First, figuring out their own desired outcome.

Players who have achieved mastery of the Inner Game are good at three skills: The goal is thus to play without thinking too actively or “over trying.” Good players of course still have to exert significant effort on the court, but there’s a difference between this and trying too hard, which almost always involves getting angry at yourself.

This is a manifestation of an inner self that is not well-calibrated and an ego that is working too hard for control, leading to physical reactions. While observing a tennis match, it’s obvious that most competitors are physically straining in unnecessary ways-their faces tighten or they curse at themselves. Players are most successful when they can quiet Self 1 and let Self 2 take over, but this is rare.

The “ego-mind” is what chastises you when you do poorly and compliments you when you do well. Gallwey calls the two selves “Self 1” and “Self 2.” Self 1 governs what he refers to as the “ego-mind,” and Self 2 governs the body and instinct. It is played more with yourself than with your opponent, and there are strategies to improve your relationship with yourself. To unlock your full potential as a tennis player, understand that tennis is a mind game. The Mental Game of Tennis and the Inner and Outer Selves He argues that we aren’t practicing and learning correctly and suggests a new method that is based on the concepts of playing an inner and an outer game, governed by two selves, one that relies on instinct and the other that governs the thinking mind. In The Inner Game of Tennis, tennis pro and educator Timothy Gallwey explores the mind games that exist both in tennis and the rest of our lives. Whether we are preparing for an inter-squad scrimmage or the National Championship Game, these principles lie at the foundation of our program.1-Page Summary 1-Page Book Summary of The Inner Game of Tennis “Introduced to The Inner Game of Tennis as a graduate student years ago, I recognized the obvious benefits of Gallwey's teachings.

Whether you're a beginner or a pro, Gallwey's engaging voice, clear examples, and illuminating anecdotes will give you the tools you need to succeed.

build skills by smart practice, then put it all together in match play.

find the state of “relaxed concentration” that allows you to play at your best.

focus your mind to overcome nervousness, self-doubt, and distractions.

Timothy Gallwey, a leading innovator in sports psychology, reveals how to Not just for tennis players, or even just for athletes in general, this handbook works for anybody who wants to improve his or her performance in any activity, from playing music to getting ahead at work. With more than 800,000 copies sold since it was first published thirty years ago, this phenomenally successful guide has become a touchstone for hundreds of thousands of people.

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