Goal Setting for Tennis: Winter 2016
The new year brings a chance to set goals for the following playing season. Most professional tennis players do this religiously. There is ample evidence that establishing goals and writing down a plan is effective for game improvement. After years of working with the highest level tennis players on Long Island, this is what I have learned about winter time game improvement plans.
Find motivation
There will only be success through the gates of failure. This is a painful but crucial element to any improvement plan. As an example, I had been avoiding joining a gym for years, but suddenly last summer, I found the motivation I needed. I was walking toward a friend who had not seen me for months and when he recognized me he exclaimed, “Wow, looks as if you swallowed a Volkswagen Bug. Have you gained weight?” Painful comment indeed, but by the next day, I had joined a gym and have been there five days a week ever since. Shame and embarrassment are necessary components of motivation. So take the time to assess your failures over the past year and find out just what caused them. Was it fitness? A weak serve? Sluggish footwork? When you carefully assess what your weakness is and how it led to failure, you have found the motive for change.
Set a goal
This is the fun part. A good yearly goal may be to choose a few tournaments that you want to qualify for but have not done so in the past. This may mean researching the events in question and getting the necessary forms to apply. This process will give you some excitement and that will be more fuel to carry out your game plan.
Seek professional support
It is the rare tennis player who can improve their game on their own. Harvey Pennick was a famous golf teacher from Texas and would say you can make quicker progress with one hour on the range with a pro than with six months of practice on your own. This same dictum holds true for tennis. Only a teaching pro can spot flaws and offer corrections.
The plan
After you have found your motivation and a good teaching pro, you now need to have a plan of action which should include both fitness and tennis lessons. The new plan should be both easy and fun so that you incorporate it into your lifestyle. Find a practice and a workout facility that is convenient to get to and has a friendly atmosphere. And when you find a good coach, explain to them your goals and your weaknesses so that together you can build a plan.
Observe gains and be patient
The last key to a good winter plan is to make sure you observe and appreciate the gains that are made. Notice things like improved strength, stamina or swing techniques. You must also remain patient as well. Anything worthwhile takes a long time to achieve and that holds true in tennis, as well as in life.
If you find motivation, set a goal, find a pro, initiate a plan and observe small changes, there is no way you will not improve over the winter months.
