DON’T FORGET TO BREATHE

To often we hold our breath on the court, this can lead to anxiousness, agitation, and bad decision making. Taking a deep breath before you serve or during breaks can help to slow the game down, refocus your mind, and improve your bodies performance. So do what you need to make sure you are breathing during the game. My suggestion… take a deep calming breath before each serve no matter who is serving,

NEGATIVE SELF TALK IS BAD FOR YOU

Avoid getting down on yourself after a bad shot or serve. We all do it, berate ourselves for a terrible shot, or an out ball which leads to another bad shot and so on. When we talk negatively to ourselves it brings us out of the present and causes us to dwell in that negativity.

If you tell yourself your a lousy server, or at the end of the day, a lousy player this will imprint on your mind. Then you will start to believe what you tell yourself, perpetuating more self doubt. Instead learn positive self-forgiving thoughts. I will play better tomorrow, my next serve will be great, the next shot will be better. Negative talk leads to mistakes which compound, positive thoughts lead to improvement that multiplies.

BE MINDFUL AND IN THE MOMENT

Are you ever on the court and your mind wanders leading to an unforced error? Have you ever been caught watching the game instead of playing it? Being mindful and in the present moment means you are focused on every shot. Our minds want to wander if we have not trained them to be in the moment.

To do this be aware of your physical body, especially the senses you possess. Feel the paddle grip in your hand, run your fingers across the holes in the ball. Focus on your breathing in and out. When you are in the moment you may find yourself in the zone, that place we all want to be,

BE AWARE OF YOUR EMOTIONS

Its OK to have emotions on the court, after all this is just a game. But recognizing how emotions can affect your game will increase your mental toughness. Fear, anger, and frustration let you know you are not present in the game but dwelling on an error or opponent. If you are apprehensive or anxious you are worried about the final outcome rather than the current point.

If you are focused on winning the game and not the current point you may need to reign in your emotions. If you are afraid you are over matched you are anxious about your ability rather than trusting yourself. Being emotive is great but understanding how negative emotions can change your game could be a “game changer”.

TRUST YOUR SHOT AND TRAINING

• Don’t overthink your shot, your first instinct was probably the right one.
• Trust your partner, and encourage them on the court.
• Get rid of negativity, avoid negative thoughts, players, and advice.
• Rely on your training, on other words trust your shot.
• Focus on reducing mistakes rather than always trying to hit winning shots.

CONCLUSION

If you breathe you will be present in the moment. If eliminate negative self-talk then you will stay present. When you are aware of your emotions you control the present. And if you trust in yourself you are ever present. A person who is mindful and present will be mentally tough on the court and improve their Pickleball play.