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QUESTION: What are some of the hidden roadblocks and myths found in high performance tennis?
Frank: It fascinates me how some junior athletes will hold on to crazy-beliefs. They would rather live in their “altered state of reality” and continue to get poor results than simply be accountable to their deliberate customized developmental plan. Below I have compiled some of the most common myths coming out of the mouths of your kids!
When I Become a Pro …Then I’ll Train like a Pro
Professionals have to “live the life” for years before they actually win a single match on tour. The typical formula is approximately 20 hours a week for 10 years of customized training to compete on the ATP or WTA level. Quality of training always trumps quantity of court time. Begin by challenging your child to train about 20 hours a week for a month.
I Need More …More is Better
In matches, most juniors think about too many things. Their body is off balance at contact as opposing force vectors fly in all directions; their racquet head is rolling through the hitting zone and their running through four segment swings. The key is to simplify. Most often, improving is about “trimming the fat” not adding more.
I Will Just “Wing It” Later
Planning reduces stress. Often we see players begin to pack their racquets, find a new outfit, clean their water bottles, search for their over grips, print out the directions to the site, look up their opponent record, make breakfast, take a shower, brush their teeth all within the last 10 minutes before they are scheduled to leave. Hum…no wonder they’re angry and stressed.
I Played a Set Last Week …I’m Fine
To win major events you must be a good finisher. Building a tract record of closing out matches is the key. Exchange playing a set with playing 2 out of 3 sets and finish the match. The most important stage of any set is the end! If time is short, start each set at 2-2 but close out sets. On practice days, professionals routinely close out 2-4 sets a day.
I Can’t Control My Anger or my Drifting Mind
Re-programming these dominant thoughts takes about four to six weeks of serious focused attention. It’s often the same program as rebuilding a flawed stroke. Re-tooling your emotions and thoughts on court are learned behaviors.
To be Great, I Have to Play at My Peak Everyday
Peak level and peak efforts are two different elements. It is too taxing to be physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally ready to battle every day of their lives. After a tournament you should “unplug.” That’s right, recharge the batteries. In the practice phase strive for peak effort and let go of peak performance.
If You’re Laughing, You’re not Working Hard Enough
When you laugh, dance, smile or even hug someone you get biochemical surges of positive energy. Neuroscience studies clearly show that when you smile and laugh you stay in the correct (right) side of your brain. This is where muscles flow effortlessly and great decisions are made quickly. When you’re mad, judgmental or over analytical the right side of your brain shuts down and you are toast!
Believing If You’re a Better Athlete, Then You’ll Win
Being a better physical athlete is only one third of the battle. If your child is weaker mentally or emotionally they will struggle. Another way to look at this issue is if an opponent looks physically superior to the rest of the field then there is most likely something missing or something broken in their mental or emotional components. If they were superior in all three, they wouldn’t be in a local junior draw.
Procrastination
Big time national titles are won by the champions because they accept the fact that they will be shedding serious blood, sweat and tears months before the event begins. Procrastinators often do everything else except focus 100 percent on improving. As long as they do not actually give 100 percent on the practice court, they will have a built in excuse… “If I had the time to practice, I could have beat her…etc.”
Thinking that Practicing for One Hour is Good Enough
Top tournament play often requires that your child compete in two, best of three sets, single matches daily. Since doubles play results count for their overall ranking, throw in a doubles matches as well.
Under Training Off-Court
If your child “thinks” that they are mostly in shape…they are most likely not in shape. Players that are in great shape “know” they are in great shape. Getting past the third day of a big event is going to be a challenge for every junior who only “thinks” they’re in shape.
“Solid fundamentals will get them in the draw. Being crazy fit keeps them in the draw. But being mentally and emotionally stable under stress wins titles.”