Can the Zone Really be Induced ?

[ibo]

I did a search and saw one website that seems to claim it can be done by focusing on a point some distance in front of you. I also saw some long-winded paper of some sort on the matter, but couldn't read through to the end.

I'm pretty skeptical. Thoughts ? Is there anything that helps you get in the zone and stay there ?

[Nostradamus]

You will have to explain what you mean by " Focusing on a point some distance in front of you". Can you explain ?

and Yes Zone can be induced but not everyone can do it. It is not easy to do and some are good at it than others. I think in tennis, Confidence and being in great shape helps.

[AnotherTennisProdigy]

When your regular level becomes your zone, is it even your "zone" anymore? In my book the "zone" is a level of concentration and play that surpasses your normal level by a large margin. So if it becomes your regular level of play didn't you just get better?

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by AnotherTennisProdigy

When your regular level is your zone, is it even your "zone" anymore? In my book the "zone" is a level of concentration and play that surpasses your normal level by a large margin. So if it becomes your regular level of play didn't you just get better?

How do you get into your zone on match day or on the day that really counts ? is there some things you can do in the AM of the match to put yourself into that Zone ?

[tennis_balla]

Rituals help you get into your zone. Its all about the rituals.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by tennis_balla

Rituals help you get into your zone. Its all about the rituals.

should i sacrifice a goat to the tennis God before the match ? does that get you in the zone ? it is a ritual

[tennis_balla]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

should i sacrifice a goat to the tennis God before the match ? does that get you in the zone ? it is a ritual

Is your name Pedro Cerrano?

[sureshs]

Drugs will do it I suppose

[db10s]

Originally Posted by Nostradamus

should i sacrifice a goat to the tennis God before the match ? does that get you in the zone ? it is a ritual

No, it has to be a ZEBRA

[slowfox]

Originally Posted by tennis_balla

Is your name Pedro Cerrano?

He sacrificed chickens.

[slowfox]

The zone will never happen if you think about or plan it. That's my experience with it. It comes when you least expect it. Usually that's when you stop thinking so much about whatever you're doing and just DO. Suddenly you're in the zone. And just when you realize you are, you fall out of it.

[Larrysümmers]

the zone is when you are playing, and you dont even feel like you are playing. everything is just happening and you are just watching it. i dont think ive ever been in the zone for more than a game in a real match.

[goran_ace]

Getting in the zone is a result of developing good habits.

[SystemicAnomaly]

"Don’t force the flow. When you push, things tend to push back."

There are various techniques for improving your chances of achieving a "flow state" or "getting into the zone". One significant prerequisite for most people is getting a good/quality night's sleep. Meditation or visualization can also be employed to facilitate a flow state. Here are some other ideas for "getting into the zone":

http://mindsportlive.com/Articles/Ar...?articleId=236
http://blogs.hbr.org/cs/2012/03/how_...your_zone.html
http://www.active.com/softball/artic..._The_Zone_.htm

While not for everyone, I will sometimes ingest 1/2 serving of a no-sugar energy shot (like 5-Hour Energy) and then perform 15-20 minutes of cardio before heading over to the court. This, with a good tennis warmup, will often bring on a peak performance.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by goran_ace

Getting in the zone is a result of developing good habits.

not sure habit by itself can help. there is a way to induce this zone by thinking certain way. or Mind control. if you can control your mind, you can do this any time. It is like incredible hulk trying to control his metamorphosis

[LuckyR]

Folks are throwing around various definitions of the Zone and are therefore having different (but parallel) thoughts on it.

The Zone itself is the state of automatic "point and shoot" playing, requiring no thought. The results of being in the Zone are a level of play in the top 5% of your capability.

So, of course you can't play at the top 5% of your capability all the time, by definition, because at that point it becomes your 50th% of capability, as mentioned above.

But, it is possible to play in the Zone all of the time. I have never seen nor heard of a case of it, though. The ritual goes like this: player suprisingly plays out of his mind great, he becomes determined to repeat this, he ponders how to do it again, but since the Zone is a state of a lack of consciousness, the more he tries to figure it out the more elusive it becomes to repeat the result, after a long time he gives up, later out of the blue it happens again, rinse and repeat...

[Limpinhitter]

Lysergic acid diethylamide. Yes, really.

[Nostradamus]

Originally Posted by Limpinhitter

Lysergic acid diethylamide. Yes, really.

Did you say Lithium can help ?

[ibo]

Hmm, some interesting thoughts.

How about this question: How do you feel when you are in the zone ? What are the signs that tip you off that you have reached that place ?

The times that I have been in the zone (or at least I think I was in the zone), I have felt somewhat lightheaded, almost to the point of being in an "out-of-body" state. At that point I am care free and swinging freely, hitting the shots pretty much exactly as I would like. Now what makes me a little unsure of the authenticity of this zone state is that I think the light headedness may just be a result of loss of fluid. Sure I take in water, but given that I'm a heavy sweater I am guessing I have substantial net loss of fluid at this point. On the other hand it may just be that this is all likely to happen at the same time - i.e. that I reach my peak at the point when I am truly into the play, at which point I am also losing fluid, and that's what makes me light headed. Or perhaps the light headedness is just some symptom of having reached the elusive state.

So how do you feel when you are there ?

[ibo]

...Oh yes, and one more thing which happens is that my forehand grip seems to spontaneously slide from Eastern to Semi Western. At that point I start hitting flatter, harder shots which seem to land just inside the baseline. Weird.