Crowd Control (August 2009)
Playing in front of an audience is just like delivering a speech––it’s nerve
wracking. Players tend to feel pressure and become more emotional than usual
when people are watching. What’s more, the outcome may feel more important than
it really is, making it tough to play your best. Here are some suggestions.
- Just Ignore Them: Don’t be more concerned about how you look to
the audience than winning the match. If you concentrate on playing your best
and ignore the spectators, you’ll look just fine.
- Don’t Worry About Mom and Dad: Your parent’s opinions and the comments
they might make after the match are probably your greatest concern. Let’s
hope they don’t have too much to say. But even if they do, your best strategy
is to realize that you can’t control them. You can only control yourself.
Keep your mind on the business at hand, which is playing the best match you
can under the circumstances.
- Enjoy the Peer Pressure: If you’re playing in front of your friends,
don’t let their desire to see you win or your desire to do well in front of
them put you under additional stress. Instead, feed off their support like
a basketball team playing at home and ride the positive emotional wave to
stronger, more confident play.
- Play Your Game: Push away thoughts about the audience or your parents
by focusing on your game. Think about your strategy and what you are going
to do on the next point. Concentrate on controlling your emotions and feel
a little excited and optimistic before each point.
- Don’t Put on a Show: Often, players who miss easy shots become visibly
angry or sullen, as if they’re trying to send a message to the onlookers that
they usually don’t miss sitters. Beware of this tendency. It will cause you
to lose focus. And besides, the spectators won’t be impressed and you’ll only
succeed in looking immature.
- Win or Lose, They’re on Your Side: People who like you before the
match will like you afterward whether you win or lose.
- Keep Your Head Up: OK, despite everything you just read, you still
want to leave a good impression on the audience. To do this you must realize
that you don’t have to play as well as Roger Federer. All you have to do is
show courage and character when things don’t go your way. No matter how you
play, walk with your head up, respect your opponent, and give 100%.
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