how do u prevent choking?

[tennisdude42]

During a high school match today, I lost the first set 3-6 but was leading in the second set 5-3. My opponent caught up to 5-5. I got ahead 6-5, and then got to 6-6. He won the match 6-3,7-6. I had all the momentum and a few set points, but all of a sudden I lost my lead. How do you prevent from choking?

 

[split-step]

IMO everyone gets nervous. Some people are more predisposed to nerves than others. Allowing your nerves to take control leads to choking.

So how do you overcome your nervousness?

Choking happens when you focus on the wrong target.

E.g (from personal experience)
You are up 5-1 in a 1st set tiebreaker against a 2 yr removed Bayl player.
All of a sudden, you realise the calibre of player your opponent is. You can't believe you are about to take a set off such a player and then you arm gets stiff, you double fault, you start hitting routine forehands wide; then you start rushing trying to end points quickly and end up losing the tiebreaker 5-7.
This exact scenario happened to me.

I had played the best tennis of my life up to that point but when it came time to close it out, I stopped focusing on my gameplan but on my opponent.

The key is to remove your focus from whatever is making you nervous and back onto the immediate goal: Winning the next point.
Your focus should be on your strategy and the tactics you are going to use in that point to execute that strategy.

It's easier said than done though.

 

[jmjmkim]

We've all been there. But something I learned in golf . . .
The better player you are, the luckier you are. Sometimes, when I have a short chip or something like that, playing my buddies for money, the easiest shots I choke. But the better players, even when they miss, they get it better than if they hit it right.

So, the answer is clear. In order to come out winning, even in high intensity matches, we have to be a better player.

Nothing new, I guess. . . but true.

 

[theZig]

You don't. You embrace it, and get over it. Like a bad hang over, everyone gets em. Prevent them by not drinking? Puh-leeeeeeeez!

 

[maverick66]

A good coach i had told me after i choked. "You cant be a good player until you have made a good comeback and choked a match". the point behind this saying is you have to experiance it to know what it feels like to choke. know that you have choked you can move forward and when you get that feeling you can hopefully change what your doing and get back on track.

 

[Slicendicer]

During a high school match today, I lost the first set 3-6 but was leading in the second set 5-3. My opponent caught up to 5-5. I got ahead 6-5, and then got to 6-6. He won the match 6-3,7-6. I had all the momentum and a few set points, but all of a sudden I lost my lead. How do you prevent from choking?

You're not telling us much... details, man... how were you losing games? hitting out? netting easy putaway shots? Sometimes your opponent is just better than you.

I have a considerable amount of matches under my belt, and if I am losing momentum it's usually because I am trying to play low percentage, trying to be a hotdog, or my opponent is figured out my strategy. You always gotta have a plan "B". A plan "C" wouldn't hurt either... ~ anyhoo.

If your missing shots, just play within safer margins until you regain some confidence... and keep practicing and playing matches. Good luck.

 

[Steady Eddy]

Do not believe this statement when it runs through your head, "It would be terrible if I lost after all this." You probably had it happen because you were ahead 5-3. When that happens, say to yourself, "No, it would not be terrible, things happen, people lose. I'm just going to play, and if I lose, I lose, but it won't be "terrible". This takes alot of the power out of the situation. You still might lose, but you'll win your fair share. With choking, you don't even get your fair share, you opponent does.

 

[lordmanji]

i empathize with you. my partner and i had a 4-0 lead in doubles then the other team came back to make it 6-5 in our favor. so i served to close out the match but suddenly i hit two double faults, a decent serve, another double fault then another decent serve that i didnt play because i thought it was a double fault. i mean it's crazy. i held serve easily at 3-0 and i felt very relaxed but yeah i think i had a bit of the stiff arm on my first serves especially cuz they started getting dumped in the middle of the net. i think i make a technical error when i get tight and start tossing the ball farther out in front and lower when it should be the opposite. okay well the point is identify HOW you're choking because symptoms of choke can manifest in breakdown's in technique; it's not all about focus on the next point sometimes.

 

[crazysoccer00]

How do you prevent from choking?

Chew your food properly prior to swallowing

 

[S H O W S T O P P E R !]

Play it safe. Choking makes you think that you need to attack and stay in command, but usually a safety-first style of play can help force the opponent to make errors. So play it safe.

No go kick some Florida @$$.

