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Latest News

Dr. Robert Heller is a psychologist, sports psychology consultant and certified tennis instructor based in Boca Raton, Fla. He is also the author of the 2-volume mental conditioning CD-Rom program, “Tennis Mind.” Dr. Heller will be contributing content to the Tennis Psychology area of southerntennis.com on a regular basis. If you have an idea for a future article or have a specific question he can be contacted by e-mail at rheller2007@comcast.net.

The Stretching Dilemna

9/4/2008 3:14:00 PM

As a psychologist and sport psychology consultant, I often work with athletes and non-athletes who are recovering from an injury, trying to manage pain and discomfort or just looking for a tool or method to provide them with a winning edge in competition. Stretching has been popularly promoted as a way to reduce the risk of injuries, increase flexibility and decrease muscle soreness following vigorous exercise. In my experience, there is much confusion on the subject. Let me touch on a few points.

Lose the Weight to Play Great

6/18/2008 6:08:00 PM

Many recreational and social tennis players sometimes overlook how their fitness level and weight can impact their performance and health. Often times, middle aged-individuals and beyond are carrying around an extra 10-30 pounds of weight. This slows down their ability to get to balls, results in getting overly tired and increases the risk of injuries to the joints, especially the knee and lower back. Because of this, they don’t play at their full potential and may lose matches that they might have otherwise won.

Improved Training for Better Performance

6/3/2008 6:18:00 PM

The American Heart Association recommends healthy individuals begin exercising at 50% of their maximum heart rate, progress gradually to 75% and then train at 85% after about 6 months. Using a standard formula of 220-age X %, a 60 year old would begin at 80 beats per minute and work up to a maximum of 136 beats per minute. Consult a fitness professional for more details on setting up a personalized training program

The Role of Sportsmanship in Athletic Performance

12/4/2007 1:24:00 PM

Tennis is one of the few sports where participants compete largely in unofficiated matches requiring each player to make their own calls and trusting that their opponents are making accurate, reliable and honest calls as well.

Creative and Fun Ways to Improve Balance

7/12/2007 8:39:00 PM

Balance is such a crucial skill to be able to strike the ball correctly, move efficiently and reduce the risk of falls and injuries. Most of the time we “talk” about the importance of balance but rarely “do” anything about it. Here is a “game” you can play to work on your balance skills. It’s based on the idea of a “relay “ race.

Helping Young Tennis Players Relax

4/19/2007 3:55:00 PM

In our increasingly hurried and worried lives, squeezing more things into fewer hours seems to be an epidemic that effects not only athletic performance, but the physical and mental well being of children and parent’s alike. Participating in multiple sports, having extra practices, and specialized coaching need to be balanced with time to “chill out”. Kids who don’t learn how to relax and unwind are at risk of becoming “human doings” rather than “human beings”.

The Role of Practice in Performance

1/23/2007 8:09:00 PM

There is an old joke about the an excited visitor to New York who stops a passerby on the street and asks, “Do you know how to get to Carnegie Hall?” The passerby answers, “Sure-practice, practice, practice”.

Quick Fixes for Dealing with Anxiety-Part II

11/6/2006 8:13:00 PM

Anxiety about performing can be due to a number of actors including: caring too much what others think, worrying about mistakes, not playing “good enough” and the fear of becoming or looking anxious.

Quick Fixes For Coping With Performance Anxiety- Part 1

9/25/2006 2:41:00 PM

Performance anxiety, the exaggerated and excessive fear of looking foolish and feeling embarrassed and tense, is a common affliction among tennis players. It’s especially noticeable when serving or receiving on keys points in front of a crowd or significant others.

When The Going Gets Tough The Tough Get Going

8/9/2006 2:17:00 PM

How is it that when you appear to be playing your best tennis and have a good lead, certain opponents have a way of turning things around, raising their level of play and stealing away our apparent victory?

Pack Your Bag Right To Perfrom At Your Best

7/19/2006 12:31:00 PM

To feel confident, reduce worry and help perform at your best, take the time to prepare your bag properly “before” you go out to play. Adequate preparation here will provide you with the “tools” you will need to do your job well.

