The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by Gallwey, W. Timothy, Carroll, Pete, Kleinman, Zach by W. Timothy Gallwey

The Inner Game of Tennis: The Classic Guide to the Mental Side of Peak Performance by Gallwey, W. Timothy, Carroll, Pete, Kleinman, Zach Reviews

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  goodreads Customer

  I rated this book only 3 stars probably as a result of mismanaged expectations. I was under the impression it held the secret to unlocking one's inner Mozart, and perhaps it does, but I find it interesting merely as it appears to be a classic in its field.
  
  It is ostensibly about tennis but its lessons can be applied elsewhere, of course. However, it is definitely a tennis book there was a long section on perfecting one's serve, if I recall correctly, that was not of much interest or use.
  
  In summary, it basically seems like a precursor to a lot of the mindfulness blather that passes for wisdom these days, only in this book the lessons seem unpretentious and sensible. I didn't find they helped me at all with acting, however, the purpose for which I bought the book. Hopefully you'll have luck than me.
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  Liam Kelleher

  I have to admit I am growing a little tired of the amount of sports psychology books that are proclaimed to help in an office environment, as if Michael Jordan's will to win on the court will someone translate to increased performance in the office, as you shout at Karen if she gave it her all in emailing you that spreadsheet.
  
  The Inner Game of Tennis has a very valid thesis on the technique of hitting a ball. It is now a well proven technique for rugby kickers, football penalties, golf players etc, who need to crowd out the noise of the crowd and concentrate on the movement of their body (Self 2 as Tim Gallwey calls it). So often, the mind (Self 1) plays tricks, focusing on the 'what if's' if I get it will be a hero, if I miss I will be the villain. I am impressed and convinced with his coaching technique for learning just watching people with good technique and trying to apply this to yourself, can help immensely in many sporting environments, including non intuitive sports like skiing.
  
  However, to me, this doesn't translate really to non sporting environments. Focusing on the position of my elbows, while typing on my computer, isn't going to help me solve equations. Even when we move away from the Self 1/Self 2 ideology and into the psychology of sports, performance and winning, I am not sure I agree with Tim. His take is that all feedback, positive and negative, should be excluded. This again, doesn't really work in an office. It seems to treat the human as a robot, rather than as a person.
  
  The story and ideology then becomes muddied. He quotes Phil Jackson of Chicago Bulls/Lakers fame as someone who agrees with this ideology, of removing thought from the process. But Phil Jackson was also a big fan of putting themes on seasons, of motivating players to achieve and to win. For all his thoughts about removing emotion and thoughts from the game, he then recalls how the best he ever played in tennis was when he was angry. This is something I can totally relate to in sports, when the best thing to awaken a team is a fight 'they should have let sleeping dogs lie'. We all hear the phrase 'playing like a man possessed'. Emotion is extremely useful in sport too. He seems to acknowledge that later in the book after dismissing it earlier on. It seems the book has been refined and added to over the decades and is now rather confused.
  
  I have mixed feelings about this book. It's quite repetitive and probably could be condensed into 30 40 pages. The writing and structure is a bit all over the place. But, unusually for a self help book, I liked the author. He seems like an honest guy trying to get across an important message. This book isn't riddled with the BS of other self help tomes. He too is still on a journey in finding the best psychology behind performance.
  
  To be fair to the book, it was genuinely written for tennis players back in the 1970's. If you are buying this to improve your intellectual performance, I'm not sure it is worth your time and effort. But if you still dabble in sports, or have kids who do, there are worse things to spend a few pounds of your money on.
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  Natasha

  Very interesting book read it in 1 day & will refer to it through out the year. Main points Don't over think, be non judgemental, let go, operate in the now, have focused awareness of what can be seen, heard & felt in the action for what it is with no judgement this way you can correct any flaws and develop. Competition can be described as you challenging your opponent to bring out the best in themselves and visa versa. When learning a new task it is best to be childlike in your approach by learning through observation and experimentation rather than by step by step instructions.
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  Basset Walker

  The book was suggested to my wife by an acquaintance. Enjoyable and easy read. Found approach and suggestions useful.
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  Ramsey

  As an enthusiastic tennis player, I bought this book hoping for some good fundamental physiological techniques. Instead I have read a book that is very mentally stimulating and thought provoking. As far as my tennis improvement, only time will tell but I would recommend reading this book (even if you don’t play tennis) as it may help you to understand self control and relaxation techniques.
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  Keith Farrell

  Some great thoughts in here, put forward in a very accessible fashion. It is not immensely scientific, nor backed up with copies studies or publications or footnotes, but it does not need to be it is a helpful book for any aspiring instructors or competitors (or athletes in general) to think about their approach to their sports of choice.
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  Mrs. Peel

  What a relief not to have to be straining to conform to a rigid set of rules but to find your own intuition and enjoy life enjoy the living of it experiencing it. Jacob Collier, the phenomenal musician, recommended this and so I read it.
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  Craig M Sisterson

  Thought provoking read. Really interesting and the kind of book worth dipping into again and again.
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  Chris Rose

  This is a great read for any tennis player, it can really change your mind set, especially on key points.
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  RichardGS

  A book written for a concept that could be expressed in a paragraph !