The old assignment
“Am I supposed to beat this person?”
Threat reading
Drama on Court · Lesson 8
Your Scouting Report
You can think it’s unfair and still compete.
The tool
Turn your outrage into information
Flip the warm-up thought first. Then scout her in the first few games. Every answer is information you can use.
In warm-up
0–0
Example from the lesson
She’s hitting kick serves over your shoulder.
First few games
Example answers
Tap what you find. What’s working goes straight onto your report.
The steps
Change the assignment
Same opponent, same court. What changes is how you read it.
The new assignment
Figure her out.
“How well can I compete right now?”
Challenge reading
Your scouting questions
Use these in the first few games. Every answer is information you can use.
Can she handle my slice?
What happens when I change the pace?
Can she volley? Does she like the high ball?
Can I make her hit one more ball?
What happens if I stop trying to outhit her?
Scripts
Say to yourself instead
In warm-up
“Fine. Let’s see what I’ve got.”
Down early
“What’s working? Do more of that.”
After a great shot from her
“Good shot. Next ball.”
After the match
“What did I learn about my tennis today?”
Your reset
Change the assignment.
Say it to yourself
Don’t lose the match in warm-up.
Maybe you’re right about her. Discuss it over cocktails later. Right now, compete.
Remember this
- You can think it’s unfair and still compete.
- Same opponent, different reading: challenge or threat. Challenge plays better.
- Conceding in warm-up gives away the one thing she didn’t take.
- Change the assignment: from “Am I supposed to beat her?” to “How well can I compete right now?”
Take it home
On the drive home
Answer these in your head, or text them to yourself.
What happens to MY tennis when the level across the net goes up? What did I discover last time?
What I’ll say to myself in warm-up, the minute I think “She’s a sandbagger, I’m going to lose.”