Should Pros/Coaches Teach Psychology

[spaceman_spiff]

I was having a drink with one of the coaches from my club last night and I mentioned that, having started tennis in my teens (having played soccer for a number of years), the hardest part of the game for me was the psychological part. Soccer is 90 min of chaos with a 10-min break in the middle; i.e., you have very little time to catch your breath, let alone stop and analyze what's going on around you. Tennis, on the other hand, is full of down time in which you can over analyze, beat yourself up, or otherwise ride the emotional/psychological roller coaster. Also, no matter how well you play, you will always make loads of mistakes every match: some forced, some unforced, some you get away with.

Then, we realized that almost no coaches/pros ever teach people how to deal with the psychological aspects of tennis. They spend so much time on technique that it leaves people feeling that, if they have missed a shot even by just a couple of inches, they have done something completely wrong, which then leads to anger and frustration for making so many mistakes or over analysis of stroke mechanics.

Imagine a point where you have your back against the wall, desparately chasing down shots. Then you fight back, get control of the rally, set yourself for the winner, and then hit the tape. That's a real roller coaster ride and heart breaking stuff, and it can happen a number of times in a single match. What are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to just scream, analyze what you did wrong, ignore it?

We leave it to players to figure it out themselves. And for juniors growing up playing tournaments, they have to figure it out while also dealing with the pressure and expectations involved in competitive play. It's no wonder why so many quit when they leave HS (in addition to monetary restrictions of college life). They probably weren't having much fun.

So, the question is, should coaches and pros spend serious time teaching people how to handle the psychological side of the game? This is how you hit a forehand; this is how you hit a backhand; this is how to handle missing a heart-breaking shot.

 

[LeeD]

Sure, if the player wants to spend $50 per hour for an amateur physcologist.
And soccer players are near the ball only about 45% of the time, the rest is trash talking and cruising, catching your breathe and checking out the chicks in the stands. That's when they should be strategizing.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Sure, if the player wants to spend $50 per hour for an amateur physcologist.
And soccer players are near the ball only about 45% of the time, the rest is trash talking and cruising, catching your breathe and checking out the chicks in the stands. That's when they should be strategizing.

It sounds to me like you've never played soccer at a serious level. Even if you're not near the ball, you're constantly moving and checking on your surroundings, looking for space to move into to receive a pass, checking for unmarked men on defense. And, when you see something, you have to move fast. Top-level players can spot an open teammate on the other side of the field and pick him out with a 40-yd pass. So, no one can sit back and relax when the ball is in play, let alone think about the psychological aspect of the game.

Only the goalies can take a break from time to time.

 

[LeeD]

You can check all that stuff automatically, and rest, check out the chicks, trashtalk, and jog around stretching and still keep an eye on your opponents. Only when the ball is near, or about to be coming your way, do you have to turn on the concentration to full level.
Otherwise, you can blow your nose, adjust your socks, wipe off your sweat....or wait, you soccer guys aren't allowed to use your hands! :shock::shock::twisted:

 

[spaceman_spiff]

You can check all that stuff automatically, and rest, check out the chicks, trashtalk, and jog around stretching and still keep an eye on your opponents. Only when the ball is near, or about to be coming your way, do you have to turn on the concentration to full level.
Otherwise, you can blow your nose, adjust your socks, wipe off your sweat....or wait, you soccer guys aren't allowed to use your hands! :shock::shock::twisted:

Ok, let me explain things a bit better.

You're on the left wing, making an attacking run in your opponents' goal area. Then, your teammate loses the ball and the other team starts a counter attack. The other team's right winger (your defensive responsibility) makes a 50-yd run to join in the attack.

You could blow your nose, check out the chicks in the stands, adjust your socks, pick your butt, etc., but your coach won't be too happy about it. Most likely, you're going to turn and chase down the right winger and try to make sure no one can make a pass to him.

Then, your team gets the ball and starts moving back up the field.

Repeat that for 45 min. Take a short break, and then do it again for another 45.

That's soccer.

 

[LeeD]

Yeah, and every soccer player who TRIES to play football can't summit 100% effort for 5 seconds. It's a kicker's world, for soccer players.
Some say they are the best conditioned athletes of any sport. Yeah, for standing up and cruising 60% of the time, 3/4 effort 20%, and the rest full on.
My vote goes for outdoor motocross.

 

[Cindysphinx]

The pros I have used do in fact teach psychology as it pertains to match play. I confide that I choked blah blah blah, he tells me of the time he choked (and boy, it was an awfully big choke). Then he tells me what he did to stop choking, and what I can do.

Psychology session over.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

The pros I have used do in fact teach psychology as it pertains to match play. I confide that I choked blah blah blah, he tells me of the time he choked (and boy, it was an awfully big choke). Then he tells me what he did to stop choking, and what I can do.

