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Mental tennis tips

After we can all hit the ball what determines who wins?

Come along with me to any elementary school assembly tennis program and I'll show you how to begin to develop emotional and psychological toughness.

Some programs are indoor and some are outdoors.

At the start of the programs there are usually a couple hundred kids in attendance. They sit in the bleachers anxiously awaiting the start of the program. The look in their eyes suggest we dare not bore them.

I always rely on a demonstration that yields the following:

We call it "bounce-hit".

This is not rocket science. It's just huge fun. It goes like this.

We have two mini nets together in the middle of the gym. I introduce my partner. I tell the assembly that we are going to play a game or two of tennis. I tell them the scoring rules. When I win the first point the score is 15 to love. I go on and explain the scoring system.

Then the action starts

But just before I serve the first ball I stop and say I need you all to do something while we play. Whenever the ball bounces you Yell or Scream Bounce! Whenever the ball is hit you Holler Hit.

This usually produces a riot. I'm showing off and acting silly, you know playing to the crowd. My assistant understands that she is not to win or in any way make me look bad.

kids are yelling and screaming their heads off... Bounce-Hit, Bonunce-Hit. The sound is very rhythmic. That is until I take off to the net and volley. That throws the whole thing up for grabs.

Alright, I hear you. What in the world does this have to do with mental toughness? Well lets look at what this little exercise accomplishes. Bounce-Hit helps you concentrate without thinking: how do I hit this shot, am I doing it right, is this how coach told me? When you are actively thinking about hitting any tennis shot, you are guaranteed to miss it. What you do with bounce-hit? When the ball is hit by your opponent, say hit. When it bounces, say bounce. When you hit the ball, say hit. Try it out, you will be pleasantly surprised by the results.

Be Happy! This is as much a tennis tip as a life tip! If you look happy, it will not only confuse your opponent, you might play better too. Seeing you dejected on the other hand, will only make them to play better, knowing that they have the upper hand. They’ll be having fun, but you won’t!

Control Your Emotions! Don’t go on a racket rampage, throwing it at the fence, the ground, and certainly not at your opponent. However, the reverse is true as well. Federer, even after a great shot, displays none or very little emotion. You should do the same. When you display emotion, you ruin chances of getting into ‘the zone’. ‘The Zone’ is the state of mind where you are completely calm, completely aware, yet at the same time, not thinking about anything much. Everything becomes effortless and easy. That is the ultimate goal.

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