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Summary: This book changed my game overnight!
Review: As a beginner in tennis, I had found there was so much to learn by instructors and friends that I was playing worse than ever after one year, trying to keep all those directions and tips in my head. With one book and one evening my entire game changed. I don't play as well as Hingis or even the local amateurs, but I have finally learned how to relax, feel and trust my body to do what is right and mostly, I am laughing, playing better and when I lose I can't wait to compliment the opponent on a game well played! Mr. Gallwey's approach to tennis deals with the most important concept in playing tennis in my opinion, and the concept least taught. You can't order this book fast enough if you love tennis and are a frustrated player as I once was.
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Summary: it works wherever concentration is essential
Review: As a teacher of singing and performing, I find it essential. Throghout my 11 years of teaching,and countless years of performing it has transformed, not only myself, but also my students. Our mastering of these skills has benefited teacher and student alike. It's a great book...read it.
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Summary: a non-tennis player
Review: Despite the fact I don't play tennis (I don't really enjoy the sport), this book changed the way I apprached my sport (Sailing), and after reading it I improved from an also-ran regional contender to a 3-time collegiate national champion and won the 'heisman' for college sailing. I cannot overstate how great this book is!
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Summary: If you never read another tennis book, read this one.
Review: First read this in 1977 and every time I go back, I learn something new. The concepts are as striking today as they were 20 years ago. And as other readers have indicated, Gallwey's scope is way beyond tennis.
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Summary: THIS BOOK TEACHES TENNIS THE RIGHT WAY
Review: Firstly, a warning - This book will not tell you how to hit forehands/backhands etc. unlike some other Tennis instruction manuals. What it will tell in various ways and throughout the book is that the key to learning and overcoming mental obstacles to playing good tennis consistently and competing lies within the Tennis player him/herself and Tim Gallwey shows you how to unearth your tennis potential. Simply put it, this book teaches you how to learn. Gallwey seems to be a highly introspective, deep-thinking individual, and his reflective statements are proof of that. It has forever changed the way I play Tennis. I'd call this book what Billie Jean King did in the 70s when this book was first published: "My Tennis Bible".
Rating: 
Summary: Classic not as practical as recent resources
Review: Gallwey's book was an instant classic when it first came out. It was somewhat revolutionary at the time as few sport psychology books were available for the tennis public. It still makes good bathroom reading and it still applies to a general lifestyle, not just about tennis. However, there are currently more practical mental toughness or mental zone books out there which are easier to read and use. Still Gallwey's book is interesting philosophy more than psychology as he works with your automatic and analytic selves (self 1 and 2) which conflict each other.
Gallwey addresses why negativity and self-analysis inhibits the creative, automatic self. Readers become more aware of how being in the "zone" really works. Recently, there have been advances in sport psychology which pushes some of Gallwey's ideas a bit out there although he is still on the right path. I would recommend "Zennis" (Peter Spang) over the "Inner Game" since it is more practical.
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Summary: King of subconscious
Review: Have read many books on the subject. This is the best I've come across, actually it seems to be unique - and easy to read. Simply get it, you wont regret it. Its the easiest explanation of how to let the "undermind" get the work done. /An ISSF Free pistol shooter
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Summary: The best book on the inner game of any sport.
Review: I am not a tennis player. I am a pool player and everything said in this book applies to the inner game (except chapter five.) As I read this book I thought to myself-I do that, I do this. My nine ball game has improved dramatically. I went from just finishing out of the money to placing at least third in my last eight events (which has made me about three thousand dollars.) What a great book and highly recommended for any competitive player in any non-team sport.
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Summary: Fantastic book, the best book for tennis beginners & beyond.
Review: I bought the hardcover version of the book shortly after its release, because I saw a film on the author. He taught a class that consisted of people, who had "never" played the game. In 20 minutes, they were hitting 20 shot rallies. Its great to philosophize on the "Inner Game", the "Zen" of tennis, but it doesn't help you play immediately. Swallowing the philosophy may be harder for some than the usual "practice makes perfect", learning curve for most sports. Therefore, Gallwey took a different approach. He observed the students swinging at the ball, asked them not to worry about hitting it. Instead, he had them tell him if it was rising, or falling, when they swung at it. Later, in another drill, he asked them to call bounce, exactly when it hit the court, and yell hit, when they struck it. Amazingly, these simple techniques had complete novices, consistently returning shots. I had always liked the Eastern philosophies, but had rarely seen them applied, so well that they could be easily incorporated, in training for a sport. I even made up some of my own drills for playing back yard basketball, and improved my free throw shooting, by over 40 percent! What the drills accomplish is to maintain the focus, that the trained player sometimes takes years to master, in just a few minutes. If you "have" to call rising or falling, you "have" to look closely at the ball. You have to look "precisely" to call the bounce, and you will naturally be "in position" when you hit it. A good deal of this book tells how Tim discovered the Inner Game, and how it applies to all facets of life. How doubt, and fear can cause you to tighten up, when it's not necessary. He wrote a follow-up book called, "Inner Tennis: Playing the Game". The follow-up book covered the techniques in more detail, and can help you develop a very polished game, with precious little practice. Most of these techniques become common sense, once you see the reasoning behind them. I think there are a number of "Inner Game" titles out there, one of the most popular being on golf, since it's such a mental game anyway. If you've ever half-consciously tossed a paper wad, or a pop can, into the trash from 20 feet, you know the inner game. The techniques in this book allow you to repeat that sort of skill, to trust yourself, and your own mental coordination. It works! Before you buy the book try out one of the drills I mentioned. Hit a tennis ball with someone, or just off a backboard. You'll become a true believer fast!
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic book, the best book for tennis beginners & beyond.
Review: I bought the hardcover version of the book shortly after its release, because I saw a film on the author. He taught a class that consisted of people, who had "never" played the game. In 20 minutes, they were hitting 20 shot rallies. Its great to philosophize on the "Inner Game", the "Zen" of tennis, but it doesn't help you play immediately. Swallowing the philosophy may be harder for some than the usual "practice makes perfect", learning curve for most sports. Therefore, Gallwey took a different approach. He observed the students swinging at the ball, asked them not to worry about hitting it. Instead, he had them tell him if it was rising, or falling, when they swung at it. Later, in another drill, he asked them to call bounce, exactly when it hit the court, and yell hit, when they struck it. Amazingly, these simple techniques had complete novices, consistently returning shots. I had always liked the Eastern philosophies, but had rarely seen them applied, so well that they could be easily incorporated, in training for a sport. I even made up some of my own drills for playing back yard basketball, and improved my free throw shooting, by over 40 percent! What the drills accomplish is to maintain the focus, that the trained player sometimes takes years to master, in just a few minutes. If you "have" to call rising or falling, you "have" to look closely at the ball. You have to look "precisely" to call the bounce, and you will naturally be "in position" when you hit it. A good deal of this book tells how Tim discovered the Inner Game, and how it applies to all facets of life. How doubt, and fear can cause you to tighten up, when it's not necessary. He wrote a follow-up book called, "Inner Tennis: Playing the Game". The follow-up book covered the techniques in more detail, and can help you develop a very polished game, with precious little practice. Most of these techniques become common sense, once you see the reasoning behind them. I think there are a number of "Inner Game" titles out there, one of the most popular being on golf, since it's such a mental game anyway. If you've ever half-consciously tossed a paper wad, or a pop can, into the trash from 20 feet, you know the inner game. The techniques in this book allow you to repeat that sort of skill, to trust yourself, and your own mental coordination. It works! Before you buy the book try out one of the drills I mentioned. Hit a tennis ball with someone, or just off a backboard. You'll become a true believer fast!
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