Be sure to check out the first video in this series if you haven't already seen it! It features a training analysis of Roger Federer and reveals a big reason why you're probably practicing wrong to play well in matches: th-cam.com/video/o2yvjPRf5bs/w-d-xo.html THANK YOU for watching. Hope these lessons have been a huge help!
There are a multitude of reasons why players have trouble succeeding. CLP is not without value, but I believe it over simplifies a complex subject. Some fear failure Some fear success Some fear that their best will not be good enough Some think too much Some don't think enough Some don't think about, that which will provide the greatest value Some legitimately just love to play for fun Some wish to feel like they are going to puke their guts up Some simply don't want the win that badly Some hate the process and only want to whack balls Some use tennis as their wind down time where actually thinking and focusing is the last thing they want to do Some are quite self-delusional I also believe that the above list is barely scratching the surface of tennis players drives and motivations and what limits their success at improvement. This series (which is not without value) only applies to about 10% of the tennis playing population I'm afraid, and it would be great tool to those that it will be useful to, but if there was an easy way to improve a persons tennis game with a very high success rate, everybody would know about it and everybody would be doing it and coaching it, IF IT WAS THAT SIMPLE. I could use Ian as my example player, but it will come across way too harsh, even if it is correct, so I won't. Cheers Keep up the good work
I find it interesting because o try to do the opposite of what the nervous match play would be, I end up overkilling it sometimes because I want that win too bad.....
After I serve well in a game and my opponent mentions it, I say "Serve is my second best shot". This usually gets the question, "What is your best shot?". My answer is "Return of Fault", my most relaxed shot.
GIVE THIS MAN A COOKIE. This is so typical. Hard, powerful first serve and the nanosecond you realise it's a fault you relax and send it back like novak, even though it's even further from the service box line, thus even more difficult to return. Second serve weak as hell, OMG HOW DO I RETURN THIS. This illustrates perfectly the human mentality and reaction to certain situations, playing tennis being one of them. Once you realise that "it doesn't matter" and there won't be any consequences, you instantly relax and perform so much better.
The psychology of this is so mind boggling. The second we realize the serve is a fault we can relax at hit a big return anywhere we want on the court. All else, tight returns and the next shot is a winner by the opponent 😂😂
@@theearthaflame I was hitting with a buddy the other night, and you know...he hits a certain way, and certain power level which I am used to, etc. I missed a nice hard serve just long, and his body - you could see this physically - just relaxed and he hit a simple forehand and it came back so hard and fast I was amazed! It was HEAVY. I was like, damn, it's in us, we just have to relax enough and find that balance.
This is so true. My friend has quite a good serve and yet miraculously when he serves a fault I can hit an amazing return. Then suddenly when he serves a regular first serve my return doesn’t even hit the net
oh yeah, this is really about me. I am really a split person tennisplayer. This is such a good video. It's so frustrating when you loose matches because of mental issues and playing your worse tennis because you play with a blockage...
This is so accurate. I always knew my shots were better in practice but I couldn’t figure out how to translate into my matches. If I understood this sooner, I feel like I would have won many more matches. Thank you so much!
so much of tennis is mental......your videos really bring this up and bring this home in a way that others, focused on technique only, don't. great job!
First time I hit with a new coach - I told him I got nervous and tightened up during matches and asked him what I could do to loosen up. He asked if I had an anxiety mental illness. When I was confused and said no, he said "oh, it must be a woman thing. I have this other woman I coach who says the same thing". Jaw dropped! So thank you Ian, for discussing this topic today and taking away the misconceptions around skill vs nerves. (and it helps that you used male examples too - it's not just women's anxiety!) I really liked the trying for 5 in a row so that it causes some nerves - great idea!
What? Wow, that's such a sad and terrible experience, Amy. I'm sorry you've had a hard time finding quality guidance. Stories like that frustrate me so much.
I don't know anyone who doesn't get nervous in tight or close matches. I'm pretty sure even the pros play their best tennis in practice when the pressure is off. More likely that the men at the rec level hadn't actually raised it with the coach than not feeling that way. I never did when I was coached as a kid, but my main sport was swimming so that was where I started to learn how to control my nerves and operate closer to my best as apply this to tennis.
Indeed it's a starting point to train with targets but there are so many things to say about pressure management. Mindfulness, breathing, reframing what winning/losing means, not idenfiying oneself with results, focusing on process more than the results, having goals and a long term vision for our game...
I feel like a pro while rallying for just the sake of having fun...but I feel like I just started swinging a racquet yesterday when playing game points. 😆 🤣
It’s quite different hitting too someone and having balls hut back too you center court vs match play. If you rally regularly at least play corners and lines not just center court, do bh/bh, fh/fh bh/fh etc type drills. Mix it up too instead of consistent same old pace and depth. You need to be used to the geometry of the court from the sidelines and mid court. Another thing playing down the line drills is to play off court in a sense, meaning only the narrow doubles alley is in... small target to hit.
Been struggling with that a lot; all my technique goes away when I get under a minimum amount of pressure. This video couldn't come at a better time!, keep up with the great content!
