between their ears. In tennis, you have to quickly recover from bad shots, deal with internal and external stress, and take lessons from each match. Its mental challenge can't be understated, and unless you're playing doubles, you only have yourself to rely on.
This is where good meets great. Just as there should be a physical plan for your on-court performance, there should also be a dedicated mental approach. Here are three ways you can start making your mind into a weapon all its own.
Excerpt taken from: TENNIS.COM MAY/JUNE 2020
Players often prioritize the technical and tactical elements of their games, but don’t take as much time to improve the game between their ears.
The sport of tennis has been rated highest for youth to do better academically, be less likely to utilize substances and more likely to attend college. Science has proven the profound effect that mindfulness practices have on children’s abilities to connect with self and others, focus on tasks and to self-regulate emotions.
Oziera Ahmad—AK ambassador—is the first Player of the Week at her D1 School, College of Charleston
In the heart of every competition, it's the spirit, dedication, and journey of the participants that truly define success. This was vividly showcased at the recent Gilford Hill's MB Tractor/PSG Singles and Doubles Open, where Advantage Kids' very own Simon Kuczkowski and Logan Mack took to the courts not just to play, but to embody the values and resilience fostered by AK. Let's celebrate the enduring spirit and positive change Simon, Logan, and AK embody!
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