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Learning the forehand
is like peeling an onion. After one layer is removed, another layer appears...
This is the natural learning cycle. As you become more accustomed to this cycle, you will learn faster. There will never come a time that your skills will reach perfection because your brain will always search for improvements. However, you will steadily converge on better technique throughout your lifetime. The five EASI Tennis® stages for each stroke provide excellent approximations from which to explore and rapidly learn. |
| The
learning cycle is one of the most frustrating aspects of developing high-quality
tennis strokes. On one day you have it perfect, or you think so, and then
on the next outing, it seems you can't do anything. It is critically important
for your development to understand that this is a natural process. One aspect
of the process is reflexive learning. This form of learning proceeds without
a clear memory component. That is, you cannot remember "how you did it."
It is a state of mind, but it is not psychological. The fact that you cannot
rapidly recall a reflexive procedure is normal. Declarative procedures,
procedures you can recite in words, can be recalled much more quickly.
Another aspect of development is that there are three elements that must be developed to improve your stroke. One is the development of the musculature to control the new movement; two is the development of the neural assemblies that exercise the control; and three is the development of the communications channels between the neural assemblies and the muscles that carry the signal from the brain to the body. These three elements do not all develop at the same time. There are lags between them. Neurons can rearrange themselves relatively quickly as compared to muscles. Hence, after training on Monday, you may know clearly what you want to do, but the fine muscle development and communications channels may not be in place to do it. This is frustrating, but it should not be discouraging. Try skipping a day or two before returning to play, or just learn to be patient. The improvements will arrive. |