Loose is Fast

When you want to increase your speed while playing tennis the initial response is to try harder. Paradoxically, trying harder may slow you down. This is because trying harder usually involves constriction and tension within your body, which works in conflict with the generation of more speed.

Speed comes from an overall relaxation & looseness in the body which in turn creates flexibility. The moment your body becomes tight through the act of trying too hard, you remove this flexibility factor creating a reduction in speed.

What ever you desire to achieve you must make sure that you do not 'over try' for it. While trying too hard to increase your speed slows you down, wanting something too badly pushes the object of your desire further away from your grasp.

When this relentless desire takes over the player's actions become counter productive. They often start compromising by over training, cultivating a less than productive mindset and becoming impatient with the level of their progress. So, try to stay clear of over wanting a particular goal.. Take everything in stride and be patient with your progress.. some things will come quicker than others in your development- embrace it.

The 'best' way to get what you want is to pitch your efforts between under trying and over trying. By hitting the optimal zone of not caring too much about achieving your target as well as remembering not to become apathetic toward achieving your goal you increase the chances of success.

when you hit the optimal area on this continuum, you will find that your tennis performance will become more effortless, automatic and instinctive.