Inner Game Of Tennis Flashcards
What is the first step in bringing harmony between Self 1 and Self 2?
Let go of self-judgment
Self 1 must stop judging Self 2 to appreciate its processes.
What develops as Self 1 stops judging Self 2?
Trust and self-confidence
Trust is essential for top performance.
Define Self 2.
The physical body, including the brain, memory bank, and nervous system
Self 2 is a sophisticated and competent collection of potentialities.
What processes occur in the body while reading?
Coordination of eye movements, heart pumping, and muscle functioning
Thousands of operations occur without conscious effort.
Explain the complexity of returning a serve in tennis.
It involves calculating ball trajectory, velocity, and muscle coordination
This occurs within fractions of a second.
What is the relationship between Self 1 and Self 2 compared to?
The relationship between parent and child
Trusting and allowing Self 2 to perform without interference is key.
What does ‘Trust thyself’ mean in tennis?
Let your body hit the ball without interference from Self 1
It emphasizes allowing natural movement and competence.
True or False: Trying hard and controlling shots are actions of Self 2.
False
These are actions of Self 1, which leads to tension and frustration.
What happens when Self 1 tries to control muscle use?
It leads to unnecessary muscle tension and poor performance
Over-tightening can slow down movements and cause frustration.
Fill in the blank: Self 2 learns actions based on information stored in its _______.
[memory bank]
Self 2 refines its knowledge through practice and observation.
What is the importance of letting the learning process occur naturally?
It allows for surprising results without self-instruction
Trusting Self 2 leads to better performance.
Contrast the traditional learning method of dancing with modern methods.
Traditional involves step-by-step commands; modern relies on observation and imitation
The latter allows for quicker and more natural learning.
What does the author suggest about identifying with one’s backhand?
Do not identify with it; treat it with detached interest
This perspective fosters natural development without self-criticism.
What is a consequence of Self 1’s interference during sports?
Tight muscles and rigid movements
This results in mis-hits and increased frustration.
What should a beginning player remember about learning to hit a forehand?
Allow the natural learning process and forget self-instructions
Practice helps Self 2 refine its skills through experience.
What leads to the development of self-confidence according to the text?
Recognition of Self 2’s capabilities by Self 1
Trusting one’s body is crucial for achieving self-confidence.
How does a kid learn to dance effortlessly?
By simply watching and absorbing the visual image
The learning process bypasses the ego-mind and feeds directly to the body.
What does the kid do after watching the dance?
He imitates the movements he observed
This process involves feeling how to perform the movements.
What misconception does the kid have about his ability to dance?
He thinks he doesn’t know how to do the dance because he can’t explain it in words
This contrasts with those who learn through verbal instruction but struggle to perform.
What is the learning style of Self 2?
It learns by watching the actions of others and by performing actions itself
This is in contrast to traditional verbal instruction.
What phrase describes the effectiveness of visual learning for Self 2?
A picture is worth a thousand words
This highlights the efficiency of visual learning over verbal explanations.
What experience do most tennis players have after watching championship tennis?
They play better than before
This improvement comes from absorbing the images rather than analyzing strokes.
What important intangibles can improve in tennis after watching top players?
- Timing
- Anticipation
- Sense of confidence
These improvements can occur without conscious effort or control.
True or False: The benefits to improving one’s game come from analyzing the strokes of top players.
False
The benefits come from concentrating and absorbing the visual images.
Fill in the blank: To Self 2, a picture is worth a _______.
[thousand words]
What is the desired relationship with Self 2 characterized by?
Respect and trust
This contrasts with the former relationship characterized by criticism and control.
What is the native language of Self 2?
Imagery: sensory images
Self 2 learns movements through visual and feeling images.
What is the first method of communicating with Self 2?
Asking for results
This involves shifting attention from means to ends.
In tennis, what should players focus on according to the text?
The results of their strokes
Players often become too stroke-conscious and overlook the outcome.
What did Sally want to improve in her game?
