[tennisbiz] Re: fighter spirit

I know you will get a lot of excellent answers on this question. I would
like to offer a suggestion. Look at page 51, Successful Coaching by Rainer
Martens. When you emphasize a fighting spirit, include setting and achieving
realistic, achievable performance goals rather than outcome goals. For
example, if you hit a poorly executed drop shot and your opponent hits it
out, that is bad performance even though the outcome was good (your point).
If you hit a great passing shot but your opponent makes a leaping stab to
dribble it off the net cord for a fluke winner, that is good performance even
though you lost the point.

In tennis, fighting harder does not necessarily enhance winning. A 120 mph
serve is not an ace unless it goes in... This is not to say that self
confidence and a positive attitude don't help. In a tennis match between me
and Mike Tyson, you can safely bet on me <g>
Joe Rill
HS10scoach_at_aol.com
@|@ <---- The Optimist
  

 
Received on Mon May 07 2001 - 10:23:10 CDT