[tennisbiz] Re: Mental Pre-Match Preparation

Robert F. Heller <robertfheller_at_earthlink.net> wrote:

> I am preparing a talk on how top athletes mentally prepare for
> competition just before their matches. I would appreciate any specific
> examples coaches or players may be aware of.

Hello Robert,

I'm a Performance Success Coach and work with pro/amateur athletes and
pre-competition is an important aspect. I'll offer some short ideas here and
if you want to contact me off line I can provide more or send you some
articles that address this area.


fFirst of all, top athletes understand how to break their time into 4 key
areas:
1. Pre-competition
2. During competition
3. Post competition
4. Pre-competition again

Top performers begin preparing for competition well before it arrives. This
is the fault of many amateurs who just "show up" and try a little mental game
"stuff" to get ready.

Top athletes prepare themselves:
1. Mentally
2. Emotionally
3. Physically
4. Nutritionally

This begins with practice sessions that literally REHEARSE the thoughts,
images, feelings and actions they want to demonstrate during competition
(another area where many athletes are not successful!).

Let's assume the player already knows the competition and has created a good
game plan. After that, here's what players do to prepare "mentally":

1. They imagine only the best outcome in the optimal manner
2. They recall past successes and let the feeling pervade them
3. They prepare a MENTAL GAME PLAN which will help them handle all possible
situations that might arise during competition...i.e. how will I handle the
weather, being behind early, being ahead early, poor line calls, etc.
4. They surround themselves with "success" (that means people, books,
quotes, pictures, etc.
5. They listen to music that gets them ready (totally personal...could be
loud rock or Beethoven!)
6. They realize that "letting go" is what will allow their talents to be
unleashed so they learn to be quiet and still, breathe deeply and let the
energy flow.


Hope this helps,

David Breslow
Performance Success Strategies
847.681.1698
web: www.psstrategies.com
Now available: "Wired To Win...The Mental Keys To Play Your Best Golf" To
order: click or cut and paste: http://www.1stbooks.com/bookview/9986

 
Received on Tue Oct 01 2002 - 23:01:07 CDT