What if I told you that by making yourself run more on the court could help get you the win? Would you believe me? Well, it’s actually true. Running for more balls can actually help improve your chances of obtaining a great victory.

One of the critical things that really separates the successful players from the players who seem to be stuck and find it hard to make it to that next level, is heart.

Sure it’s ok to have great mechanics. And yea, it’s even better have sound strategy, but the ability and the willingness to push yourself to the limits is one of the biggest difference makers in the sport today.

The winning players, they’re hungry for it. And they’ll do anything in their power to get it. You see this in the way players like Andy Roddick and “Raffa” Nadal go after every single ball like it was their last.  They DON’T QUIT!

They treat each point as if it’s a tie-break in the 5 set at the US Open. THAT’S why they see so many outstanding results.  But check this out… That’s the exact same reason why so many club players DON’T. That’s why so many club players don’t get the results they’re looking for.   That killer instinct… That hunger… It’s not there.

When playing points, too many players end up calling it quits way before they should. If the shot LOOKS to be a tad out of their immediate reach, they won’t budge.  They’ll just reply with something like “too good” or “GREAT SHOT.” Both of those are just cop out responses because they didn’t “feel” like asserting themselves to put forth the needed effort to get to it. Why? Too much work? Probably so.

You don’t want to do this. If you do, you’ll be just like the thousands of other frustrated players out there wasting tons of time and not seeing the winning results they want.  Now, I can’t manually give you the heart of a champion or the will of a tennis warrior, but I can tell you a quick way to help jump-start a change. (see below)

1. Go For It.

If it’s in bounds, (…and if you’re not already out of breath and desperately gasping for air), go for it! Kick it up a notch and try to get those balls you used to think we’re to far away or weren’t “worth it” to try for.  As long as it’s not sailing 10 feet out, it should be fair game for you.

So stay on your toes and be ready to move.  If you “believe” (…like Melanie Oudin) that you can get to those balls and that you will make it there in time, then the probability that you’re going to be able to get there and execute is going to more than double.

How so? Well, just like I mentioned in the tip on pre-match anxiety, your mental has direct control your physical. If you believe you’ve got what it takes… And you can visualize and see yourself achieving that success, you’ll send positive energy through out your body.

Your body will then be more loose, much more fluid and ready to explode to your ideal destination.  If you don’t believe, you’ll send negative energy through your body, your legs will feel like cement and you won’t go anywhere, and the point, game, set, match, or even championship would have been lost.

Now this isn’t going to be a night and day switch right away.  Changing your mindset does take some time to really be re-programmed.  But hey, after going through it a number times, you’ll really start to see the change.

2. Get Inside Your Opponent’s Head

If you make a habit of going after every ball, then your opponent’s mindset will begin to shift in a negative direction.  He’ll begin to feel hopeless, because nothing that he has in his arsenal will seem to be working. Then, your opponent will begin to feel that he’s on the story of the never ending point.

And if he’s not an object of good consistency, he’s going to try to do things to help finish the point sooner - which may force your opponent to attempt more lower percentage shots. Why? Because he won’t want to be run around like rag doll over and over again. That’s no fun.

Hopefully you got something from this. Hopefully, it ignited a spark inside :).

Have a great weekend,

Brian

P.S. I’ve been living in the studio working hard on the latest additions to Strategy Secrets 101 the past 4 days. Every time I think it’s done, I keep finding other stuff to put in - a lot more than I announced a week ago. Will the adding ever stop lol? I hope so. I’m desperately trying to get this done and out to every body (… especially all my pre-order folks) by Christmas. Wish me luck.. Santa Help me!