Psychology session over.

And did you stop choking? Did he ever tell you how to handle the emotional roller coaster (good point followed by terrible point, good game followed by terrible game)?

Did anyone ever say, "when you've just made a horrific shot or a bad decision, this is how you get over it and get yourself in the right frame of mind to play the next point"?

The number of threads about smashed rackets and chokes gives me the impression a lot of people struggle with the psychological aspect of the game.

 

[LeeD]

I'd like to think phsycology encompasses much more than just choking or playing with your head up.....
It entails preparation going into the tournament. All the little details and how travelling, and tickets, and luggage, and cab rides, coffee, hotel reg, choice of hotel, staff you interact with, all are part of the physcology of playing tourament tennis.
And of course, stroke choice, production, falling back to basics, hitting out, and when.
Besides shoes, strings, tension, grips, clothe, hats, crowd control, ball boy interactions, and much much more.
Can't pay for all that advice, and one little wrong part can distract your game at a critical moment.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Yeah, and every soccer player who TRIES to play football can't summit 100% effort for 5 seconds. It's a kicker's world, for soccer players.
Some say they are the best conditioned athletes of any sport. Yeah, for standing up and cruising 60% of the time, 3/4 effort 20%, and the rest full on.
My vote goes for outdoor motocross.

Try doing 20-yd runs back and forth non-stop at 1/2 pace for 27 min, 40-yd sprints at 3/4 pace for 9 min, and full-speed sprints of various lengths for another 9 min. After a 10 min break, trying doing all that again.

Actually, try just the 1/2 pace runs for 27 min non-stop and let me know how you get on. It's a lot harder than it sounds.

 

[big bang]

Yeah, and every soccer player who TRIES to play football can't summit 100% effort for 5 seconds. It's a kicker's world, for soccer players.
Some say they are the best conditioned athletes of any sport. Yeah, for standing up and cruising 60% of the time, 3/4 effort 20%, and the rest full on.
My vote goes for outdoor motocross.

none of them are the best conditioned athletes, not even close. a lot of tests have been made and they all prove that boxers are the best conditioned by far!

 

[LeeD]

Yeah, while you superhumans were playing soccer in high school, I was busy playing varsity basketball in the spring, one fall of JV football, and two falls of varsity football.
We liked to check out the chicks in the stands even during a play.

 

[LeeD]

I'll go for boxers, if I have to concede to reality.
I got knocked around quite a bit as a bad GoldenGlove punching bag in junior high years (Eddy's Gym, Taylor and Eddy, SanFrancisco) ...
Lucky for me, my conditioning was not the determining factor. I just sucked, so I took up basketball and track.

 

[EP1998]

I'd like to think phsycology encompasses much more than just choking or playing with your head up.....
It entails preparation going into the tournament. All the little details and how travelling, and tickets, and luggage, and cab rides, coffee, hotel reg, choice of hotel, staff you interact with, all are part of the physcology of playing tourament tennis.
And of course, stroke choice, production, falling back to basics, hitting out, and when.
Besides shoes, strings, tension, grips, clothe, hats, crowd control, ball boy interactions, and much much more.
Can't pay for all that advice, and one little wrong part can distract your game at a critical moment.

Very good points!

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Yeah, while you superhumans were playing soccer in high school, I was busy playing varsity basketball in the spring, one fall of JV football, and two falls of varsity football.
We liked to check out the chicks in the stands even during a play.

I'm not saying we're supermen; I'm just saying the running involved is a lot harder than people realize.

Basketball does involve a lot of aerobic ability, but you still have loads of breaks for timeouts, fouls, and free throws. Still, it's a tough sport physically.

Football, on the other hand, I don't rate very highly. First, you only play half the game (quarterbacks don't play defense, safeties don't play running back, etc.). Secondly, for every 5-sec play, you have 30 sec to rest and get ready for the next one.

If you think football is tough, take a look at rugby. It's basically football without the rest breaks and without the padding.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

I'd like to think phsycology encompasses much more than just choking or playing with your head up.....
It entails preparation going into the tournament. All the little details and how travelling, and tickets, and luggage, and cab rides, coffee, hotel reg, choice of hotel, staff you interact with, all are part of the physcology of playing tourament tennis.
And of course, stroke choice, production, falling back to basics, hitting out, and when.
Besides shoes, strings, tension, grips, clothe, hats, crowd control, ball boy interactions, and much much more.
Can't pay for all that advice, and one little wrong part can distract your game at a critical moment.

Parents and others teach you how to deal with travelling, hotels, etc. So, you've had coaching there. Plus, most people wouldn't be alone in that situation, so they have help. Social interraction is part of everyday life from the day you're born, so you've had tons of teaching and practice there. Clothes, hopefully, have been a part of your life since you were born, so dealing with problems there shouldn't be anything new.

