- Believe in your shots
- Know that you can hit them consistently
- Positive about him/herself
- But also realistic
- Set realistic and achievable performance goals before the match.
Do not set a goal like " I will win 6/0 6/0" in this match. Try instead to set a goal such as "to get 60% of first serves into play". - The use of positive self-talk can help to keep your thoughts positive.
"Great shot" after a hitting an important winning shot will help keep this positive outlook and give you the confidence to go for the shot again when appropriate. - Regular fitness routines are important to develop your physical fitness ready for a possible long tennis match.
- Maintain a confident body language at training and during matches.
Keep your emotions in check; negative body language and verbal outbursts can be a boost to your opponents. - Have a pride in your ability and how hard you have trained.
Try not to think that you are not ready for the match at hand. - Players should use the lessons learnt and take inspiration from your role model(s).
This can be of benefit as you are playing for your someone other than your self. - Act or react decisively when hitting the tennis ball during a rally and learn to trust your instincts.
- Try not to think about making mistakes.
Don't dwell on the last error but try to focus on the next point. - Frequent mistakes or too many errors during a match
- Missing the easy balls or put aways
- Frequent double faults or at crucial times when under pressure
- Losing to players rated below you or to players you would expect to beat
Coaching Tip - February 2011
Self-Confidence is the key to improving your Tennis game - Believe in YourselfThe greatest weapon you can take onto the court is confidence.
This self-confidence is something that comes from your expectations of success and failure and is developed as a result of your achievements and being aware of your own strengths and weaknesses.
Just a reminder that the preparation for any match or tournament should start months or weeks before the event but the suggested pre-match routine may be of some benefit.
Confidence is about knowing that you can keep the ball in play consistently time after time and can be built by using a good conditioning process involving practice and self-belief.
You will need to practice to develop confidence in your own strokes so that you can build positive habits of thought in your mind and your actions.
A self confident person is a believer.
Players should work on their confidence in the same way as they practice technique, tactics, fitness and the important in-match routines.
Try out some of these tips to boost your self-confidence:
Remaining positive is often difficult as players are influenced by the many negative factors that they encounter during a match.
Your self-confidence can be affected by the following negatives:
During a match you should try to evaluate these instances in a positive and constructive way so that your self-confidence is not dented or deflated.
I hope that the hints above will be of some benefit and help you develop your own self belief.
Tennis the game of a lifetime
Contact me by email if you have any comments or helpful hints to build or retain your self-confidence.
Let me know the things that work for you.
Steve James
HEAD coach
Email: steve.james@stevejamestennis.com