In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss tennis performance in various team settings such as adult teams, college teams, and high school teams. Within these teams, it is important to develop a team identity so that motivation and resiliency can be improved. Captains and team leaders play a pivotal role in the development of a cycle of leadership that can create a positive and autonomous culture. Lastly, Brian and Josh review how team goals can be constructed and how they can be linked with the te...
Oct 14, 2021•55 min•Ep 57•Transcript available on Metacast David Sammel is a world prominent tennis coach based in the UK who has coached dozens of professional players and international junior players. Hes also the author of the book Locker Room Power and the founder of Mindset College. Through this conversation, you will learn what Locker Room Power is, how to develop it, and how to apply it in competition. This includes the concept of mentally unsettling the opponent and using courage as a virtue. Locker Room Power: Building an Athlete's...
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Ep 56•Transcript available on Metacast This episode includes a brief discussion on the yips in tennis. The yips has been described as a sudden and unexplained loss of ability to execute certain skills in experienced athletes, and though it happens most typically to golfers as they putt, it can happen to tennis players as well. The remainder of the conversation discussed serving and double faults. Brian and Josh emphasized the importance of resetting and putting the previous point behind you in order to have the best possible mi...
Sep 27, 2021•49 min•Ep 55•Transcript available on Metacast Josh and Brian review some of the bigger stories from the 2021 US Open through the lens of sport psychology. First, they discuss Emma Raducanus victory over Leylah Fernandez in the women's final and the circumstances that led to the unexpected success of each finalist. The guys also discuss Daniil Medvedevs first Grand Slam triumph, and how he was able to stop Novak Djokovic from completing a calendar year Grand Slam and winning major title number 21. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgro...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep 54•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh review how to deal with losing. Losing is a necessary and inevitable part of competition and the development process. Discussion points are how to respond to lost points during a match, how to handle and frame difficult losses, and the feeling of loss that athletes can undertake during an injury or retirement. Lastly, Brian and Josh consider the mindset that athletes want to have - 'playing to win' rather than trying to avoid losing. To learn more about Jos...
Sep 13, 2021•55 min•Ep 53•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can establish and utilize post-practice and post-match routines to enhance future performance. The co-hosts review recovery routine elements such as nutrition, hydration, stretching, and more. Additionally, they examine how players can utilize journals to reflect on their practices and matches to learn and improve going forward. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology businesses, go to TiebreakerPsych.com an...
Aug 30, 2021•35 min•Ep 52•Transcript available on Metacast Dr. Laura Swettenham is a sport and exercise psychologist from the UK, chartered with the British Psychological Society. She has experience working within a range of sports, predominantly professional football (soccer), youth tennis, and e-sports. In her practice, Laura uses acceptance and mindfulness approaches, such as acceptance and commitment therapy, to support athletes and coaches so they can thrive in and out of their performance environment. Currently, Laura works at Cultiv8 Acade...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep 51•Transcript available on Metacast During a tennis match, there can be several key moments that could determine the outcome. Do you perform well in these moments? Are you good at recognizing them? In this episode, Brian and Josh review how to create clutch performances. Highlights of the conversation include understanding what a clutch performance is, the concept of "make it happen," and some practical steps you can take to become more clutch. This is a valuable topic for both players and coaches.
Aug 09, 2021•48 min•Ep 50•Transcript available on Metacast At most levels of the game, tennis players are required to call lines and honor the rules of the game. It is a unique feature of the sport and it highlights the importance of sportsmanship when competing. In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss some coaching and parenting behaviors that can promote good sportsmanship along with some behaviors that can lead to unethical decision making. In the end, we need to understand that good sportsmanship makes us better people, and better people are better ...
Aug 04, 2021•50 min•Ep 49•Transcript available on Metacast This episode reviews how tennis players can build mental fortitude and resilience. Brian and Josh base their discussion on the study Mental fortitude training: An evidence-based approach to developing psychological resilience for sustained success by David Fletcher and Mustafa Sarkar. Their mental fortitude training program focuses on three main areas: personal qualities, facilitative environment, and challenge mindset. To learn more about Josh and Brian's backgrounds and sport psychology...