But, when you're new to the game, alone on the court, and dealing with all the frustrating things that can come up in tennis (missed shots, lucky shots by your opponent, etc.), you're on your own to figure it out.

Pros go to sports psychologists, ask for advice from former pros, and seek out other sources, even though they've already reached a very high level by that point. Why aren't any of those lessons offered sooner in a player's career?

Personally, I would have won a lot more matches in HS if I knew then what I do now about the psychology of the game. I was taught technique and strategy up the wazoo (and I had fitness from soccer). Why was such an important part of the game ignored?

In fact, if I could go back in time and fix one part of my game with what I know now, I'd teach myself how to control my mind and emotions.

 

[big bang]

I'll go for boxers, if I have to concede to reality.
I got knocked around quite a bit as a bad GoldenGlove punching bag in junior high years (Eddy's Gym, Taylor and Eddy, SanFrancisco) ...
Lucky for me, my conditioning was not the determining factor. I just sucked, so I took up basketball and track.

I have worked as boxing-coach for several years and when new guys came to give it a go we allways asked about how fit they where and what kind of sport they did. Soccer is our national sport so of course many of them played a lot of soccer, some even at pretty high level. even the guys who played soccer 2 hours a day 4-5 days a week couldnt keep up with intermediate boxers, they where totally destroyed and some even puked!
most ppl dont realize how demanding boxing is.

a typical training session looked like this:
warm up 8 km run, about 30-40 mins for most.
30 mins of different strenght and endurance drills.
20-30 mins of sparring.
30 mins of bag and pad training.
20 mins of intense back and abs training.
10 mins of stretching.

if you wanted to fight then you had to show up at least 4 times a week or you could forget about it.
the weekends you didnt fight you had to run at least 5 km. sometimes we arranged trainingcamps in weekends too.

 

[LuckyR]

I was having a drink with one of the coaches from my club last night and I mentioned that, having started tennis in my teens (having played soccer for a number of years), the hardest part of the game for me was the psychological part. Soccer is 90 min of chaos with a 10-min break in the middle; i.e., you have very little time to catch your breath, let alone stop and analyze what's going on around you. Tennis, on the other hand, is full of down time in which you can over analyze, beat yourself up, or otherwise ride the emotional/psychological roller coaster. Also, no matter how well you play, you will always make loads of mistakes every match: some forced, some unforced, some you get away with.

Then, we realized that almost no coaches/pros ever teach people how to deal with the psychological aspects of tennis. They spend so much time on technique that it leaves people feeling that, if they have missed a shot even by just a couple of inches, they have done something completely wrong, which then leads to anger and frustration for making so many mistakes or over analysis of stroke mechanics.

Imagine a point where you have your back against the wall, desparately chasing down shots. Then you fight back, get control of the rally, set yourself for the winner, and then hit the tape. That's a real roller coaster ride and heart breaking stuff, and it can happen a number of times in a single match. What are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to just scream, analyze what you did wrong, ignore it?

We leave it to players to figure it out themselves. And for juniors growing up playing tournaments, they have to figure it out while also dealing with the pressure and expectations involved in competitive play. It's no wonder why so many quit when they leave HS (in addition to monetary restrictions of college life). They probably weren't having much fun.

So, the question is, should coaches and pros spend serious time teaching people how to handle the psychological side of the game? This is how you hit a forehand; this is how you hit a backhand; this is how to handle missing a heart-breaking shot.

You bring up some interesting points but they not as mysterious as they might seem at first glance. First of all, tennis is a Mental Game played with racquets, not a racquet sport. So you are right, it is the polar opposite of a game like soccer in many, many respects which I won't go into here. Secondly, you are confusing tennis instructors (those who work on correct stroke mechanics) and coaches (who work on strategy/tactics and the Mental Game, which you call: Psychology). So, "no" instructors don't work on the Mental Game much, but coaches do.

 

[LeeD]

SSpiff...
Obviously, you haven't travelled to competitive events ever in your life. You don't always have mommy holding your hands, your people skills only work with compatitible people, which are few in the OTHER world, the one you don't live in.
I know solid A-Open players who lost before their first round, because they were unsettled by the bellhop, had a bad meal, and transport connections didn't work as planned.
I've travelled a bit for competitive events, from SF to EastCoast for roadracing, all up and down the West coast for motocross, skiing, surfing, and windsurfing competitions.....believe me, it's the LITTLE things that determine how well we compete.
Another example.... a pro jumper I was travelling with got all upset his sister was seeing this short guy (competitor in men's jumping). Camille started dating this guy right before the trip, and it never left his head, making him go upside down on all his qualifying jumps, even thos he's cleared 175' over a couple hundred times.
Once again, it's the little things that determine your performance, if you got everything else dialed.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

