What technique do you use to concentrate?

[StealthGnome]

I've only played in friendly rallys. Nothing hard. Cutting to the chase...Tips on concentrating?

[Snoopchicken]

Well, I chew gum sometimes when I play, not sure if it helps with concentration, I've heard a rumor in school that it does, but the sugar sure does give me lots of energy ;)

[Fumoffu]

Well I do a lot of weird little things.. For starters, I try to make sure I'm always holding the grip a certain way. Case and point, I use an n6-1 95 and on my FH side I make sure the WILSON logo on the throat is ALWAYS facing me, weird and small I know but it helps me. Another thing I try to focus on while warming up is to always square out my stance, and not swing until my left food (when hitting a FH) is in front, always hitting out of in front of me, etc. After a while I just start doing it without really thinking and I can focus more on where I wanna hit, how hard, etc. I personally think having small little things help you focus cuz it kind of goes from small things, and broader and broader until you get to what really matters; the game.

[Swissv2]

Focus on the ball, not on the person.

Relax during your breaks - dont think about the point - then get back into the game.

[naturalgut]

I just pick my strings and focus on breathing for a few moments, especially after a tough point

[Bagumbawalla]

I find it difficult to concentrate with someone hitting balls at me all the time and running around, so I just go sit under a tree for a while until I get my mind in order.

But really, Swissv2 is exactly right. I would just add-- relax during the game, as well.

B

[Triple S]

I suck at singles sadly... Just mentally. Even players much weaker than me, I'll lose to.

Doubles I don't really concentrate. I just keep myself relaxed. I always play with this one friend on my team and I talk to him like the whole game and joke around and such. It allows me to play well since my mind isn't trying to think up strategies and figuring out what to do. So for the most part I just change strategies on the fly.

[ubel]

Trying to keep my mind clear while focusing on the ball and making as clean a contact with the ball that I can. Emotions can cloud your judgement.. can lead to anger, and anger leads to the dark side of tennis. Emotional tennis is inconsistent tennis, so keeping that one goal in mind helps me hit a clean shot and do what I will with the ball pretty consistently :mrgreen:

[Andres]

Play other sports along, who doesn't make you THINK about concentration, but makes you concentrate by itself, like basketball.

[StealthGnome]

Well, I chew gum sometimes when I play, not sure if it helps with concentration, I've heard a rumor in school that it does, but the sugar sure does give me lots of energy ;)

What flavor? :rolleyes:

[Snoopchicken]

Bubble Yum Watermelon, sometimes Sour Berry but the sourness doesn't last that long, oh yeah, and don't get Sugar Free ;)

[carrwash13]

Bubble Yum Watermelon, sometimes Sour Berry but the sourness doesn't last that long, oh yeah, and don't get Sugar Free ;)

That's funny you guys say gum cause I've always chewed gum to help calm nerves.....it gives me something to do out on the court and for some reason helps me not to get nervous.....thought I was the only one

[Sebastien]

1. Focus on the ball
2. Think and visualize where you will hit the ball
3. Breath out slowly as you hit the ball
4. Look at your string and put them back together
5. Don't try to win or lose, just play and relax (very important)
5b. If you see a cute girl, whistle at her

Here is a book that could give you some inspiration:
http://www.maxtennis.com/products.htm

[drakulie]

Focus on the ball, not on the person.

Relax during your breaks - dont think about the point - then get back into the game.

Same. Focus on the ball. Even when your opponent is holding it in his hands.

[Zets147]

Breathe in, breath out. Repeat.

[FH2FH]

Triple_S, I was in the same position last year. I think what I learned to do differently with singles is just concentrate on the ball (what I was doing in doubles anyway) and just "play." Talking with a partner is relaxing... sooo what we must do as a singles player is talk to ourselves. What are the important things that need to happen so we can win the next point, the game, and ultimately the match. Think about your plan before the match and remind yourself of your goals between games; but DURING a point, block everything else out. It's just you and the BALL.

Focusing ONLY on the ball is the best advice I can give. I think that is a skill which you must learn to be able to turn it on and off between games and be able to talk to your opp during a changeover or deal with distractions. Obviously it's impossible to concentrate from the time you get on the court until you leave, but you can learn to do it when it matters.

[Ripper]

Well, I always put my water bottles in the exact same position and pick on my butt crack before serving :cool:

[FH2FH]

Yep, it's good to have these little idiosyncrasies... especially if it's picking your butt crack or doing somehting else that really annoys or befuddles your opponent, yet allows you to maintain your composure. hehe

[tennisboy87]

I like to adjust my strings after every point. It gets me focused and ready for the next point.

[Snoopchicken]

I thought adjusting strings was kind of a sign of nervousness. Maybe not for you, but for some people, they do it when they're nervous ;)

[dannyboy7]

One tip that I read about for concentrating was to count in your head:

1) "One" as your opponent hits the ball

2) "Two" as it bounces (presuming you don't volley it)

3) "Three" your preparation

4) "Four" as you hit the ball and start all over again.

Just an idea.

Preparation should be as early as possible, but the 1 to 4 does help me

[TENNIS_99]

I bounce the ball at the edge of the racquet about 4, 5 times, drop the ball and hit it to the net or the fence (usually bh) with my eyes locked in the ball.

[Supernatural_Serve]

Between points: I am always planning and visualizing the play pattern (2 or 3 shot combinations) I am going to run next. I tend to script my game before the game begins both serve and return games. Playing in a more autopilot mode actually keeps me focused.

During points: When my opponent hits the ball, I am watching the ball. After I hit the ball I am watching my opponents preparation and footwork, (I never watch my ball, I know where its going but I don't know what my opponents doing so thats what I focus on) and immediately reacting to his movement and preparation.

During changeovers: I reinventory what is working, what isn't. Who is doing what to whom, and precisely what I am going to change or continue doing. I update my play book in my head for the next game.

I don't talk to my opponent.

[str33t]

I bounce the ball on the frame of my racquet to concentrate and not get distracted. I can keep it bouncing about 12 times :D

[Cindysphinx]

Erm . . . this is kinda stupid, but it works for me.

While rallying, I say one specific thing as I strike each ball. If it's a volley, I say "punch." If it's a groundstroke, I say "lift." (When I'm tight, my swing gets way too flat). For a slice serve, I say "Slice."It it's a flat serve, I don't say anything because it's going out anyway. :D

Before serving, I walk in a small circle behind the baseline bouncing the ball. Sorry, but I need time to think between serves.

I look like an idiot when I play. I admit it.

[tennis_hand]

When I am angry, I play the best.
If i am too relaxed mentally, I hit all balls out.

[Swissv2]

When I am angry, I play the best.
If i am too relaxed mentally, I hit all balls out.


but inefficient because you lose more energy when you are angry all the time.
You must get physically and mentally tired playing.

[fishuuuuu]

Well, I chew gum sometimes when I play, not sure if it helps with concentration, I've heard a rumor in school that it does, but the sugar sure does give me lots of energy ;)

It's hard to breathe when you're actually playing and chewing gum.

[Trinity TC]

Hit 150 -250 consecutive balls in a row without an error once every ten days or so. That will give you all the ability to concentrate that you will ever need in a match.

[patrick922]

usually fixing my stringing does the trick

[shindemac]

The best way to concentrate is to practice a lot and remain focused. The more you can make it automatic, the easier it is to transfer into a match situation. You shouldn't even have to think about it. You should be thinking the same thing during practice and match situation. Then the pressure comes off and you can execute. This works for me for my serve. It's pretty much the same now during practice and match situations.