Postcast #200: Defeat Spectator Nerves
Do you hate it when people watch you while you play? Do you get nervous, tight, and stop playing the type of tennis that you know you can? If so then you absolutely must catch this episode of the podcast in which Dr. Patrick Cohn is going to tell you how to overcome your anxiety. He also answers questions having to do with avoiding momentum shifts, and improving your mental toughness while off the court.
Here’s a link to the mental toughness evaluation form that Dr. Cohn referenced at the end of today’s show: http://www.sportspsychologytennis.com/?page_id=3651
Question: Do you get nervous when friends, family, or teammates watch you play? Tell me about it in the comments below!
Podcast #194: Developing Mental Toughness
Most tennis players know what good “mental toughness” looks like on the court but have no idea how to actually develop it for their own game. Sure, Nadal and Federer are both tough and focused, almost never cracking under pressure, but how do you actually get to that point? How can we train ourselves to act and react the way that we want to? In today’s episode of the podcast I answer those questions and give a three step plan for being successful with your mental game!
Podcast #193: Mental Toughness With Dr. Cohn
Dr. Cohn is back on the podcast to share his knowledge and expertise in the area of sports psychology and mental toughness! Together we talk about three listener questions that were submitted via Facebook which include how to best prepare and play “monster” points during a match, how can you close out a better player when you find yourself in the lead, and how can you get an annoying player out of your head? Make sure to also check out Dr. Cohn’s own podcast at: Sports Psychology Tennis.
Podcast #184: How to React to Unforced Errors
The only thing worse than missing an easy shot in tennis is having it put a seed of doubt into your mind about the next time you’re in that same situation. Making mistakes is part of both tennis and life in general, but how can you keep their occurrence from destroying your confidence and forcing you to play tight, tentative tennis? In today’s episode of the podcast I’ll give you the three “essentials” to reacting to unforced errors the best way possible so that you can continue playing confident, high quality tennis even during adversity!
Podcast #182: Poker Face
It’s widely accepted that keeping a totally neutral exterior during tennis matches is the way to go when it comes to mental tennis, but in today’s show I’m going to give you a few reasons why that might not be the case! Sure, we can all come up with a list of past champions that never batted an eye regardless of the situation or how frustrating things might be for them, but at the end of the day that just isn’t realistic or even best in terms of performance for all of us. Find out when it’s ok to let off a little steam, and what ways are best to do it!
Podcast #181: Struggling Against Weaker Players
Today’s show covers a topic that is extremely familiar with the vast majority of tennis players: struggling on the court against somebody that in your opinion is weaker than you are. It might be just a little bit, or maybe even a large difference in ability level but either way you seem to constantly play down to their level and make things difficult for yourself. Stop that cycle! In this episode of the podcast I outline the biggest psychological and physical reasons why tennis players can’t consistently crush weaker players and how to fix them!
Podcast #175: Stop Choking!
Dr. Cohn is back for another great discussion about mental toughness in your tennis game! Together we discuss three different listener topics about avoiding disappointment on the tennis court. The first question has to do with the infamous “choke”, how can we avoid giving up a big lead? Second we talk about getting angry or upset after missing shots during a match and thirdly we talk about being too nice and feeling sorry for your opponent!
Podcast #163: How To Drop Shot
On today’s show Ian talks about the three essential technique elements to hitting an effective drop shot. Make sure you’re doing all three! He also discusses managing a partnership within a doubles match. What should you do when your partner is missing easy shots and getting upset? How about when it actually starts affecting your own concentration and play? Find out!
Podcast #159: Raise Your Tennis IQ
On today’s show Ian answers a great question about developing the skills needed to win. We’re not talking about forehand or backhand technique but rather the intangibles that really make up a player that just seems to pull out wins even against “better” players. Ian also discusses a question about what parts of your technique you should be thinking about and which should just be “automatic”!
Podcast #156: Win More Singles Matches NOW!
In today’s episode I talk about three big ways that you can win more matches in your singles game: improving your singles practice, singles strategy, and mental game specifically for singles play. Improving even one of these areas will absolutely earn you more points, just image what would happen if you spend the time aPodcast156nd effort to become better at all three!
