I am completely convinced that how well we compete between points is the #1 key to being able to play up to our highest skill level.
Compete between points…? - Huh?
Yeah, between points. Had a good discussion with a couple of my tennis bus yesterday, Cliff & Greg, about the art of competing not only during the point, but more importantly, between points.
You and I have talked ad nauseum (sp?) about the reality of the time spent betwen points during our matches.
It’s probably conservatively 80% of the match – that’s right, meaning that 20% bof the time we’re there on the court we’re not actually playing the point.
When I look at my own style of play during the point, there are some things I want to to do well.
I want to feel relaxed but alert.
I want to feel smooth, that I have time, that I am on balance, that I am seing the ball well, and that most of all, I don’t want to feel rushed.
And those feelings all come from what I do between points – am I doing the same thing between points that I want to feel during the point.
Unfortunately, when I’ve played my worst, I have not competed well between points.
So, Greg and I got smoked yesterday in dubs, big time drubbing, BUT, even though it was just a practice match I felt like for the most part I competed well between the points.
And in the past, especially in some practice matches, I’ve been a mental midget between points when things aren’t going well.
So, how about you, are you competing well between poionts…? – Let me/us know below by leaving your thoughts in the Comments area – thanks.
Brent
Are You A Competitive League Or Tournament Player?
How To Win More Points, Games, Sets, & Matches
Hi Brent
Great post about the importance of competing between points. I agree with you in thinking that what you do between points plays a huge part in influencing how you compete and play in the points. I especially liked what you said about how focusing on in between points can help you stay focused and relaxed and stop you feeling rushed by your opponent all the time, in particular, the importance of doing the same thing between points that you want to feel during the point. I feel that being able to focus on doing this can really help me to compete against those tricky opponents who can get under my skin and exploit my mental weaknesses!
Thanks very much again and keep up the good work. By the way, I am loving the tennis journal and hope that you will continue doing it.
Wook
Appreciate your kind words Wook.
I just want a different forum for writing.
Somewhere I can just let it out – looking for that voice.
Gotta train it somewhere so I can eventually take it to the posts.
Brent
I haven’t heard it worded this way but it makes sense. I recently started bouncing the ball before I serve and I’m serving better already. I like to have rituals to keep myself (and my partner) calm in that world between points.