"The Inner Game of Tennis" is Genius

[GugaGuga]

Just finished reading this book. It's a must-read, must-memorize.

For a long time, I have struggled to understand the competition part of tennis. I love to play the game, but I have really always been a stroke-maker more than anything. I've always gotten myself tangled-up in competitive play and failed to reach my potential.

This book has clarified for me just where the game of tennis is. Obviously, as the title indicates, it's a game played inside one's self. But more importantly, it has helped me to understand just what it means to win that game--and where competitive play fits into the picture.

Now, I see strokes as little more than ever-changing habits, and I see the game as the struggle to quiet the mind to let the body work in its own way--at it's own rythm--my rythm.

I don't think that I'm ever going to look at the game the same way again.

It's funny to have come accross this book at this time in my life, because it echoes a lot of things that I have come accross in other books that I have been reading on quantum physics. Funny but true. It seems that the perfect mindset for tennis is analogous to the mindset that is referred to in Yoga literature as "quantum meditation". It's a matter of seeing the body (and the tennis court, ball etc.) as exactly what they are--possibilities of conciousness. To win the inner game of tennis, one must recognize his proper role in the events of consciousness, and in relatively small measure, participate in their creation. This is the champion's mindset (whether or not champions would ever use these exact words to describe it). It is ultimately a humble, respectful, and appreciative mindset that seeks only to participate in the creation of the events that unfold around it.

With that mindset, the body becomes free to realize it's own potential within that system.

Quiet the mind.
Trust the body.
Focus conciousness.
Genius.

L,
GG

 

[JWilster]

So very true GugaGuga!

I read it a few months ago.
I started winning a lot more once I stopped caring about winning. (you have to read the book to understand what this really means)

I recommend it to others!

 

[c_zimma]

Couldn't agree more. It's a great book.

 

[goober]

Hmm one of these days I have to get around to reading that book.

 

[vinky]

I also enjoyed the book. I totally agree with the message that the book sends. Understanding it, and applying are two different things though. It seems to me that this stuff just comes more naturally to some ppl than others, who have a more difficult time trusting 'self 2' and quieting the mind.

 

[simi]

Are you referring to the book authored by W. Timothy Gallwey and copyright in 1974? Got a copy from Amazon the other year and it's sat on the bookshelf since then. Guess I'll give it a read pretty soon. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[vinky]

Are you referring to the book authored by W. Timothy Gallwey and copyright in 1974? Got a copy from Amazon the other year and it's sat on the bookshelf since then. Guess I'll give it a read pretty soon. Thanks for the reminder.

There's also a revised edition of the same book; the one most ppl talk about

 

[Goonter7]

I picked it up over the weekend. It is pretty good so far. I can see this applying to so many other parts of life. He also wrote a book applying the same principles to golf and one on business.

 

[TENNIS_IS_FUN]

hmm....since you can download almost anything over the net now, anybody know of a nice where i can download it?

 

[vinky]

hmm....since you can download almost anything over the net now, anybody know of a nice where i can download it?

I haven't found a pdf file or anything like that, but if u just want a sample you can try using print.google.com

 

[dres]

The Inner Game of Tennis is my bible.

I believe its been the most helpfull tennis book I've ever read and I have read dozens of them. The concept is so simple but so hard to implement. Takes daily practice to keep your mind in the "here and now" and trust your body to do what it is capable of doing.

 

[hyperwarrior]

Is it the book where they talk about Self 1 and Self 2??

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Just finished reading this book. It's a must-read, must-memorize.

For a long time, I have struggled to understand the competition part of tennis. I love to play the game, but I have really always been a stroke-maker more than anything. I've always gotten myself tangled-up in competitive play and failed to reach my potential.

This book has clarified for me just where the game of tennis is. Obviously, as the title indicates, it's a game played inside one's self. But more importantly, it has helped me to understand just what it means to win that game--and where competitive play fits into the picture.

Now, I see strokes as little more than ever-changing habits, and I see the game as the struggle to quiet the mind to let the body work in its own way--at it's own rythm--my rythm.

I don't think that I'm ever going to look at the game the same way again.

