How to be prepared for a tournament?

[HappyLefty]

I've been training during several months for a tournament at July 16th.
My training process has been focused on technical aspects only, but I'm not sure it's the best way to get a good performance.
Do you have any tip to be better prepared during next 11 days?
Just playing matches only?
Lower my intensity?
Focus on mental aspects?

Any advice welcome.

 

[Exile]

Play a few matches, what ever is wrong with your game will need to be worked on, even if it is mental. If you are down 0-40, try coming back.
If you are up 40-0, play around with other parts of your game, S&V or chipping and charging.
If you are having trouble with returns then practice that.
Things like that. The day before the tournament, don't work yourself too hard.
Just warm up, rally a little bit, just practice a little of everything. Maybe a quick 8 gm proset or 2 out of 3 sets.
And try to go to sleep early, it might be hard, you might be a bit nervous, but try to go to sleep.

 

[Ash_Smith]

Periodisation!

Preparation, Specific-Preparation, Competition, Rest.

So, prep phase is where you do your major technical changes, major physical work (speed, agility, aerobic etc), low intensity-high volume. Spec-Prep is where you consolidate you technical work, work on flex, speed, tactical patterns etc. Comp is where you actually play so you're looking for stroke maintainence , flexibility, mental prep etc. Each phase is 3-4 weeks leading up to the comp. Rest 1-2 weeks after

With 11 days to go i'd say less training at a higher intensity, very little physical or technical work, focus on tactical and mental training (your coach should have all this done in your annual plan). Plan your eating and drinking a few days prior to competing (plenty of threads or sites to help this). As for training, warm-up and cool-down well for each session, high (match) intensity drills - no technical changes, lots of serve/return practice - get a good hitting partner/coach and go for 30-60 mins in the few days in the run up. Warm -up and cool-down really well for each session. Oh, and dont forget to warm-up and cool-down well each time!!!

Hope this helps

Regards

Ash

 

[HappyLefty]

Thanks ASH,\Great info.

 

[Ash_Smith]

no worries mate, hope it helps. Try doing a search for periodisation or look at the USTA book complete conditioning for tennis if you want more info or check with a coach and get them to do you an annual plan.

Good luck for the tourney!!