What do you do to maintain concentration/focus in a point

[eb_tennis_247]

I noticed that, especially in doubles and as a server's or returner's partner, concentration and focus are critical because one has to track very closely the ball direction coming from behind you, the opponent's movement, and the ball's direction.

This requires extraordinary concentration, focus, and reflexes. If I catch my mind drifting just a bit, my poach is gone or the ball flies past me into the alley.

I have my own concentration and focus techniques on ball tracking and anticipation, but I was wondering if any of you have any interesting tips to share.

 

[McGradey]

For point to point:

What I do is essentially a mini compartmentalisation process for each point.

1. Quickly assess outcome of previous point
2. Mentally close-out and purge the previous point and any associated emotions
3. Move focus on to upcoming point by getting in position and starting your preparations. When receiving I start focussing on the ball in the server’s hand. When serving, I start by visualising the serve trajectory and placement.
4. Repeat

Within doubles points, ball-to-ball, I try to follow set movement patterns, and adjust positioning based on the quality of my opponent/my partner’s shot. And maintain focus by watching the ball onto and off the opponent’s strings to get a read on the next shot.

I find if I let my mind think about anything much beyond watching the ball closely and moving my feet, I lose focus enough to become ineffective.

 

[Icsa]

I noticed that, especially in doubles and as a server's or returner's partner, concentration and focus are critical because one has to track very closely the ball direction coming from behind you, the opponent's movement, and the ball's direction.

This requires extraordinary concentration, focus, and reflexes. If I catch my mind drifting just a bit, my poach is gone or the ball flies past me into the alley.

I have my own concentration and focus techniques on ball tracking and anticipation, but I was wondering if any of you have any interesting tips to share.

When your partner is the server, you watch first the direction of the ball passing you and adjust accordingly, then the receiver's movement.
When your partner is the returner, you watch the person at the net and guess from their movement where the ball is going, then the direction of the ball passing you.

 

[Dragy]

When your partner is the server, you watch first the direction of the ball passing you and adjust accordingly, then the receiver's movement.
When your partner is the returner, you watch the person at the net and guess from their movement where the ball is going, then the direction of the ball passing you.

I second this, when you are focused and acting accordingly as the ball going there, then as opponents hits you are already focused, in position, dynamically ready to play.

 

[LuckyR]

Too many doubles players, especially at the net, have the expectation that incoming shots are their partner's unless they are directed at themselves. Thus too many poachable shots are ignored. You've got to have the mindset that every shot could be your's unless you can't get to it (as an oversimplified mind trick).

 

[eb_tennis_247]

Great tips. Thanks a lot.

 

[Yogeshvara]

I have two mantras that keep me in the game. "Loose belly" is one and "Ball, Ball, Ball" is the other. I used to find I would tighten up, especially in match play. Loosening my core, between shots, helps me to not exhaust myself and has made a huge difference to my post game soreness and endurance, even in my arms and legs. Ball, Ball, Ball keeps my focus on the court and tracking the ball, getting to my next shot and following the opponent. Everything follows the ball. On serve I try to watch the strings hit the ball before looking at the result. When I start thinking about other stuff, my game suffers.