The Functional Tennis Podcast Developing an elite mindset & the dreaded yips with Dr. Amanda Jane Napier Owens
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Apr 18, 2023 Amanda Jane Napier Owens, a leading sports psychologist with 25 years of experience and a trailblazer for women in premier league sports psychology, dives into mental resilience in tennis. She discusses the best time to introduce pressure in junior training to enhance performance. Listeners learn why anger is counterproductive on the court and gain insights into overcoming the dreaded 'yips' through techniques like mindfulness. Plus, she emphasizes the importance of mental breaks and emotional regulation, ensuring players stay focused and thrive.
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Early Pressure Training Benefits
- Introduce pressure training to tennis juniors as early as under eight in a fun, engaging way.
- Use games, points, and consequences to help kids understand pressure positively and build resilience.
Getting Fired Up Effectively
- Use personalized routines like music, breathing, and physical triggers to get fired up before matches.
- Employ quick mental cues to stay present and refocus, avoiding overthinking during play.
Anger Harms Tennis Performance
- Anger in tennis harms decision-making by increasing cortisol and panic responses.
- Staying calm enhances a player's ability to make clear, strategic choices on court.