Why Do You Change Under Pressure (PNS vs SNS)

In this episode of BreakPoint Battle, Gira Schofield breaks down one of the biggest missing links in tennis performance: the nervous system. 

Have you ever walked off the court after a match wondering: 

“How did I just lose like that?” 

You know deep down that’s not how you normally play. Your strokes were there in practice. Your confidence was there before the match. But then the pressure kicked in—and suddenly your body felt completely different. 

This episode explores:

• Why your game changes under pressure
• The difference between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems
• How “fight or flight” impacts your breathing, timing, confidence, and movement
• Why practice doesn’t always transfer into matches
• A simple awareness tool players can use during competition
  

Gira also shares personal experiences from her own tennis career and explains why feeling nervous before matches does not mean something is wrong with you. 

Instead of fighting your body during pressure moments, this episode teaches players how to begin working with their nervous system.

Key Topics:

• Parasympathetic vs. sympathetic nervous system
• Impact of pressure on performance
• Practical nervous system regulation techniques

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction: Why Do We Lose Composure in Matches?

00:27 The Fight or Flight Response in Tennis

01:19 Understanding the Nervous System: Rest vs. Fight

02:07 The Role of the Nervous System in Performance

03:04 Signs of Parasympathetic Activation: Calm and Confidence

03:30 How Pressure Activates the Sympathetic Nervous System

04:00 Physical and Mental Changes Under Pressure

04:23 Why Practice Doesn't Always Transfer to Match Situations

04:52 Managing Nerves: Personal Experience and Insights

05:11 Practical Tips to Recognize Nervous System Activation

05:54 The Power of Awareness and Regulation

06:20 Join the Community: Improve Under Pressure

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~The New Era of Tennis Performance~