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Hi, below is a lesson about being a technically oriented thinker or a repetition oriented thinker. Keep in mind that you make decisions on the court on the basis of your thinking. If your thinking is technically oriented, all your decisions are based on that thinking. If your thinking is repetition oriented, all your decisions are based on that thinking. The way you learn drastically but subtly affects how you make decisions on the court. Is the emphasis on the technical or on repetition? Have I confused you? Read the lesson below to find out which way of thinking is superior and which way of thinking can bring much better results in match play. This is subtle, but I hope you pick up on it!
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Tom's Online Tennis Lesson
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Welcome to the tennis lesson hotline, sponsored by Tom's Tennis Tapes, "educating players one mind at a time." I'm Tom Veneziano. This lesson lasts approximately 2 minutes and changes on the first of every month.
Ok, it's time to learn a principle related to repetition that is very subtle, but extremely important to understand. You can approach learning tennis from the standpoint of placing the emphasis on the technical or you can approach it from the standpoint of placing the emphasis on repetition. Which is better? Even more important - why? The correct answer is repetition! Repetition is the chariot of genius....sound familiar?
Now, this does not mean that the technical is not important, because it is, though it should be kept to a minimum. More importance should be placed on repetition of simple principles. The subtle difference between the two shows up in match play. When people learn from the emphasis on the technical they are constantly thinking, "if I kept my eye on the ball that would have worked, if I bent my knees I would not have missed, if I keep my elbow in on the volley that would have corrected the mistake," and so on.
This is exactly the way they approach their matches, always thinking if the technical were right they would have made the shot. You have subtly conditioned yourself to think the technical is what makes it all work, not YOU!!! This subtle but incorrect mindset can be devastating in match play. Mainly because you will try to solve problems on the court from this incorrect mindset...always looking for the technical to solve the problems.
On the other hand, when you are repetition oriented you develop a different mindset. Since repetition requires you to do something over and over and over again until you get it, you and your thinking become the most important factor, not the technical! This has the subtle effect of YOU not blaming the technical for every mistake, which results in YOU taking responsibility for your mistakes in a match. The end result is that YOU start looking for different and better solutions to problems you face on the court! Solutions like, maybe I should slow it down, I need to relax, don't overplay, I need to manage my mistakes better, etc. This does not eliminate some minor technical changes, but now the priority has shifted toward YOU! And YOU can win with perfect technical skills or without them!!! Welcome to the world of mental toughness!
Your personal email tennis coach,
Tom
© 1999 Tom Veneziano
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What others are saying about my tapes!
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"Tom deals with the thinking end of tennis like no one else. It's almost too difficult to explain, you have to experience it. He has an uncanny knack for getting right to the heart of the matter. You come away thinking, that's right: it makes sense!"
Colleen Cremer, Houston, TX.
"It's interesting to note that everyone can use these tapes from beginner to championship level. You can apply the information to whatever level you play on."
Dan Hanusa, Houston, TX.
" Tom's audio cassettes have changed my thinking, aligning it with the correct information needed to improve my game. He's right there with you, inside your head, challenging you to make those changes. It's like having your own personal coach! I highly recommend his tapes for everyone."
Linda Zimmerman, Houston, TX.
"On the way to my HLTA match I listened to Tom's tape, "Some Before Match Pointers." Call it a coincidence, but I won my first HLTA match ever! I just seemed to be in a better frame of mind. Thanks, Tom."
Mary Ogden, Houston, TX.
"Tom and I have been friends for over twenty years. It's not surprising to me players talk so positively about his tapes. He's always possessed exceptional athletic ability along with an unusual analytical mind. Tom simply likes to think! At times he would drive me crazy, but he was the driving force behind my journey into tennis. I'm 6'1" and Tom is 5'6" but I could never beat the little imp! All joking aside, if Tom's thinking is on audio cassettes, you should listen! You'll never view tennis the same way again!"
Sam Lacava, Tennis Professional, Stewartsville, N.J.
Thank you all for the testimonials! I appreciate it! |
