Tennis Improvement Memo 501: The 'World of Sound', Betting on its Potential (Subtitle: Don't Think, Listen!)

▶ 'One-on-one' practice in the 'world of sound'

I am sure many of you watched the memorial program for Mr. Shigeo Nagashima, known as Mr. Professional Baseball.

Several episodes were revealed during that program.

It is said that he provided one-on-one coaching to Hideki Matsui, who joined the Giants after a four-team bidding war, to develop him into a cleanup hitter.

The location was not a baseball field, but the basement of the Nagashima residence.

He reportedly conducted 'one-on-one practice' in the 'world of sound' with the room pitch black to draw out that certain sense (related article: Don't think with your head, feel it! 'Choo').

Nagashima, who would listen to Matsui's practice swings, would say things like 'The sound is cracking'.

'If you swing fast and wildly, you won't get a good sound. Swing quietly, swish, swish. The sound will follow after, like pop, pop, pop.' he would instruct.

Looking back on those days, Matsui would smile wryly and pretend to joke, saying things like, 'I didn't understand. Did the manager really understand?', but 'you don't need to understand'.

No, the story that 'it's good because you don't understand' is here.

Because you don't understand, you can do it.

▶ Rather than 'understanding', it's 'grasping'

The true meaning behind Matsui saying that it took two or three years before he 'started to understand' was not about logic, but a feeling of 'I gradually came to understand with my own body and ears that if I swing with this feeling, that sound comes out'.

It is more appropriate to describe it as 'grasping' a sense rather than 'understanding'.

If you were to ask Matsui maliciously, 'Please explain in detail,' logical words would not come out.

As a result of engaging with the 'world of sound', he hit 38 home runs, had a batting average over .300, won the season MVP, and his annual salary exceeded 100 million yen.

This was the disparity caused by wisdom that transcends knowledge (related article: Schools don't teach this. A huge disparity in how to earn money through 'knowledge' and 'wisdom').

▶ 'Superstar biographies' that don't fit into or get trapped by molds

It is a world of sensation where you capture sound with your ears, not the logic of how to hit or form.

When Ichiro joined his junior high school baseball team, his father, Nobuyuki, negotiated with the manager on the condition that 'his form would not be tampered with', which led to him joining the team (related article: Aoi Ito, Kei Nishikori, and Ichiro).

It was Hideo Nomo who, despite being harshly criticized by scouts who said, "I wouldn't draft someone with a form like that", still refused to change his pitching style.

And it is said that Mr. Nagashima told the surrounding coaching staff not to provide batting instruction to Yoshinobu Takahashi (related article: "'Do not instruct Yoshinobu': The legend of Mr. Nagashima's loving practice swings for Yoshinobu Takahashi").

This is a "Superstar Biography" that suggests the dangers of forcing someone into a mold or falling into one.

▶ Everyone is a genius who plays by feeling

It is true that Ichiro said in his farewell message to Mr. Nagashima that he was "someone who plays by feeling, not by logic," but more precisely, everyone plays by feeling.

It is just that "logic gets in the way."

In tennis terms, since many enthusiasts are "artificial types" who try to play by logic, they simply fail to utilize the innate talent mentioned here.

If you look it up in a dictionary, "natural" means not being influenced by human intervention, remaining in a state of nature. It refers to an innate quality or essence, "as it is," whereas "artificial" means humans intervening in nature, or something created by humans, literally "processed."

▶ Playing in a "world without sound" or "world without light"

Conversely, I reflect on how difficult it is to play in a "world without sound," or a "world without light."

The sense (feeling) that has been given to us.

Nevertheless, there is no end to the number of people who "blindfold and plug their own ears."

When logic (thought) intervenes, the sense (feeling) is closed off.

Could one not call that a blasphemy that spoils the talent gifted by heaven?

▶ Growing through "senses" is the same for humans and hippos

Even when people talk about the "world of sound," if instructional information where theory and logic have become common sense comes first, it tends to be viewed with suspicion (related article: "Because baby ducks think 'the first thing they see is their parent'").

It is not just the sound of the swing cutting through the wind.

If you listen closely, you will hear it.

Through feedback from listening to the impact sound with your own ears, you will start to be able to hit the center of the racket face, apply spin, and control your shot distance.

That is a world of sensation, not logic.

Animals are equipped with the "natural ability to improve" that evolves and grows through such "sensation" (related article: A Hippo Mom is a Wise Mom, Letting Them Swim Without Teaching).

▶ Talent is something you are born with

When you play with the "sensation" you were born with, without artificial interference, your talent is drawn out directly.

It becomes distorted because you process it (related article: "Genuine Honesty" vs. "Fake Honesty." Which one do you choose for tennis improvement?).

Once again, being able to see, hear, taste, smell, and feel is more of a "gift" than something acquired through your own effort.

And those gifted "sensations" are the "sense" that draws out your ability.

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