One small habit that makes a big difference after a mistake

You miss an easy shot. Your head drops. Your shoulders move forward.

You look like the match is already over.

It’s a natural reaction. But it’s making things worse.

First, when your head is down and your posture is weak, your brain gets the message that something is wrong. That you’re not okay. And it increases negative thoughts.

Second, your opponent gets more confident. They see that you’re struggling.

After a mistake, you don’t have to feel positive. That’s not realistic.

But try to be neutral. Head up, shoulders back, walk with purpose back to the baseline.

Not angry, not defeated. Just neutral.

When you keep your head neutral and your posture strong after a mistake, two things happen.

Your brain gets a message that “I’m okay, I’m in control”. And your opponent doesn’t get energy from you.

An easy exercise you can try in your practice: 

After every mistake, take one breath and reset your posture before you do anything else. 🙂