Tennis IQ Podcast

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss goal-setting strategies that can help tennis players further their development. The conversation starts by discussing the importance of crafting an identity for the person that you want to become, and then crafting goals relating to that new identity. They also discuss how tennis players ought to break down their larger "outcome goals" into smaller pieces using performance and process goals, and then develop new habits and systems to pursue those goals. Lastly, they review the relevant length of time to set goals for and the importance of focusing on short-term and medium-term goals rather than getting too caught up on long-term goals that can be discouraging and may feel unachievable.   USTA HIGH PERFORMANCE COACHING PROGRAM DEVELOPMENTAL PLAN - https://s3.amazonaws.com/ustaassets/assets/689/15/16777_c_ny_19_playerdevelopment_reformatresources_pd_developmentalplan.pdf  Don’t Dream Big | Eric Butorac | TEDxBinghamtonUniversity  -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3OoH_O9Y-U  Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment - George Leonard - https://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Keys-Success-Long-Term-Fulfillment/dp/0452267560  To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!

In this episode, Brian and Josh dive into the topic of choking and cover strategies that tennis players can utilize when they feel a match starting to slip away. First, the co-hosts discuss a few root issues relating to choking including identifying oneself as a "choker" or expecting that you will choke because you've choked in the past. Additionally, they examine how focusing too much on the score and the outcome of the match can cause players to play hesitantly so as to avoid losing rather than playing to win. Lastly, Brian and Josh review how implementing mental skills including mindfulness, self-talk, and visualization gives tennis players the best possible chance to handle choking situations well when they encounter them.   To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ​​​​​​​​​ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!

When it comes to developing your potential as a tennis player, there are a number of factors involved. In this episode, Brian and Josh review several of those factors including the relationship between talent and potential, your genes, access to facilities and/or coaching, and the mindset required to develop your talent.   The Performance Equation  [Actual Performance] = [Potential Performance] - [Interference]

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can embrace the mentality of playing one point at a time. Many players notice that when they buy in to a one point at a time mentality, they feel less pressure and may even feel that it makes it easier for them to perform. The co-hosts review the "formula" to playing one point at a time (below) and explain that it is necessary to determine what a quality point means for each player, depending on their playing style. Lastly, Brian and Josh examine the importance of pre-point planning and utilizing an in-between point routine, and the need to be non-judgmental when assessing one's performance.   The formula to play one point at a time:   1. Play a quality point   2. Recover   3. Reset   4. Refocus   5. Repeat steps 1 - 4 until the match is over   Winner's Creed by Bill Tym  - https://www.tennistakes.com/winners-creed/  Perfect Practice Formula by Bill Tym (Corrective Methodology) - https://performancextra.com/bill-tyms-perfect-practice-formula/   Everything is Practice - https://performancextra.com/competitive-mindsets/everything-is-practice/   To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ​​​​​​​​​ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how athletes should approach returning back to tennis after an injury or break from the sport. Many athletes experienced the challenges of taking an extended break from their sport during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the co-hosts discuss the psychological differences between this stoppage and breaks due to injuries. Additionally, they talk about certain issues that commonly occur when tennis players return to the court after an extended break. Lastly, they discuss the need to keep expectations low at the start of a return from injury and the importance of prioritizing finding rhythm when an athlete returns to the court.   To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ​​​​​​​​ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis coaches and players can integrate mental skills on the practice court. It begins with utilizing deliberate and purposeful practice as a way to maximize time on court. Subsequently, Brian and Josh review the need to play practice matches and simulate higher-pressure situations in practice that are likely to occur during matches. Lastly, they reflect on how setting small daily goals and aiming to improve by 1% each day while practicing stressful situations will help athletes incrementally improve their games over time.   To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ​​​​​​​ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!

Flow is a psychological concept that was named by Mihály Csíkszentmihályi in 1975 and can be defined as a state of complete immersion in an activity. In this episode, Brian and Josh describe this concept and its characteristics. Additionally, they explain some ways that tennis players can increase their likelihood of achieving flow on the court. Though it is likely that most of the time tennis players will not achieve a flow state, the strategies discussed to increase the likelihood of achieving flow are the same strategies that boost tennis performance as a whole.   To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ​​​​​​ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the concept of fear of failure. From their perspective, it is important to determine what it is exactly that is being feared, and how fear manifests itself on the court with physical, mental, and emotional consequences. Mindset shifts and physical tension release strategies to help tennis players deal with these symptoms of fear and pressure are reviewed. Lastly, Brian and Josh talk about how failure and losing are an important and necessary part of the improvement process, and provide quotes (below) relating to this idea.   “Nana korobi, ya oki”  (English translation: Fall down seven times, stand up eight) - Japanese proverb   “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” - Thomas Edison   "I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. Twenty-six times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." - Michael Jordan   To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ​​​​​ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!

In this episode, Brian and Josh explore the topic of positive psychology and offer some interventions that can be helpful for tennis players. Positive psychology takes a strengths-based approach focusing on utilizing the strengths and positive emotions of individuals with the goal of thriving, flourishing, and well-being. Topics of discussion are the importance of having a high ratio of positive to negative emotions on the tennis court, continuing to work on the strengths of your tennis game rather than just focusing on weaknesses, and how to use the concept of Appreciative Inquiry to discover what is working in your game.   To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!

In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss handling pressure. Some common barriers to performing well under pressure, including unrealistic expectations, are reviewed. They break down higher-pressure matches and tournaments and give some tips for how to mentally prepare for these instances. Mentally rehearsing and preparing for high-pressure moments in matches including break points, deuce points, and tiebreakers are suggestions that are offered. Lastly, the two hosts discuss how the expectations or perceived expectations of others can often lead to feeling more pressure.   To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com and PerformanceXtra.com. If you have feedback about the show or questions on the mental game in tennis, email us at TennisIQPodcast@gmail.com or use the hashtag #tennisIQ​​​ on Twitter. Don’t forget to subscribe on YouTube or your podcast platform of choice (Spotify, Apple, Google, etc.) to stay up to date on future episodes!