It's a very common thing among intermediate players, to play more tightly/cautiously in a game than in practise. I used to do it badly, now a lot less so. It is a great idea, like he says, to have goals in practise, for every stroke. Think,im going to put it right there with good power etc.. Also, what I find helps, is firstly bringing things consciously to mind as you are approaching your game. Talk to yourself, saying that you're going to move well and swing well through your beautiful strokes and eat up the court and be bold like in practise. Just this, can help, but do it every time, and check on yourself at the start of the match to see you're doing it, and if you're not, then start... I myself (as I used to do when I boxed!) cultivate a game face/feeling/stance/aggression/confidence/enjoyment. During practice (always) feel those feelings, cultivate them, A COMPETITIVE PERSONALITY OR CHARACTER! Feel it.. exaggerate it and bring her/him into each game and let them live.. let them stretch out and breathe. Playing matches like that is the best learning! It may not be the best way to win that specific match, perhaps the most likely way to win that specific match that day would be to be more cautious, but that isn't good learning. Win tomorrow.... play your best today! Whenever we play cautiously/tightly, we are teaching ourselves to do that again! Break out... Tiger! :)
Great topic. Breath exercises and varying shot selection helped me a lot, and also I spend much less time rallying down the middle during practice because it's too comfortable and easy. Have to hit shots from uncomfortable angles and with varying speeds.
thank you thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! I have struggled with match nerves even small matches all my life and it has always wrecked my play. I was looking for encouragement and found your channel. I will be watching all the videos and finally be able to move forward playing competitively. I have taken lessons and training for 20 years now and feel my practice is really good, but as soon as I go into a match setting I fall apart due to lack of confidence. These videos have been so useful to me.
I definitely find myself getting nervous and tensing up during matches and when that happens, I start hitting more conservatively which is usually to my detriment. But during lessons / practice I hit a lot more confidently - it’s like I’m a totally different player. Gotta work on stretching my comfort zone!
Awesome, thanks Ian. I have been driving myself crazy wondering over these topics. It's great to see it broken down in a way that makes perfect sense. Nice to know we have all winter to work on this before spring tourney season.
Mr Ian thank You so much i am a high school tennis player and this has been a big problem especially during tie break this video has made me learn what to fix.
Right on point, Ian. Two things I remember that pertain. Way back in high school I played two years as a starter on the varsity basketball team.. At the end of each practice coach required we make 25 free throws before we left the court. Obviously the best shooters left first. So we each were challenged. BTW, we won the county title. And more recently I played a super senior tournament where I played the #1 seed. I researched him and found out he played at Princeton and for the Navy. And he has played senior Davis Cup. Well, he won 2&1. But I thought I played pretty good tennis. My takeaway was I need to challenge myself more often. Good stuff. Thanks for the reminder.
This is good for non-experienced players. The thing is once your opponent starts hitting hard flat balls, it's easier to get into focus. But If your opponent hits junk balls you end up messing up.
The more time I have for a shot the more I panic and mess it up. Low flat balls at high speed get me going and playing my own game but when it slows down and I would have to dictate the pace and kill easy short balls, I might as well not even try. It has happened to me in matches that I've frozen so bad that I've been too afraid to even hit the easy high ball. I've just let it bounce twice without doing anything. Once my opponent asked if I was trying to loose deliberately. I responded that I'm doing everything in my power to beat him.
Great explanation. It’s so true. I’m a bag of nerves when I go play a match. Now, I only need my own indoor court and a ball machine and I’ll be set for practice. Lol!!
Good stuff. I agree that focusing on targets in a match helps. Also, I find that thinking about technique during a match is not a good thing. By that point, you want to be in more of a muscle memory zone. In a match, it's more about keeping it simple by focusing on competing hard, hitting your targets, and some strategy. Overthinking is the enemy in match play. Easier said than done of course.
Ian, grate video. I knew that even the GOATS get nervous, but I never new how they overcome it. I always thought it was some kind of mental/psychological training to calm the mind. This is a gold nugget of information that is absolutely priceless. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
Great video Ian, thanks. It frustrates me tremendously that I just can't seem to find it in me to hit hard in matches like I do in practice. I think I drop to about 50% pace in matches. Could you offer some tips or maybe consider a video on this specifically? Thanks!
Fun basketball drill to practice pressure for me was plus one minus two. Start at 10, a make is plus one a miss is minus two. Win is 20 lose is 0. Can definitely incorporate this system into a game in tennis for make/ miss. Thanks as always!
So many 'club' players want to play matches each and every time they come unto the court. They do not get nor understand the benefit of target practicing to push yourself, correct mistakes and perfect good strokes. I keep reminding them that even the pros practice and there is a reason for that!
Thank you so much for this video! So helpful! I love the targets! What are they called so I can buy them? Also, a strange question but I am super curious, what do you use as a soft pink light that shines on the right through the bookcase? I love it and would love to know what do you use? It's silly but sooo cool! I'm in love with the colour!
Awesome stuff @essentialtennis - I swear that this channel is getting more into the strategy and PSYCHOLOGY of the world of tennis. Something all tennis players should know about how other tennis players think! I also want to add that the more coachable the tennis player is, the more aware he/she is, the bigger the zone of the "Learning" circle becomes. And in turn, this definitely shrinks down the size of the "Panic" circle... especially at higher levels of competition and improvement!
Great video as always, Ian ! I can't wait for the following one, as I already always practice with targets. I feel practice without target(s) is not really practice, just hitting (unless I'm working on pure stroke technique aka kinetics). Is it an incorrect mindset ?
YES! Great stuff. I warm up regularly on a wall before my matches and ALWAYS hit to a target spot- having a zone like you have shown, or even a spot on a wall has helped me enormously. This is good concise stuff to practice without a partner, and make working our with a partner even better because it grooves your stokes. Thank you for the great video.
Totaly agree. Another way to do it is to practice as if you were actually competing. With combo drills. Because in match you rarely win a point with one shot but have to build the point.
I think it’s also a lot about how people think in a match, when you play the best in a match it’s when you aren’t thinking and you are almost watching your self, and there’s a really nice flow of winning points, but as soon as you fail it weighs down on your mind
Wow thank you so much for the explanation and a solution for this problem we all have, but don’t realize. I kind of knew I had this issue bc I get really nervous on the big points, but could never put it into a coherent thought or act to fix it. I eventually overcame this thru not fearing loss and just accepting every match as a chance to learn and improve. This is just a good mindset to improve, but your solution to act upon these moments definitely works light years ahead of mine 😹
Note, I did not overcome this completely, but I have made great improvements. IE, I could’ve been up 40-0 on my serve and get broken. That’s how bad I was. 40-0 or Adv to me was a big point bc that would mean that I would close out my serve, but bc I even thought that way, I would get nervous and just serve and play my worst tennis.
