Caution vs Aggression? Play not to lose vs Play to win? Which is the right thing to do?
This is one of the big questions amongst the Gladiator community of what to do for the best at big points and therefore win more matches.
I have isolated just a small sample of frustrated questions from the community:
‘My biggest frustration must be one of being too tentative on crucial points on a return of serve and too aggressive on a big point on my own serve. I do not know why this happens’
‘Being able to create the right balance between going for the shot and not over cooking it, maybe it is more a question of how to recognise when you have the opportunity to ‘pull the trigger’?
‘If I have to serve out for a set I always ask myself if I should serve at 3/4 speed or go for it. Sometimes it makes me indecisive…..but I am not so sure!!’
‘Hitting a 75% serve on match point’
‘The pressure of serving when you have the advantage in the game. i.e. serving for the set or match and this seems to add extra pressure and you lose the advantage you have of serving, yet it should be your greatest asset! How do you ease the pressure i.e. always go for your best or most reliable serve irrespective of how the opposition has been returning it? How do you overcome mechanical/technical breakdown and stay relaxed? ……. Equally the return of serve – especially in doubles both players failing to make a simple return and dumping the ball into the net. You then try harder and tighten up even more. This adds further pressure on your own serve.’
Please click on this link to find out the answer which might surprise you. ……………………………………………………………………………………….
I have ALSO put together three straightforward training tips that you can practice so next time you are in the situation you can go calmly about your business and close out.
This is a skill like any other skill and can be trained and practiced.
‘At critical moments do you rise to the occasion or fall to the level of your training?’
What training?!
…………………………………………………………………….
CARPE DIEM!
Mark Jeffery
Founder
P.S. I would love to receive any comments or feedback. I read every one. Please drop a line to mark@gladitortennisandtraining.com
Ppss I regularly send out a “winning blog” like this one. If you find this both interesting and helpful please forward this to fellow tennis Gladiators — people that are winners just frustrated they don’t win more often!
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ONE. Thoughts and feelings are driving YOU on these big points. YOU are reacting to the voice in your head! YOUR brain is busy and noisy. You are thinking a lot, doing your best, being spontaneous.
Instead YOU should be in control, driving your thoughts and feelings. YOU should be following a well rehearsed process. Thinking a little. Brain is still and calm.
Would you go into battle making it up, doing your best, as you go? How can you tell who is driving who?! How can you train for this?
TWO You are attached to the outcome not committed to the process. What does this mean?!
You are behind the white line, gritting your teeth, being intensely focus on ‘I must win this point’ I miss not lose this point. Or even ‘what the hell do I do next’!!
What are the emotional, tactical and physical/technical processes to fall back on?! What would it be like (mentally) if you had processes to fall back on? You were proactive with ‘pressure’, dictated play, played on autopilot, without thinking, with shots and sequence of shots you trusted?
You are focusing on one shot and it’s big outcome not the clarity of thought of the process of the sequence of shots. How does my first shot set up my second? Both the serve and the return of serve haven’t finished until you have played your second shot.
THIRDLY …. And lastly it is about breathing. Just ONE deep breath, hold, slowly breath out BEFORE the next point (to quickly get to a place of stillness and calmness) and breath out AS YOU HIT the shot. This facilitates better timing and a more relaxed shot. The tendency, for a number of reasons, is to rush your shot and go for a winner which immediately takes the ‘pressure’ off your brain that is screaming at you to STOP!
In conclusion the proper answer is, ‘neither of the two choices’ but play BOLDLY with tried and tested processes, forcing an error, ‘hurting’ not going for a winner.
Not playing to lose. Not playing to ‘win’. Playing to ‘close out’.
Don’t forget that your opponent is also having the exact same thoughts and feelings except he or she has an untrained mind. You may will be gifted an unforced error or be gifted an easy ‘playing not to lose’ shot!
Dumas vs Virgil