It's funny to have come accross this book at this time in my life, because it echoes a lot of things that I have come accross in other books that I have been reading on quantum physics. Funny but true. It seems that the perfect mindset for tennis is analogous to the mindset that is referred to in Yoga literature as "quantum meditation". It's a matter of seeing the body (and the tennis court, ball etc.) as exactly what they are--possibilities of conciousness. To win the inner game of tennis, one must recognize his proper role in the events of consciousness, and in relatively small measure, participate in their creation. This is the champion's mindset (whether or not champions would ever use these exact words to describe it). It is ultimately a humble, respectful, and appreciative mindset that seeks only to participate in the creation of the events that unfold around it.

With that mindset, the body becomes free to realize it's own potential within that system.

Quiet the mind.
Trust the body.
Focus conciousness.
Genius.

L,
GG

Yes, I am not into the ying-yang stuff and do not think mindless play is my cup of tea which a lot of readers go to the extreme on, but he does have good things to incorporate in anyone's game.

 

[Mike Cottrill]

Is it the book where they talk about Self 1 and Self 2??

I thought that was the good Goran and the bad Goran

 

[ShooterMcMarco]

I really liked the concentration techniques that were introduced in the book. I also think that thinking less when you play helps a lot too. When I overthink, I tend to screw up even more.

 

[asintu]

Hey GugaGuga...

I understand "Quiet the mind." and "Trust the body"
...but not "Focus conciousness"...what does it refer to?
Thanx!
If you could email sintualex@hotmail.com i'd appreciate it even more

 

[simi]

Is it the book where they talk about Self 1 and Self 2??

Yup. It looks like I got a copy of the original, not the revised test. Read chapter 1 during breakfast this morning.

I dont' want to post copyrighted material, even if it is 32 years old. Here is what the inside of the dust jacket has to say. (italic and bold in original)

- - - - -

"A splendid book -- it has helped my game enormously, but, regrettably, I'm sure it will help my opponents' also." -- Gay Talese

"Timothy Gallwey has brought zen archery to tennis." -- 'Adam Smith'

The author writes:
Every game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game. The outer game is played against an external opponent to overcome external obstacles, and to reach an external goal. Mastering this game is the subject of many books offering instructions on how to swing a racket, club or bat, and how to position arms, legs or torso to achieve the best results. But for some reason most of us find these instructions easier to remember than to execute.

It is the thesis of this book that neither mastery nor satisfaction can be found in the playing of any game without giving some attention to the relatively neglected skills of the inner game. This is the game that takes place in the mind of the player, and it is played against such obstacles as lapses in concentration, nervousness, self-doubt and self-condemnation. In short, it is played to overcome all habits of mind which inhibit excellence in performance.

We often wonder why we play so well one day and so poorly the next, or why we clutch during competition, or blow easy shots. And why does it take so long to break a bad habit and learn a new one? Victories in the inner game may provide no additions to the trophy case, but they bring valuable rewards which are permanent and which contribute significantly to one’s success thereafter, off the court as well as on.

The player of the inner game comes to value the art of relaxed concentration above all other skills; he discovers a true basis for self-confidence; and he learns that the secret to winning any game lies in not trying too hard. He aims at the kind of spontaneous performance which occurs only when the mind is calm and seems at one with the body, which finds its own surprising ways to surpass its own limits again and again. Moreover, while overcoming the common hand-ups of competition, the player of the inner game uncovers a will to win which unlocks all his energy and which is never discourages by losing.

There is a far more natural and effective process for learning and doing almost anything than most of us realize. It is similar to the process we all used, but soon forgot, as we learned to walk and talk. It used the so-called unconscious mind more than the deliberate “self-conscious” mind, the spinal and midbrain areas of the nervous system more than the cerebral cortex. This process doesn’t have to be learned; we already know it. All that is needed is to unlearn those habits which interfere with it and then to just let it happen.

To explore the limitless potential within the human body is the quest of the Inner Game; in this book it will be explored through the medium of tennis.

-----

W. Timothy Gallwey was born in 1938 in San Francisco. After fifteen years of “exhausting overachievement”, he missed one more easy volley – this time on match point in the National Junior Championships at Kalamazoo, Michigan. He wondered why, and the question took on symbolic importance for him. A quixotic search for truth, beauty and A’s at Harvard, where he was captain of the tennis team, left this question unanswered. Then, ten years later, after leaving a career in college administration and continuing his quest throughout Europe an Asia, Mr. Gallway finally gave up his search for an answer – and only then did his answer find him. His discovery let to the development of “yoga tennis” at the John Gardiner Tennis Ranch and the Esalen Sports Center in California, to the founding of the Inner Game Institute, and to the writing of this book.

