Preparation For Practice
In tennis, the topic of preparation can never go stale. No matter the level of play, a tennis match requires execution. Players must be able to hit a moving target (the tennis ball) using skilled mobility and hand-eye coordination. For tennis players to consistently execute their shots they must prepare. Preparation can develop strength mentally, physically, and operationally.
Most tennis players know that preparation is important, especially for major events or matches. Tennis players will often upgrade their equipment for an upcoming match or get extra sleep the night before. These sorts of preparations are excellent. It shows that tennis is a priority in their life and these players are seeking success. Even-though preparations like these are important and necessary for success, I am afraid that it might be too late.
I believe the players who prepare for practice as if it were a major event or an important match are the ones who will see success more often than those who solely prepare for game day.
Would you ever forget your racquet for an important match?
What kind of meal would you eat right before an important match?
What sort of physical warmup or routines are you performing to optimize your chances for success in this upcoming match?
What sort of mindset and/or attitude do you have towards your upcoming match?
As a coach, I’ve witnessed many players show up to practice with the worst of preparation. They’ll forget their racquet. Eat the worst pre-practice meal and walk on the court tired and angry that they have to practice tennis. These same players, often juniors, will then expect to win the tournament and get first place. Sorry, tennis doesn’t work like that. Life doesn’t work like that. Getting the most out of your potential strongly relies on your preparation. Yes, execution is important and practice and repetition are also important and necessary but if we are trying to project for future success we should look at our daily preparations. How you prepare for practice should give you a great indicator of your rate of success. If I am training a junior who is ready physically, mentally, and operationally to practice versus, a junior that shows up just to be there and is the better tennis player. I guarantee that the junior player who is preparing for each practice will see 4 times the improvement and 4 times the success in an 8-week spend.