HELP with high ranking phobia!!!!

[Katlion]

I have a problem. I am a junior USTA tournament player who is in the top 30. But, I still have a problem that is keeping me from playing my best.

Whenever I play somebody who is ranked higher than me, I start basically shaking. It's like I am sure that I have no chance to win because they are higher ranked than me. I try to tell myself that I play with these kids on a regular basis during practice, and that I beat them easily. But then, when I get out into a tournament, I get so freaked out that I am going to lose that I don't do what I planned to startegy-wise, and I end up losing to someone that I am way better than.

I played this one girl a couple tournaments ago, and I lost to her only because I knew who she was. Before I started training at the same place that she does, I beat her 6-3 in a tournament. This time, I felt like there was not one opponenet, but about 10. She got to every shot that I hit, and then, I started over-hitting.

Do any of you have any suggestions? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:

[SoCalDominates]

um well i had the same problem since i was 9 now i am 14 and just feel like i solved it 2 weeks ago. the thing i did was to keep putting myself in the position where i get to playthose people. the more of these matches you play the better it will get. before i would never get to the players better than me cuz i would over look the people to get there

[Dashbarr]

Don't look at their rankings. Don't pay attention to seeding or the like. Just show up, and play.

[Katlion]

But what if I know the person?

[SoCalDominates]

then just relax maybe talk to them during switch overs

[Shashwat]

You just get it through experience. I play better when im playing better/high ranked players than me. Just play like you do your every other match and put it all out, you can beat them.

[BradBaughman]

um well i had the same problem since i was 9 now i am 14 and just feel like i solved it 2 weeks ago. the thing i did was to keep putting myself in the position where i get to playthose people. the more of these matches you play the better it will get. before i would never get to the players better than me cuz i would over look the people to get there

So cal i heard you just learnd how to start calling balls out that were in lolololol brad i heard your learnd this 3 weeks ago from a kid named Deit

[BradBaughman]

Katlion try jumping some rope before those "types" of matches or run some sprints break a sweat,this will get you relaxed and able to suttle in to the match alot easier!

[Katlion]

Katlion try jumping some rope before those "types" of matches or run some sprints break a sweat,this will get you relaxed and able to suttle in to the match alot easier!
well, i have tried that. it only makes me relax while i am jumping. then, when they call me, then I start shaking again, and it doesn't help at all. but thatnks for the suggestion anywayzz...:-D

[SoCalDominates]

So cal i heard you just learnd how to start calling balls out that were in lolololol brad i heard your learnd this 3 weeks ago from a kid named Deit

Brad. R u calling me a cheater?

[boobik2371]

You should normaly get used to it with time pressures a killer, some kids are ranked higher because they can afford to play more tournaments though. So they may not be as good and get past a few rounds, but still rack those little points up

[SoCalDominates]

thats true everywhere but SOCAl. so it depends where she is from. Socal is the last section that doesnt use points

[boobik2371]

thats true everywhere but SOCAl. so it depends where she is from. Socal is the last section that doesnt use points

how does so cal work. before i started playing tournaments here i recall my friend telling me that the rankings were based on who you beat

[SoCalDominates]

ya it is really messed up. its like who you beat and who you lost to.

[boobik2371]

ya it is really messed up. its like who you beat and who you lost to.

in way though that seems a tad more fair, but then again you may have been on a hot streak

[SoCalDominates]

ya or people have one win aka my friend who was 12. Last year he was as high as 20 with his lowest being 40 in the 14s. He had one win over philip klemenov who was mad at his parents because they were fighting so he didnt try and hit a 1 handed backhand. even my friend admits that. my friend would get beat 60 60 as a seed in designated tournys in like the first round. it was rididculous

[Jackie T. Stephens]

Well I play USTA Junior tennis now and the same kinda happens, like I hit harder then usual and the ball either goes out or in, I guess it's common. Just work on it.

