For first-timers at this summer's super national events, being able to break through the
"established order" of rankings and seedings is a big challenge. Create the mindset of breaking up the pecking order with the following tips:
1) Trust your training. Take confidence from the hours of hard work you have been putting in over the last several weeks and months. All the sweat, pain, and struggle has built your skills and toughness; now you have to use your training as a means of building your confidence.
2) Play with pressure, play to win. A player who states they are going to play "pressure-free" does not truly believe he/she can win. If you play pressure-free, what happens when you find yourself in a position to close it out? Will you be ready to take on the pressure when it does come?
3) Extend the match to add pressure. Good things happen when you can extend the match while playing from behind. The longer you can keep your opponent on the court the better, especially when he/she is favored.
4) Own the court, present strength. When you do something good, do something good; display body language of a confident player who believes he/she can win. Walk around the court with purpose; jog to and from the bench on changeovers; execute your routines between points.
Good luck this summer and find your new position in the pecking order.