Nice video I definitely relate to this split personality issue Interested to know what kind of mentality and train of thought do you have in a match? I often freak out in games and it's a downward spiral
I concentrate on relaxing as well as tracking the ball from when the opponent strikes the ball. If i think about technique I fail big time, if i don't concentrate on relaxing i fail big time. A friend said they do this in acting, when it comes to performance they are told to forget technique. Still not as good as my practice but not bad.
My issues in my matches typically stem from me tinkering in practice. For example, trying to build more tension in my forehand in practice and swing out and then in the match over thinking.
I agree with all this, but just wanted to add another aspect (at least for me). In practice I can hit 2-3 shots deep (out) in a row and still be happy with how it felt and that it was "close". In a match that would be 0-40, and i would start to lose confidence. I know you are stressing the value of target practice in training sessions, and that's probably something I should incorporate more.
I started playing at 51. After a few years I started playing tournaments. Man! I was so nervous at my first few tournaments. Hands shaking, breathing was short, heart rate was elevated, etc. I even started getting anxious the day before the match…maybe even a few days. But now with a little experience, I still get nervous but not as extreme as my first few tournaments. One thing that has helped is recognizing that…”Wow, my opponent (who looks super fit and 20 years younger!) is nervous, too!!!!” We’re all in the same boat. 👍
Thanks so much sir just needed this. Perfect vedio Can you reply please..... Yes, and can you make a vedio on how to do perfect and correct serve, volley And want a vedio on ( how you can have a perfect grip for ur serve, how to hold ur grip perfectly for serve) Thanks sir hope you will do a vedio on the above topic Love the way u explain Please reply sir.........
I have seen plenty of pros double fault on break point/set point, become tentative on big points to know that they feel anxiety too. The 2020 US Open men's final is very evident of that.
Hey Ian one thing which I would like to ask is that I have started to play with one handed backhand ,so do you think it cause more fatigue to right arm?
It's definitely more effort required from the one arm, yes. Make sure you're using your body well to support it! th-cam.com/video/UCjhUXMyseo/w-d-xo.html
Had my first official game last night and I was SO INCREDIBLY NERVOUS that my arm wasn't even moving properly!!! Missed so many easy shots because I was overthinking every single second. Couldn't follow through any movement, terrible!!!
Thanks for the great video. Don’t you think that if we play more matches, we will also get more immune to the fear of losing, which for most people, is the underlying issue?
Before covid hit and I was still playing in indoor leagues, the main thing I was googling was "why don't I really swing and hit my shots during matches?"
It snows a lot where I live and I can't really go to any tennis courts to practice. I have a somewhat decent space to practice in my house, so what do you think I should do to practice playing during the winter?
Hey Ian when I play in practice I hit all of my shots in the direction I want and in like national level matches I play so bad that I feel embarrassed and angry at myself and end up throwing the match as u know the pandemic is going on can u tell a few tips to not get nervous and play my BEST
You're not alone, Jigna! DO what you learned in today's lesson and be sure to watch yesterday's lesson as well which has more drills and tips: th-cam.com/video/o2yvjPRf5bs/w-d-xo.html Tomorrow's lesson will give more insights as well!
Hi everyone , my problem is when I practice alone against the wall I can do pretty well ( I know , duh huh ? ) , hitting my ground strokes relaxed etc , but once I go back out and play with my friends the urge to show them the results from the time I dedicated on practicing alone gets to me , I had alligator arms , I hit shot timidly , I’m afraid every ball will go out of bounds if I just hit it the way I hit them against the wall while on my own , and this is very frustrating ! Any help anyone ? Any pointers ? Suggestion on mediations ? I don’t know anymore , I’m just distraught , and disappointed at myself. Wish everyone well here … regards.
Great video on the mental side of tennis, but I can't believe you mentioned Wawrinka but then didn't show his "intensely pointing to his temple" celebration!
Nerves can be good and bad. Its about learning how to channel it. Feeling overly nervous can lead to being too tight and tentative. Not feeling enough can make you too relaxed and lose focus. Learning to channel it so that you play with a high amount of focus without getting tight and tentative takes practice.
I have the opposite problem. I play worse at practice than matches. I play extremely well at matches. But I should be playing really good at practice because I’m on the high school varsity team, and I try to do it, but I always play like shit. Do you have any tips for me? I would really really appreciate it. I’m tired of plying terrible all the time. It doesn’t show the true skill I’ve got.
In my opinion, its not just about putting yourself in the learning zone for tennis, but learning to make tennis a meaningful and enjoyable experience. Its not always about playing, its about learning control and having fun being competitive. I just feel like a lot of people (myself included) look at videos about the “learning zone” or anything like that and start to become obsessive perfectionists who don’t look at the bigger picture
Hi ian, I am a subscriber from india, I wanted to ask if you should quit playing tournaments for some time like a few weeks or shd you play more tournaments if you are not having great tennis sessions or if you are not currently on the top of your game and performing bad in tournaments...
Lol, I have the opposite problem. I am a terrible practice player, in fact even warming up most players think they will beat me no problem. My level goes up 20x when we start playing, I'm hyper competive and hate losing. I wish I could bring that intensity to practice.
This is so accurate. But I don't get tentative in matches, I go the other way, that is, I hit the ball like my life depends on it and I want to win points with as little shots as possible, which hardly ever happens. This is why I'm so inconsistent.
The best players are the ones that can use pressure.. The problem is if you are completely relaxed you totally miss out on the benefit of pressure/adrenaline. There is a reason we feel this it actually fine-tunes our senses, increases focus and improves reflexes. if you can sit in "The zone" which is between relaxed and feeling too pressured you can get benefit from both.. Being too relaxed will make u lose that fierocity, focus and quick thinking.
