The Value of Tennis Rituals in Serving

Rituals are automatic responses to a situation. In life we have rituals for getting up, driving our cars, eating and sleeping. In tennis we have rituals as well when we serve that help us to operate on an “automatic” or non-thinking level.

The value of rituals in serving are many, here are 7:

1. They remind us of sequences to performance
2. They create a comfort zone for us
3. They help prevent us from forgetting steps that can influence our success
4. They assist us in performing on an automatic level under pressure
5. They can calm us under pressure
6. They can prevent us from rushing during a match
7. They can assist in defeating the “Mental Monsters” of success and failure

Rituals are habits that we develop consciously or unconsciously. Depending upon situations and perceived results, they can become superstitions.

When they approach the superstition level we feel we need them to be successful. Tennis players will not shave during a tournament as long as they are winning, they will eat the same meal as long as they are winning, wear the same clothes, play with the same racquet, wear the same shoes, stay in certain rooms, avoid stepping on lines or certain parts of the court.

We have all seen Djokovich as he demonstrates some rituals of top level players. They can become quite unusual and almost funny when we see some of the steps people perform to ensure their success. I will bet you have seen some funny rituals in the players you have met as well.

Players rituals are mostly routines that they have been coached to follow or discovered on our own to provide a feeling of familiarity and consistency in their preparation for performance.

What are some of your rituals you use when you serve?

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Posted by Ken DeHart on April 9, 2009 in Tennis Tips. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.