I Hate It!!!!

[Spyre]

Originally Posted by Mr.Brightside

yeah.

i've always heard and talked about how much of a mental game tennis is, but i don't think i'd really experienced it until that mental part really failed, nad you find out how bad you are without it.

the notes idea is good. in my next tournment i'm gonna take mental notes on my opponents strengths, weaknesses, etc. I think it'll help.

ya definitely. You need to do what suits you though. Everyone is different.

[peli_kan]

I played varsity high school tennis, and I whenever I'd fall apart on court, I realized that it was simply because I was an INFERIOR PLAYER. When you've played fewer matches, or practiced fewer hours, or conditioned less preseason, don't expect a magical mentality change to suddenly make you go popeye on their ***. If your forehand is whack, it's because you've accumulated too little feel and muscle memory, and can't correctly identify the flaws in your stroke to adjust properly.

Recognize your weaknesses, and identify the shots that you lack. Looping backhand short crosscourt shot against a low ball, penetrating inside out forehand against a low ball, down the line one handed backhand slice against a high ball, I listed the shots that I couldn't make and insured that I focused on making them happen during later hitting sessions in practice.

Everyone looks good when they're grooving against balls hit to them with consistent pace to the middle of the court. What you do when you face a variety of pace, spin, and placement determines whether you'll win or not.

[Spyre]

Originally Posted by peli_kan

I played varsity high school tennis, and I whenever I'd fall apart on court, I realized that it was simply because I was an INFERIOR PLAYER. When you've played fewer matches, or practiced fewer hours, or conditioned less preseason, don't expect a magical mentality change to suddenly make you go popeye on their ***. If your forehand is whack, it's because you've accumulated too little feel and muscle memory, and can't correctly identify the flaws in your stroke to adjust properly.

Recognize your weaknesses, and identify the shots that you lack. Looping backhand short crosscourt shot against a low ball, penetrating inside out forehand against a low ball, down the line one handed backhand slice against a high ball, I listed the shots that I couldn't make and insured that I focused on making them happen during later hitting sessions in practice.

Everyone looks good when they're grooving against balls hit to them with consistent pace to the middle of the court. What you do when you face a variety of pace, spin, and placement determines whether you'll win or not.

Ya but that's not what were talking about. If you're overmatched then you're overmatched. as much as conditioning and training will help you, the difference between winning and losing close matches is the mentality that goes with your performance. IT IS PROVEN, that positive mentality results in positive performance, and negative mentality results in negative performance.

[Jagman]

Mr. B: You've opened up an awful lot of ground to cover here. Good thing you have plenty of people responding! Rest assured that you are not alone; these problems are fairly common among juniors.

Let me start by taking a slightly different slant off jmjmkim's post. That was a very thoughtful response and I liked it quite a bit. Since you state that you have solid strokes, I would tend to suspect, statistically, that like most juniors, you suffer from a lack of consistency in matchplay and have a tendency to overhit. Assuming good technique, you correct this with the proper application of tactics. You are right in concluding that this requires primarily a mental effort.

First off, you must have an overall strategy in mind. This will be determined not only by your style of play and your opponent's likes/dislikes, but also certain patterns of play you have hopefully ingrained through repetitive practice. As you gain experience and ability, these will progress from the relatively simple to the more complex. Something like Wardlaw's Directionals, for example, that act like a roadmap for the mind, simplifying the decisionmaking you have to make on court. Once you have a solid technical foundation, most of your practice sessions should be oriented towards this end. It is absolutely vital, as a competitive player, that you practice with a purpose.

You also have to make the mental commitment to play with moderation, if you are to employ tactics with any chance of success. Younger players understandably want to emulate the pros. Unfortunately, many think the way to do this is to hit out on every shot. This is not the case, however. Even the pros will utilize shots that are purely defensive, neutral, or offensive in nature.

You must be able to produce a rally ball that incorporates, say, 70% effort, and is as near as 100% reliable as possible at going over the net and landing in the court. This is your neutral shot that you use to construct points. Offensive shots may be overpowering or simply well-placed. Putting the rally ball arbitrarily at around 70% effort gives you a large margin to play with in varying the pace of the ball, and an unexpected boost in power when you decide to go all out.

In conjunction with the above, you must gain an appreciation for when to come to net and how to maintain the offensive once there. Always be prepared to play one more ball, or even restart a point if you lose the initiative. Be aware of the score, and when you can afford to take chances.

The patience required to execute a particular strategem is also required in making sure that you are playing the ball and not vice versa. Most of the time, this means waiting for the ball and not hurrying your swing. You should strive for fluidity on the court; you must be smooth, rather than fast. This feat of restraint can seem a Herculean task for some juniors.

I'm not sure from your OP whether the tendency to overhit applies to you, but it is common to most juniors. You did say that you are apt to blast balls off the forehand, but the backhand is relatively stable. Again, in my experience, I often see juniors overplay their main weapon (usually the FH), while being more conservative on the weaker side (usually the BH).

You had also lamented lack of a proper warmup. I would agree that is most likely, but would suggest that you don't really need fifteen minutes just to warmup your groundstrokes. I find that the warmup is often given short shrift by coaches and players alike, and is never practiced. The warmup, however, is of enormous importance at the beginning of a match. You must develop a standard progression wherein you hit a predetermined series of forehands, backhands, volleys, overheads, and serves. The concept of the rally ball and a reduced level of effort (especially on the serve) is crucial here.

The warmup is a ritual and like all rituals, serves a purpose. The warmup ensures good blood flow; chases away butterflies; ingrains proper technique; and invests a commitment to moderation, patience, and planning. All too often, juniors run onto the court and start firing away, as though the competition has already started. Use this time wisely. If you possess a fetish for pace, be confident that pace will build naturally in a sustained rally.

