Player Advice
Willing Way
by Paul Thomson, 2 December 2015
| Share: |  |
|  | |
|
|
I had just finished a poor hitting session with one of my players, and something finally struck a nerve with me - something I have often contemplated about tennis players and individuals. Why do we so often try to impose our will? In life as in tennis, it is not about imposing your will, but it is instead about what you are willing to do. We are not privileged enough to force a win, force a shot, or force a point on the courts. Nor are we at liberty to force our life, views, values, or anything else for that matter on others around us.
UAH Coach Paul Thomson
I watched this kid this morning constantly making bad shot decisions, over-hitting, and constantly swinging with the gas pedal to the floor above the level of where he is capable of playing. Over and over again he continued the same patterns. Ultimately he missed more than he made, all the while never knowing why. This is nothing new for this kid on or off of the court. I am not picking on this player. I see it in others all of the time. They want to impose their will and "make it happen."
One thing I have learned over the years is that "if you can't, don't.e In other words, accept your weaknesses, and don't do dumb things or make bad decisions that are going to get you into trouble. If it is not there, it is not there. You, me, whoever can't force that square peg into the round hole. Typically it is not worth it anyway. Tennis, like life, is about discipline, doing the right things, and ultimately suffering to reach our goals and aspirations. We cannot hit a winner on every forehand or an ace on every serve. Nor should we try. Roger Federer or Roger Rabbit, if they try they will both end up with more errors than winners and more disappointment.
The player I was hitting with today was already struggling with confidence and identity. He battles too much with himself - Man vs. Himself. He works hard but inefficiently, not making the right decisions or doing the right things. I had gone into this session with a game plan for him. But in the middle of the hitting session it changed. As I watched him tank another ball in the net and then hit another poor inside out forehand, I stopped. I folded my racquet into my arms and walked to the net. I asked him, "Have you ever seen the movie Bull Durham? He thought for a moment, but I could tell he hadn't as it was before his time. I said, "Bull Durham. Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins. It is a story about an old minor league veteran catcher called back to bring along and develop a young hot-shot pitcher with a million-dollar arm and a ten-cent head.e
