How to Play in the Zone and Avoid the Polar Bear Effect

What can champions do that you can’t? Well, there’s probably plenty of things. But there’s one particular thing they do and you don’t – at least don’t do as often and as well.

It’s they get ‘in the zone’ or have a ‘flow experience’.

So would you like to get ‘in the zone’?

Sure. Why wouldn’t you?

When a champion is ‘in the zone’, they feel self-absorbed and have a complete lack an awareness of what they’re doing. Their tasks become effortless and automatic. And they’re no longer under conscious control.

But if you’d like to get in the zone, you need to know there’s probably something holding you back.

The Chaos of Words

What’s getting in the way is the stream of words typically used by coaches to ensure their beginners develop correct technique. These words don’t just disappear into the ether, they accumulate in your long-term memory.

These embedded words and the thoughts they generate, get dredged up to become an integral part of the cerebral engine room that drives your technique. Once implanted you can’t escape their unwanted return. It’s what directs and powers your shots.

The trouble with words is when they’re retrieved from your long-term memory they can clutter the extremely limited capacity of your short-term or working memory.

And why does this matter?

Your Game Falls Apart

Well, if your short-term memory becomes overloaded, it can’t deal with all things it needs to when you make your shot. This is especially so when there are decisions to be made and when you’re under pressure as you invariably are in competition.

And when this happens, your game falls apart. First the speed of your swing drops. Then your speed and acceleration vary from one swing to the next. Your swing wobbles all over the place and consistency goes out the window. And ultimately your accuracy collapses.

But this is not the end of it. It’s the tyranny of words and thoughts that stops you being in the zone – that feeling your shots are effortless and automatic and no longer under conscious control.

The Polar Bear Effect

And now to the polar bear effect. This happens when a coach tries to correct your technique. It’s here your subconscious takes over. Having a mind of its own it waywardly feeds words into your short-term memory. It’s this reoccurring intrusion of words that causes your performance to slump. Now all this drama takes place in your subconscious. Consequently you are oblivious to why your play takes a nose dive,

So words can be bullets. With both the polar bear effect and being unable to get into the zone the problem is the tyranny of words and thoughts.

But can you prevent this unwanted storm of words?

Well yes, there are things you can do.

And a good overview of them are in my e-book Table Tennis & the Polar Bear Effect. How to Play in the Zone by Thinking Less and Visualising More, you’ll find out what you can do.

It’s ready for immediate download. It’s an easy read and full of information – I’ve read the research and summarised it for you. And, you’ll be pleased to know, it’s entertaining. It’s Australian $4.50 (plus tax where it applies). You can learn more here.

All the very best,

Roger.