Today I read a chapter of this book “The Inner Game Of Tennis”. Fascinating book I say. Stuff I liked:
Following images and imitating them is more powerful than instruction by words. Instructions by words result in conscious trying and often result in tense over-trying spoiling the smooth effortless process of playing any sport. Watching, visualizing and imitating an image in mind results in a smooth effortless play and skill learning.
Focus on the ball, the court and when needed, the opponent. Note that the opponent comes last. I too have noticed I play much better when I let the opponent out of my mind, and not let him control my thinking.
In his experience of training, just teaching to imitate visual moves yielded better results and lot of word-based instructions.
You wanna let your opponent drop his game ? Comment on how good and different his stroke is. He is then gonna think about it and thus going to mess it up !
All this really reminds of the movie “Peaceful Warrior”. It had some similiar stuff. And it did really help me improve my squash game.