SSpiff...
Obviously, you haven't travelled to competitive events ever in your life. You don't always have mommy holding your hands, your people skills only work with compatitible people, which are few in the OTHER world, the one you don't live in.
I know solid A-Open players who lost before their first round, because they were unsettled by the bellhop, had a bad meal, and transport connections didn't work as planned.
I've travelled a bit for competitive events, from SF to EastCoast for roadracing, all up and down the West coast for motocross, skiing, surfing, and windsurfing competitions.....believe me, it's the LITTLE things that determine how well we compete.
Another example.... a pro jumper I was travelling with got all upset his sister was seeing this short guy (competitor in men's jumping). Camille started dating this guy right before the trip, and it never left his head, making him go upside down on all his qualifying jumps, even thos he's cleared 175' over a couple hundred times.
Once again, it's the little things that determine your performance, if you got everything else dialed.

When I was 18, I put together a soccer team from players I knew around the city to participate in the largest youth club tournament in the world.

I had to organize registration, travel, and accomodation for a group of 16 teenagers and a handfull of parents in a destination 3 states away, as well as get everyone together for practices in the two months leading up to the tournament.

So yes, I have handled the stress of travelling to and competing in a major sports event (that's just one example).

Sorry, but I have little sympathy for the superstar who lost his match because the bell boy dropped his suitcase the day he checked into the hotel. Maybe the player's coaches should have given him some more instructions on how to deal with the psychological aspects of playing tennis and how to maintain focus during a match. Or, maybe his parents should have done a better job teaching him how to handle awkward or unsettling social situations more effectively.

Your examples just show how important psychology is in tennis, as well as other sports. Those who know how to block out everything and focus on the match without over analyzing or over reacting to bad points have an advantage over those who don't. So, why not focus more time on advising people how to deal with the mental side of the game? They're taught every other aspect of the game, and they're even given training information to improve their fitness. But when it comes to the psychology, they're left to figure it out themselves (until they get to a high enough level that they can justify seeing a dedicated sports psychologist).

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Secondly, you are confusing tennis instructors (those who work on correct stroke mechanics) and coaches (who work on strategy/tactics and the Mental Game, which you call: Psychology). So, "no" instructors don't work on the Mental Game much, but coaches do.

Sorry, I was trying to use wording everyone would understand. What Americans call teaching pros are generically referred to as coaches by Brits (I've moved to the UK, so I deal with them all the time now). I was just trying to use a generic term for those who teach others how to play.

It's not until players reach a higher level that you see the separation between technical training (instructors), physical training (fitness coaches), and mental training. But, by that time, most players have already developed their own strategies (good or bad) for handling the emotional/psychological aspects of the game. Trying to change those habits at that stage is much more difficult than it would be if pros/coaches (the person teaching you how to play) would offer advice or instruction at earlier stages in a player's development.

Teaching a 10- or 12-yo who's just starting to play competitively is much easier than waiting until he's 17 or 18 and has been playing tournaments for a number of years already. By that latter stage, bad habits are likely to have formed and might not ever go away.

 

[Ken Honecker]

I guess I was just blessed with a NFL cornerbacks ability to forget the last play. While I always knew that there were people out there better than me I never figured I couldn't beat them today. Heck even the best player in the world makes mistakes and gets beat what's the big deal?

For the life of me I've never figured out why tennis attracts such ill natured babies. The reoccuring threads of folks proudly noting the racquets they have broken while having a fit I wouldn't allow a five year old to have leave me shaking my head in wonder. Maybe it has to do with the higher per capita wealth in tennis and golf where the players are more likely to be able to replace destroyed equipment but I've sure never seen anyone take their softball bat and pound it against the fence until it breaks because they happened to hit one pop fly.

 

[wihamilton]

I was having a drink with one of the coaches from my club last night and I mentioned that, having started tennis in my teens (having played soccer for a number of years), the hardest part of the game for me was the psychological part. Soccer is 90 min of chaos with a 10-min break in the middle; i.e., you have very little time to catch your breath, let alone stop and analyze what's going on around you. Tennis, on the other hand, is full of down time in which you can over analyze, beat yourself up, or otherwise ride the emotional/psychological roller coaster. Also, no matter how well you play, you will always make loads of mistakes every match: some forced, some unforced, some you get away with.

Then, we realized that almost no coaches/pros ever teach people how to deal with the psychological aspects of tennis. They spend so much time on technique that it leaves people feeling that, if they have missed a shot even by just a couple of inches, they have done something completely wrong, which then leads to anger and frustration for making so many mistakes or over analysis of stroke mechanics.

