12 Mental Tips

1. Eye Control	Focus your eyes on either your racquet or the ground to keep your attention focused between points.
2. Rituals	Establish rituals between and before points to appropriately balance relaxation, focus and intensity prior to starting each point.
3. Winning Pace	Pace yourself between points especially when angry, nervous, or fatigued to allow yourself to gain control of pulse rate and to remain focused.
4. Breathing	Practice deep breathing habits between points to help relax and lower pulse rate. Breathe out at contact when hitting the ball to get better control, relaxation and feel.
5. High Positive Intensity	Even when very fatigued or when you feel negative, project the image of having a high level of Positive Intensity.
6. Calmness and Relaxation	When nervous and tense, try to project yourself as being relaxed and calm.
7. Mistake Management	When you make a mistake, learn to just turn and walk away from it. Don't lose your composure.
8. Confident Fighter Image	No matter how bad it gets, project the image that you are confident and will fight to the end.
9. Negative Self-talk	Avoid expressing Negative Self-talk during play. It only fosters bad results and pumps up your opponent.
10. Positive Attitude	Think positively about your situation in the face of adversity. Become challenged.
11. "I Love the Battle"	Don't appear scared or threatened when things get tough; project a challenged and winning appearance at all times.
12. Racquet Up - "I'm Up"	Carry your racquet in the opposite hand and keep it up, not dragging it low, as a symbol that when my racquet is up, I'm up.
The above list is taken from Dr. Loehr's videotape entitled Mental Toughness, also included in the book Mental Toughness Training for Sports, Stephen Greene Press, 1986.