Jul 26, 2021•58 min•Ep 48•Transcript available on Metacast Josh and Brian review some of the bigger stories from the 2021 Wimbledon Championships through the lens of sport psychology. Topics included are Ash Barty and being the best person you can be, Karolina Pliskova and the importance of self-belief, and the mental strength of Novak Djokovic winning his sixth Wimbledon title and 20th Grand Slam title (tying Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal). If you have questions or feedback on this episode, email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com ....
Jul 16, 2021•46 min•Ep 47•Transcript available on Metacast Angelo Rossetti is well-known in the tennis and coaching communities as someone who is very positive, very generous, and a wonderful influence on his students. He currently serves as the Director of Racquet Sports for the Inspire Tennis Academy and the Tennis and Fitness Center of Rocky Hill. He's a USPTA P1 Elite Professional, he's PTR Certified, a USTA High Performance and Mental Skills Certified Coach, and ITPTA Certified Pickleball Teaching Professional. He's also a two-time Guinness World R...
Jul 05, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep 46•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can handle pre-match preparation. The co-hosts review how utilizing mental skills the day before and morning of a match can be the difference between performing well and under-performing. They also discuss how scheduling sleep, meals, and hydration can make a big difference in how an athlete feels once their match begins. Lastly, they emphasize that planning for certain scenarios and designing contingency responses can be beneficial just...
Jun 24, 2021•44 min•Ep 45•Transcript available on Metacast Mental health and mental toughness were on full display at the 2021 French Open, and in this episode, Josh and Brian review some of the bigger stories from the tournament through the lens of sport psychology. Topics included are Naomi Osaka's withdrawal, two first-time Grand Slam finalists in the women's draw, and the mental strength of Novak Djokovic. If you have questions or feedback on this episode, email us at tennisiqpodcast@gmail.com ....
Jun 18, 2021•47 min•Ep 44•Transcript available on Metacast Steve O'Connell is an accomplished racquet sport professional and educator who is a USPTA elite certified pro, wheelchair tennis instructor, certified platform tennis instructor and a certified pickleball instructor. Through his careers in both tennis and education, Steve has been a long-time advocate of journaling and writing, emphasizing the many benefits of these practices to his students. Interview Highlights: 1:25 - Steve explains his introduction to tennis 4:35 - The sim...
Jun 10, 2021•59 min•Transcript available on Metacast Note: This episode was recorded on Sunday (5/30) which was before the news broke of Naomi Osaka's withdrawal from the 2021 Roland Garros tournament. This episode dives into the quote "Keep standards high and expectations low" which was originally used by Mikaela Shiffrin (Olympic and World Cup ski champion), but has been embraced and thoroughly discussed by Iga Swiatek. Brian and Josh discuss the expectations placed on various ATP and WTA players currently, and review how these expectatio...
Jun 02, 2021•50 min•Ep 42•Transcript available on Metacast Ryan Harry has established himself as an industry leader within the tennis community. His 21-year career has presented opportunities to work at some of the most established clubs within the nation. Most recently, Ryan held the position as Head Professional for the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In February, 2021 Ryan launched Play Tennis Academy, a management company designed to bring club-level programming to your neighborhood. These efforts are to provide convenient junior and adult traini...
May 24, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep 41•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss goal-setting strategies that can help tennis players further their development. The conversation starts by discussing the importance of crafting an identity for the person that you want to become, and then crafting goals relating to that new identity. They also discuss how tennis players ought to break down their larger "outcome goals" into smaller pieces using performance and process goals, and then develop new habits and systems to pursue those goals. La...
May 17, 2021•57 min•Ep 40•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh dive into the topic of choking and cover strategies that tennis players can utilize when they feel a match starting to slip away. First, the co-hosts discuss a few root issues relating to choking including identifying oneself as a "choker" or expecting that you will choke because you've choked in the past. Additionally, they examine how focusing too much on the score and the outcome of the match can cause players to play hesitantly so as to avoid losing rather tha...
May 08, 2021•44 min•Ep 39•Transcript available on Metacast When it comes to developing your potential as a tennis player, there are a number of factors involved. In this episode, Brian and Josh review several of those factors including the relationship between talent and potential, your genes, access to facilities and/or coaching, and the mindset required to develop your talent. The Performance Equation [Actual Performance] = [Potential Performance] - [Interference]
Apr 30, 2021•52 min•Ep 38•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis players can embrace the mentality of playing one point at a time. Many players notice that when they buy in to a one point at a time mentality, they feel less pressure and may even feel that it makes it easier for them to perform. The co-hosts review the "formula" to playing one point at a time (below) and explain that it is necessary to determine what a quality point means for each player, depending on their playing style. Lastly, Brian and Jos...
