Zennis: An Innovative Approach to Changing Your Mind, Your Play, and Your Entire Tennis Experience

By Peter Sprang

Book Overview

Whether you are new to the game or an experienced player, this book will help you find the keys to your peak performance and get you into the zone. You will master the art of being in the moment, breathing freely, acting spontaneously, and playing clean, unworried shots. By using the insights, exercises, and techniques presented in Zennis , you will make your game more successful, vital, and enjoyable. Peter Sprang--a professional player and coach who has faced such opponents as Ivan Lendl and Boris Becker--teaches you how to defeat the demons of perfectionism, self-criticism, boredom, and expectations, and gives you the mental tools to conquer the killer on the court--fear. With seven unusual on-court exercises, meditation techniques, and a new way of practicing strokes--the Zen tennis form--this book will prepare you to play tennis like you have never played it before. Includes information on how to create your own Zen tennis group.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399523898
• ISBN13: 9780399523892
• Release Date: April 1998
• Publisher: TarcherPerigee
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 8.0" x 0.7" x 5.1"

Customer Reviews

Very interesting ideas and drills! Changed my perspective.

I am a teaching pro for the past 30 years and after reading Zennis I changed how I approach the game and my teaching method. I loved the book because it combines the author's real life experience with practical drills that can be used by professionals as well as the average player. I now have a new method for teaching that helps keep my students calm and their minds quieter. Great for teaching beginners how to focus on the ball and not be so self conscious. For a book written quite some time ago it is super relevant even in this age of power tennis.

How to be happy playing tennis

Can a book change your life? Are you ready for the challenge of changing the way you see yourself, your life and the tennis game? Well, in my case I can answer "yes" to both questions. Mr. Spang translated into words several impressions and feelings I had in my mind for a long time. For me it was really impressive to rediscover the way I see life and the tennis game. I said rediscover because I am sure I knew a lot of the things that are mentioned in the book, but I had forgotten them. Just like Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher said, know yourself. You already know all the answers, it is just a matter of remembering them. It is not only a book about tennis, but also a voyage inside your mind and heart. I am not a tennis pro, but I certainly love tennis. And reading Mr. Spang's book made this feeling even stronger, along with other surprisingly good feelings. I came to meet my demons more often, even made friends with them and learned to produce positive energies out of negative ones. Reading this book you will find very little technical advice but you will certainly come to know a stranger much better: yourself. And through a very exciting way: playing tennis.

The other side of the net

Peter captures some of the subtleties in the game many other coaches and players over look. He brings to the court a broad perspective that helps you think outside the box. His techniques for finding the zone are effective, but it require some courage to go through with the drills. The not so obvious workings or non-workings of the mind during play are addressed throughout. There are some gems of information that should be worth the read for anyone attracted to the title.