Her forehand
She identified specific issues with her technique.
What is a clear visual image important for?
Communicating desired outcomes to Self 2
It helps in achieving the desired results naturally.
What should Self 1 do while communicating with Self 2?
Stay relaxed and refrain from controlling the stroke
This allows Self 2 to act freely.
What is the second method of communicating with Self 2?
Asking for form
This involves making deliberate changes in elements of a stroke.
What should you do to help Self 2 change a habit according to the text?
Give it a clear image of the desired action
This can involve visualizing the correct follow-through.
What are the two experiments suggested to experience Self 2?
Hitting a stationary target and observing stroke corrections
These experiments illustrate the difference between trying hard and letting it happen.
What is the third method of communicating with Self 2?
Asking for qualities
This involves role-playing and adopting professional mannerisms.
What is the role of Self 1 in the process of changing habits?
To observe results in a detached manner
Self 1 should not interfere with Self 2’s actions.
True or False: Self 2 can learn and correct itself without conscious effort from Self 1.
True
Trusting Self 2 allows it to make necessary adjustments.
Fill in the blank: The changes that Sally made in her forehand lay in the fact that she gave Self 2 a clear visual image of the _______.
Results she desired
What should players do when they are playing a match?
Hold the image of where they want the ball to go
This allows the body to execute the stroke naturally.
What happens when players forget themselves and act out their assumed role?
Remarkable changes in their game occur
This can lead to improved performance and confidence.
What is the primary focus when swinging the racket according to the text?
Swinging with supreme self-assurance
Confidence is emphasized as crucial for performance.
What expression should a player maintain while playing?
No self-doubt
A confident demeanor can positively influence performance.
What can happen when a player forgets themselves and acts out their assumed role?
Remarkable changes in their game often take place
Role-playing can unlock hidden capabilities.
How does role-playing differ from positive thinking?
Role-playing involves consciously acting out a role rather than convincing oneself of superiority
This method can enhance self-awareness of true capabilities.
What is a common pattern adopted by players after a year of playing tennis?
Players often fall into a particular pattern of play
This may limit their performance and exploration of styles.
What characterizes a defensive style of play?
Retrieving every ball, lobbing often, hitting deep, and waiting for errors
Patience is key in this style.
What is the extreme form of offensive style in tennis?
Hitting for a winner every time
Every serve aims to be an ace, and shots are precisely aimed.
What defines the ‘formal’ style of play?
Players prioritize looking good over winning
Form is valued more than effectiveness.
How does a competitive player approach the game?
They do anything to win, adapting their style to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses
This includes varied shot types and strategies.
What experiment is suggested for players to extend their range?
Adopt the style that seems most unlike their previous one
This encourages flexibility and exploration of different styles.
What can defensive players learn by adopting other styles?
They can learn to hit winners
Breaking habitual patterns can reveal new skills.
What are the three basic skills involved in the Inner Game?
Letting go of judgments, creating images, and ‘letting it happen’
These skills support the development of natural abilities.
What is the focus of the next chapter after discussing basic skills?
Concentration
Concentration is highlighted as the most important inner skill.
What is the primary focus of the preceding chapters?
The importance of quieting the thinking mind and trusting the body’s capabilities
This lays the foundation for learning technique naturally and effectively.
What does the author suggest about technical instructions and the Self 2 learning process?
Technical instructions should not interfere with the natural learning process encoded in our DNA.
What is the relationship between fear, doubt, and the instructional process?
The less fear and doubt embedded in the instructional process, the easier it is to learn.
How can observing young children or animals help in understanding natural learning?
It provides insight into trusting the instinctual learning process.
What was observed in the mother hippopotamus and her baby?
The mother guided the baby in swimming, knowing when to encourage and when to let it learn independently.
How did tennis instruction evolve in America?
It originated from players communicating feelings experienced during their swings.
What is the fundamental sequence regarding experience and technical knowledge?
Experience precedes technical knowledge.
