The Tennis Crowd » Technique

Tightening Stiffening Freezing Choking

Scott — Sun, 24 May 2009 22:59:39 +0000

Overall, I like my tennis game. My strokes have good form, I have all the shots, I rarely double-fault, and I’m quick around the court. However, I do have a weakness, my head. Sometimes (much more often than I’d like), I get tight on the court; I choke.

The court starts looking very small. Like, my opponent is everywhere. My shots will get weak. I’ll hit off my back foot. I’ll not react to shots. I’ll start hitting shots wildly all over the court with no control.

I know people say it happens to everyone but for some reason I feel particularly susceptible. I haven’t really figured out how to beat it but sometimes it’s more of an issue than other times. I desperately want to figure out what causes it.

I’ve played for years without really addressing it because overall, I’ve been pretty successful. When I win, I feel like I beat both my opponent and my head. When I lose, I blame myself rather than the opponent. But it’s holding me back. I feel I should be beating certain players that I’m not. I play so well in practices and then in matches, my game changes.

My technique for dealing with this nervousness has been to try talk myself out of it when I feel it coming on. Taking deep breaths, telling myself to relax, focus, whatever. It doesn’t really work. However lately, I’ve been trying something else. Practice makes perfect right? It’s hard to practice not being nervous in a match. Therefore, the only time to practice is during a match. Now, when I feel myself getting tight and nervous, I embrace it. I tell myself, “Ok, soak it up. Here’s a chance to try figure out how to play in this situation”. Instead of fighting it, I try encourage it.

So far so good too. I’ve had some recent matches where normally it would have got the best of me. I figure I can only conquer it when I get some practice doing so. But this is risky; in really important matches, I don’t want to practice it. I just want to win. Anyway, just thought I’d share. There MUST be others like me out there.

Federer vs. Verdasco Video Clip

Scott — Sun, 03 May 2009 07:49:40 +0000

Here is another video from my trip to the BNP Paribas Open a while back. I was able to go to the night match when Roger Federer played Fernando Verdasco. Federer won the match quite convincingly but Verdasco had his moments. You never know when he’ll come up with a great shot. I would like a backhand return like this…especially against a Federer serve.

Ana Ivanovic Warming Up

Scott — Sun, 03 May 2009 07:22:52 +0000

One of the best things about the tournament at Indian Wells (previously the Pacific Life Open, now called the BNP Paribas Open) is watching the pro players on the warm-up courts. Getting close to the players you can really see just how cleanly and powerfully the pros hit the ball. They make it look so very easy. Here is Ana Ivanovic warming up. The pros have a very thorough warm-up prior to their matches. They drill for several minutes on each shot it seems.

Maria Kirilenko Serving Warm Up

Scott — Sun, 03 May 2009 07:08:23 +0000

One of the best things about the tournament at Indian Wells (previously the Pacific Life Open, now called the BNP Paribas Open) is watching the pro players on the warm-up courts. Getting close to the players you can really see just how cleanly and powerfully the pros hit the ball. They make it look so very easy. Here is Maria Kirilenko of Moscow, Russia warming up her serve.

The Roger Federer Backhand

Scott — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 17:51:39 +0000

Roger Federer has arguably the best one-handed backhand in tennis. In a sea of two-handers, he still stands out. Mastering the one-handed backhand is no easy task. Watch here how early he sets up, how he grips the racquet, and where the point-of-contact is.

Slow Motion Video

Roger Federer can pretty much hit any shot (and a few shots that don’t exist) while he makes it look incredibly easy. The key to Federer’s talent, and the main reason his strokes look so effortless, is his amazing balance. If he’s hitting his big forehand or his backhand, he keeps his head and upper body stable throughout the shot.