Match Mentality
“Emotions respond much as muscles do. The ones you stimulate the most become the strongest. “
A big part of being successful in tennis comes down to your ability to problem solve.
A focused match-mentality will help you during difficult patches.
Key in on the match mentalities that resonate with you and take them on the court each and every time.
Mental Match Play Reminders
/by Gary GarnerMAINTAIN RITUALS: Create rituals before and between points to help relax, focus, and maintain your intensity. Something as easy as bouncing the ball 3 times before you serve will help you stay relaxed and comfortable. CONTROLLED BREATHING: Practice deep breathing between points along with exhaling at contact to help relaxation. A WINNING PACE: Pace yourself […]
Competing Well with Distractions
/by Gary GarnerWhat bothers you in a match? The sun, your opponent’s outfit or their style of play? There are a plethora of reasons/excuses you can concoct to distract you from your goal. To compete well you: 1st have to accept that bad things and distractions are going to happen. 2nd there are fights you need not […]
Maintaining your Mental Edge
/by Gary GarnerStay with your game plan. Maintain the strokes and strategy that you feel comfortable with. If you need to adjust you strategy, relish the opportunity. Use positive phrases to maintain concentration and focus such as: “let’s go, right here,” and “I love this challenge.” Always think momentum is on your side. Visualize yourself winning the […]
A Positive Mindset
/by Gary GarnerThe game of tennis is ultimately a mind game. Attitude is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it. The more positive mind set you have, the more positive the results. There are many games you and your opponent can play during a match to disrupt your game. […]
Simple Thoughts to PLAY and WIN by
/by Gary GarnerPlay by the “RULES of the GAME”. Hit the ball Over the Net, Inside the Lines. Very simply put, you can’t play the point if it ain’t over the net inside the lines. You need not fight battles you cannot win. Focus on only the things you can control. Don’t let the game with yourself […]
Match Mentality – A Few Of My Favorites
/by Gary Garner“Play by the rules of the game”. OVER THE NET, INSIDE THE LINES. ATTITUDE in tennis is 10% what happens to you and 90% HOW YOU REACT TO IT” Be more disciplined and objective in the way you think of your errors/mistakes. THINK INTELLIGENTLY not emotionally at the shot. Play the ball, don’t let it […]
Thoughts Before, During and After a Match
/by Gary GarnerKnow your rally speed for % tennis. Find the most comfortable, consistent shot that you can always depend on… the “no unforced error shot.” HIT THE BALL ON TIME. Maintain your timing, RHYTHM & balance. Try to hit the ball at your ideal contact point. An AGGRESSIVE mistake is a PHYSICAL error. A TENTATIVE mistake […]
Inexact SCIENCE of Choking
/by Gary GarnerIt’s OK to be NERVOUS — just don’t be AFRAID. Everyone chokes sometimes. No matter how tough you are, you’ll always be vulnerable. It simply means you’re emotionally ENGAGED. Toughness is being able to cope with choking not necessarily eliminate it. Projecting a positive powerful presence will help in controlling the choking response. Everyone […]
10 Really Easy Ways to Lose a Match
/by Gary GarnerThinking your “non winning” game plan is going to suddenly start to work. Attacking with your hands and not with your feet. Being off balanced while hitting your shot. Hitting drop shots from behind the baseline and with the wind. Insisting on playing “how you like” instead of “how they don’t like”. Hitting baseline ground […]