Great post.

Whilst you may not have shown your anger physically – I’ll bet you did in the way you played the rallies and your shots.

Once you lose control, your brain is not focussed. In fact, it’s almost like a hundred fireworks going off at the same time and you only want to watch one at a time. The mind cannot focus, employ tactics and good form once you lose control. Instead, you’re playing on raw, primal emotion. It’s almost like the warrior in you.

The bad side to this is that anyone playing tactically and with control, can then do more damage to you. Your adrenalin will allow you to smash hard – everything you play will have an element of power and speed to it. I’d be surprised if you retained any control around the net whilst in this state.

What you need to remember is that this is learned behaviour. Because of this, there is a trigger point. Once you find the trigger, you can change everything that follows and continue to play calm and focussed.  

You’re going to get a reputation as a hot head if you don’t get this under control. All someone has to do to beat you is find a way to frustrate you enough to lose control and they’ll win.

Many years ago, there was a great British player, Kevin Jolly. I hear he was an amazing talent but did not control his mind. Players would rally him for a while and then call a shuttle out to unsettle him. Game over.

This is a habit you need to break, otherwise you will learn to press the temper button earlier and your form will worsen quickly. You’ll also get to the point players will not wish to play with you.

Recognise that this temper does not serve you at all. When you next play, and feel this change happening, stop for a second and say to yourself that this does not help you win and you don’t want it. Finish the game off, playing under control – even if you hate it. You are then learning to change. You may even find a sudden return to form through this mental shift.

Find a coach who can help you improve your game because you are probably getting frustrated with yourself for missing opportunities or losing cheap points.

It could be that you need to be realistic about your own abilities right now. Are you actually playing against opponents you have a chance to beat or playing players who should beat you and you are not giving them and you the right credit for the result?

If you really believe you should beat these players, then get a coach to analyse why you’re losing. This way you can correct your technical or tactical shortcomings and be ready for that opponent next time.

Let me know what you think either on the forum or privately as I would love to know more about the background to this issue and help in any way i can to resolve it with you.

Paul