Mental Tips To Stop Double Faulting

It is a common mistake the believe that the successful execution of second serve is build on technical and physical abilities only!! Dealing with double faults is a very unpleasant and frustrating experience. Fortunately there are some key mental tips which can significantly reduce the number of double faults during competition.

 1. Practice your second serve in different modified match situation.

Executing your second serve in a tournament is a task performed in an environment with variety of sources of psychological pressure. Training in an environment similar to the real match atmosphere is a very efficient way to build your mental toughness. Here are some ideas you can try in your training plan:

• play a practice match in which you start each game from “ad out”

• play a practice match in which you start each game from “ad out” and you get only one serve per point

• play a practice match in places with lots of noise and different types of outside distractions

2. Positive thinking.

 Do you have fear hitting second serve? Do you worry about double faulting, and pay for it by losing the point? If you are ready to serve with the thought “I don’t want to miss my second serve”- you are going to miss it.Instead, take your second serve as an offensive shot. Think – “ I’m in charge now; I’ve got my second serve; I have it.”

 3. Have a clear game plan.

 The best way to keep your mind off missing your second serve is to have a clear game plan. Think where and how you are going to serve, with what speed and what spin, on every point. Start thinking more target instead of consequence. When you get to a key point, you will be able to concentrate clearly on your serving tactic, instead of thinking about double faulting, and the mechanics of your serve will take care of themselves.

 4. Adopt a ritual (your own routine).

 Another common mistake is to rush your second serve. You need to take your time!!  The worst thing you can do is the continuous motion from the first to the second serve. Get your own routine that you repeat before every single serve. For example, shake your arms, loose or bounce the ball a set number of times. That sets the rhythm for the rest of your service action. Under pressure, the comfort from your own, very familiar ritual will help you overcome the stress about the serve.