When we step into a training session, it’s easy to fall into the trap of seeking comfort. We focus on drills we know, set up scenarios where we succeed, and leave the session feeling good about our progress. Often, we aim to win 80% or more of our rallies, believing that high success rates in practice will translate into match performance. But what if this approach is actually holding us back?
The truth is, real matches are messy, unpredictable, and full of failure. If we aren’t training with that in mind, we’re not preparing ourselves for the reality of competition.
In training, we’re naturally drawn to what feels comfortable. It’s only human to want to leave a session feeling confident and accomplished. This is why so many players set up their drills for success, whether that’s through controlled scenarios where they know exactly where the ball will go, or through easier rallies where they can hit 10 to 20 balls in a row.
But the problem with this approach is that it creates a false sense of security. We end up measuring progress by how much we win in training, rather than how much we’re challenging ourselves. Sure, it feels great to win 80% of your rallies in practice, but how realistic is that? How often do you win 80% of your rallies in a real match?
In a match, the goal isn’t to win every rally. It’s to win just a bit more than half. In fact, you could win only 51% of rallies and still walk away victorious. A striking example comes from tennis legend Roger Federer. Despite being hailed as one of the greatest players of all time, Federer only won 54% of all rallies throughout his career. That means he lost 46%. And yet, he dominated the sport.
So why do we expect more from ourselves in training? Why do we feel disappointed if we aren’t winning 80% of the time, when the best players in the world are losing nearly half? This gap between our expectations in practice and the reality of match play can be a significant barrier to improvement.
If we want to truly improve, we need to reframe how we approach training. The goal shouldn’t be to win as many rallies as possible in practice. It should be to simulate the challenges we face in real matches. This means embracing drills that push us outside our comfort zone, where mistakes are common, and rallies are difficult.
For example, rather than setting up a predictable series of shots where you know exactly where the ball is going, try randomising the placement of returns. Add in elements of unpredictability, shots coming faster than expected, or being forced to move to unexpected parts of the table. These drills might lead to more errors, but they will also force you to adapt, think quickly, and respond under pressure, just like you would in a match.
While winning 51% of rallies can win you a match, the ability to win the right points, those that come at critical moments, is what often separates great players from the rest. When the score is tight, belief and mental toughness become just as important as skill. In these high-pressure moments, it’s not about dominating the rally count, but about performing your best when it matters most.
The pressure of being in a 9-9 or 10-10 situation in table tennis demands that you believe in your preparation, in your ability to execute, and in your mental strength. These moments require you to play with confidence, even if you’ve lost previous rallies. In training, if we never simulate these high-stakes scenarios, we rob ourselves of the opportunity to practise mental toughness under pressure.
This is why training shouldn’t just be about success rates. It should be about fostering resilience and belief in yourself, even when the odds are tight. Practising difficult drills that force you into uncomfortable situations can help you build the mental fortitude to stay calm and play your best when the score is close.
In this kind of training, failure is inevitable. And that’s a good thing. When we fail in practice, we learn where our weaknesses are, and we get the chance to improve. The key is shifting our mindset from fearing failure to embracing it as part of the learning process.
Instead of getting frustrated when a rally ends quickly or when we lose more points than we expected, we should see those moments as opportunities. Each missed shot is a chance to identify what went wrong and adjust. It’s through these challenges and failures that we grow, not through safe, comfortable practice sessions where everything goes our way.
The next time you step into training, ask yourself: Am I aiming for comfort or for challenge? Am I trying to win every rally, or am I preparing myself for the unpredictable, high-pressure environment of a real match?
By redefining your approach to training, you can push yourself further, embrace the messy reality of competition, and ultimately become a more resilient, adaptable player. Don’t let the comfort trap hold you back. Focus on building the belief and mental toughness to perform your best when it matters most because in the tightest situations, it’s your mindset, not just your skill, that will make the difference.
Posted 3 weeks ago
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David Pong Posted 2 weeks ago
Hang lose, keep it fun. Remember it's a game. Take it too seriously and you'll get tight and won't play as well as you can.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 2 weeks ago
Thanks, David! That’s such an important reminder. Keeping a balance between focus and fun is key to staying loose and playing your best. Sometimes we can get too caught up in the intensity, but remembering it’s a game helps keep the enjoyment alive!