 

[Kathy]

I understand "Quiet the mind." and "Trust the body" ...but not "Focus conciousness"...what does it refer to?

By that he means to focus your awareness where it belongs. It's amazing how unaware of things a player is when the mind is busy. They simply miss (don't notice) much that's right before their eyes. Like a big opening to hit through. Or about how far out their last shot was. Or about where they're contacting the ball.

The teaching method is mainly about focussing the player's awareness where it belongs. You normally do this with a question, like "About where are you usually contacting the ball on your forehand?"

Player doesn't know. Player will try to get you to tell him where he SHOULD be contacting the ball. But you don't let him wheedle an answer out of you. Have him hit awhile and pay attention to where his racket is at contact, untill he can tell you.

Then watch as his stroke corrects itself. Simply because you have focused his awareness where it belongs.

Then he comes and says, "My racket is usually about here when I contact the ball."

You say, "Yes, I think that's about right."

Then he stands there looking at you. You say, "Well it looks like a pretty good forehand to me."

Then he stands there wondering how you fixed it. Because you did. As if by magic. But you did it in a way that doesn't show off how much you know by giving him a lot of instructions to think of while swinging. So, it's no ego trip for the instructor, but it really works. Really.

It isn't about having an empty mind, it's about shutting up that little voice in the head that keeps barking instructions or criticisms at you while you are trying to play. (The instructor must focus attention without supplying instructions.) That's just as distracting and bad for your confidence and concentration as somebody standing at the net post and barking that stuff at you while you're trying to play.

The brain is just too busy while you're hitting a shot to process verbal instructions on top of all -- not without a big performance hit in other areas, like perception, timing, coordination, and so forth. One of the amazing things Gallwey discovered is that we lack even memory of what happens with a noisy head. Which also prevents learning by experience.

That book is a must read. For 30 years people who've read it have almost universally highly recommended it.

Kathy K
www.operationdoubles.com

 

[Goonter7]

Has anyone here read "Winning Ugly : Mental Warfare in Tennis--Lessons from a Master" By Brad Gilbert? Amazon gives it some good reviews. Saw it at Half-Price the other day and almost picked it up.

One reviewer says " INNER TENNIS is the theoretic, while WINNING UGLY is the downright practical."

 

[Kathy]

They're both good books, but it isn't like you'd choose between them. One's an apple, the other's an orange.

One's about how to win ugly, and the other's about to get in the zone for maximum performance and enjoyment.

I don't know what that reviewer means by "theoretical" as if Inner Tennis isn't practical. It sounds like he or she is refering to the fact that Inner Tennis isn't a no-brainer step 1-2-3 type recipe to memorize, that it requires a little thought and understanding. I suppose that's being theoretical to some folks.

It's also always been the better seller.

Kathy K
www.operationdoubles.com

 

[dmastous]

One's about how to win ugly, and the other's about to get in the zone for maximum performance and enjoyment.

Actually I do think the two are the yin & yang. Gilbert's book isn't about winning ugly (though that's what it's called). It's about achieving success by making your opponent uncomfortable, while Inner Tennis is about finding a comfort zone yourself.

 

[tennisplayer]

Actually I do think the two are the yin & yang. Gilbert's book isn't about winning ugly (though that's what it's called). It's about achieving success by making your opponent uncomfortable, while Inner Tennis is about finding a comfort zone yourself.

I've read both books, and I agree - they are the yin and yang.

"Inner Game" is reflexive, in the sense of being self-directed. You focus on quieting your mind, getting into the zone, playing your best shots - in short, you try and get the best out of yourself. Have done your best, you accept the results positively, whatever they may be, because after all you have done your best. You thank your opponent, whatever the result, for bringing out the best in you.

"Winning Ugly", on the other hand, is deliberate and objective. In addition to focusing on yourself, you also focus on your opponent and the circumstances. For example, let's say you hate hitting a particular shot - say, a slice - but you know your opponent just can't deal with it - you would rather hit the slice and win the point than rip your favorite 2-hander, if you had a choice.

