These TWO simple stats will change how you think, what you practice, so that you can win more matches …..particularly at big points!!
There are two games going on simultaneously in a match.
The visible game (during the point) and the invisible game (between the points AND during the point).
Which game is most important assuming that the players are roughly equal?
Gladiator would purport that assuming the player’s capabilities are similar then the invisible game is more important.
During the 25 seconds, you are alone with your thoughts and feelings. If these skills are well trained, if you control ‘thoughts and feelings’ then the short seconds of action can be well directed and enacted boldly. However if ‘thoughts and feelings’ control you, then the reverse is that case.
The worrying thing is that unless you know you are in control of your thoughts and feelings, then you are being controlled!
Consider also that at ‘big points’, in a game of singles, from nowhere as if by magic, there are now FOUR people on court.
You and the ‘voice in your head’.
Your opponent and the ‘voice in their head’.
Imagine if your ‘voice in your head’ was trained and the opponents ‘voice in their head’ was not trained.
If on command you could ‘raise your game’ at critical moments and the opponent (at best) played the same level, or (at worst) underperformed.
WHY do we not train to take maximum proactive, not reactive, advantage of the 25 seconds between points.
How long do you take between points? What emotional, tactical and shot sequence planning do you make of this time?
Would that give you a winning advantage?
NOW Consider that some 40% of points are within 4 shots (2-3 seconds)?
WHY do we invariably train for and practice, rallies of 6 – 8 shots and rarely, if ever, train to set up and implement the first strike?
IF you were trained to set up and boldly implement the first strike (and close out within four shots) whilst the other person trained to play rallies and played ‘not to lose’ would that give you a competitive advantage.
If you were a Gladiator in the Roman Colliseum do you think you are more likely to live if you were bold, (audacious even!) to set up the first strike and close out the combat OR if you played to extend the combat and wait for a mistake?
Thumb up OR Thumb down.
Tennis Gladiators are trained to use the adrenalin and close out.
Would training for 0-4 shots, set up and execute the first strike, give you another competitive advantage?
Narrowly winning in the margins vs narrowly losing in the margins.
CONSIDER these stats from the Stats King Craig O’Shannessy who analyses the stats of the pro’s and then interprets it for the amateur competitive tennis player (amazing concept and web site for tennis players that want to WIN) https://www.braingametennis.com/num3ers/
Murray vs Nadal on clay in Madrid.
You would have thought these baseliners, love grinding out points, and on clay would be having the majority of rallies over nine shots?
Murray won 13 more points that Nadal (56 vs 43) but it was where he won the points that really mattered.
In the three phases of a point:
The extended rally (10 + shots) that were 25% of the points: Andy 13 vs Rafa 12 (equal)
Patterns of play (5 – 9 shots) that were 35% of the points: Andy 18 vs Rafa 17 (equal)
First strike (0 – 4 shots) that were 39% of the points : Andy 25 vs Rafa 14.
Murray won 6-3 6-2
Four out of the ten points, between two baseliners and on clay, were four shots or less.
ONLY Gladiator Tennis and Training, teaches you how to win the invisible game and the drills of the five combat situations are devoted to shots and sequence of shots to set up and execute the first strike.
Have to be bold. Have to play intuitively on auto pilot. With belief and trust.
Are you a winner that is frustrated they don’t win more?
CARPE DIEM!
Mark Jeffery
Founder
P.S. 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 — especially those who can see patterns as to why they could’ve should’ve won those matches that got away!
Unsubscribe | Change Subscriber Options
