We worked very hard, played very well and we won the first set. We then went out and worked very hard for the first four games in the second set. We are up 3-1. suddenly the end of the match is in sight.

This usually is a dangerous time for most players.

What do we do what we find ourselves in a winning position in a match?

We tend to start to think about the outcome - winning the match. We start to think about how good it would be to beat this person. There are many examples, even at an elite level when players admit they started thinking of winning the match. If it is a major final, some players start thinking about the speech and who they should thank. Some players think about the trophy, maybe photos with the trophy.

These thoughts are the worst thoughts you can have at this time.

There are actually two things going on at this time.

* you are focusing on an outcome

* you start to defend your win

Let’s look at the both in more detail

Error 1 - Focusing on an outcome

Fact: You cannot act on an outcome. You can only act on the process to achieve that outcome.

What do I mean by this? If all you have in your mind is of the outcome you are no longer thinking about how to achieve that outcome. You may be only three games away from winning the match, all three points for that matter. However, you must concentrate playing those points and games to achieve the outcome.

Therefore, you must focus on process oriented goals, not outcome oriented goals.

Examples of process oriented goals are:

* Make this return

* Look for the short ball

* Win next point at the net

Error 2 - Defending the lead

Suddenly, the a win in your grasp. Many players at this point start to defend their lead. Players start to wait for the match to be given to them. They wait for their opponent to make unforced errors, they hope the opponent serves double faults. Often the player in the lead will play more conservatively, they will take the pace off the ball and play closer to the middle of the court to allow more room for error.

There are so many reasons why this is the wrong thing to do.

Firstly you should never change a winning game. Playing like this is not the strategy that got you in the lead therefore, it will not keep you in the lead.

Second. Your opponent has very little to lose and everything to gain. Therefore, they usually start playing more relaxed and going to their shots. It only takes them a few points, a game or two and their spirits could be lifted. They might think they have a chance of winning this match. (Refer to my article about momentum for a more in-depth discussion about this)

Thirdly. Playing negatively is a recipe for disaster. If you need to remember the words from that Midnight Oil song “it is better to die on your feet than live on your knees”. keep your chin up and play positively.

So, what do you do?

ATTACK THE WIN

Play positively and go after the match.

Do not wait for the match to be given to you.

Go and take what you deserve.

Think about think you can act on like

- on match point win the point at the net

- make every return for the rest of the match

- hit every volley crosscourt

Anything to keep your mind on the PROCESS of winning not the OUTCOME of winning.

Enjoy and let me know your thoughts !!

Play Tennis To Win !

Michael

In every tennis match there is a force which commonly goes un-noticed. Momentum.

Sport psychologists will point out to you that each point should be independent of the previous point. However, this theory breaks down when the human brain is turned on. Momentum in a match can be built up between points, between games and between sets.

The momentum can be your friend or it can be your enemy. We will talk about both. However, let’s first talk about how to identify momentum.

Lets define momentum by winning back to back points, back-to-back games all back-to-back sets. As an example, lets say the score within the game is 30-30. The player who won the last point, has a little bit of momentum however, if they were down 30 love they would have more  momentum. With this momentum they would be more likely to win next point. Momentum is basically when one person is getting upperhand on the other person.

We all know how it feels when we are say up 40-love in a game, then loose the next 2 points. This may have been by our own sloppy play OR the other player may have hit some great shots. However, for some reason the next point is ‘our last chance’ to win the game. We had 3 points. Not we only have 1. The opposition saved 2 game points. In actual fact it would ‘feel’ better to have the score at 40-30 after 30-30 rahter than 40-0.

Now in reverse, If you were down 30 love and you win the next two points you are feeling uplifted and more confident to win the next point. Your opponent on the other hand, would be feeling negative having had such a strong lead.

Are you starting to see the difference – the same score – differnet momentum?

Some points are SO significant that they become ‘turning points’ for the match. We will talk about turning points in another article.

Now lets talk about games. When a player wins a few games in a row, this can have a very powerful effect. This type of momentum can swing an entire match and can sneak up on either player.

Momentum is a very powerful force, it can be your friend or it can be your enemy. Once you realise you have momentum either on your side or against you, you need to take action.

When a player looses a few games in a row there is actually an amplified effect.

1)    The player winning the games becomes more confident in their game, plays more relaxed and likely to continue to play better

2)    The player loosing the games becomes agitated. They start doubting themselves and their game plan. Usually they will ‘try’ a few things to see if they work. Usually they abandon their game plan and either go for plan B OR stary trying to create a new one. That is very dangerous  See our other article called ‘Don’t Think During A Match’.

What to do when Momentum is on your side.

When momentum is on your side you must nurture it. You must keep the momentum flowing. Do not over analyse the situation.Stick to your plan and do not take much notice of the opponent trying to ‘dig’ themselves out’ of the hole they are in.