Understanding The Impact of “Momentum”- Part II

6/13/2006 6:22:00 PM

Momentum can be controlled and used to your advantage once you know what triggers a momentum shift in you. Momentum shifts really take place between your ears!

Understanding The Impact of “Momentum”

5/16/2006 6:12:00 PM

Momentum shifts occur naturally and often in tennis matches for many reasons. How you react to momentum shifts will determine if you are able to maintain the momentum when it’s positive or change it when it is negative. First, let’s examine some of the causes of momentum shifts.

The Spectator's Guide to Playing Better Tennis

4/3/2006 6:12:00 PM

Would you like a free tennis lesson from one of the world’s best players? If so, all you need to do is attend a professional tennis tournament. Be sure to pay attention and allow the top players to show you their stuff.

Coping With Adversity

2/28/2006 4:29:00 PM

During the winter Olympics, in the women’s figure skating event, Sasha Cohen was a favorite to win the coveted gold medal, especially after Michelle Kwon pulled out before the start of the event with an injury.

The Quiet Warrior

1/31/2006 3:18:00 PM

As we seek to improve and perform at our best we often turn “outwards” seeking a better forehand, faster serve, or greater endurance. Yet, as Tim Gallway, of “Inner Tennis” fame suggested years ago, sometimes it’s best to turn “inwards,” learning the art of quieting our mind and calming our body.

Overcoming Intimidation

12/2/2005 7:47:00 PM

Does watching your opponent's blistering serve or powerful forehand during match warm-ups make you want to run and hide? If so, Dr. Heller can help!

How to Play a Seeded Player

11/14/2005 9:07:00 PM

You know the drill. You sign up for a tournament and to your dismay; you learn you have to play one of the top seeded players the very first round. You think to yourself how it’s not fair or that you just have bad luck. As you take a deep sigh and shuffle back to the clubhouse prior to your match, you are already planning what you will do the rest of the day after your lose. If this sounds somewhat familiar Dr. Heller has some suggestions, which you might find helpful.

Mindfulness in Tennis

10/10/2005 4:28:00 PM

Mindfulness refers to awareness of your thoughts and beliefs. It’s critical to recognize what we think and tell ourselves because it will impact on our feelings, behaviors and, most importantly, our performance.

Conquering Perfectionism

9/14/2005 1:56:00 PM

Striving to do well and play at you best are healthy goals that lead to improved performance and satisfaction whether or not you win or lose. Demanding yourself to to be perfect or to play perfectly will lead to decreased performance and dissatisfaction, also regardless of whether you win or lose.

How to Improve Your Tennis Without Hitting Another Ball!

8/5/2005 2:06:00 PM

To quote John McEnroe, as you read the title of this article I’m sure some of you are thinking, “You cannot be serious!”. Well, in fact, I am! The mind is a powerful tool. It’s been estimated that most of us use only about 15% of its capacity.

You Can't Afford a Negative Thought

7/5/2005 3:37:00 PM

Negative thoughts lead to negative feelings, which in most cases, negatively impacts performance.

Building Emotional Muscle

5/25/2005 1:39:00 PM

All serious tennis players spend a great deal of time training their strokes and muscle memory so they can hit the shots they practice when it counts during match play. However there are very few who regularly train their mind and emotions to play effectively during competition.

Mental Fitness for Tennis

4/20/2005 3:01:00 PM

As tennis players develop their strokes, strategy and physical conditioning, the one area that is often mentioned but seldom taught is their “mental game.” As players become more and more skilled in their sport, it’s most often their mental skills that determine the outcome of a match.

The Man Inside Your Head - Dr. Robert Heller

4/20/2005 2:24:00 PM

Dr. Robert Heller is a psychologist, sports psychology consultant, and USPTA tennis teaching professional based in Boca Raton. As director of The Winning Edge, he specializes in helping junior and adult athletes in tennis and other sports achieve their best both on and off the courts and provides clinics on Mental Fitness For Tennis.