I feel that tennis needs both of these aspects to be complete. I love the "Inner Game" because it makes you grow as a tennis player, and I love "Winning Ugly", well, because you win! But I do draw the line at lobbing every ball to try and win...

 

[austro]

Inner game is about the inner game, Winning ugly is about the outer game.

The latter is crap.

 

[freelans]

By that he means to focus your awareness where it belongs. It's amazing how unaware of things a player is when the mind is busy. They simply miss (don't notice) much that's right before their eyes. Like a big opening to hit through. Or about how far out their last shot was. Or about where they're contacting the ball.

The teaching method is mainly about focussing the player's awareness where it belongs. You normally do this with a question, like "About where are you usually contacting the ball on your forehand?"

Player doesn't know. Player will try to get you to tell him where he SHOULD be contacting the ball. But you don't let him wheedle an answer out of you. Have him hit awhile and pay attention to where his racket is at contact, untill he can tell you.

Then watch as his stroke corrects itself. Simply because you have focused his awareness where it belongs.

Then he comes and says, "My racket is usually about here when I contact the ball."

You say, "Yes, I think that's about right."

Then he stands there looking at you. You say, "Well it looks like a pretty good forehand to me."

Then he stands there wondering how you fixed it. Because you did. As if by magic. But you did it in a way that doesn't show off how much you know by giving him a lot of instructions to think of while swinging. So, it's no ego trip for the instructor, but it really works. Really.

It isn't about having an empty mind, it's about shutting up that little voice in the head that keeps barking instructions or criticisms at you while you are trying to play. (The instructor must focus attention without supplying instructions.) That's just as distracting and bad for your confidence and concentration as somebody standing at the net post and barking that stuff at you while you're trying to play.

The brain is just too busy while you're hitting a shot to process verbal instructions on top of all -- not without a big performance hit in other areas, like perception, timing, coordination, and so forth. One of the amazing things Gallwey discovered is that we lack even memory of what happens with a noisy head. Which also prevents learning by experience.

That book is a must read. For 30 years people who've read it have almost universally highly recommended it.

Kathy K
www.operationdoubles.com

That's just about the most helpful post I've ever read. Thanks.

 

[joe sch]

Yes, I am not into the ying-yang stuff and do not think mindless play is my cup of tea which a lot of readers go to the extreme on, but he does have good things to incorporate in anyone's game.

These techniques generally dont work very well for type-A playes. Sorta just like these boards, certain posters are easily upset and sidetracted by gamesmanship type posters

I really should re-read Tim G's Inner Tennis/Game every year. It basically helps a player play to the best of his/her current capabilities by blocking out the external distractions and focusing on the ball/game. As often cited, tennis is 99% mental once you have the abilities to compete at a certain level.

Thanks for this post, its like spreading gospel

Joe

 

[Bungalo Bill]

These techniques generally dont work very well for type-A playes. Sorta just like these boards, certain posters are easily upset and sidetracted by gamesmanship type posters

I really should re-read Tim G's Inner Tennis/Game every year. It basically helps a player play to the best of his/her current capabilities by blocking out the external distractions and focusing on the ball/game. As often cited, tennis is 99% mental once you have the abilities to compete at a certain level.

Thanks for this post, its like spreading gospel

Joe

I think the book is good for players to put them in the right state of mind concering their mistakes and their successes. I think some people take it too extremes and think it is a MINDLESS state which is not what I got out of the book. It is a very good book though/.

 

[andyroddick's mojo]

I read the book as well, and it was really confusing, and didn't give me the actually technique advice I thought it would. But I get the overall moral, which is to be calm, and trust your instincts/body movements.

 

[cghipp]

I started using this book a few years ago and it really helped me a lot. I found that it's something I need to keep coming back to if I want to keep seeing the benefits.

I am very prone to becoming distracted on court, and the techniques in the book helped me to tune out the distractions, whether it was noise, wind, a difficult day at work - whatever. I still use the "ball, hit, ball, hit" technique when I find myself out of sorts on the court, and it works wonders to help me find my timing and regain confidence. And there have been several situations where I've been down in a tiebreak, or down several games in a set, where I've been able to turn myself around using some of these techniques.

