Why do I constantly choke during matches?

[ogruskie]

During practice rallies I hit with pretty good power and control, always keeping the ball in play.

Once I start playing for points, I lose it. All the technique goes out the window. I either hit the ball too hard out or too softly and don't even clear the net.

This is all lack of confidence, yes?

[quicken]

That, my friend, is lack of





EXPERIENCE.

[nousername]

During practice rallies I hit with pretty good power and control, always keeping the ball in play.

Once I start playing for points, I lose it. All the technique goes out the window. I either hit the ball too hard out or too softly and don't even clear the net.

This is all lack of confidence, yes?
you know the answer, right? ... and everyone else knows you know, and hence, that's why no one has written anything.

BUT, to be nice, i absolutely hear you. i was/am completely in your shoes, and i didn't get past it until i finally said "i'm not as good as i think i am". i also assume you were like me, in that you have played for quite a bit, but never really had much match experience. right? i learned the hard way that "hitting-around" (i.e. practice) and playing matches are NOT the same. you need to be patience, slow things down, and (slowly) earn the right to win matches. it takes a ton of self control, esp for someone like you, who probably had good shots, nice technique, above-average power, but not enough consistency ... which we all think we have until we play matches. ...

i started tennis mainly b/c i had a good friend who was very good in HS. he turned out to be a 5.0 player, and 99% of all the balls i hit in HS and my college years where with him. i got decently good at hitting with him, but we never played matches and i only played a couple high-school varsity exhibition matches (i never got that good).

then i finally picked the sport up again after an 8 yr hiatus, and started hitting again with that same friend. i told him i wanted to start playing matches, and he said i'd be about a "4.5" ... coming from a legit 5.0, i thought he'd be right.

nevertheless, i thought i should play it safe, so i self-rated at 4.0 and started playing USTA ... adding insult to injury, before the season, i even told my 4.0 captain "my story", and after i first hit with him (prior to the season start) he said "yeah, you won't be with us long, b/c once your rust wears off you'll get bumped to 4.5". at the time i thought "cool, yeah i know", but where am i now??? ... during my 1st 4.0 season i got my pants whipped of me ... multiple times, and after that horrendous season, i got down-graded to 3.5, and i've been there for about a 1yr. i've even been spanked a few times in 3.5, and i've yet to win a match. i'm just NOW at the point where i have a little confidence. when i step on the court now, i actually think i can at least win a set ... experience got me there, and i hope it takes me further.

all in all, it's been a VERY humbling experience, and maybe your story is somewhat similar and maybe you just need to go through it too. be patient, play as much as you can, esp matches!

now, when ever i go out to hit, i always try to play at least one set ... i never use to do that, i would just mindlessly hit rallies, or play points, but never actual sets... match play is what tennis is, SO you (like me) just need as much match play experience as possible.

[racquet_jedi]

That, my friend, is lack of





EXPERIENCE.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/The_Thumbs-up_position.jpg/421px-The_Thumbs-up_position.jpg

Play more matches and eventually, you'll get used to the pressure...

[ogruskie]

Alright, so basically, I suck.

Gotcha.

[tbini87]

how long have you been playing? it just sounds like you need some more experience, which in turn will lead to confidence. i think it is best to go for your shots and not worry about results when you are struggling. by hitting aggressively and going for your stuff you will start improving and getting the confidence you need to play at a higher level. keep getting better and keep your chin up, and with time you will become a better player.

[BeHappy]

This is the solution, I am not joking.

In practice, play sets where the winner is allowed to punch the loser in the stomach.Loser must close his eyes while being punched so he won't be able to avoid it.

Sounds extreme but you've got to simulate the real pressure of playing matches where everything is on the line and one shot could mean losing everything.

GL ;)

[ogruskie]

how long have you been playing? it just sounds like you need some more experience, which in turn will lead to confidence. i think it is best to go for your shots and not worry about results when you are struggling. by hitting aggressively and going for your stuff you will start improving and getting the confidence you need to play at a higher level. keep getting better and keep your chin up, and with time you will become a better player.

I've been playing for roughly 5 years. However, just last summer I started taking tennis very seriously. I'm currently taking lessons (again) with a coach, and I've made significant improvements over the past month.

Thanks for the advice.

[boojay]

The thing you should note is that most people don't play the way they practice or vice versa. I can't tell you how many people I've played against who hit a nice ball during practice or warmups, only to hit nothing but junk during a match. It took me a while to spot this and it really destroys the rhythm you've developed and are most comfortable dealing with during practice rallies. Also consider that during a match, balls are hit AWAY from you more frequently with the intention of winning the point. Generally, in practice you're not having to run for balls as much because they're closer to you and more consistent in terms of spin, placement, etc.

In short, I think if you can't hit the ball the way you want to during a match as you do in practice, you're facing something you're not used to. This is a good thing. I've adopted this mentality and it's helped me tremendously. Whenever I'm pressured or find myself getting frustrated at not being able to execute a shot the way I know I can, I calm down and remind myself that this is a new experience and the more I confront it, the better I'll become. There's no use in getting mad or annoyed because that will only cause detriment to your game, not to mention keeping you from improving as a player.

[user92626]

Practice rallies and in game rallies are not one. You don't run, work hard, no footwork, in practice rallies. Why don't you do an immediate step -- practice games (as opposed to 'real' games)?

[quicken]

Play more matches, it seriously helps your game a lot. More than rallying, that can only get you so far. By playing matches, you step into a whole different level of tennis.

[rosewall4ever]

Just wontonly playing matches is no good. Having a strategy prior is good, it helps centre yourself rather than focusing on the other opponent, which is the main reason why people choke

[tfm1973]

http://www.taste.com.au/images/articles/untitled-102121315.jpg

mmmm wontons sounds good right now.

every person is different but i have to agree that EXPERIENCE is the biggest difference. you play enough matches and probably lose enough times and after a while you figure out there is nothing to worry about. and then you swing away as easily as you would during practice.