You also stated that you have conquered the perpetual nerves that pester the rest of mankind before a match. Congratulations! On the off chance that you have exaggerated a tad, let me emphasize the importance of breathing and movement. Surprising how many juniors --- or elders, for that matter --- who will fail to take a breath, or stand rooted, completely flat-footed. Think loose, feel light.

As a parting sally, I note that you use two racquets: a RDiS 100 Mid and a Dunlop 4D 300 Tour. Fine racquets both, but completely different sticks; as opposite as two poles can be. I use the RDiS Mid as my main stick. As it has an unusually low swingweight for a player's racquet, it can be quite demanding. I find that switching off with other racquets can be distracting and demean my overall level of play. I can put up with it, as I am mostly a recreational player nowadays. But, you might want to consider ....

FWIW, what you are experiencing is common. It's a phase in your development and you will move through it. Just don't get down on yourself. Negative self-imagery never, ever, helps. Keep a good outlook, think positive thoughts (especially about yourself), and the world will be your oyster.

Good luck!

[Mr.Brightside]

Originally Posted by peli_kan

I played varsity high school tennis, and I whenever I'd fall apart on court, I realized that it was simply because I was an INFERIOR PLAYER. When you've played fewer matches, or practiced fewer hours, or conditioned less preseason, don't expect a magical mentality change to suddenly make you go popeye on their ***. If your forehand is whack, it's because you've accumulated too little feel and muscle memory, and can't correctly identify the flaws in your stroke to adjust properly.

Recognize your weaknesses, and identify the shots that you lack. Looping backhand short crosscourt shot against a low ball, penetrating inside out forehand against a low ball, down the line one handed backhand slice against a high ball, I listed the shots that I couldn't make and insured that I focused on making them happen during later hitting sessions in practice.

Everyone looks good when they're grooving against balls hit to them with consistent pace to the middle of the court. What you do when you face a variety of pace, spin, and placement determines whether you'll win or not.

yah this is obviously true, but we're not talking about that.

we're discussing matches where the shots and stuff are even enough that having the mental edge on your opponent can have a big out come on the victor.

[Mikey Fresh]

what my dad always tell me to do is go out and play my game and if i play my game and i win i deserved to win and if i lose and played my game than he was just better and you cant always be the best

[T1000]

The opponent doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what game strategy the play, your game should be good enough to beat them. If you have to keep changing your strategy to beat players, then your game isn't good enough and you're not confident enough.

[peli_kan]

Originally Posted by Mr.Brightside

yah this is obviously true, but we're not talking about that.

we're discussing matches where the shots and stuff are even enough that having the mental edge on your opponent can have a big out come on the victor.

Mmm, sorry, let me re-emphasize by quoting myself.

"If your forehand is whack, it's because you've accumulated too little feel and muscle memory, and can't correctly identify the flaws in your stroke to adjust properly."

Most on court meltdowns consist of losing confidence in a critical shot, where for example you can't produce even a rally ball with your forehand. You lose your mental edge and your focus on producing winning tennis then fall to a lack of "feel" and groove. In my experience, your susceptibility to losing shots correlates to the lack of practice you've had.

[Spyre]

Originally Posted by peli_kan

Mmm, sorry, let me re-emphasize by quoting myself.

"If your forehand is whack, it's because you've accumulated too little feel and muscle memory, and can't correctly identify the flaws in your stroke to adjust properly."

Most on court meltdowns consist of losing confidence in a critical shot, where for example you can't produce even a rally ball with your forehand. You lose your mental edge and your focus on producing winning tennis then fall to a lack of "feel" and groove. In my experience, your susceptibility to losing shots correlates to the lack of practice you've had.

Which is why having a strong mental game will insure that meltdowns don't happen. You miss an easy ball, get over it. Make the next one count. If you have a strong mental game, your focus is good. Your game won't fall to a lack of feel and groove, because Mr. Brightside did not start the topic on How he is being overmatched

[peli_kan]

Originally Posted by Spyre

Which is why having a strong mental game will insure that meltdowns don't happen. You miss an easy ball, get over it. Make the next one count. If you have a strong mental game, your focus is good. Your game won't fall to a lack of feel and groove, because Mr. Brightside did not start the topic on How he is being overmatched

I think we're agreeing on the same thing from different angles. I'm stating that a strong mental game and good focus comes only from being accustomed with your strokes to the point that you can hit your rally balls and go to shots consciously, unconsciously, and everywhere in between.

[peli_kan]

Originally Posted by Spyre

Which is why having a strong mental game will insure that meltdowns don't happen. You miss an easy ball, get over it. Make the next one count. If you have a strong mental game, your focus is good. Your game won't fall to a lack of feel and groove, because Mr. Brightside did not start the topic on How he is being overmatched

I think we're agreeing on the same thing from different angles. I'm stating that a strong mental game and good focus comes only from being accustomed with your strokes to the point that you can hit your rally balls and go to shots consciously, unconsciously, and everywhere in between.

Hmmm, I should feel obligated to read "Winning Ugly" and other Gilbert-isms. After all, we come from the same high school and shared the same coach <3

[andfor]

Read "Smart Tennis" by John Murray http://www.johnfmurray.com/index.php...y/sport/tennis

and "The Best Tenis of Your Life" by Jeff Greenwald.
http://www.mentaledge.net/pub_products.shtml

This are must reads in addition to the already mentioned Innergame of Tennis and Winning Ugly.

[Mr.Brightside]

^^^ thanks for the recommendations. i'll check them out.

peli-kan, i see where you're coming from. however, i'm not sure you quite understand what we're discussing or maybe i'm not understanding what you're saying. anyways, the problem is that i can go to these shots all the time when rallying or playing a practice match with someone i know. it's only when i get into a match that "matters" that i miss these shots.