Imagine a point where you have your back against the wall, desparately chasing down shots. Then you fight back, get control of the rally, set yourself for the winner, and then hit the tape. That's a real roller coaster ride and heart breaking stuff, and it can happen a number of times in a single match. What are you supposed to do? Are you supposed to just scream, analyze what you did wrong, ignore it?

We leave it to players to figure it out themselves. And for juniors growing up playing tournaments, they have to figure it out while also dealing with the pressure and expectations involved in competitive play. It's no wonder why so many quit when they leave HS (in addition to monetary restrictions of college life). They probably weren't having much fun.

So, the question is, should coaches and pros spend serious time teaching people how to handle the psychological side of the game? This is how you hit a forehand; this is how you hit a backhand; this is how to handle missing a heart-breaking shot.

The short answer is yes. Many of the top training facilities in the US have a sports psychologist on staff or one that regularly drops by. Also, most developmental coaches teach mental toughness in one way or another (no standardized method, however).

 

[wihamilton]

It's also important to understand how strategy -- specifically, having a game plan and being able to make adjustments -- affects your mental state.

To use an analogy, imagine getting in your car to drive to the movie theater. You get halfway there but then you find out the road you normally take is closed. No sweat, right? You just take a detour. Either you're familiar with the area and can plot the new route yourself or you use your GPS / mobile device to figure out how to go.

It's similar with a tennis match, except most people hit that roadblock and then have no idea what to do. How frustrated would you get if you were halfway to the theater, got stuck, and didn't know where to go? Well that frustration quickly leads to you mentally unraveling on a tennis court.

The point is that a firm strategic understanding of the game -- and the ability to make adjustments when necessary / based on your opponent's particular skill set -- turns a match into a problem-solving exercise which, in turn, helps you with mental toughness.

 

[GuyClinch]

For the life of me I've never figured out why tennis attracts such ill natured babies. The reoccuring threads of folks proudly noting the racquets they have broken while having a fit I wouldn't allow a five year old to have leave me shaking my head in wonder. Maybe it has to do with the higher per capita wealth in tennis and golf where the players are more likely to be able to replace destroyed equipment but I've sure never seen anyone take their softball bat and pound it against the fence until it breaks because they happened to hit one pop fly.

I think its because tennis just attracts alot of non-athletes. People without an athletic backaround of any kind aren't used to things not going there way and cope poorly.

This isn't to say that you need to have been a good player but if you just never played on a team sport in any competitive fashion and then pick up tennis (a kind of loner sport) you get alot of bad apples.. The softball guys are playing TEAM sports and this is corrective of this kind of behaviour.

I find the older women to be the worst. Playing mixed doubles is often ALOT more frustrating then playing with men. Some women hook on every point (if you even hit a ball NEAR the line its OUT) and will stall and such if they are losing and time is about to run out. This is because alot of women have zero experience in a team setting athletics wise, IMHO. The occasional "jock" or 'tomboy' women you meet (who are actually usually good at tennis) almost never have this attitude though.

Still some guys have issues - thus the racquet breaking.. I am with you though they look idiotic breaking perfectly good racquets in some meaningless rec. match.

Sports in the US in general seem to be less encouraged - except for the "talented" people and this is the root of the problem. I think it actually hurts society in general some..

Pete

 

[albino smurf]

I thought soccer players spent most of their time rolling around on the ground acting hurt.

 

[sureshs]

I thought soccer players spent most of their time trying to foul others

 

[NickC]

I thought soccer players spent most of their time trying to foul others

No. You want to know what a soccer player does? Go outside, and not jog, nor run, but SPRINT for 45 minutes nonstop. No breaks, no nothing. After that, take a 10 minute break. After said break, go out and sprint for another 45 minutes.

That's what a soccer player does.

 

[supineAnimation]

I only get into psychology with my juniors and my girlfriend. I find that a lot of my juniors are tough on themselves in the wrong ways and they deal with and categorize adversity or poor play in counter-productive ways. But my adult students? Never. Unless they ask. Girlfriend?... uh, not sure why because it doesn't usually go over very well with her.

 

[big bang]

No. You want to know what a soccer player does? Go outside, and not jog, nor run, but SPRINT for 45 minutes nonstop. No breaks, no nothing. After that, take a 10 minute break. After said break, go out and sprint for another 45 minutes.

That's what a soccer player does.

LOL soccer players dont even sprint 15 out of 45 mins. its a mix of running, jogging and sprint.
tell me one good reason why they should sprint for 45 mins have you ever seen a soccer match where all the guys just sprinted around the field? you sprint to get the ball, get into position or lose you opponents, but when there is no action around your position you just jog around.
soccer is more like interval-training!

 

[fuzz nation]

Sports in the US in general seem to be less encouraged - except for the "talented" people and this is the root of the problem. I think it actually hurts society in general some..

