Fade Syndrome
Some days you are going gangbusters; deep in the Zone, and gradually everything starts to go South. I call this fading, and it is a frequent experience for non-A players. There is a much more subtle, and therefore more dangerous, form of the disease; when that which fades is the control and spin you put on the ball. You are still knocking the cover off of the ball, but the ball is going anywhere and everywhere except where you want it to go. For example, you punctuate a great serve and beautiful approach shot by hitting a sitter, shoulder high volley four feet over the baseline (or in the base of the net). Remember, in this discussion; I am presuming that at first you are playing great tennis and then you aren't. It is the change, be it sudden or gradual, that is accounted for by this Syndrome.
There are likely a plethora of physiological and psychological reasons for fading; loss of concentration, a lapse in motivation, distraction, depression, anger, fear, pain, and physical exhaustion are but a few. There are so many inciting factors that you clearly can not guard against all of them - the very attempt to do so would likely so distract you that it would immediately throw you into a fade. So why in God's name have I given you just one more thing to worry about?
Knowledge of the existence of the Fade Syndrome is essential for several reasons:
- It provides for a reversible cause for serial unconscionable errors.
- Since it is a universal problem, it obviates shame and self recrimination which can lead to the Pit of Despair.
- Although unpreventable it is not incurable and can be remedied very easily and quickly during play if recognized.
The Mental Fade
Say you find yourself in a friendly match with a stranger who seems to have a bit of a problem with competition. As the match wears on, you notice that he tends to make line calls that are, shall we say, less than generous. You find this moderately annoying, but, being the polite and magnanimous individual you are, you decide to overlook these petty thefts. Besides, the rule states that balls that land on your opponent's side of the court are his to call, and you are all about the rules.
Then he questions one of your calls. He is quite insistent that you have miscalled his ball and repeatedly asks you to reconsider your outcall and give him the point. Now, your usual and customary practice is to call any ball that is not definitely out, 'in'. This procedure has probably cost you hundreds of points over the years but allows you to sleep soundly through the night. Given this practice, you are not accustomed to having your calls questioned, especially by a rapacious, corrupt, myopic villain. Annoyance builds within you, and annoyance will have one of many effects on your performance, most of them detrimental. One effect is to rob you of all interest in playing tennis with this boob. Another is to fill you with anxiety and frustration as you try to figure out how to deal with this unfortunate situation.
Luck Favors the Prepared.
The situation outlined above is not uncommon, and you should be prepared for it. The solution is trivial: First, you do not change your call. You call your side; he calls his - period. Them's the rules. If you are all about the rules, be all about the rules and don't feel bad about that. If he doesn't like it, he can concede the match. Second, you immediately change your line calling algorithm to better match his. Now, if his ball is not definitely in, it is out. Clearly, that is how he is calling his side, so you have to match him - not because of points won or lost, but because you will not be able to perform if you cannot respond to his kleptomania.
If he escalates his malfeasance and starts making more obvious miscalls you need to drop the big one. Immediately after his next obvious miscall, call the first ball he hits that lands in the middle of your court 'out.' When he complains, tell him the ball was just as out as the last one he called. At that point, the match should be over, which is, let's face it, for the best. Above all, you must have faith in your line calls. Line calls do not require any special talent, only a decent sense of fair play. Managing your mental energy in this way is not easy, but it is essential if you are to avoid the fade.
Cellular Metabolic Collapse (CMC)
Don't forget about this sneaky little performance killer. Sometimes your muscles simply refuse to follow the brain's commands. You may feel fine otherwise, which can make this condition quite occult. When you start making alot of errors for no apparent reason, consider the global form of CMC; Walkabout Syndrome.