If I had to sum up the book in one sentence, I'd say it's kind of like tennis meets "The Force."

 

[Bungalo Bill]

If I had to sum up the book in one sentence, I'd say it's kind of like tennis meets "The Force."

...yeah, whatever, just stay calm and hit the ball.

 

[joe sch]

I read the book as well, and it was really confusing, and didn't give me the actually technique advice I thought it would. But I get the overall moral, which is to be calm, and trust your instincts/body movements.

The book was not about mechanics or technique.
It was about concentrating, focusing, and enjoying the moment ...

 

[ShooterMcMarco]

The book was not about mechanics or technique.
It was about concentrating, focusing, and enjoying the moment ...

Yeah, and just to add to that, saying in "the moment," not thinking about the result.

 

[Kathy]

Gallwey wrote another one that didn't take off as big, entitled Inner Tennis: Playing the Game. You can probably get it second hand or in a library. In this one he applied the principles of IGOT to strategy and tactics. Basically there the idea was the same -- no rote instructions to be memorized and recalled during play.

The aim was to get instinctive, spontaneous play. Back then we didn't know as much about how the brain workls as we do now, but there again he was right. You can't remember the right instruction during play. (The brain has a databse bigger than the Pentagon's to search.) You have to understand strategy and have visual memory stored up about the various play situations.

Otherwise, the result is like when a novice driver has somebody run a STOP sign on him: he tries to think what to do with the language processing parts of the brain. Result? Crash. An experienced driver just sees what to do, using a different part (a visual part where the imagination is housed) of the brain, and without thinking just spontaneously takes the appropriate action, whether that is to step on the gas or slam on the brakes. Result? Accident avoided.

I recommend both books. Not as the only tennis books you need, but they are two every serious player should give a good read.

Kathy K
www.operationdoubles.com

 

[treo]

Another good book is Zennis available at amazon.

 

[joe sch]

Another good book is Zennis available at amazon.

Good supplemental suggestion !
Zen tennis or Zennis by Paul mutimer is very similar to the Inner Tennis book.
Paul is actually one of the many disciples of T. Gallewey, and was a world class player.

 

[tennisboy87]

I enjoyed the book as well, and I thought it was pretty insightful in regards to the mental aspects of the game.

 

[Tennis_Monk]

The book offered nothing new to me..... I never had issues with mental aspect of my game anywayz.
If someone frequents a lot on message boards and internet, all the info presented in the book is available.

I felt it was not well spent money for me. Luckily i found a friend interested in it.

 

[ZPTennis]

Just finished reading this book. It's a must-read, must-memorize.

For a long time, I have struggled to understand the competition part of tennis. I love to play the game, but I have really always been a stroke-maker more than anything. I've always gotten myself tangled-up in competitive play and failed to reach my potential.

This book has clarified for me just where the game of tennis is. Obviously, as the title indicates, it's a game played inside one's self. But more importantly, it has helped me to understand just what it means to win that game--and where competitive play fits into the picture.

Now, I see strokes as little more than ever-changing habits, and I see the game as the struggle to quiet the mind to let the body work in its own way--at it's own rythm--my rythm.

I don't think that I'm ever going to look at the game the same way again.

It's funny to have come accross this book at this time in my life, because it echoes a lot of things that I have come accross in other books that I have been reading on quantum physics. Funny but true. It seems that the perfect mindset for tennis is analogous to the mindset that is referred to in Yoga literature as "quantum meditation". It's a matter of seeing the body (and the tennis court, ball etc.) as exactly what they are--possibilities of conciousness. To win the inner game of tennis, one must recognize his proper role in the events of consciousness, and in relatively small measure, participate in their creation. This is the champion's mindset (whether or not champions would ever use these exact words to describe it). It is ultimately a humble, respectful, and appreciative mindset that seeks only to participate in the creation of the events that unfold around it.

With that mindset, the body becomes free to realize it's own potential within that system.

Quiet the mind.
Trust the body.
Focus conciousness.
Genius.

L,
GG

Excellent book.

 

[harryz]

Mindless or Mindful?

