A Simple Drill. Measurable Results.
Groundstroke Rally Drill Duration: 7 mins
71/71 shots in – 100% consistency
Avg. speed: 55 mph
Shot placement: Displayed in the attached image (my shots are shown on the right).
Performance data captured using the on-court PlayReplay system.
The interesting question is: how do I hit 70+ shots over a 7 minute period without a single error?
Skill Is Built Over Years – But That’s Not the Whole Story
Yes, this level of consistency reflects technical skill developed over many years. Yes, I’m staying physically fit and coaching keeps me connected to the game. But I attribute this performance equally to the mental work that I do every day. High performance is an integrated approach.
The Daily Mental Training
My process begins well before stepping onto the court.
- The morning meditation allows thoughts to settle building calmness and present focus.
- The warm up before practice helps me to feel physically ready and not rushed.
- The first phase of training is spent intentionally on watching the ball and focusing on timing.
Once the above foundation is set, the concentration locks in. Shot after shot is hit cleanly with solid swings and high consistency.
The rally becomes a reflection of the preparation.
The Mental Game Is a Lifestyle
Here is the key takeaway:
The mental game isn’t a switch that you can turn on momentarily when you are on the court. It needs to permeate into your lifestyle, into the hours that you are off the court, into your habits, and who you are as a person.
This doesn’t mean that you have to bring drastic changes or there is some high mountain to climb. Rather, understand the broader connection between the on-court and off-court and allocate whatever time you can for a consistent mental practice.
The practice could include:
- A few minutes in quiet sitting.
- 10 minutes spent on recovery.
- Eating a meal without looking at the phone.
- Breathing exercises for energy and rejuvenation.
Small disciplines cultivate presence.
Presence improves timing.
Improved timing leads to clean contact.
Clean contact produces consistent performance.
Integrating Skill, Technology, and Mindset
Technology like PlayReplay gives us measurable feedback. Skill development builds the technical foundation. The mental game connects it all together.
At Tenicity, we believe high performance is built through the integration of these elements – not by focusing on one in isolation.
For those interested, I have shared a Mental Training Daily Practice outlining on-court and off-court exercises for building present focus.
Wishing you the best as you create the integration of skill, technology, and the mental game for your peak performance.
Harsh Mankad