Absent during play

Published: 15 Jan 2014 - 20:56 by rippa rit

Updated: 21 Dec 2020 - 17:24

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In another tip I speak of the Ebb and Flow of a match; the longer the match goes the harder it becomes to control the ups and downs. It is evident during a long hard match that parts of the mind and body can disappear for short periods. How do you recognise this happening?

The game starts slipping away by making mistakes
Negative self talk, eg comments like "idiot". "playing badly.
Feel like quitting.
Body feels heavy and feet feel slow.
As soon as you start to slacken off the pressure the opponent starts creeping up.
Get annoyed with silly little things, eg mannerisms of the opponent, referee calls, the gallery clapping
Pulling off the shot.

All of these distractions have a big bearing on the score and the ultimate result. It is the player who can put all of the above negative thoughts out of mind sooner than later; the sooner the quicker the form will improve. Breath slowly and deeply in between points. Take your time.

Forget the score, forget the opponent's reputation, and perform as though you are a winner, keep running, never give up, break the opponent's spirit by getting all their winners back into play. Keep your eyes and mind within those four walls.

Strive for a medium between Relax - Tension = Determination.