[Katlion]

thats true everywhere but SOCAl. so it depends where she is from. Socal is the last section that doesnt use points
i from a place that they do use points

[CAM178]

I have a problem. I am a junior USTA tournament player who is in the top 30. But, I still have a problem that is keeping me from playing my best.

Whenever I play somebody who is ranked higher than me, I start basically shaking. It's like I am sure that I have no chance to win because they are higher ranked than me. I try to tell myself that I play with these kids on a regular basis during practice, and that I beat them easily. But then, when I get out into a tournament, I get so freaked out that I am going to lose that I don't do what I planned to startegy-wise, and I end up losing to someone that I am way better than.

I played this one girl a couple tournaments ago, and I lost to her only because I knew who she was. Before I started training at the same place that she does, I beat her 6-3 in a tournament. This time, I felt like there was not one opponenet, but about 10. She got to every shot that I hit, and then, I started over-hitting.

Do any of you have any suggestions? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:

There is an easy way to get over this: start playing with high ranking older girls (i.e. girls you respect and kind of 'look up to') who are near you. Once you start to play people like this, playing girls your own age will be a joke. Also, if there are any good or famous tennis people near you, ask to play/hit with them. Once you get over the awe of hitting/playing with them, nobody will phase you. When you start to play girls your age at sectionals/nationals, you can look across the net and say 'I just hit with so-and-so, and I'm supposed to be intimidated by HER?! No way.'

[Katlion]

That's a good idea. I might try that.

[CAM178]

That's a good idea. I might try that.

It helped me when I was a junior. Went to a camp during a summer, where some really big names trained. It was my first exposure to pro players. There is nothing more humbling than playing a pro: guy served 80 mph aces all day long. It wasn't the speed; it was his placement. But the point is: when I came back from that camp, I wasn't phased by any of the 'name' players any longer. Playing with pros or even really good players an age division or 2 up will enlighten you in so many different ways. They will show you some REALLY cool stuff (shots to hit in certain situations, how to play the score, etc.).

[TennisCoachFLA]

All good advice. Read the book "Winning Ugly" by Brad Gilbert. You can get it used through Amazon for about $10.

He spent his career playing players with bigger names and reputations and was very successful. His book is full of great advice.

[BradBaughman]

Brad. R u calling me a cheater?

giving you a tough time , what i wanted to know was how did your house do through the fires and did you play the sectional doubs

[SoCalDominates]

my house did good. made it good. i did not pkay sectional doubles. my partner was out of town. did deiton

[redsoxrock930]

i think that the system of who you beat and who you didn't beat works pretty well. however, there are some times whena kids ranking can go way up because they play a kid in one game and they get injured and they win and their ranking skyrockets. this happened to a kid ranked around 400 who played raymond sarmienot, one of the top so cal juniors. raymond play two games with him i think then sprained his wrist and couldn't continue it showed up as a win for the kid and his ranking went to 80 or so.

[BradBaughman]

my house did good. made it good. i did not pkay sectional doubles. my partner was out of town. did deiton

good to hear !! yes deit played he did ok! he doesnt play doubles much so its allways interesting to see how he does some of the mistakes are classic!

[Katlion]

Well I play USTA Junior tennis now and the same kinda happens, like I hit harder then usual and the ball either goes out or in, I guess it's common. Just work on it.
Just to say, if you hit hard in USTA tournaments, especially in the girls', they will always call it out, if it's close to the line, so be careful about that, and be prepared on how to handle it.

[Katlion]

giving you a tough time , what i wanted to know was how did your house do through the fires and did you play the sectional doubs
I started this forum for help, so can you please take you personal conversations to another thread? thanks.

