Starting a match in the best mental conditions is never an easy thing. Can we prepare our mind for a 100% effective match start?

Do you know these situations during tournaments or even during parties organized in your clubs? Got out of work after a hard day, both physical and mental, barely having time to get changed, did you get on the track last? Or do you arrive first, take the time to warm up, you think you are calm, but from the first touches of the balls, you have no sensation?

These are situations that happen to everyone. Although we are well prepared physically, our mental state will influence our game. The positive in all of this is that our mental state can improve during a match while our physical state will decrease.

Although we are all different from each other, there are several methods you can use to get you on the track with a relaxed mind focused on what you are there for. Have you ever heard of “leaving your problems off the pitch”? This is what we will try to do.

  • Give yourself the right messages

Both between play partners and yourself, as soon as you warm up. Keeping messages that are always encouraging and positive will accompany you towards a more operational mental state. Avoid sentences like “I don't put a forehand”, think instead “the next forehand, I center myself on the legs” or even “I calm down and play a series of lobs”.

  • Have goals

We are of course talking about long term goals, over a season, but also in the short term, a match, or very short term, a game or even a point. If your mind is affected, set yourself simple and achievable goals. We talk about holding the ball 3 times in a row before actually playing the point, putting in the first serve, the first end etc. You will do everything to reach them, and once reached, you will be proud of yourself. A plus for your mind.

  • Find your rhythm

Having a rhythm is very important for mental well-being. In everyday life we ​​all have a rhythm that allows us to be effective. On the track it's the same thing. It's up to you to find out what is your breathing rate, leg activation, break between points, encouragement with your partner. This way you will leave your negative thoughts aside and focus on the strategy.

  • Have stimuli

The stimuli can be positive or negative. It's up to you to keep only those who are positive. It could be to defeat a player that you have not beaten. But beware of the negatives which are very numerous in padel. Players who will try to rig the score, announce balls out while they are in dispute, balls played on your body that you want to avenge, in short, focus on what is important, the beautiful game.

  • Recognize important moments

Important or key moments in padel are few, you have to know how to recognize them so that your mind is centered. In the case of No-Ad, the tie point is important, as is the first point of each game, the tie-break or the possibility of a break in the 6th game of each set.

  • Other strategies

Inevitably we have not addressed all the strategies that exist because each player is different. It's up to you to try things out, to have pre-match routines, positive thoughts that will allow you to delay as little as possible to enter 100% mentally into your encounter.

Julien Bondia

Julien Bondia is a teacher of padel in Tenerife (Spain). Columnist and advisor, he helps you play better through his tutorials and tactical/technical articles padel.

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