Apr 25, 2021•46 min•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how athletes should approach returning back to tennis after an injury or break from the sport. Many athletes experienced the challenges of taking an extended break from their sport during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the co-hosts discuss the psychological differences between this stoppage and breaks due to injuries. Additionally, they talk about certain issues that commonly occur when tennis players return to the court after an extended break. Lastly, they d...
Apr 18, 2021•50 min•Ep 36•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss how tennis coaches and players can integrate mental skills on the practice court. It begins with utilizing deliberate and purposeful practice as a way to maximize time on court. Subsequently, Brian and Josh review the need to play practice matches and simulate higher-pressure situations in practice that are likely to occur during matches. Lastly, they reflect on how setting small daily goals and aiming to improve by 1% each day while practicing stressful s...
Apr 11, 2021•47 min•Ep 35•Transcript available on Metacast Flow is a psychological concept that was named by Mihly Cskszentmihlyi in 1975 and can be defined as a state of complete immersion in an activity. In this episode, Brian and Josh describe this concept and its characteristics. Additionally, they explain some ways that tennis players can increase their likelihood of achieving flow on the court. Though it is likely that most of the time tennis players will not achieve a flow state, the strategies discussed to increase the likelihood of achieving fl...
Apr 03, 2021•47 min•Ep 34•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the concept of fear of failure. From their perspective, it is important to determine what it is exactly that is being feared, and how fear manifests itself on the court with physical, mental, and emotional consequences. Mindset shifts and physical tension release strategies to help tennis players deal with these symptoms of fear and pressure are reviewed. Lastly, Brian and Josh talk about how failure and losing are an important and necessary part of the im...
Mar 27, 2021•1 hr•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh explore the topic of positive psychology and offer some interventions that can be helpful for tennis players. Positive psychology takes a strengths-based approach focusing on utilizing the strengths and positive emotions of individuals with the goal of thriving, flourishing, and well-being. Topics of discussion are the importance of having a high ratio of positive to negative emotions on the tennis court, continuing to work on the strengths of your tennis game rat...
Mar 20, 2021•49 min•Ep 32•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss handling pressure. Some common barriers to performing well under pressure, including unrealistic expectations, are reviewed. They break down higher-pressure matches and tournaments and give some tips for how to mentally prepare for these instances. Mentally rehearsing and preparing for high-pressure moments in matches including break points, deuce points, and tiebreakers are suggestions that are offered. Lastly, the two hosts discuss how the expectations o...
Mar 16, 2021•1 hr 17 min•Ep 31•Transcript available on Metacast Marius Barnard is a former ATP pro who spent 13 years on the tour, winning 6 titles, and reaching the mens doubles quarterfinals at both Wimbledon and the Australian Open. During his playing career, he also had doubles wins over 6 world number ones, including Roger Federer. While playing on the tour, Marius studied psychology and business management. After his career was over, he used his expertise in performance psychology and business to become a coach and mentor. Today, Marius is an executive...
Mar 09, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep 30•Transcript available on Metacast The 2021 Australian Open has concluded with Naomi Osaka and Novak Djokovic claiming the singles titles. We discuss how dominant each of these champions have been (Djokovic is 9-0 in Australian Open title matches and Osaka is 4-0 in her first four major finals), and how their mental strength has allowed them to become the champions that they are today. We also reflect on other storylines from the Australian Open including Aslan Karatsev's run to the semi-finals, Daniil Medvedev's performance thro...
Feb 27, 2021•42 min•Ep 29•Transcript available on Metacast In this episode, Brian and Josh discuss the importance of focusing on the process. First, they break down the improvement process of becoming a better tennis player, which is slow and gradual. Next, they address the importance of enjoyment during the development process and how aiming for 1% improvements on a daily basis leads to significant long-term results. Lastly, they talk about the importance of having trust and faith in the process as improvements often can't be noticed until a later time...
Feb 22, 2021•48 min•Ep 28•Transcript available on Metacast 