 

[J011yroger]

Play it safe. Choking makes you think that you need to attack and stay in command, but usually a safety-first style of play can help force the opponent to make errors. So play it safe.

No go kick some Florida @$$.

I dunno, whenever I choke, it is usually stiffening up, double faults, and bunting routine shots long or dribbling them into the net.

J

 

[Cindysphinx]

When you start choking, forget everything else and think only about your footwork. If you're in perfect position, you'll make a good shot, even if you are tighter than usual.

That's what I've been doing, anyway.

 

[v205]

Play more spin into your shots.

 

[charliefedererer]

I don't care who you are, you're going to choke in certain matches. You get to a point where your legs don't move and you can't take a deep breath. You start to hit the ball about a yard wide, instead of inches.
Arthur Ashe

But the best way not to choke is to fully concentrate on the little essentials that constitute each point. When serving, concentrate on that perfect toss, watching the ball, and perfect form.
When receiving concentrate on your split step and watching the ball. After hitting, recover to the perfect position, and after your opponent hits, concentrate on your splitstep, perfect positioning and attacking the ball.
If other words, you give your brain enough to think about, you won't have time to dwell on worrying about missing it.

 

[Kemitak]

Lie to yourself: there are no such things as match- or set- or even game-points. There are only points. If you're up or down 40-love, you can go for more, but if you think certain points are worth more than others (even if they are), you'll tighten up. So pretend set point is like every other point you want to win.

 

[BorisBeckerFan]

Surprised no ones mentioned this but you have to remeber to breathe. That's why it's called choking. It could be caused by nerves, fear, anxiousness, any other mental related issue but it all leads to a lack of proper breathing which is why arms and legs start feeling heavy and the game goes down the tube. If you focus on breathing well this will help take your mind of whatever is causing the choke and help you play better. Also you can't disregard the possibilty of the other player stepping up other game. Some people don't choke when they are down they step up.

 

[od_sf]

This is what happened to me last night, playing a circuit match at my local club:

Played well in the first set, won it easily 6-2. Was up 4-1 in the second - and lost the 2nd set 4-6! I finally won the match in the tiebreaker after having saved a match point.

I thought I had the match easily won at 4-1 in the 2nd set, and completely lost my focus and concentration. Also, I think my opponent figured he had lost the match at that point, so he started playing much loser and going for his shots.

I'm still pissed at myself for choking like that - usually I'm pretty good at closing out matches, but I guess ultimately it was a good thing to experience. And I'm glad I managed to hang in there and win the match. But damn I made it so much harder on myself than it should have been! It should have been an easy 6-2 6-1 victory. Tennis is 50% mental innit?

I like the advise on focusing on footwork, will try that next time.

 

[mixertefera]

one thing that helps a lot is if you have go to shot one that if you hit it's your point an atomtic shot groved as hell

 

[mixertefera]

man i'm so tried that was a treebel post i'm asleep

 

[S H O W S T O P P E R !]

I dunno, whenever I choke, it is usually stiffening up, double faults, and bunting routine shots long or dribbling them into the net.

J

Everyone chokes in their own way I guess. The key point is to simply play it safe. Just get the ball in safely without being a total pusher about it. Don't try to hit huge shots.

 

[baseline08thrasher]

IMO everyone gets nervous. Some people are more predisposed to nerves than others. Allowing your nerves to take control leads to choking.

So how do you overcome your nervousness?

Choking happens when you focus on the wrong target.

E.g (from personal experience)
You are up 5-1 in a 1st set tiebreaker against a 2 yr removed Bayl player.
All of a sudden, you realise the calibre of player your opponent is. You can't believe you are about to take a set off such a player and then you arm gets stiff, you double fault, you start hitting routine forehands wide; then you start rushing trying to end points quickly and end up losing the tiebreaker 5-7.
This exact scenario happened to me.

I had played the best tennis of my life up to that point but when it came time to close it out, I stopped focusing on my gameplan but on my opponent.

The key is to remove your focus from whatever is making you nervous and back onto the immediate goal: Winning the next point.
Your focus should be on your strategy and the tactics you are going to use in that point to execute that strategy.

It's easier said than done though.

Bravo, nice post.

I agree with this. I am a top player in my town, and when I get nervous against other top players or think about things down the future, I think about taking a few deep breaths, looking at my strings, staying down for my shots, and putting all of my effort in to win the next point.

It's hard to try your best point after point, but it truly gives you a great satisfaction in the end.