Pete

Interesting points overall G-C, and I think that this portion of the post is important.

I've been fortunate enough to have coached high school teams and I also earned a USPTA certification a couple years back. Aside from the basic technical stuff to get players started, the psychological aspects of tennis should definitely be addressed early on to give players a good direction in this sport.

Concerning that quote I highlighted above, I always liked to talk to my kids about how things went in their matches instead of being so shallow as to ask what the score was as soon as they'd come off the court. We'd always talk about what went right along with what was trouble for them in their matches, so that the gears would always be turning. Win or lose, this was good for keeping them learning, especially when a match wouldn't go their way. It was also better for the kids in that my approval wasn't simply based upon their winning.

A huge key for maintaining a positive perspective either with my own game or maybe the kids I've coached is to make sure that expectations are in touch with reality. If not, that's a recipe for constant disappointment. When a player can learn to use a bad shot to help make adjustments instead of spiraling off into a Greek tragedy, they're night-and-day better off. Especially the young sluggers who too often want to reproduce their best ever on-court performance on a daily basis. Not realistic.

One of the best things I learned from a Vic Braden book (Mental Tennis) was to give myself and my students, kids, etc. a license to miss. When anyone, myself included, can think it over and get more comfortable with the fact that the errors will always happen here and there, it's a lot easier to get on with things. I've even learned to get excited for my students when they try a new shot and spray the ball all over the place - it's a positive sign that a change is underway. When they understand that, they have a lot more fun with the process.

 

[freedomtennis]

Yeah its neglected because mental part of the game is very hard to teach. Champions have the mental game developed through out their life through expirences on and off the court. You cant teach that in my opinion...

 

[LuckyR]

Sorry, I was trying to use wording everyone would understand. What Americans call teaching pros are generically referred to as coaches by Brits (I've moved to the UK, so I deal with them all the time now). I was just trying to use a generic term for those who teach others how to play.

It's not until players reach a higher level that you see the separation between technical training (instructors), physical training (fitness coaches), and mental training. But, by that time, most players have already developed their own strategies (good or bad) for handling the emotional/psychological aspects of the game. Trying to change those habits at that stage is much more difficult than it would be if pros/coaches (the person teaching you how to play) would offer advice or instruction at earlier stages in a player's development.

Teaching a 10- or 12-yo who's just starting to play competitively is much easier than waiting until he's 17 or 18 and has been playing tournaments for a number of years already. By that latter stage, bad habits are likely to have formed and might not ever go away.

Don't think for a minute that there aren't 10 and 12 year olds who have no use for Instructors and have Coaching available. Think about it, if you don't have sound strokes, strategy is of limited usefulness. If you do have sound strokes, you have exhausted what an instructor can do for you, so you move on to getting coaching. It is automatic.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Then, we realized that almost no coaches/pros ever teach people how to deal with the psychological aspects of tennis. They spend so much time on technique that it leaves people feeling that, if they have missed a shot even by just a couple of inches, they have done something completely wrong, which then leads to anger and frustration for making so many mistakes or over analysis of stroke mechanics.

I cant say I agree with you here. Many coaches teach the psychological side of tennis. Some do it as they feed or drill a player, some as a separate aspect of a lesson, or a combination of both.

Still, you also need to consider the side of the player and what they demand. Many players want the coach to shut-up and just drill them so they can figure things out.

I do here what you are saying. On this site I have mentioned often that a coach needs to manage the frustration level in the student. By constantly monitoring this, a coach can help ensure a player does not get blocked up with adrenaline and shut down from a learning aspect.

Many times it simply isn't a players goal. However, as a player progresses and they master the tecnique, the mental side does start getting taught. Perhaps you prefer to see it sooner rather than later.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

It's also important to understand how strategy -- specifically, having a game plan and being able to make adjustments -- affects your mental state.

To use an analogy, imagine getting in your car to drive to the movie theater. You get halfway there but then you find out the road you normally take is closed. No sweat, right? You just take a detour. Either you're familiar with the area and can plot the new route yourself or you use your GPS / mobile device to figure out how to go.

It's similar with a tennis match, except most people hit that roadblock and then have no idea what to do. How frustrated would you get if you were halfway to the theater, got stuck, and didn't know where to go? Well that frustration quickly leads to you mentally unraveling on a tennis court.

The point is that a firm strategic understanding of the game -- and the ability to make adjustments when necessary / based on your opponent's particular skill set -- turns a match into a problem-solving exercise which, in turn, helps you with mental toughness.

That's what I figured out over the years. That's why I think it's just as important as technique and fitness once players start playing tournaments.

I only get into psychology with my juniors and my girlfriend. I find that a lot of my juniors are tough on themselves in the wrong ways and they deal with and categorize adversity or poor play in counter-productive ways. But my adult students? Never. Unless they ask. Girlfriend?... uh, not sure why because it doesn't usually go over very well with her.

