Tournament Preparation and Mindset

We get ourselves into a certifiable tizzy before a tournament. We love to compete in them because we feel alive and we are goal-oriented people and we like prizes and fun outfits, too.

But, WOW, do we put the pressure on ourselves before these things. Am I right?

Let's check ourselves so we remember our why for these fun things and straighten our crowns before we strut onto those courts with courage and self-worth in full glory.

Here are some tips to prepare yourself on and off court to get you tournament ready!

The Night Before:

Get your gear totally ready, including your cooler and refrigerator stuff.

Visualize right before bed. Envision your shots and winning points. Play an entire game out in your head where you win and are in control.

Get a lot of sleep.

Check and Level Your Emotions.

Competitiveness, self-judgement, fear of looking foolish, and letting our partner down kick up at their highest in a tournament. 

While these sorts of emotions have their benefits and can motivate us to strive, too much of them can lead to overthinking and poor choices. Let them go while you are on the court. They do not serve you.

Hone in on Your WHY.

Are you trying out for the PPA Tour? Not likely. Tournaments are an opportunity for YOU to work hard in anticipation of a goal, to break your own limits, and outgrow yourself to live your best freaking life..

Drop that need to prove something to your peers about your level or your medals.

You don’t have to prove anything to anybody except yourself. YOU DECIDE. 

Don’t Fixate on the Score.

Hear me out-this is not the same as not caring about winning. We can desire the results we want to achieve while at the same time not being emotionally manipulated by an outcome that we cannot fully control. 

Don’t attach your own approval and worth to the outcome of this game. 

Being “attached” to an outcome means that we don’t approve of ourselves unless we win.

We will not let our happiness, self-acceptance, and sense of accomplishment be conditional on things we can’t control.

All we can control is our preparation, our attitude, how we show up, how we choose to see things, and how we act.

Let’s drop exaggerated fears around risk, embarrassment, failure, and rejection. When we frame challenges outside of our comfort zone as opportunities for personal growth, we have taken decisive action to becoming a more powerful human.

The Day Of:

Eat a light, clean meal about 3 hours before your start time. Protein, good fats and complex carbs are your friends. Hydrate with electrolytes.

Allow time in your car or private area to do your pre-tournament routine, alone or with your partner:

• Play your fight song loudly

• Do breathwork or review above to start telling your brain you are okay regardless of the outcome. 

• Do Tapping exercises

Arrive early and set up camp.

Do your dynamic stretching.

Warm up on court: Slinky, Fast Hands, Serves, Don't Dink.

Game Play:

Mindset:

Focus MORE on your Opponents than yourselves.

SLOW your mind down - tell yourself that you have time.

Play smart, have patience. Your mission is to get the ball back over the net.

Do not dwell on a mistake.

Stay positive with yourself and your partner.

Court Brains:

Take your allotted 10 seconds you have to serve if you need to calm your nerves.

Use your timeouts, especially if the other team is getting a run on points.

Drive down the middle early, see if your opponents communicate.

Hit high percentage shots down the middle

Questionable Calls

Remain calm and sportsmanlike over questionable calls. If a second one happens, interject with a diplomatic, “Are you sure?” Now they know you are questioning them and they will be less likely to call an out ball.

Be fierce. You’re out there off the couch playing competitive pickleball. 

Therefore, by definition you are a Bad Ass Athlete. Own it!