“I am so much better during a drill than during an actual match.” I hear this all the time. The struggle is real. Many players are just not match tough. The most obvious reason for performing better in a class is because there is no pressure. A primary goal during an instructional setting is for you to try new skills in a safe environment where missing doesn’t matter, where you aren’t being judged, and the “game” doesn’t count for anything.
When you arrive at a tournament, a game with friends, or an open play, the pressure to perform is on. Some thrive in this situation. For others, the wheels fall off. They forget everything in their toolbox, revert to what feels comfortable, and wind up playing tentative and tight.
There is so much out there on mental toughness for both on and off the court, but it boils down to your application of those tactics. Do you have the presence of mind to remember those tools and use them effectively?
Here are some tactics to help you be more Match Tough!
Sleep – Get proper rest the night before your match. At least 8 hours.
Fuel – Fuel your body properly with protein, wholegrains, leafy veggies, and legumes.
Hydration – Stay hydrated prior, during, and after your match.
Warm – Up – Yep, I said it, warm up! I know warming up in our sport really isn’t a thing, but you need to warm-up your muscles and get the jitters out. Stretch and jog a few laps around the parking lot to get your blood flowing. Try to arrive early or go to another court prior to your match to hit a bunch so you feel more relaxed. If you don’t get a proper warm-up, your first few games will serve as your warmup and that’s never a good thing. If these things are not possible, go big or go home. Go for your shots and keep swinging. If you do the reverse your time on the courts is doomed.
Stay Focused – Stay dialed-in to your match the whole time. There are so many elements trying to work their way into your brain, try to push them out and focus on the task at hand. No looking at other courts, waving to friends, lamenting over the sun in your eyes. Identify the issues, plan, and work through it.
Make Good Shot Selections – If you’re great during a drill, you have the tools/skills to be great during a match. If good shot selections happen, even if there is an error, it should be easier to stomach because you know you are trying to execute the right shot. Your opponents will see you have the skill and maybe get anxious themselves.
Good Big or Go Home – I am a big fan of a good miss; I am not a big fan of a tentative miss. Go for your shots, please!!! Better to keep swinging than pull back and make a silly error.
Move Your Feet – Footwork is half the battle. Your contact point will always be better if your footwork is better resulting in better shots.
Don’t Beat Yourself – For crying out loud, stop with the self-hate on the courts! There is no need for this. Use the tactics above and your results will be much better. You will be a consistently better player both at drill and on match day.
Recover – Stretch, hydrate, fuel. Your body will thank you and you will be more prepared for the next match.
This is a call to growth for all those players out there looking to level-up their match toughness. Let’s GO!!! I challenge you to use these tactics and see the results fall into place.
At Slate we will have many opportunities for you to work on this. We will have Adult Group Instruction, Practice and Play, Open Play (Wide Open and Level-Based), Leagues, Tournaments and more. You’ll have an amazing time Leveling up.
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