I wish Fed didn’t get nervous and converted some of those match points against Novak. But pros have tons of breathing/meditation/visualization techniques to deal with pressure that we don’t use. But playing with new players, especially in doubles, can cause serious nerve in tennis. But so much of my game is to try to get my opponent to not be playing their best free flowing practice-like tennis.
I do not know why, but in matches, I always play better in tournaments than in practice. The only times I usually get into the panic zone is when I play a really major event like a tournament that can count for national points.
@@EssentialTennis The funny thing is, everyone around me believes that I am a good player except myself too, so it even more weird that I do not get very nurvous even though I have 0 self confidence in myself to win. Unfortunately, in my last 8 tournaments, I got to the finals in all of them and choked. Could you please think about making a video about how to believe in yourself, because I do not think it will only help me, but also a lot of other players.
@@rishinatarajan2887 Hi Rishi, you don't need to believe you can win the match. You only need to believe you can win the next point. If you are serving visualize the serve that will most likely make this happen. Same with the return but visualize for both your backhand return and your forehand return. Nerves are good up to a point, taking the time to plan helps return you to a more focused state.
Pressure is a privilege. The nerves are there to help you! They mean that your heart is beating faster, and your body is on high alert. If you FIGHT those feelings, you will implode. If you allow those feelings to help you become more focused, like your fighting for your life, they will help you. You have to be ready to act a little crazy....that's why you hear players yelling louder on big points. Jim Courier used to say, "You have to let the Red Dog off the leash." Focus on the most basic thing...clear the net with your shot. If you are hitting a topspin shot, aim higher, swing harder (Chris Evert's advice on big points). If you are hitting a slice shot, focus on getting your WEIGHT into the shot. Even say, "WEIGHT" every time you hit it. Move your feet in a little excited dance just before the point. Let the opponent see that you are in crazy mode. Don't go for too much, just be consistent, and be ready to hustle. The great shots will come without even trying. If you miss a shot, immediately focus on why, and correct your mind set for the next point. Don't waste time agonizing over a shot. The next point starts immediately after the moment one point ends. So use all that time to do what you have to do: Maybe slow down between points to upset the opponent's rhythm, maybe thin about a slight change in strategy...hit your FH down the line instead of crosscourt...whatever. And FORGIVE yourself. BE positive. Look for frustration in your opponent, and do what you can to maximize it. If you lose, you had fun, who cares? IF you win, you had a blast.
The other thing: you don't play as well in practice as you think you do. You forget all the unforced errors you made, and all the big shots you missed. And your partner was not trying to give you tough balls...he was trying to help you rally! You don't worry about the missed shots in practice...do the same thing in a match! The goals of practice and matches are different. So focus on what happens during the match, and forget about practice. The reason you had such confident, long rallies in practice is because you weren't worried about the last shot you missed or where your opponent is going to hit it next. So it's different. In a match, you have to be ready to move quickly. Your opponent is trying to make life tough for you.
I lost so bad today to the point I just wanted to quit and cry after I told my coach me and my partner lost our doubles match she asked what’s wrong I was like I’m good at practice but she’s was like well will work on that and it was my fault we lost our second matches because I would hit the net after that conversation I tossed my racket at the wall because I was so mad
Be sure to check out the first video in this series if you haven't already seen it! It features a training analysis of Roger Federer and reveals a big reason why you're probably practicing wrong to play well in matches: th-cam.com/video/o2yvjPRf5bs/w-d-xo.html THANK YOU for watching. Hope these lessons have been a huge help!
There are a multitude of reasons why players have trouble succeeding.
CLP is not without value, but I believe it over simplifies a complex subject.
Some fear failure
Some fear success
Some fear that their best will not be good enough
Some think too much
Some don't think enough
Some don't think about, that which will provide the greatest value
Some legitimately just love to play for fun
Some wish to feel like they are going to puke their guts up
Some simply don't want the win that badly
Some hate the process and only want to whack balls
Some use tennis as their wind down time where actually thinking and focusing is the last thing they want to do
Some are quite self-delusional
I also believe that the above list is barely scratching the surface of tennis players drives and motivations and what limits their success at improvement.
This series (which is not without value) only applies to about 10% of the tennis playing population I'm afraid, and it would be great tool to those that it will be useful to, but if there was an easy way to improve a persons tennis game with a very high success rate, everybody would know about it and everybody would be doing it and coaching it, IF IT WAS THAT SIMPLE.
I could use Ian as my example player, but it will come across way too harsh, even if it is correct, so I won't.
Cheers
Keep up the good work
I find it interesting because o try to do the opposite of what the nervous match play would be, I end up overkilling it sometimes because I want that win too bad.....
After I serve well in a game and my opponent mentions it, I say "Serve is my second best shot". This usually gets the question, "What is your best shot?". My answer is "Return of Fault", my most relaxed shot.
Haha....totally!
GIVE THIS MAN A COOKIE. This is so typical. Hard, powerful first serve and the nanosecond you realise it's a fault you relax and send it back like novak, even though it's even further from the service box line, thus even more difficult to return. Second serve weak as hell, OMG HOW DO I RETURN THIS.
This illustrates perfectly the human mentality and reaction to certain situations, playing tennis being one of them. Once you realise that "it doesn't matter" and there won't be any consequences, you instantly relax and perform so much better.
The psychology of this is so mind boggling. The second we realize the serve is a fault we can relax at hit a big return anywhere we want on the court. All else, tight returns and the next shot is a winner by the opponent 😂😂
@@theearthaflame I was hitting with a buddy the other night, and you know...he hits a certain way, and certain power level which I am used to, etc. I missed a nice hard serve just long, and his body - you could see this physically - just relaxed and he hit a simple forehand and it came back so hard and fast I was amazed! It was HEAVY. I was like, damn, it's in us, we just have to relax enough and find that balance.
