Reducing Stress & Using Emotion to Improve Performance Winning ...

2012 International Tennis Symposium
Reducing Stress & Using Emotion to Improve Performance
Winning the Mental Match
Dr. Allen Fox
1. We think we are logical creatures
A. Actually, emotions drive logic
B. Actions satisfy emotional needs
1. Darwin - Emotional responses useful
A. Not in tennis
2. Tennis is an emotional game
A. Humans are hierarchical species
1. Position relative to others important
2. Programmed to compete like all species
B.Tennis = one on one
C. Personal struggle like fist fight
1. Test of wills, character
2. Mental and physical dominance
3. Intimidation
D. Serious matches stressful because of emotional
1. Importance
E. Vast difference in emotional outcomes
1. Psych pain vs feelings of elation
4. Basic problem - outcome is uncontrollable
A. Can do all possible and still lose
5. This is structure for stress and potentially unpleasantness
A. One outcome pleasant, the other painful, and no control
B. This structure causes stress, anxiety and urges to escape
6. Tennis players try to escape, all subconsciously
A. Via anger, tanking, focus on excuses and problems
B. This is normal behavior - counterproductive but normal
C. Great players are abnormal people, almost by definition
D. These are powerful responses
Example: Ivanisavec at Wimbledon
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7. This is the reason coaches find it’s so hard to change players
A. Players understand but they do it again anyway
B. Not a matter of information
C. Problem is logic (coach’s words) vs. emotion (on court reactions)
D. These don’t mix quickly
E. Anger is easiest to change by negative reinforcement
F. Tanking is next and choking is most difficult
G. Player’s deep commitment to changes - can fix anger and tanking
H. Frequent relapses because escape emotions always there
1. Recur with tiredness, frustration, lack of confidence
Example: PEP Team travel
2. Like alcoholic on wagon, the problem is always there
3. Cure - can’t say, “Alcohol is bad for you”FOR YOU”
I. The player needs to ultimately ‘get it’ at deep level
1. This means commitment is a matter of motivation
Example/Proof: Gun analogy
2. Light bulb must go off for real cure
Example: My experience
J. It’s a form of maturity
1. Took Agassi until his late 20s
8. Generally, your game follows your emotions
A. When competing emotions set the stage
1. The habits are finely tuned and can be disrupted with emotion
B. Make emotions do what you want
C. Choking never cured totally
1. No focus on winning - replace with focus on ritual
2. Relaxation techniques
a. breathing
b. smile
c. adrenaline
3. Practice playing under pressure
2012 International Tennis Symposium
www.ptrtennis.org