It is the time to concentrate and not let your opponent back into the game set or match. Do not play any loose points. Also do not go for any spectacular winners. Never change a winning game and therefore simply play good solid tennis and maintain your game plan.

Having a nice lead is NOT a time to relax because, by definition, the momentum may swing back against you. In which case you’ll find yourself having to stop the momentum in the other direction.
When momentum is on your side you are trying to hit your opponent while they are down. You do not want them to get up off the ground. Did not open the window for them to jump through. Keep it tightly closed until the end of the match. You have the control, you have them confused and scrambling for ideas.

Tips that will help you keep momentum:
•    Do not waste time between points. Move efficiently between points, do not rush, but do not waste time. Keep the momentum going and get as many points under your belt is possible. The stronger the momentum the easier the points.
•    Move efficiently between games. do not waste time and quickly get the balls down to the servers end. On the change of ends, only take a short break and keep going. Start the next game as soon as possible.
•    In between sets, again move efficiently. Take the shortest amount of time possible, try and start the set as soon as you can.
•    Finish off every point – keep concentrating intil the ball bounces twice – do not relax on easy put away shots. Finish every game and set.

The path of least resistance is to keep the momentum flowing. You will be off the court in the shortest amount of time if you just put a little more effort into keeping the momentum flowing.

What to do when Momentum is against you.

This one is simple, you must stop it!!
There are many ways to stop momentum. They are actually the opposite of what I mentioned in the previous section. The goal is to change the environment. You must do something to break out of this spiral. Here are a few tips:
•    take a long time between points
•    straight in your strings
•    tie your shoelaces
•    change racquets
•    stretch your muscles
•    take a toilet break
•    discuss something with a referee or umpire
•    take time to gett the balls down the servers end
•    revert to plan B

Now some not so subtle actions which are sometimes used in desperate situations. These are not necessarily sportsman like – however these may be used against you. I know these have been used against me and were very effective in creating a distraction.
•    argue over a line call
•    hit a ball out of the court so it takes time to retrieving the ball
•    talk to your opponent on a change of ends.
•    find something to say to enter their mind
•    call for injury time
•    use every second of time you are allowed between, games and sets
•    start aiming for the opponent when they are at the net – this may rattle them

I do not recommend using this last list of actions for 2 reasons. Firstly they border on unsportsmanlike behavior and secondly they can Distract You More than The Opponent.

We will discuss momentum in a lot more detail in future articles. But for now just be aware of it in your matches and matches that you watch other people play.

Michael

The basic law of doubles is that doubles is won at the net. The majority of the game of doubles is about intimidating your opponents and closing out the net. The first pair to reach the net, has the greatest chance of winning the point. This is why every server, should be following their serve into the net. Very rarely does the server stay back on the baseline. The net player should also be following the serve in.

When your partner is serving, move towards the net as the serve goes past you. One or two steps is enough. Your partner will be following his serve in, and therefore you both moving toward the net together will create a feeling of strong intimidation.

In addition moving forward is already preparing you for a volley. You already have forward momentum, and therefore a more likely to execute your volley well. Some net players a standing flat-footed. They have very little time to react to the return, and therefore are hitting a defensive volley.

An active net player also gets many free points for the team. Why?,You create uncertainty in the returners is mind. The returner will feel more pressure on their shot, knowing they must to hit a great return to keep the ball out of the net players reach.

It is ok to get passed down the sideline once in a while. The return on investment is worth it.

You are forcing the returner to play the 2 hardest shots. Down the line over the highest part of the net only about 1 meter away from you OR heavy crosscourt to the shorter part of the court to keep it away from the net player moving across.

In summary, the benefits of following your partner’s serve in are
•    Intimidation
•    Better Prepared for a volley
•    Uncertainty in the returners mind
•    Free points over the entire match

Try this simple tip. After a few points or a few games you will find that your opponent’s will feel the pressure on their returns. They will start to go for bigger returns and take more risks to keep you out of the point.

Enjoy, Michael

Ok, the title is not entirely true - however the point is DO NOT think TOO much during the match.

During the match is the time to EXECUTE everything that you have thought about before the match.

What am I talking about?? Ok. Before a match you would have trained and practiced. You would have worked on your technique across all your shots. You would have found great rythm on your serve and ground strokes. You also should have developed a clear plan / strategy on how you are going to play this match. Plan A and Plan B.

Do you see what I refer to when I say THINKING? During a match is the time to EXECUTE all these things. Forget about technique, you can not change that in a match. Forget about rhythm - it is your opponents objective to ensure you get no rhythm! Also forget about strategy.. it is pretty tough to work out a solid plan when you are in the middle of a match. Before the match is the time for that.

So, during the match you are relaxed and free to only think about executing your PLAN to beat this opponent. Focus on your plan, have confidence in your plan and most importantly STICK TO IT. Give your plan time to work.