I cant say I agree with you here. Many coaches teach the psychological side of tennis. Some do it as they feed or drill a player, some as a separate aspect of a lesson, or a combination of both.

Still, you also need to consider the side of the player and what they demand. Many players want the coach to shut-up and just drill them so they can figure things out.

I do here what you are saying. On this site I have mentioned often that a coach needs to manage the frustration level in the student. By constantly monitoring this, a coach can help ensure a player does not get blocked up with adrenaline and shut down from a learning aspect.

Many times it simply isn't a players goal. However, as a player progresses and they master the tecnique, the mental side does start getting taught. Perhaps you prefer to see it sooner rather than later.

It's good to hear others recognize the importance and are giving instruction on the mental side of the game.

When I was growing up, I didn't see anyone teaching juniors how to deal with the mental side of the game (other than basic strategy). I also haven't seen any coaches around here doing so either, so I thought it might be something that is widely ignored.

I think it's very similar to technique in that, any bad habits that start early and aren't nipped in the bud get harder and harder to get rid of as time goes on. I think at least basic tips are worth giving at early ages when it becomes apparent the player is intent on playing competitive matches (tournaments, leagues, etc.). Even if it's just a few words of advice given while playing practice points with a student, I think it's better than just letting the students try to deal with the frustration/emotions themselves. That's usually what leads to people who beat themselves up and/or smash their rackets.

 

[fuzz nation]

I've actually seen kids complaining about a bad grade on a paper or project even though they worked really hard on it. It was as though "working correctly" wasn't even a relevant factor toward their marks. Amazing that they could adopt this sort of perspective, but I think similar outlooks also show up in the tennis world in terms of that frustration and bad behavior.

I don't know if it's a malady that's permeated every corner of our society or anything, but lots of players decide ahead of time how much work it should take to be able to do a certain shot or reach a certain level. It drives them bananas when that doesn't happen for them. Once again, the clash of expectations and reality.

I'm no natural born coach or zen master or anything, but my coaching experience with the kids (and some adults) has been a revelation in terms of the weight of good psychology in tennis. While technique and strategy can be rather empirical issues, I've found the management of the mental approach to the game to be the most constantly demanding and unpredictable facet.

I got the impression that the USPTA didn't make much of a priority of addressing the psychology behind tennis, but they did seem to want their pros to be flexible and able to run enjoyable lessons. Head management is probably considered more of a sub-specialty, but I don't think it's too smart to save it for later. A player with both a proper outlook and understanding of the game will be able to realize more of their potential. Good psychology is half the battle.

 

[papa]

I guess I was just blessed with a NFL cornerbacks ability to forget the last play. While I always knew that there were people out there better than me I never figured I couldn't beat them today. Heck even the best player in the world makes mistakes and gets beat what's the big deal?

For the life of me I've never figured out why tennis attracts such ill natured babies. The reoccuring threads of folks proudly noting the racquets they have broken while having a fit I wouldn't allow a five year old to have leave me shaking my head in wonder. Maybe it has to do with the higher per capita wealth in tennis and golf where the players are more likely to be able to replace destroyed equipment but I've sure never seen anyone take their softball bat and pound it against the fence until it breaks because they happened to hit one pop fly.

Now now Ken, calm down. There are plenty of us that have played other sports at a very competitive level. We've seen/know plenty of players that break bats, sticks and so forth when things have gone a little south, so its not just tennis players. Racquets are a little more fragile than most sports equipment and break easier - not a good thing because they cost more also.

Its pretty hard to snap an aluminum softball bat but I've seen players try - can you do it, not sure but everything breaks if you pound on it long enough.

So what do we do about it? Although it still happens today, I think were monitoring it better and those watching tolerate it less than even a few years back. Among other things, racquet manufacturers cannot be pleased to see someone, anyone, smashing their racquet on TV. Think about it, it doesn't send the right message.

 

[heretoserve]

Great question!

The answer is yes. A teacher/coach should absolutely have knowledge of human behavior, the brain etc.

I think most coaches still have to learn how to teach basic strokes. I still can't believe there are so many myths and misconceptions taught.

Once they have that. Here are a few key mental aspects of tennis.

1. Perception of a tennis match - Anything and everything will go wrong and you will love it! Understanding that the tennis court is a mistake center and that the majority of matches end with way more unforced errors than winners is key.

2. The five p's - Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Confidence is absolutely a by product of winning. "Champions are made when no one is looking." If you loose, figure out why, and get back to the practice court.

3. Rituals - I definitely think being able to have a short memory on the court and not dwell on errors is hugh. Have rituals that help you refocus between every point. Breathing, fixing your strings, how many times you bounce the ball these are some things that can help you get your head back.

