IS IT PRESSURE? ENCOURAGEMENT? INVOLVEMENT?

“In sport, winners seldom compromise. Whatever the pressures, they face the truth,
serve the cause of truth.”

A Sachin Tendulkar steps-in to bat with expectations of nearly a billion people, to
score a century. A Michael Schumacher gets into his car cock-pit with expectations
of million fans and millions of dollars invested by his sponsors. A Michael Jordan
receives the basketball with 10 seconds to go for the hooter and fans ,team mates
waiting for him to make the basket.Doesn’t Sachin score consistently, Schumacher
win races, and Jordan make the basket and live up to the expectations? Are they not
under pressure every time to deliver?
Of course, they are. Even a Ronaldo can let pressure affect him on the eve of the
World Cup! Its how one handles this ‘pressure’ that makes the difference. Sachin
and others handle the situation better than the rest most of the time That is how
they have become house hold names . They know and believe they are the best. They
go out do their best, irrespective of the situation and no worry too much about the
outcome.
Junior tennis players are ‘Under Pressure’ as it is generally observed, from their
parents, all over the world. Is it ‘over involvement’ or ‘encouragement’ or expecting
their child to be better than what they actually are?
'Over involvement', is when they tend to be a coach and talk to their children about
their technique or strategy in the match played. 'Encouragement', is when the
parents make an effort to watch them practice, quite often, and show interest in their
participation in tournaments, irrespective of the outcome of the match. Most
parents do honestly feel, their child has the potential to be the best in the world,
which makes them over anxious, regarding the players progress. It is a combination
of the above three. Finding the right balance between these factors with their child,
is the key, to either ‘being supportive’ or ‘putting pressure’.
From the player’s point of view, they can’t control the emotions or expectations of
their parents. They can go out on court and give their best, each and every time. They
can work hard on their fitness. They have control over the above two activities and
nothing that stops them from doing these. When there is involvement in training, on
and off the court; enjoyment follows. So, end of the day, we have a hard working
junior tennis player, who is thoroughly enjoying his life!! Is that not a great situation
to be in?
As tennis player, when you anticipate your opponent’s moves and know what they
are likely to do with the next shot, you have an advantage. It is the unexpected,
which throws you off-guard. It gets you, thinking; which can create doubts and allow
the opponent to take control .
Translating the same philosophy while dealing with parents --- one knows how and
when they react, before, during and after a match. No surprises there!
Does that not put one in control of the situation , with events turning out as expected,
after a match? No surprises again!! Handling a difficult situation starts with how you
perceive it, in the first place. Look at it from a angle of advantage and so it is; while
looking from a position of defeat, it remains so.
All top sportsmen love to deliver under pressure. They take it as an opportunity to
prove themselves , backed by total belief in their ability. To them, it’s a positive
influence that motivates them and channelises their energy.

“The virtue of all achievement is victory over oneself. Those who know this victory
can never know defeat.”
Parents are the back bone of any junior player. Their encouragement and
involvement keeps the player motivated at the worst of times. When the involvement
level increases, it is considered to be ‘pressure’. If the player can take the
involvement as a positive influence with the knowledge of the post match reaction,
then,
IT’S JUST ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY UNDER THE SUN!! : - )