This one came across my desk recently.
Hey coach,
(I am a)…former student of yours..and slightly above average RB player…one question about the mental aspect of the game…How can I prevent myself from mentally beating myself before even stepping on the court…and during matches, my mind takes a vacation when I’m playing someone I know I can beat handily…and it sometimes happens when I’m playing an opponent at my level or slightly above…any suggestions?
Signed
Brain whiffing in Washington
Dear Brain Whiff,
First, you need a process to focus your efforts. It sounds like you are competing against an opponent. Here is the secret of execution. Compete against yourself. Play the ball, not an opponent. There is no “Easy opponent” or “hard opponent” there is just the ball. In practice you have to work on the “how”. How to execute a forehand or backhand.
Here is an example. My kid hits a cross court pass and the number one seed stretches out and makes an unbelievable shot. That is how the fans would describe that rally. Here is how I would have described it. The number one seed made a mistake and hit a serve off the back wall and you got sloppy on the return. Instead of contacting the ball lower and hitting a great wide angle pass, you left it up a little. Not a lot, but enough so number one seed could stretch out and make that play. Hit that shot perfectly and you win the rally.
Focusing your efforts on the process takes your game higher and keeps you from thinking about who you are playing and what skill level they play at.
Go get’em Tigers!