Someone here wrote that "Inner Game" recommends mindlessness. I'm reading it now and it seems to me that it recommends total mindFULness. That is, the mind is engaged in the same relaxed way that it is engaged when reading, driving, walking, running and doing other activities that are second nature. Relaxed concentration is MINDFUL, not mindless. This is not a semantic difference. The mind must be totally engaged and concentrated, imagining the desired outcome of the shot, noticing the seams of the ball and the location of the opponent, one's position on the court etc... as facts without judgment.

Watching Federer at Wimbledon today reminded me of this book. He is so relaxed and seemingly untroubled by anything. His head is still when he hits the ball and he is in a flowing state, seemingly oblivious to distractions. Everything looks so easy because it is. Contrast with Roddick and others, who look (and sound) pained when they hit, tense and tied in knots....

 

[MordredSJT]

I highly recommend that everyone who hasn't, read both Inner Tennis and Winning Ugly. Saying that they are yin and yang is more true than some of you might think. They represent equal parts of a whole. Ignoring one and placing undue importance on the other is detrimental.

I think harryz is absolutely correct about the difference between mindlessness and mindfulness. This is what the inner game is really about...using your mind correctly during play...focusing attention on what is happening in the moment. Mindfulness, effortless effort, zen...it's just being totally relaxed and focused.

 

[iplaythementalgame]

A follow up book to The Inner Game of Tennis

I am happy to see that so many of you like Tim Gallwey’s book “The Inner Game of Tennis.” It is my tennis bible and I have been studying the mental game for over 25 years. I have just completed a follow up book on the mental game based on Tim’s book that some of you might be interested in.

My new book is called Tennis: Play the Mental Game and is available on my web site www.maxtennis.com or on Amazon.com.

The main difference in my book is that I give you more of a hands on approach. If you go to my web site, you can look at the Table of Contents so you will be able to get a good idea of what I mean.

As those of you are finding out, this “mental stuff” really works if you do it correctly.

 

[AngeloDS]

This book is very helpful. The thing I remember is, "Concentrate on the lines of the tennis ball." It helps out a lot.

Though, the biggest thing for me was staying in the moment. I had a bad habit of being out of the moment because I was just blank, or wasn't just in the game. I'd look around or up or in weird places.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Someone here wrote that "Inner Game" recommends mindlessness.

Really, who said that?

That is, the mind is engaged in the same relaxed way that it is engaged when reading, driving, walking, running and doing other activities that are second nature. Relaxed concentration is MINDFUL, not mindless.

Who indicated that not playing relaxed is mindless?

Watching Federer at Wimbledon today reminded me of this book. He is so relaxed and seemingly untroubled by anything. His head is still when he hits the ball and he is in a flowing state, seemingly oblivious to distractions. Everything looks so easy because it is. Contrast with Roddick and others, who look (and sound) pained when they hit, tense and tied in knots....

So does this mean that playing tense, pained, and tied in knots doesn't get you anywhere? Do you think you could take on Roddick? Does this mean if I don't read the Inner game of Tennis I will never play like Federer? I will never be able to relax? I will look like Roddick? I HOPE I CAN HAVE AN OUNCE OF A GAME THAT RODDICK HAS!!! What are you talking about!!!

 

[Phil]

I see that an overwhelming majority of posters think IGOT is just peachy keen. Call me weird, but my impression is that it's a bunch of new age babbling (appropos to the time in which the book was first published?). I'd say there are about 3 pages of common sense/useful advice and the rest is absolute filler.

I'm not, by nature, a contrarian. This is my honest-to-goodness impression of the book, and I read it twice, just to ensure that I "got it", which I most definitely do.

Also, someone mentioned Winning Ugly...most overrated and underwhelming tennis book I've ever read, but there is a GREAT section on what to pack in your tennis bag. What saved that book from being a total flop was the descriptions of Gilbert's matches against the likes of MacEnroe, Becker, etc. That was entertaining.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I see that an overwhelming majority of posters think IGOT is just peachy keen. Call me weird, but my impression is that it's a bunch of new age babbling (appropos to the time in which the book was first published?). I'd say there are about 3 pages of common sense/useful advice and the rest is absolute filler.

Yes, that is how I read the Inner Game. It is filled with subtle New Age Movement/Eastern Mystic overtones. I believe active mind preparation, management, and toughness is what carries a player through.

