Stage 11 — Emotions Change How You Play

Stage Title: Emotions Change How You Play

Estimated Time: 10 minutes

What You’ll Learn:

• How specific emotions affect tennis performance

• The difference between playing from emotion vs. playing from intention

Core Lesson:

Here is how different emotions affect your tennis:

Emotion Frustration Fear Anger Doubt Embarrassment Nerves Pressure Confidence Effect on Play Rushes, forces shots, loses patience, blames Plays safe, holds back, second-guesses, freezes Overhits, goes for too much, loses focus, makes impulsive decisions Steers the ball, doesn’t commit, changes game plan mid-point Wants to hide, gives up, loses body language, stops competing Tightens up, shortens strokes, holds breath, plays not to lose Overthinks, changes routine, plays differently than practice Plays free, commits, trusts shots, stays present Your job is not to eliminate emotion. Your job is to recognize which emotion is showing up and what it is doing to your game. Apply It Today: During your next practice or match, notice one emotion and what it is doing to your play. Write down: “I felt _, and it made me _.” Reflection Prompt: Which emotion affects your game the most? What does it make you do?