This is so true. My friend has quite a good serve and yet miraculously when he serves a fault I can hit an amazing return. Then suddenly when he serves a regular first serve my return doesn’t even hit the net
oh yeah, this is really about me. I am really a split person tennisplayer. This is such a good video. It's so frustrating when you loose matches because of mental issues and playing your worse tennis because you play with a blockage...
This is so accurate. I always knew my shots were better in practice but I couldn’t figure out how to translate into my matches. If I understood this sooner, I feel like I would have won many more matches. Thank you so much!
so much of tennis is mental......your videos really bring this up and bring this home in a way that others, focused on technique only, don't. great job!
Glad you enjoy it!
First time I hit with a new coach - I told him I got nervous and tightened up during matches and asked him what I could do to loosen up. He asked if I had an anxiety mental illness. When I was confused and said no, he said "oh, it must be a woman thing. I have this other woman I coach who says the same thing". Jaw dropped! So thank you Ian, for discussing this topic today and taking away the misconceptions around skill vs nerves. (and it helps that you used male examples too - it's not just women's anxiety!) I really liked the trying for 5 in a row so that it causes some nerves - great idea!
What? Wow, that's such a sad and terrible experience, Amy. I'm sorry you've had a hard time finding quality guidance. Stories like that frustrate me so much.
I don't know anyone who doesn't get nervous in tight or close matches. I'm pretty sure even the pros play their best tennis in practice when the pressure is off.
More likely that the men at the rec level hadn't actually raised it with the coach than not feeling that way. I never did when I was coached as a kid, but my main sport was swimming so that was where I started to learn how to control my nerves and operate closer to my best as apply this to tennis.
throw the coach away, who says stuff like that?
Terrible coach. Sorry for your experience: I’m a tennis coach and I get nervous in matches: it’s normal.
Indeed it's a starting point to train with targets but there are so many things to say about pressure management. Mindfulness, breathing, reframing what winning/losing means, not idenfiying oneself with results, focusing on process more than the results, having goals and a long term vision for our game...
EXCELLENT points, Team Tennis! Totally agree. A lot of personal, internal work needs to be done to be the best competitor possible.
I feel like a pro while rallying for just the sake of having fun...but I feel like I just started swinging a racquet yesterday when playing game points. 😆 🤣
Super common, Joseph!
It’s quite different hitting too someone and having balls hut back too you center court vs match play. If you rally regularly at least play corners and lines not just center court, do bh/bh, fh/fh bh/fh etc type drills. Mix it up too instead of consistent same old pace and depth. You need to be used to the geometry of the court from the sidelines and mid court. Another thing playing down the line drills is to play off court in a sense, meaning only the narrow doubles alley is in... small target to hit.
OMG EXACTLY LMAO
😂😂😂 same here man 🏴
Been struggling with that a lot; all my technique goes away when I get under a minimum amount of pressure. This video couldn't come at a better time!, keep up with the great content!
Same even when I’m playing a low effort match I lose pretty bad due to tightness and restricting my shots
It's a very common thing among intermediate players, to play more tightly/cautiously in a game than in practise. I used to do it badly, now a lot less so. It is a great idea, like he says, to have goals in practise, for every stroke. Think,im going to put it right there with good power etc.. Also, what I find helps, is firstly bringing things consciously to mind as you are approaching your game. Talk to yourself, saying that you're going to move well and swing well through your beautiful strokes and eat up the court and be bold like in practise. Just this, can help, but do it every time, and check on yourself at the start of the match to see you're doing it, and if you're not, then start... I myself (as I used to do when I boxed!) cultivate a game face/feeling/stance/aggression/confidence/enjoyment. During practice (always) feel those feelings, cultivate them, A COMPETITIVE PERSONALITY OR CHARACTER! Feel it.. exaggerate it and bring her/him into each game and let them live.. let them stretch out and breathe. Playing matches like that is the best learning! It may not be the best way to win that specific match, perhaps the most likely way to win that specific match that day would be to be more cautious, but that isn't good learning. Win tomorrow.... play your best today! Whenever we play cautiously/tightly, we are teaching ourselves to do that again! Break out... Tiger! :)
Great topic. Breath exercises and varying shot selection helped me a lot, and also I spend much less time rallying down the middle during practice because it's too comfortable and easy. Have to hit shots from uncomfortable angles and with varying speeds.
Awesome stuff, Michael! Thanks for sharing!
thank you thank you so much from the bottom of my heart! I have struggled with match nerves even small matches all my life and it has always wrecked my play. I was looking for encouragement and found your channel. I will be watching all the videos and finally be able to move forward playing competitively. I have taken lessons and training for 20 years now and feel my practice is really good, but as soon as I go into a match setting I fall apart due to lack of confidence. These videos have been so useful to me.
I definitely find myself getting nervous and tensing up during matches and when that happens, I start hitting more conservatively which is usually to my detriment. But during lessons / practice I hit a lot more confidently - it’s like I’m a totally different player. Gotta work on stretching my comfort zone!
Awesome, thanks Ian. I have been driving myself crazy wondering over these topics. It's great to see it broken down in a way that makes perfect sense. Nice to know we have all winter to work on this before spring tourney season.
So glad this was helpful! Thanks for the feedback!
Mr Ian thank You so much i am a high school tennis player and this has been a big problem especially during tie break this video has made me learn what to fix.
Right on point, Ian. Two things I remember that pertain. Way back in high school I played two years as a starter on the varsity basketball team.. At the end of each practice coach required we make 25 free throws before we left the court. Obviously the best shooters left first. So we each were challenged. BTW, we won the county title. And more recently I played a super senior tournament where I played the #1 seed. I researched him and found out he played at Princeton and for the Navy. And he has played senior Davis Cup. Well, he won 2&1. But I thought I played pretty good tennis. My takeaway was I need to challenge myself more often.
