Month: November 2008

Tennis Kids Just Want to Have Fun

Tennis Psychology

Motivating Kids in Tennis OK, my daughter – age 10 – and I were practicing this week to prepare for a local USTA tournament. I got frustrated one day with her lack of motivation and inability to focus during practice. My philosophy: Do it right or don’t do it

The Inner Game of Tennis Mindset

How to Rebound After an Injury

The inner game of tennis is a wonderful lesson in sports psychology for tennis players. Timothy Gallwey wrote the “Inner Game of Tennis” many years ago and it was a groundbreaking book at the time in tennis instruction and sports psychology. You should read the inner game of tennis if

Tennis Concentration: Handling Distractions

Tennis sychology

Tennis concentration is the ability to focus your mind on what’s important during the match to help you execute each shot well. Tennis players who concentrate well are aware of the ball, court, and their opponents only; they are able to block out distractions. A tennis player concentrating

Mental Toughness for Tennis Confidence

Improving On-Court Play Using Your Emotions

When talking about mental toughness with my tennis kids, I make sure they understand the difference between confidence and expectation. They have different meanings; expectations are demands that you place on your game. You demand to not make any errors or to never double-fault for example. These expectations

Tennis Parents’ Expectations for Juniors

Strategies to Push Through Fatigue in Matches

When doing sports psychology coaching for tennis juniors, I work closely with my students’ parents. Why? I want my tennis students’ parents to understand the mental game of tennis and how they can help tennis juniors’ confidence, not take it away. Tennis parents need to understand sports psychology too!