The Mental Toughness Fundamental Players Almost Always Overlook...

 

 

One of the simplest and most important things players can do to boost motivation and focus for practice and matches is to take a minute to reflect on a few vital questions before hitting the court...

When players create the habit of doing this it usually adds up to big benefits over time.

But unfortunately, it rarely happens...

In the rush to get out there and hit balls players miss out on the opportunity to reflect on what they are about to do, and why it is important to them to do so...

For example, players need to stop and reflect for a short time on whether the aim of the activity they are about to do is to win; improve; or both...(We call this the Performance Aim)

So in practice more often than not the focus is on improvement...

Whereas in matches, the goal might be to win, or improve, or both (during the developmental years too many kids focus solely on winning instead of improving skills that will help them become the best player they can be).

And if the performance aim is to improve, what specifically is he/she going to work on...

And the most important question- Why is what I am about to do important to me? 

Do I want to win the tournament because that feels great... Do I want to work on playing aggressively so improve that skill and increase my chance of one day achieving my long-term goals...etc

Knowing the performance aim of each activity and why it's important is the single most overlooked process in developing mental toughness...

Taking the 1 minute at the beginning of a practice activity or before a match to do so is well worth the time in improved motivaton and focus that it will allow players...