Manfred Rolfsmeier Posted 2 weeks ago
"It should be about fostering resilience and belief in yourself.."
Well said but how does that work? So often I see professionals failing because of their own mentality. Why weren´t they able to follow these valuable recommendations? And every week at my own club, I see players who are so exited before the match that they are barely approachable. And when things don´t go their way, they either give up in frustration or try to win with pure force.
I´ve found out that the challenge for me in a match is not to think - that means as little as possible. It´s about to anticipate my opponent´s strength and weaknesseses, adjust my game accordingly and play from point to point. At its best, this means playing with the same concentration at 0:0 as at 9:10. All of this has to do with mental strength and requires insight into your own personality and habits. Unfortunately, very few people are interested in this.
Jeevan Jeevan Sekhar Posted 2 weeks ago
Thanks for this blog post. As a long time meditator I have been applying that skill to as many endeavors as possible. My Table Tennis performance has been improving quite rapidly recently, having found a club where the better players have been so gracious to be willing to work with and cultivate me. And recently, I have been winning some games and even some matches. I credit much of that improvement to my mental fitness coinciding with increasing confidence in my technical skill. As @manfred said, much of the time I falter is because I think too much and tighten up. In fact, the last time I played some matches, I first lost 3-0, then won 3-1, and then 3-2 after trailing in the final match 0-2 which I think happened when I stopped TRYING to win. It is a skill set to just relax into oneself. I like the idea of just trying to win 51% of rallies and plan to implement that mentality. Many times, I feel I lose because I’m actually playing too conservatively. As @david said stay loose and have fun and then the win will just naturally come. And even if it doesn’t, it will be a gloriously fun loss!! However, it is easier said than done and another skill set to cultivate in the table and in life also.
Rick August Posted 2 weeks ago
Good reminder to challenge ourselves during training. Run more random drills, maybe hit shots deeper or with more angles, etc. Take more chances by trying to do more with our shots.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 2 weeks ago
@Manfred - Great insights! You're absolutely right. Mental strength and self-awareness are crucial, but they can be incredibly difficult to master, even for professionals. The pressure to perform often leads to overthinking or reacting with frustration, which can derail even the best players. Your approach of staying calm and playing point by point, regardless of the score, is a great way to manage that pressure. It’s a practice that not only builds resilience but also helps players focus on their strengths and adjustments without getting lost in the moment. Thanks for sharing your experience!
@Jeevan - Thanks for sharing your experience. It's inspiring to hear how your meditation practice has positively impacted your table tennis game, especially in terms of mental fitness and confidence. Your story of turning a match around by relaxing and letting go of the pressure to win is exactly the kind of mindset that can make a big difference. I love how you're applying both @manfred and @david’s advice; staying loose, focusing on each rally, and not overthinking it. It sounds like you’re well on your way to mastering that balance. Keep up the great work, and enjoy every moment—win or lose!
@Rick - You're absolutely right. Adding more randomness and challenging drills can really push us to grow. Hitting deeper shots, experimenting with angles, and taking calculated risks during practice all help prepare us for real match situations. It's all about stepping outside of that comfort zone. Great to hear you're thinking about applying this to your training!
Paul Griz Posted 2 weeks ago
I need to plead guilty of the "COMFORT TRAP". Sometimes my ego would suffer from insecurities and I would only play against those who I felt I had an excellent chance of winning. Of course it felt great initially but, I knew I was playing big fish in a small pond. During these periods I was only thwarting my own progress and setting myself up for subsequent disappointments. Ditch the ego... go for the challenge!
Thanks for yet another great article!!!!
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 2 weeks ago
Thanks, Paul! It’s great that you’re recognizing the 'comfort trap'. It’s something we all fall into at times. Playing the easy games can feel good in the moment, but as you said, it can hold back real progress. Pushing yourself against tougher competition is where real growth happens. Love your attitude about ditching the ego and going for the challenge! Keep up the great work, and I’m glad you enjoyed the article!