Good stuff. Thanks for the reminder.
Appreciate your thoughts and insights, Joe!
This is good for non-experienced players. The thing is once your opponent starts hitting hard flat balls, it's easier to get into focus. But If your opponent hits junk balls you end up messing up.
For some players hard, flat balls make them panic! Totally depends on what you're personally comfortable and uncomfortable with.
@@EssentialTennis I guess that for me XD
Great that you know!
The more time I have for a shot the more I panic and mess it up. Low flat balls at high speed get me going and playing my own game but when it slows down and I would have to dictate the pace and kill easy short balls, I might as well not even try. It has happened to me in matches that I've frozen so bad that I've been too afraid to even hit the easy high ball. I've just let it bounce twice without doing anything. Once my opponent asked if I was trying to loose deliberately. I responded that I'm doing everything in my power to beat him.
This relates to me on another level, thank you!
You're so welcome!
@@EssentialTennis me too hopefully this will help🎾
I've looking for this video, finally found it! I can so relate to this 😭😅 thank you!!!
Wonderful learning tips and advices. It’s really mostly mental and it’s great to have these tips to grow in the L zone!
Great explanation. It’s so true. I’m a bag of nerves when I go play a match. Now, I only need my own indoor court and a ball machine and I’ll be set for practice. Lol!!
Good stuff. I agree that focusing on targets in a match helps. Also, I find that thinking about technique during a match is not a good thing. By that point, you want to be in more of a muscle memory zone. In a match, it's more about keeping it simple by focusing on competing hard, hitting your targets, and some strategy. Overthinking is the enemy in match play. Easier said than done of course.
Ian, grate video. I knew that even the GOATS get nervous, but I never new how they overcome it. I always thought it was some kind of mental/psychological training to calm the mind. This is a gold nugget of information that is absolutely priceless. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.
That's such a truth! Well done man. Applies to everything, far beyond tennis. Thank you!
I really like your videos.. you are a passionate teacher.. keep doing it..
Thank you so much, PR!
Thank you soooo much for this video of knowledge. I am struggling with the learning zone, and realized what I need. Appreciate this valuable lesson!
I absolutely love this! Thank you so much!
Great video Ian, thanks. It frustrates me tremendously that I just can't seem to find it in me to hit hard in matches like I do in practice. I think I drop to about 50% pace in matches. Could you offer some tips or maybe consider a video on this specifically? Thanks!
DO what I recommended in this video and yesterdays!! It's the solution!
Fun basketball drill to practice pressure for me was plus one minus two. Start at 10, a make is plus one a miss is minus two. Win is 20 lose is 0. Can definitely incorporate this system into a game in tennis for make/ miss. Thanks as always!
Brilliant video. Thanks Ian 😊
I feel like all these videos from ten months ago are the answers to all my current questions! Thanks for making helpful videos!!
So many 'club' players want to play matches each and every time they come unto the court. They do not get nor understand the benefit of target practicing to push yourself, correct mistakes and perfect good strokes. I keep reminding them that even the pros practice and there is a reason for that!
Thanks for your comments!
This is so helpful and easy to implement. Thank you Ian.
This is so true for me. Thanks for the content. Will try to incorporate this practice method going forward.
Thank you so much for this video! So helpful! I love the targets! What are they called so I can buy them? Also, a strange question but I am super curious, what do you use as a soft pink light that shines on the right through the bookcase? I love it and would love to know what do you use? It's silly but sooo cool! I'm in love with the colour!
Awesome stuff @essentialtennis - I swear that this channel is getting more into the strategy and PSYCHOLOGY of the world of tennis. Something all tennis players should know about how other tennis players think!
I also want to add that the more coachable the tennis player is, the more aware he/she is, the bigger the zone of the "Learning" circle becomes.
And in turn, this definitely shrinks down the size of the "Panic" circle... especially at higher levels of competition and improvement!
Always appreciate your thoughts, Mark!
Great video as always, Ian ! I can't wait for the following one, as I already always practice with targets. I feel practice without target(s) is not really practice, just hitting (unless I'm working on pure stroke technique aka kinetics). Is it an incorrect mindset ?
This is fantastic thank you very much I practice by myself a lot and now I know what to do thank you
Thanks coach 🙏 💯
Really appreciate it
So helpful
This helps so much as im about to play my first utr 3 tournament this week! Thanks!
Good luck to you!
YES! Great stuff.
I warm up regularly on a wall before my matches and ALWAYS hit to a target spot- having a zone like you have shown, or even a spot on a wall has helped me enormously. This is good concise stuff to practice without a partner, and make working our with a partner even better because it grooves your stokes. Thank you for the great video.
Great video! Thank you
Glad you liked it!
Totaly agree. Another way to do it is to practice as if you were actually competing. With combo drills. Because in match you rarely win a point with one shot but have to build the point.
I think it’s also a lot about how people think in a match, when you play the best in a match it’s when you aren’t thinking and you are almost watching your self, and there’s a really nice flow of winning points, but as soon as you fail it weighs down on your mind
Thank you from my heart
Wow thank you so much for the explanation and a solution for this problem we all have, but don’t realize. I kind of knew I had this issue bc I get really nervous on the big points, but could never put it into a coherent thought or act to fix it. I eventually overcame this thru not fearing loss and just accepting every match as a chance to learn and improve. This is just a good mindset to improve, but your solution to act upon these moments definitely works light years ahead of mine 😹
Note, I did not overcome this completely, but I have made great improvements. IE, I could’ve been up 40-0 on my serve and get broken. That’s how bad I was. 40-0 or Adv to me was a big point bc that would mean that I would close out my serve, but bc I even thought that way, I would get nervous and just serve and play my worst tennis.
