Drama on Court · Lesson 9

Back Inside the Lines

We’re not getting rid of the fire. We’re deciding where it burns.

The tool

Give your energy a job

Whether someone outside the court is making you angry or nervous, your attention has left the court. Bring it back through your senses.

Outside the fence

Example from the lesson

The steps

Four steps, in this order

  1. 1

    Feel something real.

    The racquet in your hand is right now. The guy clapping three points ago is in your head.

    • My feet in my shoes
    • The court under me
    • My grip
    • The air or temperature
    • The ball bouncing
    • My breathing
  2. 2

    Identify the energy.

    • Angry
    • Nervous
  3. 3

    Give it a job.

    Where does this energy go instead? Your feet, your movement, your intensity, the next ball.

  4. 4

    Say it if you need to, then come back.

    If someone is genuinely interfering, ask once, clearly. “Would you mind keeping your voices down a little?” Then back to tennis.

If you’re angry

Anger becomes competitive energy.

Put it into your feet, your movement, your intensity. Not into listening for the next clap.

If you’re nervous

Nerves become excitement.

“Of course I have energy. I care about this. My body is getting ready to compete.”

Scripts

What to say

To yourself, angry

“Good. Put it in my feet.”

To yourself, nervous

“I’m excited. I care about this.”

To a loud spectator

“Would you mind keeping your voices down a little?”

If it continues

Tell your captain or the facility. Then let them handle it.

Your reset

Back inside the lines.

Say it to yourself

Don’t fight the energy. Give it a job.

Feel something real. Name the energy. Give it a job. Come back inside the lines.

Remember this

  • Outside drama makes us angry or nervous. Both are energy.
  • Don’t fight the energy. Give it a job.
  • Relabeling nerves as excitement beats trying to calm down.
  • Feel something real: feet, grip, ball, breath. Come back inside the lines.
  • Their behavior doesn’t require you to hand over yours.

Take it home

On the drive home

Answer it in your head, or text it to yourself.