What does the author mean by ‘language is not the action’?
Words can only hint at the complexities of actions and experiences.
What can happen when one overly relies on verbal instructions?
It can lead to disappointment and self-blame if the desired outcome is not achieved.
True or False: Self 1 is responsible for the intuitive knowing required for skill execution.
False.
What is the impact of technical instructions on shot-making ability?
Too many verbal instructions can interfere with shot-making ability.
Fill in the blank: The best use of technical knowledge is to communicate a _______.
[hint toward a desired destination]
What are the two primary requirements for success in tennis?
- Hit each ball over the net
- Hit each ball into the court
What is a common experience when watching professional players?
We can learn a great deal, but must not assume their technique is directly applicable to our own.
What should a beginner focus on when observing pro players?
Focus on what interests them and allow Self 2 to pick up useful elements.
What is the importance of alternating between observation and experimentation?
It helps to build confidence in accessing the desired stroke technique.
What mindset is encouraged in the Inner Game approach?
A freedom to search for the feel that works for the individual.
What can happen if one tries to conform too rigidly to technical instructions?
It can lead to loss of naturalness, power, and consistency in strokes.
What does the author imply about the complexity of tennis instruction?
Understanding the swing and its feel is simpler than remembering numerous technical elements.
Fill in the blank: The natural learning process should lead you toward your _______.
[best stroke]
What is the final authority in the Inner Game approach?
The final authority stays inside during the alternation between external observation and total focus on one’s own movements.
What is not necessary in the Inner Game learning process?
Judgment is not necessary in the process.
What should a learner do when noticing differences between their actions and an external model?
Simply notice the differences and continue to observe and feel their own movements.
What is the prevailing learning mind-set in the Inner Game approach?
A freedom to search for the feel that works for you.
How can knowledge of technique from one person benefit another?
It can give another an advantage in discovering what technique works best.
What is dangerous about making someone else’s stroke a standard?
It can lead to the belief that there is a right and wrong way to perform.
What does Self 1 prefer in the learning process?
Self 1 prefers formulas and control from following specific instructions.
What feeling does Self 2 prefer during learning?
Self 2 prefers the feeling of flow and experiencing the whole stroke as one thing.
What is the encouragement of the Inner Game?
To keep in touch with the Self 2 learning process while avoiding conformity to external models.
How should external models be used in learning?
Use external models to further help in the natural evolution toward personal best strokes.
What did a golf professional say about their technique?
My technique is always evolving and is ever-changing day by day.
What is the nature of Self 2 regarding learning?
Self 2’s nature is to evolve every chance it gets.
What happens as a learner’s technique evolves?
They will become better at learning technique and can make big changes in a short period of time.
Fill in the blank: Natural learning is and always will be from the _______.
inside out
True or False: The Inner Game encourages learners to fit themselves into external models.
False
What are the four steps to the inner game way of learning?
1) observe existing behavior nonjudgmentally
2) picture desired outcome; do not try to correct for past errors
3) let it happen; trust self 2 the body; do not use conscious control of the mind
4) nonjudgmental calm observation of the results leading to continuous observation and learning
What happens when a player experiences what it means to ‘let go’?
The player’s shots tend to gain accuracy and power, and he feels a sense of relaxation even during rapid movements.
What does Self 1 do when a player tries to repeat the quality of performance from Self 2?
Self 1 often creeps back with remarks like, ‘Now I’ve got the secret to this game; all I have to do is make myself relax.’
What occurs when a player attempts to ‘try to relax’?
True relaxation vanishes and is replaced by a phenomenon called ‘trying to relax.’
How does relaxation occur according to the text?
Relaxation happens only when allowed, not as a result of ‘trying’ or ‘making.’
What should not be expected from Self 1 regarding its control?
Self 1 should not be expected to give up its control all at once.
What role does Self 1 find as one progresses in the art of relaxed concentration?
Self 1 begins to find its proper role.
Fill in the blank: Relaxation happens only when _______.
[allowed]
