This article about mental training, written by Bill Cole, doesn't mention tennis -
no tennis tip nothing about the right tennis grip, nor the proper forehand swing.There are just no specific tennis tips at all. It doesn't mention tennis at all but it is important for the budding or the advanced tennis player to grasp the importance of mental preparation or mental training for peak performance in tennis, whether the budding player aspires to be his best on Saturday morning matches or the advance player to raise his USTA ranking a notch.
Bill Cole, MS, MA
Mental Training
What mental tools do you have in your peak performer's tool kit that will propel you to excellence? Are you involved in any kind of mental training?Peak performers have a wide array of mental technologies to help them overcome obstacles, prepare for performances, and review and adjust their mental game. What follows is a list of some psychological tools you can use to create your own custom mental training system. Scan the list, try some skills that intrigue you, and then develop your own comprehensive peak performer's tool kit.
1. Visualization skills: using your mental movies to imagine yourself at peak.
2. Positive self-talk skills: keeping yourself motivated and on a positive track.
3. Breathing techniques: staying relaxed and in the present, staying calm under fire.
4.Goal setting: staying focused, energized and on track.
5. Mental game journal: noting your dreams, observations about your performances.
6. Audio tapes: using off-the-shelf music/voice or customize your own for inspiration.
7. Affirmations: talking nice to yourself, inspiring and empowering yourself.
8. Video tape your performance: seeing yourself perform is golden.
9. Relaxation techniques: staying under control under stressful conditions.
10. Pre-performance rituals: having a comforting system for handling details.
11.Posture awareness: controlling your perceived image and your bodily energy.
12. Post-performance review: analyzing how you did and how to do better.
13. Anger management skills: handling frustration with goal-setting and centering.
14. Centering skills: staying grounded, focused, relaxed and tuned in, all at once.
15. Mistake management skills: dealing with inevitable errors by cognitive techniques.