Pressure and Tension

Pressure is good, tension is bad.

Pressure comes from situations that have consequence.  Pressure keeps you focused on the task at hand.  Tennis is a game based on pressure.  At least it is from a competitive standpoint.  You are either pressuring your opponent with your shots or they are pressuring you.  This is the nature of the game and the goal of every point played.

The first place people feel pressure is on the serve.  For the server, if you don’t get it in, you lose the point or maybe the game.  For the receiver, the same is true.  This pressure can help you to concentrate on your execution or it can fill you with trepidation and create tension.  No stroke benefits from tension.  It tightens you up and restricts your strength and flexibility.

So why are you allowing tension to control you?  Either, because you have a lack of confidence in your stroke or you believe the opponent has a stronger shot than you can handle.  Why anticipate the opponent’s shot giving you trouble?  This anticipation will push you into playing defensively and tentatively.  Instead of worrying about something that hasn’t happened yet, keep your focus on what you can control.  If you are serving concentrate on making a good toss and good swing.  Position yourself based on your placement and deal with what your opponent does.  Keep your goals in mind, execute your strategy.  Don’t worry about what they do or don’t do.  Stay in the moment and focus on your next shot.

Use techniques, such as, slowing your breathing, taking more time between points or between serves.  Observe how your opponent takes their racket back, the spin on the ball and the height over the net.  Use this information to increase your anticipation.

Be confident and expect good results.  You may not always get them, but I think you’ll be surprised.  Maintaining a positive attitude and expecting good performance will give you the edge over most opponents.  Let them deal with tension.  You should make pressure your friend and use it to your advantage.