VISUALIZATION TECHNIQUES FOR TENNIS

If the mind is such an essential part of tennis, and it most certainly is, then visualization is one of the most effective methods of controlling the mind to think and react in the way we want it to.

Visualization can change us from being sad to happy, from feeling cold to warm, and from feeling hungry to satisfied. The ways visualization can be applied to our daily lives is almost endless. 

We often use visualization in our without knowing we are doing so. We constantly play mental mind games to help us overcome moments that test us during our day.

I have seen these visualization "Mental Mind Games" work wonders to help players overcome their "demons" and to assist players to learn faster.

I have used three main visualization techniques that have been very successful for me over the years. These three techniques are:

1. Evocative Role Model
2. Evocative Phrase
3. Evocative Animal

Here are actual examples of me using visualization with players.

1. Evocative Role Model

Sunil (not his real name) had significant confidence issues when competing. He could not play his best in competition because he became too stressed during matches and had a very low level of self-confidence.

The training was helping, he was technically better than before, and he now knew how to construct points better. But unfortunately, when he played matches, many of his old demons returned, especially if the game was close and he was under pressure. I needed something to keep his mind positive and continue doing the topics we covered every day in practice. I had to find a way to stop him from reverting to his old negative habits.

I decided to give him an Evocative Role Model. This meant that he would have to imagine a player he admired a lot and displayed the same qualities he needed to adopt himself.

I would then instruct Sunil to "become" that player. He would need to copy everything possible about that player, including his walk, habits, playing style, and demeanor on-court. Most important, though, Sunil would have to adopt the mental makeup of his Evocative Role Model.

Sunil decided to "become" Jimmy Conners, one of the best players at that time and a player famous for his self-confidence and courage under stress.

We needed to study Jimmy Connors a little, and we talked a lot about the energy and self-belief Jimmy brought to the court in every match. We then went through a practice rehearsal on-court, trying to copy the mannerisms and mindset of Jimmy Connors. There was much fun and laughter as we practiced our Evocative Role Model.

The transformation in matches was immediate. In our first ITF Junior tournament overseas, Sunil went through the qualifying rounds and went all the way to the semi-finals.

The following week Sunil reached the final and had won respect and admiration of the players and coaches on the circuit.

The final chapter of this story is equally important to understand. Eventually, Sunil stopped being Jimmy Connors. It happened in a match in Pattaya, Thailand. Sunil was in a match and competing well until he stopped being Jimmy Connors for the first time in weeks!

A player will adopt the Evocative Role Model for a specific time, but eventually, it will fade. By this time, the player may have already become more able to maintain the mindset you desired initially.

If not, create a new Evocative Role Model and start again.

2. Evocative Phrase

One of the greatest boxers of all time came up with a perfect Evocative phrase during the prime of his boxing career. Everyone has heard Mohammed Ali's "Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" phrase. The genius of this phrase is that it does what all the best evocative phrases do... they evoke a feeling, an image, and an emotion. They stimulate a response that can affect you on a mental and a physical level. 

Creating an Evocative Phrase requires you to sit with your student and find a phrase that evokes a positive change in your students' reaction to a situation or a mental block regarding technique.

Having trouble staying mentally tough in tight matches? "When the going gets tough, the tough get going" might be the type of phrase that can help.

Come up with multiple phrases, mix and edit them until you end up with the phrase that touches the spot. Take your time. Getting the correct phrase will evoke a strong emotion that will assist you in your matches or accomplish a particular technique.

3. Evocative Animal

Like the previous two visualization methods, the Evocative Animal approach needs to stimulate a particular emotional response to help overcome a mental block in matches or learn a new technique.

The player must develop an animal that will help them block the negative behavior or response. 

Tina (not her real name) was developing her net game. Like all new players to netplay, she was having problems executing her new volley techniques and being spontaneous with her movement and positioning. 

Tina came up with an Evocative Animal that helped her mirror the demeanor she wished to copy when she was at the net. She decided on a Tiger as her Evocative Animal. A tiger image helped her move quicker, change direction easier and close in on short volleys more instinctively, whereas previously, these qualities seemed beyond her capabilities.

Visualization is a fun yet very effective teaching tool that can overcome mental and technical issues. It can be used as a last resort backup when all else fails, or it can be used initially to assist a player in understanding a concept or physical action.

All coaches need to have visualization in their tool kit.