 

[papa]

Great question!

The answer is yes. A teacher/coach should absolutely have knowledge of human behavior, the brain etc.

I think most coaches still have to learn how to teach basic strokes. I still can't believe there are so many myths and misconceptions taught.

Once they have that. Here are a few key mental aspects of tennis.

1. Perception of a tennis match - Anything and everything will go wrong and you will love it! Understanding that the tennis court is a mistake center and that the majority of matches end with way more unforced errors than winners is key.

2. The five p's - Proper preparation prevents poor performance. Confidence is absolutely a by product of winning. "Champions are made when no one is looking." If you loose, figure out why, and get back to the practice court.

3. Rituals - I definitely think being able to have a short memory on the court and not dwell on errors is hugh. Have rituals that help you refocus between every point. Breathing, fixing your strings, how many times you bounce the ball these are some things that can help you get your head back.

This is a great post.

 

[wihamilton]

3. Rituals - I definitely think being able to have a short memory on the court and not dwell on errors is hugh. Have rituals that help you refocus between every point. Breathing, fixing your strings, how many times you bounce the ball these are some things that can help you get your head back.

Tennis matches are won in-between points!

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

No. You want to know what a soccer player does? Go outside, and not jog, nor run, but SPRINT for 45 minutes nonstop. No breaks, no nothing. After that, take a 10 minute break. After said break, go out and sprint for another 45 minutes.

That's what a soccer player does.

Maybe when you play midfield this is partially true, but otherwise this is an exaggeration.

 

[Djokovicfan4life]

Tennis matches are won in-between points!

I must say, I'm pretty sick of seeing this back turned string fixing for 15 seconds, followed by 20 more seconds of hair brushing, ball bouncing, and long, deliberate pauses. Maybe we should pick routines that aren't annoying as hell.

 

[heretoserve]

It's also important to understand how strategy -- specifically, having a game plan and being able to make adjustments -- affects your mental state.

To use an analogy, imagine getting in your car to drive to the movie theater. You get halfway there but then you find out the road you normally take is closed. No sweat, right? You just take a detour. Either you're familiar with the area and can plot the new route yourself or you use your GPS / mobile device to figure out how to go.

It's similar with a tennis match, except most people hit that roadblock and then have no idea what to do. How frustrated would you get if you were halfway to the theater, got stuck, and didn't know where to go? Well that frustration quickly leads to you mentally unraveling on a tennis court.

The point is that a firm strategic understanding of the game -- and the ability to make adjustments when necessary / based on your opponent's particular skill set -- turns a match into a problem-solving exercise which, in turn, helps you with mental toughness.

Great point! You should definitely have an understanding of some tactical principles(not strategy as that would be how you adjust your tactics). These can become emotional anchors to help you perform your best.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Tennis matches are won in-between points!

I found that a lot are lost between points as well.

So the question is, why do so few pros/coaches/guys who teach you things (whatever you want to call them) give any advice on how to deal with this aspect of the game?

After all, what good is a player with sound technique and fitness if he/she is just going to have mental meltdowns in every match?

 

[at23steelers]

Well, I used to not be that athletically skilled, but then I started to get into better shape and working out, and ended up starting on my varsity High School tennis team. So, my self esteem isn't that high, until I start to get into a groove. But once I start to struggle, it seems like it's hard to get out of it. The mental part of tennis is huge, because when I am confident I show much better footwork, and hit through the ball more. A lot of times, when I am just starting a match, I don't focus enough, until it really hits me that I am down 2-5, and then I start to get it together, but most times not quick enough. Another thing is when other kids on your team, tell you to "not choke" and "don't screw up," I play those over and over in my head, so I play not to lose. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I am trying to get over this struggle, as I will probably be #1 or #2 singles on my team this upcoming year.

 

[tennis_balla]

Geez nice job bumping a dead thread.

Anyways, since I'm here.......

Then, we realized that almost no coaches/pros ever teach people how to deal with the psychological aspects of tennis. They spend so much time on technique that it leaves people feeling that, if they have missed a shot even by just a couple of inches, they have done something completely wrong, which then leads to anger and frustration for making so many mistakes or over analysis of stroke mechanics.

This only applies to coaches at the club level. "nice shot..." "You're doing great today Alice" "Well done on that volley!! Way to go!!"
Why? because the coaches are incompetent to teach anything else. 200 ball basket, park their *** at the service line, feed nice balls for 60min, work on basic technique, some doubles strategy, that'll be $50.

 

[nereis]

I think the psychological aspect is always the captain's job. As leader you have to keep your boys positive yet also calm. Some people are just better at staying in the zone than others, but getting it through to people that most of the time the match is lost on their racquet and not won on their opponent's is enough to get them to stop going for unmakeable shots.