Tennis — Shot Choice Fatigue Is Killing Your Game

I used to suffer from shot choice fatigue.

My opponent would play a shot back to me, a shot choice menu would drop down, and my mind would consider every possible choice.

I’d eventually choose one, and yet, by then I was in total indecision mode.

For example, a guy would play a neutral cross court ball over to my forehand, and immediately each shot on that drop down menu would scream out for attention.

Choose ME!

• topspin drive deep back cross court or
• topspin drive up the line or
• heavy topspin drive deep up the middle or
• massive topspin looper up high into the ad court or
• feathery drop shot back cross court or
• carve drop shot up the line or
• underspin drive or
• HELP!

Exactly.

By the time you decide on one of those choices, your confidence to play it with any quality goes down the drain.

You’re completely uncommitted to the technique, and then tangible doubt becomes the foundation for executing that shot.

And as the match goes on, that scenario I just described gets repeated over and over.

Your brain gets exhausted because of … shot choice fatigue.

And that fatigue drains your physical fuel tank. Doesn’t matter how great of shape you’re in … shot choice fatigue takes a heavy toll.

Why do we allow a shot choice menu to even be a thing?

Simple. We don’t trust our ability to stay in the point long enough until a wide open fat offensive opportunity presents itself.

So we’re constantly looking for a shot choice that’ll end the point … NOW.

Even if we have to thread the proverbial needle to make it happen.

We don’t have a smart tactical shot choice plan vs. that guy over there.

Here’s the fix.

The fix is going to sound simple, but it requires lots and lots of Reps to trust it.

What’s helped me eliminate shot choice fatigue is to choose the first shot choice that comes into my mind …

That’s based on a tactical plan.

What does that opponent over there hope I give em, and what do they hope I don’t give em?

So for me, if that guy has a really good forehand, why would I ever give em what they want? I wouldn’t.

Even if my forehand is darn good as well, why mess with getting into a pissing match?

( I know some players who do and they seem to never win. )

Why not probe to find what they’re average or weak at … and just play shots to that part of the court?

When your shot choice menu gets narrowed down based on your opponent, then if I know I’m going 80% of the time to the ad side of the court for example, it’s easy to trust my initial instinctive shot choice.

I don’t care if my opponent figures out my tactics because I’m not going to allow them to beat with their strength.

So the fix is easy.

Probe to discover their strength. Probe to discover their average / weakness. Now you know which part of their court you’re focused on.

And then completely 100% commit to playing the very first shot that comes into your mind.

Is this a perfect winning formula? Of course not. There is no perfect shot choice formula.

But the sooner you commit to your first shot choice based on a plan …

• the longer you’ll have to create spacing to the path of the incoming ball with your feet,
• you’ll instantly prep your shoulders,
• you’ll allow the ball to come into your ideal contact point,
• you’ll feel you can take your time to finish,
• your confidence for making that shot goes through the roof,
• and you’ll conserve fuel.

You’ll no longer feel a need to question your shot choice. Indecision is what makes self-imposed panicked errors.

Yes. This takes Reps. Practice drill Reps. Practice match Reps.

But it’ll be worth it. I promise.

So … are you still feeling rushed in your singles or doubles matches … ?

Kinda like you just wanna get out of the point asap?

Because if you’re slightly panicked throughout the point, you’re looking for the exit waaaaay too early. Too many self-imposed errors.

Let me help you build a calm mindset so that you begin to consistently make really smart shot choices.

Check out the P.S. below.

Brent

P.S. — If you’re still feeling RUSHED during points, especially when you’re looking for a point ending offensive opportunity …

And/or if that panicked feeling during any part of the point is happening to you too often where you want to get the point over right NOW … then I want to help you fix that.

Just $7 gets you the download link to my quick-read 14 page PDF that describes how to build a confident calmness during the point so that you make smart choices …

And STOP making self imposed unforced errors.

This is simple. It’ll work for you. Let’s get started here.

Brent

Work with me directly: If you’re a league or tournament player, and want me to help you figure out how to consistently play and win at that next level, shoot me an email to brent@webtennis.com and let me know.

I’ll follow up with the details of how you and I can make that happen.

“What’s The Right Shot? Video Series” — — YouTube Channel