Stage 8 — Triggers: What Sets You Off?

Stage Title: Triggers — What Sets You Off?

Estimated Time: 10 minutes

What You’ll Learn:

• What emotional triggers are

• How to identify your personal tennis triggers

• Why knowing your triggers is a superpower

Core Lesson:

Common tennis triggers include:

Trigger Bad call Double fault Missing an easy ball Playing someone you “should” beat Playing someone better Parent watching Coach saying something mid-match Scoreboard pressure (serving for set/match)

Opponent cheating Long line between points Emotional Reaction Anger, frustration, helplessness Embarrassment, self-criticism, pressure on second serve Frustration, disbelief, tightness Pressure, fear of embarrassment, tightness Doubt, intimidation, giving up Pressure, self-consciousness, wanting to prove something Distraction, self-doubt, overthinking Nerves, rushing, playing safe Anger, helplessness, loss of focus Overthinking, losing rhythm Your job is not to eliminate triggers.

Triggers are part of tennis. Your job is to know yours. Because once you know a trigger is coming, you can prepare for it.

Apply It Today:

Look at the list above. Circle the three triggers that affect you most. Write down: “My top three triggers are: 1. _ 2. _ 3. __”

Reflection Prompt:

When you hit one of your triggers, what is your most common emotional reaction?

(Example: “When I double fault, I get tight on my second serve and start criticizing myself.”)