Tennis psychology - Enjoyment, passion, focus, practice, repetition, development
Mental skills in tennis What mental skills are important in tennis? Studies on players in the 16-and under age group: Focus and concentration Enjoyment and fun Motivation, passion and commitment Goal-setting Practice intensity Self confidence Emotional control Personal responsibility
Inter-relationship between mental skills and techniques in tennis The relevance of all mental techniques to the training of different skills as indicated. XXX colored = most relevant xx = somewhat relevant. Goal setting Motivational climate Self talk Motivation perseverance Emotional control Mental skills Control of thoughts Concentration, focus, attention Behavior control and mental preparation xxx xx xx xx xx xxx xx xx xx xx xx xx xxx xx xxx Mental techniques Activation and arousal control techniques Visualisation On and off court routines Attentional control xx xxx xx xx xx xx xx xx xx xxx xx xxx xx xxx xxx xx xx xx xxx xx
Relationships between mental skills and other tennis-skills Mental skills can also be linked to other tennis skills. Mental skills Confidence Concentration Motivation Emotional control Tactical preparation Cognitive and physical control 100 % effort Touch Tactical - and overall control Technical, tactical, physical Physical and mental energy Technical This connection highlights the importance of creating integrated physical-mental-tactical and technical tennis drills (especially for advanced players but as always adapted at all levels)
What is mental skills training (MST)? MST relates to the development of psychological skills that help maximize performance, enhance the sport experience and foster personal development. MST parallels other skills training such as technical, physical and tactical in many different ways. From a performance perspective, one obvious parallel and main goal of MST is to facilitate players control of their performance, and if so is done, it will develop the players performance and mental-physical performance state.
The goals of mental skills training The ultimate goals for teaching and integrating mental skills training in tennis are; To bring out the best in players and foster ones development both as player and as a person. Develop a balance between challenges and skills = higher confidence. Players learn how to find a balance between relaxation and activation (physically and mentally) = Flow/individual zone of optimal function. Giver players a mental skills toolbox and transform these skills into process goals on every practices. Total concentration on things that players can control themselves. Self regulation and an ideal performance state Learned mental techniques can also be transferred as life skills - just a big bonus!
Core mental skills in different age groups Age-group Core skills to develop Beginners/10-under Intermediate 11-14 Advanced/aspiring professional * Kids have great imagination! * Body language * Relaxation and activation - my arms feel like spaghetti and my legs like drumsticks! * Having fun while learning! *Goal-setting (short-term; process and performance) *Routines on and off-court * Confidence - positive self talk *Arousal control techniques on and off-court; Breathing techniques * Focus, attentional control *Basic imagery/visualisation techniques The same as above and; * High concentration on each practice session and match * More advanced/progressed arousal techniques *Training - and goal setting logbook *IPS/momentum *Automate mental skills and routines during matches
Guidelines for introducing and integrating MST 1. Get to know your players personality (characteristics, strengths and developing needs). Observe behavior during matches - trainings and look for mental cues. 2. If possible do a mental profile of each player. Let players answer self assessment tests on MST-skills = increased self awareness. 3. Choose cue mental techniques that both develop players strengths and strengthen their developing needs. Choose a systematical approach - not problem focused. 4. Structure a MST training program with exercises both on and off court. Age and skill adapted. Learn the technique off court = automized. 2. practice,practice and practice. Integrate the technique/skill on court. Integrate MST into the daily tennis practice (e.g. physical-mental drills). Evaluate the MST work with players (e.g. use scales 0-10). When less time and interest for MST, use relevant and
Player profile What mental skills are needed in tennis - a champion perspective. Create your own mental profile (strengths and developing needs). Never weaknesses! Total tennis profiling (technical, physical and tactical). A mental toolbox of techniques and exercise first off court then on court. Using end evaluating the profile consistently
Motivation, passion and commitment - the foundation of tennis enjoyment and development Motivation and commitment-the core to all development! Motivation is the direction and intensity of effort. Commitment is striving toward a goal with great intensity. Commitment is the key to all development (technical, tactical,physical and mental).
Understanding motivation One key to understand motivation is to consider both the person and the situation and how the two interact. The participant-by-situation interactional model Personal factors Participant-by-situation interaction Situational factors - Personality - Interests - Goals - Commitment Participant motivation - Coach style - Training climate - Friends - Facilities, knowledge
Facilitating player motivation - motivation-building strategies Strategy 1. Understand players multiple motives for involvement in their tennis game: All players have motivators - the key is to find each players motivators. Knowing common reasons for being in sports: Participant factors; Ask players; wh The 3 human needs: (1) The need for feeling competent, (2) the need for having fun, (3) The need for social connectedness.
Strategy 2. Create a motivational training climate One of the important things coaches can do is to create a positive social-emotional climate. The TARGET model: Task- focus on learning new tasks and skills. All can be leaders - allow players to take responsibility and lead. True leadership is about leading others to lead themselves! Grouping - create cooperative learning climates within groups/ let players work together. Evaluate the performance and personal improvements. Timing when to give feedback
Strategy 3. Positive feedback and reinforcement Positive reinforcement just in right time. We all no this - but it is SO important! Constructive critique - the hamburger model.
Strategy 3. Foster a every day-goal mindset Players should early on learn how to set up process and performance goals. Always a process goal for each practice Communication and feedback regarding the goals. Always evaluate the goals individually (e.g. scales). Small steps forward - create stunningly results over time.
Mental training for peak performance AND for teaching lifeskills Mental training should be integrated into the daily practice and life of a tennis player. Mental training techniques can be transferred as life skills outside the court. The real victory of MST! Develop players skills but also the person. Sportsmanship, honesty and responsibility - when children handle these factors well, their tennis tends to blossom!