[Katlion]

i think that the system of who you beat and who you didn't beat works pretty well. however, there are some times whena kids ranking can go way up because they play a kid in one game and they get injured and they win and their ranking skyrockets. this happened to a kid ranked around 400 who played raymond sarmienot, one of the top so cal juniors. raymond play two games with him i think then sprained his wrist and couldn't continue it showed up as a win for the kid and his ranking went to 80 or so.
I think that those wins shoudn't count. I mean, it's not fair to the kid that wasn't injured, but if it's like in the finals, then that's not fair. The injured kids opponent should have gotten those points, and actually played a real match. So, over all, I like the point systm better because it is fair-er.

[BradBaughman]

In all due respect what does this have to do with helping you

I think that those wins shoudn't count. I mean, it's not fair to the kid that wasn't injured, but if it's like in the finals, then that's not fair. The injured kids opponent should have gotten those points, and actually played a real match. So, over all, I like the point systm better because it is fair-er.

or this

Just to say, if you hit hard in USTA tournaments, especially in the girls', they will always call it out, if it's close to the line, so be careful about that, and be prepared on how to handle it.

tennisflorida gave you the best advise winning ugly and im sorry i imposed a little on YOUR thread to see if a friends house made it through a horrible fire Love brad

[Jackie T. Stephens]

There is an easy way to get over this: start playing with high ranking older girls (i.e. girls you respect and kind of 'look up to') who are near you. Once you start to play people like this, playing girls your own age will be a joke. Also, if there are any good or famous tennis people near you, ask to play/hit with them. Once you get over the awe of hitting/playing with them, nobody will phase you. When you start to play girls your age at sectionals/nationals, you can look across the net and say 'I just hit with so-and-so, and I'm supposed to be intimidated by HER?! No way.'

Since when do a Man look up to a girl????

[tenniscrazed]

I have a problem. I am a junior USTA tournament player who is in the top 30. But, I still have a problem that is keeping me from playing my best.

Whenever I play somebody who is ranked higher than me, I start basically shaking. It's like I am sure that I have no chance to win because they are higher ranked than me. I try to tell myself that I play with these kids on a regular basis during practice, and that I beat them easily. But then, when I get out into a tournament, I get so freaked out that I am going to lose that I don't do what I planned to startegy-wise, and I end up losing to someone that I am way better than.

I played this one girl a couple tournaments ago, and I lost to her only because I knew who she was. Before I started training at the same place that she does, I beat her 6-3 in a tournament. This time, I felt like there was not one opponenet, but about 10. She got to every shot that I hit, and then, I started over-hitting.

Do any of you have any suggestions? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:confused:


Here is what you do. Forget the ranking, the seed etc. 1) Ask someone to pull the draw for you and tell you what time and where you are playing. When you get to the warm up, visualize the opponent is a ball machine who doesn't miss and your job is one thing make them miss. You will be fine. Keep us updated and good luck. By the way, think of Nalbandian these past three weeks or so. I don't think he let Rafa or Federer's rankings, seed, points etc get in his head. Your job.......Win points period.

[Katlion]

Here is what you do. Forget the ranking, the seed etc. 1) Ask someone to pull the draw for you and tell you what time and where you are playing. When you get to the warm up, visualize the opponent is a ball machine who doesn't miss and your job is one thing make them miss. You will be fine. Keep us updated and good luck. By the way, think of Nalbandian these past three weeks or so. I don't think he let Rafa or Federer's rankings, seed, points etc get in his head. Your job.......Win points period.
Thank you so much. this will help alot in my next tournament. I am actually playing a tournament this weekend, and most of the players will be higher ranked than me, so I will test your strategy, and let you know how everything works out. Again, thanks a lot. By the way, Nalbandian did an awesome job, but I wasn't happy with him beating Federer because I was expecting Roger to win, but he still did a great job!! He is a good role model for young tennis players.

[Katlion]

I'm playing a tournament today, and it's very important.... Level 4. Two levels away from Nationals, for those you who don't know. I was wondering if anybody had some advice on how to warm up...

The ranking idea doesn't affect me in this tournament because I don't even know who I am playing. I followed some of your advice, and had my Dad look at the draw.

