Status Updates From The Inner Game of Tennis: T...

Forgot I was reading this

the part about positive judgments leading to future criticisms resonated - I always remember past praise from coaches when i’m playing like dodo
There was a part about the ego wanting to take credit for making things better. it particularly resonated - in a practice where I was playing well, I was annoyed that It wasn’t my thinking that made me play better but it just seemed to happen without my input.

interesting concepts, but i’m finding it hard to understand how the non-judgmental mind helps in skill acquisition, the way it’s described in the book seems to be contradictory to the, do, evaluate, improve that we’ve all been taught. Though i’m early into the book, hope this is expanded on.

Un mio caro amico, bravissimo musicista, mi ha detto che leggere questo libro è stato life-changing. Vi dirò

I am one judgmental bitch to myself. Need to loosen up and let Self 2 play her game

reading this for acting class and yeah this is not about tennis at all

Finally getting around to starting this, years (decades?!) after it was first recommended to me!! Though thinking I’ll take it slowly to really read closely and annotate well. Reflective Practice anyone??

I started this book years ago and never finished, and now I’ve restarted it and have been really enjoying it. It’s not so much about tennis as it is about honing skills in something and learning to perform your best mentally, which is certainly helpful as a performer!

Focus is letting mind subtly soaked into something. For instances like watching the motion of ball(topspin), noticing when the ball bounces on the ground and make contact with your racket(say bounce/hit out loud), even listening to the sound as hitting the sweet spot will make different sound than others. Subtle focus will deepen your concentration and self1 will not interfere your mind.

Changing the habit is not like changing the groove that is already existed, it is to start another groove. Simply observe your current motion, make an imagery visual to tell self2 what to do, then natural learning process happens, as you will have your desired motion. However, if you satisfy the result and next day you want the same stuff happened, you will probably invite self 1 to take control again.

50

Language instruction is not the formula because everyone feels the instructions in different ways. Let self 2 experience and evolve the techniques by self 2 itself.

Imagery and feeling are key to let self 2 learn. Do not let any conscious thinking when imagining the movement because that will let self 1 talk and ruin the whole experience

I learned that playing good tennis should be without any judgemental thinking in your mind, whether it is positive or negative. Do not let the self 1 says, let self 2, your body, learn things naturally, which you will put a lot of trust on.

This book completely changed my mind. You could actually learn without following instructions, but just have the visual image in your mind by watching your coach hitting forehand 10x times.
I like the analogy of the player’s inner mind as self 1 and self 2.

“Simply let go and trust Self 2” and my Self 1 just tried to commit aggravated assault on Self 2

Third time reading 😎

Idk I saw this book at Barnes and thought, since I like reading- and I like tennis, why not combine the two and get double the happiness?

基本上也就是讲的太傻，但是太傻，讲得有点太抽象了，这本比较实际

Although, I have never played tennis once in my life I feel like I have to and want to give this book 5 stars.

The application of the ideas and tools given to you in this book is universal.
I personally felt like I was given a complete paradigm shift on how to approach obstacles and life in general.

6 starts if I could. I highly recommend.

看上去有点像深夜遇见苏格拉底，当下的力量

Too many highlighted quotes to choose just one

So far this book as been really eye opening. The concept of Self 1 and Self 2 is really interesting.

“Letting go of judgements does not mean ignoring errors. It simply means seeing events as they are and not adding anything to them.”

30

It all comes back to Challengers ofc

YOURE THE WORST CHOKE ARTIST IN THE CLUB WHAT DOES THAT MEAN AHAHAH

Super good: self 1 vs self 2, seeing whats going on and trustig self 2 to do the thing instead of judging whats going on. Trying too hard is a thing

71

Concentration: Learning to focus - Takeaways

Redefines focus as quiet trust in Self 2
• Concentration is a practiced skill, not forced
• Let go of distractions, don’t push them out.
• Focus on what you observe, not what you should do.
• Real focus happens in the present, not past/future.
• You don’t try to enter the zone, it just happens.

True concentration = quiet attention, not mental strain.