Good video . Great advice.
Glad it was helpful!
Great video about an important subject.
Nice video I definitely relate to this split personality issue
Interested to know what kind of mentality and train of thought do you have in a match? I often freak out in games and it's a downward spiral
I concentrate on relaxing as well as tracking the ball from when the opponent strikes the ball. If i think about technique I fail big time, if i don't concentrate on relaxing i fail big time. A friend said they do this in acting, when it comes to performance they are told to forget technique. Still not as good as my practice but not bad.
Whats the brand of your ball machine ? Thanks
My issues in my matches typically stem from me tinkering in practice. For example, trying to build more tension in my forehand in practice and swing out and then in the match over thinking.
Yup, super common. Thanks for sharing, Ryan!
Excellent, thanks Ian!
You're very welcome, Niko!
Bravo, thanks a lot
Ian I have a question what about putting yourself more on the panic zone (and having goals in comfort zone ) will that work ?
Nice! Where can I buy these yellow markers?
I so needed this reminder.
Glad you appreciated it, Anon!
I agree with all this, but just wanted to add another aspect (at least for me). In practice I can hit 2-3 shots deep (out) in a row and still be happy with how it felt and that it was "close". In a match that would be 0-40, and i would start to lose confidence. I know you are stressing the value of target practice in training sessions, and that's probably something I should incorporate more.
Excellent observation, Jonas!!
good refresher
Thanks for watching!
This explains alot
So glad to hear that, Tatsuya!
Thank u
What's that racquet you're using Ian, and the yellow one you have?
I started playing at 51. After a few years I started playing tournaments. Man! I was so nervous at my first few tournaments. Hands shaking, breathing was short, heart rate was elevated, etc. I even started getting anxious the day before the match…maybe even a few days. But now with a little experience, I still get nervous but not as extreme as my first few tournaments. One thing that has helped is recognizing that…”Wow, my opponent (who looks super fit and 20 years younger!) is nervous, too!!!!” We’re all in the same boat. 👍
Thanks so much sir just needed this.
Perfect vedio
Can you reply please.....
Yes, and can you make a vedio on how to do perfect and correct serve, volley
And want a vedio on ( how you can have a perfect grip for ur serve, how to hold ur grip perfectly for serve)
Thanks sir hope you will do a vedio on the above topic
Love the way u explain
Please reply sir.........
Absolutely.
Grip: th-cam.com/video/gMlnI9Sqll8/w-d-xo.html
Serve: th-cam.com/video/FKtqaKjZVPs/w-d-xo.html
Volley: th-cam.com/users/results?search_query=essential+tennis+volley
Best wishes.
Excellent
Can definitely relate!
Hopefully this was a helpful lesson!
@@EssentialTennis it was thank you!!
Focus on the form, not the result. Dont be afraid to lose, play to have fun and you will win more often
It happens to me. I play racquetball in tournaments. Thanks for this video
I have seen plenty of pros double fault on break point/set point, become tentative on big points to know that they feel anxiety too. The 2020 US Open men's final is very evident of that.
Absolutely, nobody is immune!
@@EssentialTennis Young Nadal and Medvedev come pretty close tho :)
Hey Ian one thing which I would like to ask is that I have started to play with one handed backhand ,so do you think it cause more fatigue to right arm?
It's definitely more effort required from the one arm, yes. Make sure you're using your body well to support it! th-cam.com/video/UCjhUXMyseo/w-d-xo.html
Had my first official game last night and I was SO INCREDIBLY NERVOUS that my arm wasn't even moving properly!!! Missed so many easy shots because I was overthinking every single second. Couldn't follow through any movement, terrible!!!
Better luck next time and congrats on the first official game!!
@@EssentialTennis thank you so much!!! Hopefully it will go better next time, these tips helped
Yep. IMO relaxation is the only thing worth concentrating on in a match, forget everything else. With relaxation shots happen.
Thanks for the great video. Don’t you think that if we play more matches, we will also get more immune to the fear of losing, which for most people, is the underlying issue?
So right….
Wow this was good 😊😌
Before covid hit and I was still playing in indoor leagues, the main thing I was googling was "why don't I really swing and hit my shots during matches?"
Hopefully now you have more clarity!
It snows a lot where I live and I can't really go to any tennis courts to practice. I have a somewhat decent space to practice in my house, so what do you think I should do to practice playing during the winter?
Here's a whole playlist full of "at home" videos, Shreyas! th-cam.com/video/5ZsfgkPtuks/w-d-xo.html
Hey Ian when I play in practice I hit all of my shots in the direction I want and in like national level matches I play so bad that I feel embarrassed and angry at myself and end up throwing the match as u know the pandemic is going on can u tell a few tips to not get nervous and play my BEST
You're not alone, Jigna! DO what you learned in today's lesson and be sure to watch yesterday's lesson as well which has more drills and tips: th-cam.com/video/o2yvjPRf5bs/w-d-xo.html Tomorrow's lesson will give more insights as well!
Hi everyone , my problem is when I practice alone against the wall I can do pretty well ( I know , duh huh ? ) , hitting my ground strokes relaxed etc , but once I go back out and play with my friends the urge to show them the results from the time I dedicated on practicing alone gets to me , I had alligator arms , I hit shot timidly , I’m afraid every ball will go out of bounds if I just hit it the way I hit them against the wall while on my own , and this is very frustrating ! Any help anyone ? Any pointers ? Suggestion on mediations ? I don’t know anymore , I’m just distraught , and disappointed at myself. Wish everyone well here … regards.
Great video on the mental side of tennis, but I can't believe you mentioned Wawrinka but then didn't show his "intensely pointing to his temple" celebration!
Nerves can be good and bad. Its about learning how to channel it. Feeling overly nervous can lead to being too tight and tentative. Not feeling enough can make you too relaxed and lose focus. Learning to channel it so that you play with a high amount of focus without getting tight and tentative takes practice.