The person above talking about Federer doesn't have a clue. Federer was one of the most hot tempered individuals in the game of tennis. He still has a temper although he is in much more control of it. Federer has intense focus and on occasion you can see that focus break and he becomes a bit unnerved before he refocuses again.

I believe this is reality. A player will go through many moods, frustrations, and degrees of focus throughout a match. I believe solid training conditions the mind, builds focus, improves mental alertness, and helps a player with their confidence so they can engage successfully and often in a match.

Relaxation alone isn't the Holy Grail in tennis which is where the New Agers get a little full of it. And this Roddick garbage is way out there. Roddick doesnt have one of the fastest serves by staying "pained" and all "knotted-up". LOL

 

[joe sch]

If you are a player that has challenges with match concentration, ignoring distractions from around your match, ignoring thoughts from outside your match, letting emotions both positive and negative occur during your matches, ... , then this book may help you overcome this challenges and get in a "Federer" type zone for longer periods of time. Warning: This book usually only helps about 1/2 of the population

 

[chess9]

The best lesson in the book, IMHO, is the attitude one should have about one's opponent. Too often kids are taught to demonize the opposition. That approach was common when I was a kid in the '50's. I never struggled with that issue as I could never hate my opponent, but I saw a lot of kids, particularly in baseball, fall into that trap. It's demeaning and wrong headed. Respect your opponent and he might respect you. (But don't hold your breath. )

The book was written at a time when those sorts of books were the rage. "The wind rustled the leaves of his consciousness and opened his soul to the eternal oneness of the universe." Uh, yup....

BB has posted stuff worth about 1,000 times anything in the book, IMHO.

-Robert

 

[harryz]

To Bungalo Bill

I was responding to your post, which stated, "Yes, I am not into the ying-yang stuff and do not think mindless play is my cup of tea which a lot of readers go to the extreme on, but he does have good things to incorporate in anyone's game."

You used the term mindless, not me.

As for Roddick, I believe he's a really great player who would realize more of his potential if he were more relaxed. Commentators I've heard including both McEnroes, Gilbert and others have noted that his body language is tight and negative over the past year or two. Same for Federer during the French final against Nadal when he started missing balls. This is not a criticism or being a Monday morning quarterback, and I'm not deluded into thinking I could beat Roddick. I'm just stating facts as I see them. Do you think that these players' coaches could beat them? If not, how do they presume to give Roddick (or anyone else) their points of view? Why should players at this level even listen to coaches and others who never reached the same heights?

I love this line of argument, to wit: "if you're so smart, why aren't you out there" or "why don't you take them on" or "let's play and I'll show you who's boss." More ego posturing. I supsect that IGOT, David Ranney's terrific site, Ron Waite's suggestions, and other helpful tools (to some of us) must be worthless since none of us could beat Roddick. Maybe we just want him to do better and (at least look like he's enjoying himself). Is winning everything? What about enjoying oneself? What about growing up?

 

[joe sch]

The best lesson in the book, IMHO, is the attitude one should have about one's opponent. Too often kids are taught to demonize the opposition. That approach was common when I was a kid in the '50's. I never struggled with that issue as I could never hate my opponent, but I saw a lot of kids, particularly in baseball, fall into that trap. It's demeaning and wrong headed. Respect your opponent and he might respect you. (But don't hold your breath. )

The book was written at a time when those sorts of books were the rage. "The wind rustled the leaves of his consciousness and opened his soul to the eternal oneness of the universe." Uh, yup....

BB has posted stuff worth about 1,000 times anything in the book, IMHO.

-Robert

Robert, I agree that most posters need mechanics advice and BB gives some of the best. Some others do realize that psychological problems are affecting thier tennis results and for these posters, the inner game of tennis is great advice

 

[chess9]

Robert, I agree that most posters need mechanics advice and BB gives some of the best. Some others do realize that psychological problems are affecting thier tennis results and for these posters, the inner game of tennis is great advice

Either I'm too far gone, or not gone far enough to realize how "head" my case is. I'm probably the last person in the world who should give psych advice....

-Robert

 

[rasajadad]

I love this book. I read a chapter a week or so constantly. "Above all be of good cheer." (Wish I could!)