So I want to talk about an athlete’s Point of View. After 50 years of tournament match coaching there are a couple of things that are very subtle to coaches but important. The athlete tends to focus on winning. That is the thing that brings the most happiness. The champion focuses on process. That is the thing that brings more consistent success.
Athlete wins big. But this players misses many shots and their opponent plays worse. Most athletes enjoy the win and the accolades that come with it. I remember the greatest ones I ever coached. They were not happy. They went as far as to go to another club just to practice more after their tournament match. That is what process focus is vs outcome focus.
Crunch time-tie-breaker. All sorts of advice from coaches and others. There comes a time when you, the athlete, have to win the match. Don’t be cute but use the serves you have worked on. Trust your practice and listen to yourself. If you think you are under pressure, think about that opponent.
They are under more pressure. If they are favored to win, they cannot afford to lose. If they are under-dogs their inner voice is saying, “Here we go again; another loss!”
Take advantage of their mental state. Look confident, take your time and use the serve they hate the most. Then hit that serve to the part of the court they do not feel comfortable on. That, my friends is process.
Go get’em tigers!!