The Mental Engine
by: Mark Winship @ In Touch Tennis

One of the biggest challenges for any tennis player, whether in training or matchplay, is to maintain a cool head. Frustration, excitement, fatigue, and expectations (held by yourself and others) all threaten the efficient functioning of our mental muscle.

So what exactly is a 'cool head'? What is the perfect mental state that we are all trying so hard to achieve and maintain? Well, the answer is that there is no such thing as the perfect mental state. At least not in the way that I can put it down on screen for you here. It will be different for different people and will vary throughout the course of a match.

Perhaps the best way of describing this is to compare it to driving a car. Your mental state is like your own personal rev counter which controls the condition of your engine and the smoothness of the ride. If you've got your pedal to the metal and your revs are in the red then you run the risk of blowing your engine. Cue relaxation exercises, deep breathing, and a time out to start thinking positively again. take your foot off the pedal!

On the other hand, if your revs are too low there is a good chance that you will stall. Time to ease on the accelerator by raising your heart rate a little and by giving yourself some motivational pick-me-ups ("Come on! Let's go!").

Although there are any number of different mental strategies we can use to save us from stalling or wrecking the engine, the really good driver will hold the revs at a level that keeps the engine running smoothly, allowing him to concentrate on the road!

So here's the challenge! Keep one eye on the rev counter to stay in touch with your mental state. Happy cruising!