White Columns Club Life October 2013 | Page 6

Tennis News October Tennis Events How to Win More Than Just the Best Food Award This Fall ALTA Season Junior Match Play Day Sunday, October 13 12:00pm – 3:00pm Hundreds of ladies, men and junior players are all into the midst of Junior Tennis Monster Smash Friday, October 25 6:30pm – 9:00pm Please RSVP to [email protected] to reserve your spots. their tennis seasons. As you, or your son or daughter are preparing to take the court for your next match, please keep in mind some of these tips that I have compiled over the years. TOP THREE MENTAL TIPS •  you are on a losing streak in a match, slow down or even stop If completely! It is crucial if you are losing or have lost several points in a row, that you slow down, re-group and change the momentum. Clearly at this moment in time momentum is against you. If you Tournament Success Hanna Giddings of White Columns won the girl’s 14’s singles and doubles tournament at the Alabama Junior Hardcourt Championships in Mobile, Alabama on September 15. This is a huge accomplishment! Congratulations to Hanna! continue to play fast or without a pause, you are certain to be moving down a very slippery slope. You have time in between points and on change overs, so use it! Think of a football kicker who has a chance to kick the winning field goal. What does the opposing team usually do? They call a time out and so should you. •  you are winning, you can play as fast as you would like. At this If point in the match, you have the momentum so keep it moving. If you get on a losing streak, revert back to tip 1. •  Make a “Mental Notebook” – a moment by moment awareness check, in which you are constantly evaluating what is working and isn’t working. “Did we just win the point off of a lob?” “Did I just lose the point because I hit it directly to the net lady?” “Does my opponent miss every time I hit them a short backhand?” It sounds like common sense, but it is amazing to watch players compete and not stop and think about what is working or not working. If something is working, keep doing it! If it is not working, change it. How do we know when something is not working? If you are losing more points than you are winning from doing the thing you are currently doing, then it is not working! The problem is not common sense, the problem is awareness. Be aware, make a mental notebook! continued...