Trying out for the tennis team?!?

Question

i went to tennis tryouts yesterday and monday.

the other girls are really really good.

this is high school tennis, by the way.

i get very very nervous

im better when i play outside of tryouts

i always feel defeated and that i suck.

even tho i mite not be as good as the other girls, I REALLY REALLY want to make the team.

....

SOOO

Do you have any advice about keeping focus and not to let my nerves get to me...

or any tennis tips?

Answer 1

practice, learn how to play the right way and don't cheat yourself.

and when you are playing a match... focus and when you mess up just encourage yourself and say you can do this! don't EVER doubt yourself! just think that you can do it and when you mess up move on and get the next point.

i get really nervous too when i play but you just have to get over it and focus on winning and getting the ball over the net, don't think about how nervous you are.

Also read the other players, if you're playing doubles.. don't look at your partner hit the ball to see where it goes, look at the other team and when they start to move you know the ball is going to them and get ready!  

Answer 2

I went through everything that you went through, I played junior tennis, and I reached top 50 in the nationals in the boys 18's. For me, the way I got over the nervousness was playing tons and tons of matches! It doesn't matter if you win or lose them, just keep playing them, keep putting yourself in 'match situations'. It helps you handle the pressure points, learn to play what shots when they are needed. Clear your mind when you play, don't think about anything, it shouldn't matter who is watching your match. Practice tie-breakers, then sets, best 2 of 3. Build up your long term focus like that, keep putting yourself in situations where its pressured, and by winning and losing points, you'll build up your concentration and focus.

Best of luck to you!

Answer 3

don't worry about the others skilllevel just focus on you and how can you improve your game . everyone gets nervous but if you can control your emotions and just look confident it will improve you game dramatically because when you show fear or nervousness your giving your opponent more conference. just go out there and give it you all and have fun  

Answer 4

Traditionally, a good tennis coach focuses on potential tennis skill. If the coach focused on skill alone, the team would be very small. If you have potential and are willing to work hard, you will make the team in no time. But if you are still nervous, try making friends with other new players of your skill level.  

Answer 5

I just finished trying out for my own high school team.  There was like 40 girls almost; it's ridiculous.  Although I didn't quite make varsity, I did make it as an alternate (which is decent for a sophomore).

Here are some tips that kind of worked for me.

Most of the girls on my tennis team have fairly weak backhands so if you can aim, it's worth a shot.  Work on your serve a lot because that's generally a problem that a lot of high school girls have.  Also, if you get a consistent serve that helps you keep you consistent in the matches as well.

Don't take tennis so seriously.  Enjoy the game.  You'll make plenty of progress over the season.

And there's always next year.  Ever hear the story of how Michael Jordan didn't make his high school's basketball team freshman year.