This year we have begun work with the group of tennis at the orders of coach Joan Bosch for good psychological preparation of tennis players Modernization Centre of Baleares.
The first month in groups of two or four players we will strengthen the following aspects:
A) Inducing optimal concentration area: The purpose of this exercise is to create a script of thinking that we will introduce in the optimal concentration at will will tell, since many players have ever found a rallying point that "leaves them all", "is like." But when asked how they managed such a concentration usually answer "do not know." So it's getting a cognitive way to achieve what is commonly known as "The Zone." When a player is in the area, used his mind to analyze the situation and act accordingly, by filtering all those stimuli that do not help run a good tennis. The attention may have certain characteristics depending on the use we make of it, see the chart below:
attention is when we focus to external stimuli from outside our self, and internal when, on the contrary, from both the peripheral nervous system (somatic sensations, kinesthetic, ...) and the central nervous system (emotions, concerns , ...). Is large when we focus to various aspects or stimuli. We say it is close when we focus to a particular stimulus or multiple stimuli that make up a stimulating concept. However, internal focus mode is useful when trying to learn some technical aspect of the game, either in its broad side ( I must focus on reaching the status of scrimmage with the supporting leg advanced racquet prepared and distance from ) or in its narrow side ( I practice the new handle change.) These are situations where our focus is ourselves, our bodies and feelings. But beware. Concepts such as fear, feel anxious, angry, etc, are also internal stimuli, which at one time may apply to our attention. Moreover, if we focus our attention externally during a match, we can reach higher states of concentration. But if we do not have any strategy, internal stimulation may be more striking than the external and divert our attention with a fear or euphoria irrelevant.
Therefore, we should have a strategy to prevent such intrusions.
We assume that the technical aspects have been automated during practice, so we should not allocate attentional resources when you run a drive or other mistreatment. If not, is a sign that you need more training. Thus, our attentional resources should be routed out, both on the dial broad or narrow. That is the way into a state of high concentration. Our attention
post it in the dial-Wide External to read the game, that is, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the opponent and the same in our game, that is, what I do well and where I can attack the opponent. It is an examination of all external stimuli that are defining the game. It is very useful to this analysis accompanied by a ritual behavior (touching the strings of the racket, toweling, placed the hair or the shirt, ....) from point to point. At the moment we have some clues about the game (eg flojea backhand, slow-legged, it can attack the second serve, ...) our focus should become Outer-Straits to take a strategic decision based on the data (eg : attacking the second Throw in a parallel, open angles that force you to move the legs, etc ...). Depending on how it went point in the game, return to the area-wide external back to a new analysis of the situation, after which return to the narrow zone, and so on.
In this way, we avoid the entry of internal stimulation of the dangers it entails, and we undertake to analysis and making decisions based on the present situation without disclosing the outcome of the process.
may sometimes not possess a systematic analysis of the party, it would be valuable to have an analytical argument, ie a system learned analysis. For my work in the center I designed a questionnaire in the form of syllogism: If A = B and B = C then A = C . Not exactly, but the example of syllogism can be a good guide. " If I have these bumps or technical learning my forte, and the rival have these weak points, then I attack this weak point with this swipe yours mine." This would be a way to structure the analytical system (external focus -wide) to plan a strategy (narrow-external focus). The purpose of the analysis is to increase the likelihood that I can run my hard blow to her weak point, and I say likely because it is not an issue yes or no.
You can download the questionnaire that I use, although it is written in Catalan (well, domestic Catalan, ie Mallorca). I do not think that you have no difficulty in understanding. This questionnaire is a part where we analyze ourselves, being critical of ourselves, reflecting what we think is a strong point of our game and also the weaknesses. The second part reflects some of the aspects that should be looking at our rivals. Finally, a way deductive structure in terms of what we have extracted from the previous analysis.
Important: This questionnaire is not to fill in matches but it is a guide of how to think at parties. Serve rather to consider what points we should look and how to plan a strategy from point to point. We can do at home as an example, or watching a tennis match on TV. What matters is learning how to analyze and move our focus on outer area of \u200b\u200bcare. Remember that a ritual (or routine) would greatly help to focus behavior.
download the questionnaire (in Catalan).
(Translator Catalan-Castilian)
's article next week will focus on exercises to increase our ability to estimate the time to take decisions.
