This game is about finding your own voice. Lots of players (even top players) never commit to drawing a line in the sand and saying to the world that this is who I am on the court.
In response to my recommendation a couple of days ago to check out FuzzyYellowBalls.com, I sent the following email response to a fellow WT subscriber yesterday.
“The beauty here is tennis can be a life long quest for all of us. Skill level is relative… It doesn’t matter what level you’re at, there’s always going to be something to think about, tinker on, and work through.
Don’t force your improvement.
Keep tinkering and asking questions and you’ll eventually have to siphon through the noise to what really makes sense to you.
As much as I know and will be forever grateful that Tom Stow put me on the map as an instructor and as a player, there was a point when I had to pick and choose the info I wanted to keep that he was giving to me.
That in itself was pretty darn liberating because at that point I knew who I was on the court. Tom really helped me get there.
I wasn’t a Rafa type, I was a Pete type, and I was content knowing that I didn’t have to be everyone out there.
One of the things that keeps players from improving is their need (or perception) that they should be able to do everything.
Zero in on what feels right for you, the style of shots, the strategies, all of that stuff, and then tell the world who you are out there. It doesn’t matter who you choose to be as long as you’re enjoying learning about that specific style of play…”
I hit with a top national player this morning, and he’s struggling a bit right now trying to find his own niche as a player. I suggested he go see my coach Michael Wayman and just give himself up to Michael.
At least for awhile, and then begin the filtering process.
There just aren’t coaches out there skilled enough to be able to know when to stop teaching and start filtering.
So, you’ve got to be come your own person on the court, decide who are you on the court, what style suits your body and mind, all of that stuff…
Listen and eventually filter.
Brent
Got any thoughts on this topic? Let me/us know below by leaving your feedback in the Comments area – thanks…
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