So many people come into a match with a plan and then get discouraged because they are down in the first set. They go to plan B, which also fails.. What happens then? Then they are totally lost. When you are totally lost you are hitting balls aimlessly and points have less meaning. Then what do you start to think of? …. Technique, or creating plan C. During that time, game after game is slipping away and ultimately the match.

IF you PREPARE your plan well, be confident to EXECUTE it. Sometimes your plan may take a few games or set to take effect.

THINK before a match EXECUTE during the match..

Michael

Ok, firstly anxiety and nerves are slightly different things.
Anxiety is where you are looking forward to achieving a particular outcome in the future. The frustrating part about anxiety is that you are basically waiting for a ‘time’ to achieve it. For example a match on the weekend, in a few hours etc. Usually anxiety goes away once the match has started and you are able to do something about the outcome.
During a match or just before anxiety is usually replaced by nerves. So, what are these nerves? A definition of nerves is: ‘the gap between what needs to be done and what you believe you can do’.

Nerves are good - it mean that you care about the outcome !
Again, ‘what needs to be done’ - beat this opponent, play strong, volley well, work out how to beat someone.
The next part - ‘what you believe you can do’ - can you beat this opponent, play well etc. The closer your ‘belief’ on your ability to ‘achieve’ what needs to be done the less nerves you should have…. Never thought about it that way? The nerves are proportional to the size of the gap! Examples
If you are confident you can beat someone you might be slightly anxious to do it - but not nervous.

If you think you are going to loose, and are sure you can achieve loosing well you wont be nervous. (being negative - but proving a point)

If you are playing a good player of similar standard however you are feeling a little rusty, well you might feel nervous about how you will perform on the day.
How do you reduce nervousness?? Increase confidence. How do you increase confidence? Be confident in your preparation leading into the match. Your fitness, technique, routines etc.

If you are well prepared, confident with what you have done before the match you should be less nervous.
Preparation is something you can work on to reduce anxiety ! It makes you already in control of the outcome - preparing yourself. Now do you see how they fit together?? Interesting…

There also other tips for confidence like strategy and mental rehersal - that is going to be in another article!!

Have a great day !! Michael

Well the title is not entirely true. However, the point is that winning tennis matches is not about hitting winners. Yes, hitting a winner feels great ! I think it is one of the most exhilarating feelings.

The more difficult the shot, the greater the feeling when you make it.

Personally, being pulled wide on my backhand, then executing a winner down the line feels fantastic ! You have such a small thin slice of court in which to land the ball - high risk and high reward.

Anyone watching loves it and the opponent will be impressed.

However, does that win matches? Unfortunately the answer most of the time is no. The chances of hitting winners all match is very low. The risk of these attempted winners becoming unforced errors is very high.

Some players, sometimes will hit winners shot after shot, however usually that will only last a few points or games. Maybe they can keep it up for a set, but not likely for a whole match.

I am considering a winner to be one where you have executed a shot at about 95%, it would need to be close to the lines and unreachable by your opponent.

So when is the best time to go for a winner? Hmmm, tough question..

Some would think - when you have a decent lead on the opponent. However you should never change a winning game. You should be closing the match out not handing points back to them.

Maybe, if you have little or no chance of winning the point so it is ‘do or die’. Clean winner or loose the point. However if you dont go for a winner and give the opponent another shot - they might make an error on their shot or play a weak shot so you can recover. So really you MAY still win the point.

If you have a short ball and maneuvered your opponent out of court, a high percentage winner is a good shot selection !

Maybe the secret is Winners in Moderation..

Let me know your thoughts… Winners feel great, they get the crowd excited but do they win matches?

Something to think about !! Sign up to ensure you do not miss the Daily Tennis Tips. Please contact us with comments, suggestions, topics etc.

Until Tomorrow !! Michael

For singles players The Tennis Court can become a lonely place. There are so many things going on out there and it is left to you to process them all and work out what to do.

Well here is a tip. Pretend, in your mind that your towel is your new best friend and coach. Take him or her with you all over the court.

Your towel follows you down each end of the court and every time you need a chat do it! (You can actually wipe your face and forearms with it too !)

It may sound strange, but by talking to your towel - probably not too loud - you are actually talking to your self, and having to construct your thoughts in a coherent way. Therefore the jumbled ideas in your head become clearer. Listening to yourself or asking yourself questions, you WILL give your self answers.

There is a great book called ‘The Inner Game of Tennis’ and early in the book it talks about Self One and Self Two.

You become the player and the coach. Talk about what to do next, if you are feeling tired etc. IT is also a way for you to ‘vent’ and become more relaxed afterward.

By talking to the towel you start to ask the coach in you clear questions and YOU WILL get answers. Remember not to talk too loud, maybe you dont need to actually say anything out loud, but just go through the process and see how that goes !

Thanks for listening and keep the feedback coming in.. It is great to hear !!

Michael