Podcast #155: Relax For More Power and Spin!
Did you know that you can make more power and more spin without actually trying any harder? If that sounds impossible to you then you definitely need to listen to today’s podcast! Ian talks about the power of relaxation and exactly how much you should be relaxing your arm and grip during a ground stroke. He also discusses the benefit of playing people who are weaker than you and how to deal with losing concentration during such matches.
Podcast #154: Mental Toughness With Dr. Cohn
Dr. Cohn is back for another great discussion about mental toughness in your tennis game! Together we discuss three different listener topics about avoiding disappointment on the tennis court. The first question has to do with the infamous “choke”, how can we avoid giving up a big lead? Second we talk about getting angry or upset after missing shots during a match and thirdly we talk about being too nice and feeling sorry for your opponent!
Check out Dr. Cohn’s podcast on iTunes by clicking here!
Also take a look at Dr. Cohn’s website: Tennis Psychology Tips
Podcast #151: Stop Choking!
On today’s show I talk about the top two reasons why people choke during a tennis match. More importantly than that I go over what you need to develop in order to avoid letting it happen to you and exactly how to do it! I also discuss the best way to catch your balance and prepare for a point immediately after hitting your serve. Find out how to earn a completely free set of string as well!
Podcast #150: Mental Toughness With Dr. Cohn
The mental game is such a make or break topic when it comes to your competitive tennis. Today I’m joined by Dr. Patick Cohn who helps me answer several listener questions about their mental game. Topics include: getting angry on court, playing in front of a crowd, and repeated double faulting.
Podcast #140: It’s impossible to compete at tennis over a long period of time and not eventually get angry at yourself. Is this always a bad thing? How can we deal with it?
We’ve all seen tennis players get upset at themselves and just completely melt down on the court. Alright, lets be honest, we’ve all BEEN that player as well, right? Is it always a bad thing to get out some negative emotion? Should we always be calm and even? Today Ian talks to a guest who helps answer those questions.
Podcast #135: Should you be using a straight or bent arm forehand? Ian also talks about increasing your focus on the court to be more successful in match play!
There is a lot of debate online about which forehand technique is the best: straight or bent arm. Today Ian talks about which he likes to teach and why. Other topics include staying positive in the face of losses on the tennis court as well as keeping your concentration when distractions are all around you.
Podcast #134: Today Ian covers three great topics that include target strategy for your second serve, having a good mental balance in trying to please your coach, and best judging whether or not passing shots are going out at the net!
After missing a first serve should you go right back to the same spot with your second serve or mix it up? Ian talks about three things to keep in mind when making this decision. The second question is all about seeking for approval from a coach, what is a good balance so that you’re not distracted on the court? Lastly Ian discusses judging passing shots when you’re at the net. Should you play ones that are close?
Podcast #127: Avoiding Momentum Swings in Three Easy Steps
Ever get way ahead in either a singles or doubles match only to see your lead quickly slip away? Today Ian talks about the causes of these big momentum shifts as well as a three step process for avoiding them. By the end of today’s show you’ll know what to look for and how to prevent big swings in score from one side to the other
Podcast #125: Mental toughness expert Dr. Cohn gives advice on staying relaxed, confidence vs arrogance, and what to think about during changeovers.
Dr. Patrick Cohn is back on the podcast to talk about all things mental toughness! Along the way he and Ian discuss three different listener questions. The first one has to do with staying relaxed during tense moments in a match. The second deals with the difference between confidence and arrogance as well as how much of each is a good thing. Lastly they discuss what to think about during changeovers. Check out his own show: The Tennis Psychology Podcast on iTunes by clicking here!
Podcast #112: Listen to Ian interview professional speaker and coach Raj Gavurla about mental tennis dynamics in a team setting.
Mental tennis topics are some of the most popular on the Essential Tennis Podcast, but did you know that mental toughness for a single player can be very different from mental toughness on a team? Listen to Raj talk about being tough as a team whether you play USTA tournaments, club matches, or on high school or college teams. Did you know that there is a difference between “self talk” and “self think”? Listen in!
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