This is the first in a series of articles which will teach you how to maximize the most out of your game and help you become a smarter tennis player when preparing to play a league match or a tournament.
- The Night Before The Match
- Game Day
- Match Play
The Night Before The Match
Create a game plan
“Ninety percent of the game is half mental.“-Yogi Berra
A good game plan starts by knowing your opponents and what their tendencies are. A good way to get to know your opponents is by scouting them and keeping notes (mental notes). If you know what your opponents bring to the match it will allow you to mentally and physically prepare yourself for any situation, giving you and your partner that extra advantage.
When scouting an opponent ask the following questions regarding their strokes and shot tendencies:
- What are their weaknesses?
- What are their strengths?
- Do they move well?
- Is one player stronger than the other?
- Are they an aggressive or defensive player/team?
- Where do they return most of the serves?
- Can we attack their serves?
- How did we beat them last time?
You must also ask what your opponents do to affect the mental game:
- Do they play slow or fast?
- Do they get angry and frustrated or are they cool and collective?
- Do they protest a lot of calls?
- How do they play when they get a lead?
- How do they play when they fall behind?
- Do they try to distract you by talking during changeovers?
When you are unable to scout your opponent create a game plan based on your strengths and what you want to accomplish during the match.
- I am going to attack second serves by starting inside the baseline, taking the ball early and hitting my targets.
- I am going to be aggressive when I get short balls and come to the net.
- I am going to think positive thoughts under pressure.
- I will communicate with my partner.
- I will hit my forehand with topspin.
Visualization
“Limit begins where vision ends. Visualize success and give yourself permission to win.” -Mind Gym, Gary Mack
After you have developed your game plan, spend 15-20 minutes executing the game plan in your mind. Make your images as vivid and as clear as you can. Who are you playing with? Where are you? What time of day is it? What are you wearing? Who is watching? See yourself overcoming mistakes, and imagine yourself doing things just the way you want. Think of good and bad situations that can occur during the match and how you would handle the situation. This will allow you to react to the situation during the match without thinking, because you have already seen it in your mind.
Equipment
It is important to pack your tennis bag the day before your match to relieve stress or having the chance of forgetting something the day of the match. You as players need to insure not only that the equipment you bring to a match helps you, but that it doesn’t hurt you.
- Energy Drinks: Water, Gatorade. No carbonated drinks.
- Energy Foods: Bananas, Power Bars, Skittles.
- Racquets: It’s wise to have two of the same racquets. Re-grip racquets before each match.
- Tape/Band-Aids: To take care of blisters.
- Ibuprofen: To help with aches and pains.
- Cap or Visor.
- Towels.
- Sweatbands.
- Clothes: Socks and extra shirts.
- Sunglasses.
- Small notebook and pen: For setting goals and scouting opponents.
- Biofreeze.
The next article “Mental And Match Preparation – Game Day” will include: pre-match dynamic stretching, pre-match preparation warm up, the 5 minute warm up with opponent and controlling the nerves.
To your tennis success,
Jimmy Mendieta