Hi

We have all experienced this, after a point the ball played drags on the field, a choice is offered to us:

• Go pick it up
• Don't go pick it up

If you see that the ball does not present too much risk and that it is well stuck to the net, often you will not go and pick it up.
On the other hand, if the ball is a little on the field and a little hindering the game, you will often go and pick it up... but sometimes, because you are a little tired, a little annoyed or in a hurry, you say to yourself "too bad "I'll pick it up at the next point and you don't take the time to pick up the ball in the middle of the field.

From my point of view this is an error:

• Mistake because by not taking the time to go get the ball you are showing your opponent that you are under pressure.
• Error because you can use this time to walk, breathe and recover and refocus
• Error because on the contrary if you calmly go and look for this ball you show your calm and your concentration to your opponent who can therefore feel under pressure in the face of your calm.
• Error because this ball lying around on the field can potentially interfere with your concentration...
  (you can focus on it and stupidly lose a point because of that... that said, your opponent can also focus on it but since it's in your side of the field it's you who will be more embarrassed... )

What I recommend to you is to make this gesture a routine that will allow you to recover, refocus and score points in the minds of your opponent.

• Go calmly pick up that ball
• Take advantage of this moment to breathe
• Take advantage of this moment to refocus
• Take advantage of this to show your opponent that you are calm and in no hurry.

And if it's your opponent who leaves a ball lying around on the field when he should have gone and picked it up

• Perfect, he just showed you that he is not peaceful in his game
• This is a sign that he is not confident, take advantage of this to gain confidence