Question 234: 'I hit the net on volleys near the net' - How to calm your mind to prevent rushing your shots
The easier the ball, the more likely you are to make a mistake.
The cause is not your technique, but the fact that your 'feelings' change your timing.Here is why you can't hit like you usually do, and a simple way to deal with it.
Question
Hello Mr. Yoshida, I'm asking for your help again.
I've been playing tennis for about a year. I play hard court, but when I'm at the net, I often hit the net on balls that I think are easy put-aways, especially when they come straight at me, and everyone laughs at me.
Could you please tell me why I hit the net on these balls that are so close to the net, and how I can hit a volley without hitting the net?
Thank you in advance.
Answer
▶ Why do mistakes happen on easy balls? The cause is the 'mind,' not 'technique'
The reason you miss an easy ball is because you think, 'This is a chance!'
That feeling changes your actions.
For example, even in daily life,when you are about to get something that is hard to obtain, your actions often speed up compared to usual.You get restless and hurried.
The same thing happens in tennis.
In other words, when you feel like you are about to win a point,
that feeling makes your actions faster than usual..
▶ The impatience of 'wanting to finish it quickly' ruins your timing
The desire to finish the point quickly speeds up your hitting timing, causing you to rush your shot.
As a result, you swat at the ball and hit it into the net.
This is what is happening.
Your feelings are changing the speed of your actions without you realizing it.
Of course, there are also mistakes where you try too hard to prevent that and end up hitting it long, so in the end, it can be called a 'timing' issue (Related article: 'Kei Nishikori Retires—What Was So Amazing About the Tennis Genius?').
▶ How to bridge the gap between 'rallying practice' and 'finishing matches'
In practice, the goal is to 'keep it going,' so you don't rush.
On the other hand, in a match, the goal is to 'close it out,' so you tend to rush.
'Keeping it going' and 'closing it out' have completely opposite goals..
This is a common reason why you can't perform at your usual level during a match.
▶ Redefine an easy ball as just a 'ball'
When you miss an easy ball, rather than trying to change your technique, not changing your feelings will lead to a more fundamental solution to the problem.
To hit an easy ball well, hit it with your usual mindset (Related article: 'Yoshinobu Yamamoto's 'As Always.' Even in the MLB World Series, you don't 'create' a calm mind').
Remove the word 'chance' from 'chance ball'.
Just a 'ball'..
It may sound obvious, but for those who are bad at easy balls, this will reduce mistakes by a surprising amount.
▶ Mistakes are the 'laugher's' problem. Focus entirely on this one ball right now
Regarding being 'laughed at,' regardless of whether it's good or bad,the essence of the problem lies with the 'laugher,' not with you..
Don't worry about the eyes of those around you; focus entirely on the ball.
Now that you are struggling, it is time for you to grow (Related article: 'Trouble increases your 'absorptive capacity' for growth').
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