Anyone else read The Inner Game of Tennis back in the 70s?

[multigraincracker]

It's on my list of books to read again. I read it in 1975 and thought it was great even though I'm not a tennis player or ever hope to be one.


https://theinnergame.com/inner-game-books/the-inner-game-of-tennis/



A phenomenon when first published in 1974, the Inner Game was a real revelation. Instead of serving up technique, it concentrated on the fact that, as Gallwey wrote, “Every game is composed of two parts, an outer game and an inner game.” The former is played against opponents, and is filled with lots of contradictory advice; the latter is played not against, but within the mind of the player, and its principal obstacles are self-doubt and anxiety. Gallwey’s revolutionary thinking, built on a foundation of Zen thinking and humanistic psychology, was really a primer on how to get out of your own way to let your best game emerge. It was sports psychology before the two words were pressed against each other and codified into an accepted discipline.

[Ocelot II]

1. I read it back when I was playing tennis.

I don't remember much about it, and I never got very good at tennis.

[MuseRider]

6. LOL, I just saw this

and my answer would have been exactly the same.

I loved playing but I stunk so badly I could not find very many people who would bother with me so I just took lots of lessons.

[Biophilic]

2. Oh, my heavens. Yes!

I used to train Hunters and Jumpers and their riders. I used that book for both. It really was good and I had actually forgotten about it.
Well worth going back to, I suspect. Thanks for bringing it up. I could use some of that thinking these days.

[PJMcK]

3. Sure did

Since you were taken by the philosophy of the book, (I assume!), let me suggest a book by the sports psychologist, Dr. Bob Rotella. He helps professional athletes learn to develop mental strengths to overcome the nerves excited during competition. He's worked with basketball players, golfers and others.

I highly recommend his book, "How Champions Think (In Sports and Life)." It's full of great positive insights with lessons on how to ignore negative thoughts and influences.

[lisa58]

4. I read it a couple of years ago - think of it often

[bahboo]

5. also The Inner Game of Music....

found both books helpful back in the day....