Athletes in most sports use similar phrases, and the best of them know that their peak performance never comes when they’re thinking about it. Clearly, to play unconsciously does not mean to play without consciousness. That would be quite difficult! In fact, someone playing “out of his mind” is more aware of the ball, the court and, when necessary, his opponent. But he is not aware of giving himself a lot of instructions, thinking about how to hit the ball, how to correct past mistakes or how to repeat what he just did. He is conscious, but not thinking, not over-trying.