So, if any of you had some suggestions on how to warm up, they would be welcome.

[Katlion]

I'm playing a tournament today, and it's very important.... Level 4. Two levels away from Nationals, for those you who don't know. I was wondering if anybody had some advice on how to warm up...

The ranking idea doesn't affect me in this tournament because I don't even know who I am playing. I followed some of your advice, and had my Dad look at the draw.

So, if any of you had some suggestions on how to warm up, they would be welcome.
I mean, I know how to warm up, I just want maybe something to make me not feel nervous.... ect. And does doing static stretching before a match really affect anything? What do you guys think?

[TennisCoachFLA]

I mean, I know how to warm up, I just want maybe something to make me not feel nervous.... ect. And does doing static stretching before a match really affect anything? What do you guys think?

The warm up is the most important part of match preparation. It is both physical and mental.

The physical part is pretty basic...2 parts, general and specific. General warm up is first and is 75% of the warm up time. Light jogging or whatever you like to raise your body temperature. The last 25% of your warm up time should be specific for tennis and your style of tennis game. Simulated strokes and movements, followed by the actual hitting warm up.

Stretching is a tricky thing. You should only stretch after you have complete the warm up and not over do it before a match. Your flexibility is developed in your workouts. Once you warm up, you should be fine if you have been targeting flexibility during your workouts. Never do any static or ballistic stretching before playing!

Read this article for full information on what type of stretching to do pre-match..

http://www.tennis.com/yourgame/fitness/fitness.aspx?id=35298

The mental warm up should be 2 fold. One, act confident! Pretend to be confident if you have to. Walk with a confident posture, speak in a confident and firm voice. The 2nd part is to visualize. Visualize yourself playing great. Visualize yourself playing on your favorite court against a trusted friend. Visualize yourself winning.

Good luck!

[aeroman]

All good advice. Read the book "Winning Ugly" by Brad Gilbert. You can get it used through Amazon for about $10.

He spent his career playing players with bigger names and reputations and was very successful. His book is full of great advice.

Good book. I read it. Really gives you some good advice.
Aeroman

[jjrl2004]

There is an easy way to get over this: start playing with high ranking older girls (i.e. girls you respect and kind of 'look up to') who are near you. Once you start to play people like this, playing girls your own age will be a joke. Also, if there are any good or famous tennis people near you, ask to play/hit with them. Once you get over the awe of hitting/playing with them, nobody will phase you. When you start to play girls your age at sectionals/nationals, you can look across the net and say 'I just hit with so-and-so, and I'm supposed to be intimidated by HER?! No way.'

Definitely the best answer! :)

[TENNIS 67]

First of all, every other player in the top rankings of the twelves, is likely to be a moonballer. Rankings any in say Southern California are all messed up. The rankings are all off. Dont even worry about rankings, it seriously has nothing to do with your playing, just the W or the L that goes on a ranking sheet, that wont probably ever be cared or looked at.

[callitout]

I mean, I know how to warm up, I just want maybe something to make me not feel nervous.... ect. And does doing static stretching before a match really affect anything? What do you guys think?

Agree with breaking a sweat, avoiding caffeine before matches..but for the psych part of things, you may check out Allen Fox's ideas. http://www.tennis-warehouse.com/DrillsandTips.html
He's a great sports psychologist with much better ideas than I can give you.
At some level though you have to be okay with playing hard, and losing.
If that's okay then you can in a sense relax, try your best and not worry so much about the outcome of the match or even each individual point...you simply play the ball.
But I just try to summarize...Fox's stuff is really good.

[Katlion]

Thanks you guys!! Anymore advice?

[Hatari!]

What I do is that I never look at the draw. Ever. All I ever ask for from the tournament director is when and where I'm going to play. Knowing that you're going to play the number 1 seed really messes with your head. It helps me play seeded players just like any other player.