I have the opposite problem. I play worse at practice than matches. I play extremely well at matches. But I should be playing really good at practice because I’m on the high school varsity team, and I try to do it, but I always play like shit. Do you have any tips for me? I would really really appreciate it. I’m tired of plying terrible all the time. It doesn’t show the true skill I’ve got.
In my opinion, its not just about putting yourself in the learning zone for tennis, but learning to make tennis a meaningful and enjoyable experience. Its not always about playing, its about learning control and having fun being competitive. I just feel like a lot of people (myself included) look at videos about the “learning zone” or anything like that and start to become obsessive perfectionists who don’t look at the bigger picture
can you increase the ball speed with your machine?
Absolutely. Spin, locations, heights, combinations, everything.
God I love this channel so much
Hi ian,
I am a subscriber from india,
I wanted to ask if you should quit playing tournaments for some time like a few weeks or shd you play more tournaments if you are not having great tennis sessions or if you are not currently on the top of your game and performing bad in tournaments...
Wait what software is that?
www.vibe.us
Lol, I have the opposite problem. I am a terrible practice player, in fact even warming up most players think they will beat me no problem. My level goes up 20x when we start playing, I'm hyper competive and hate losing. I wish I could bring that intensity to practice.
This is so accurate. But I don't get tentative in matches, I go the other way, that is, I hit the ball like my life depends on it and I want to win points with as little shots as possible, which hardly ever happens. This is why I'm so inconsistent.
A great thumbnail would’ve been goatee’d Ian and clean shave. Lol
The best players are the ones that can use pressure.. The problem is if you are completely relaxed you totally miss out on the benefit of pressure/adrenaline. There is a reason we feel this it actually fine-tunes our senses, increases focus and improves reflexes. if you can sit in "The zone" which is between relaxed and feeling too pressured you can get benefit from both.. Being too relaxed will make u lose that fierocity, focus and quick thinking.
Totally agree!
The fire & ice principle
Absolutely!
I wish Fed didn’t get nervous and converted some of those match points against Novak. But pros have tons of breathing/meditation/visualization techniques to deal with pressure that we don’t use. But playing with new players, especially in doubles, can cause serious nerve in tennis. But so much of my game is to try to get my opponent to not be playing their best free flowing practice-like tennis.
The most annoying players are those who play crap in practice and play completely different in matches.
I do not know why, but in matches, I always play better in tournaments than in practice. The only times I usually get into the panic zone is when I play a really major event like a tournament that can count for national points.
Good for you, Rishi! Many, many players out there wish they could do that!
@@EssentialTennis The funny thing is, everyone around me believes that I am a good player except myself too, so it even more weird that I do not get very nurvous even though I have 0 self confidence in myself to win. Unfortunately, in my last 8 tournaments, I got to the finals in all of them and choked. Could you please think about making a video about how to believe in yourself, because I do not think it will only help me, but also a lot of other players.
@@rishinatarajan2887 Hi Rishi, you don't need to believe you can win the match. You only need to believe you can win the next point. If you are serving visualize the serve that will most likely make this happen. Same with the return but visualize for both your backhand return and your forehand return. Nerves are good up to a point, taking the time to plan helps return you to a more focused state.
excellent points. maybe get to the point a little quicker- 3 minutes and two ads in before the substance starts...
Sorry you didn't enjoy the first 3 minutes.
Ian’s back!
I never went anywhere!!
I actually get more nervous in doubles due to partner , in singles i dont care , so i need to learn to play for a team
Just won a game I should have lost. Clearly managed to get off the panic zone more often than my opponent and challenged to do my best
Pressure is a privilege. The nerves are there to help you! They mean that your heart is beating faster, and your body is on high alert. If you FIGHT those feelings, you will implode. If you allow those feelings to help you become more focused, like your fighting for your life, they will help you. You have to be ready to act a little crazy....that's why you hear players yelling louder on big points. Jim Courier used to say, "You have to let the Red Dog off the leash." Focus on the most basic thing...clear the net with your shot. If you are hitting a topspin shot, aim higher, swing harder (Chris Evert's advice on big points). If you are hitting a slice shot, focus on getting your WEIGHT into the shot. Even say, "WEIGHT" every time you hit it. Move your feet in a little excited dance just before the point. Let the opponent see that you are in crazy mode. Don't go for too much, just be consistent, and be ready to hustle. The great shots will come without even trying. If you miss a shot, immediately focus on why, and correct your mind set for the next point. Don't waste time agonizing over a shot. The next point starts immediately after the moment one point ends. So use all that time to do what you have to do: Maybe slow down between points to upset the opponent's rhythm, maybe thin about a slight change in strategy...hit your FH down the line instead of crosscourt...whatever. And FORGIVE yourself. BE positive. Look for frustration in your opponent, and do what you can to maximize it. If you lose, you had fun, who cares? IF you win, you had a blast.
The other thing: you don't play as well in practice as you think you do. You forget all the unforced errors you made, and all the big shots you missed. And your partner was not trying to give you tough balls...he was trying to help you rally! You don't worry about the missed shots in practice...do the same thing in a match! The goals of practice and matches are different. So focus on what happens during the match, and forget about practice. The reason you had such confident, long rallies in practice is because you weren't worried about the last shot you missed or where your opponent is going to hit it next. So it's different. In a match, you have to be ready to move quickly. Your opponent is trying to make life tough for you.
I lost so bad today to the point I just wanted to quit and cry after I told my coach me and my partner lost our doubles match she asked what’s wrong I was like I’m good at practice but she’s was like well will work on that and it was my fault we lost our second matches because I would hit the net after that conversation I tossed my racket at the wall because I was so mad
But after streching out of the comfort zone and into the learning zone... after some time wont the learning zone become the comfort zone ???