Written By
Pete Scales, Ph.D, RSPA Professional
There are two games in any tennis or pickleball match: the points themselves and the time between points. You need mental strategies for both, but most players focus only on what happens during the point. That’s a mistake.
About 70% to 80% of a tennis match, and at least half and often more of a pickleball game, is spent between points. Do not just wing it. Every player needs a consistent between-points routine they can complete in 25 seconds in tennis or about 10 seconds in pickleball to keep their mental game solid and focused.
So how do you create an effective between-points routine? It should have three to four parts:
- React positively, or at least neutrally, to the previous point.
I have players say “OK.” That does not mean you liked what just happened. It means you accept that the point is over and it is time to prepare for the next one. - Relax your body.
Take several deep belly breaths. Take the racquet or paddle out of your dominant hand and gently shake out that hand and arm. Smile at your partner. It is hard to stay tense when you are smiling. One senior tennis pro I know hums a favorite song to relax. Whatever works for you is the right choice. - Refocus on the next point.
In doubles, this often means a quick conversation with your partner. Where are we serving or returning? Are we poaching or faking? Which player or side are we targeting?
In singles, you might simply say “Plan” to cue yourself to focus on where you want to hit the first ball of the next point and where you want to move afterward. - Use cue words or actions to signal readiness.
Step into position and prepare to play. If you are serving, bounce the ball the same number of times before every serve. If you are returning, spin the racquet or paddle. Use whatever tells you, I am ready now. Let’s play.
Your cue words might be “Now,” “Ready” or “Let’s go,” but they need to be your words. What works for someone else may not work for you. Find what does and rehearse it.
The time between points is when we often let our primitive “lizard brain” take over, filling our heads with fears, hopes and worries about winning and losing. That mental noise distracts us from recovering from the previous point and getting ready for the next one. Invest a few minutes in creating and rehearsing a between-points routine, and you will likely see both your level of play and your enjoyment of the game improve.