Welcome to Ask the Coach Show #274 where we discuss Pressure. Pressure can affect anyone. Listen to our discussions and then leave a comment to let us know if and how pressure affects you.
Prologue - 0:00
Alois talks about how pressure can affect everyone
The Greatest Comeback - 2:30
We take a look at the Quarter Final match of the 2005 World Championship in China between Michael Maze and Hao Shuai.
Jeff Talks About Pressure - 13:08
Jeff gives a quick recall about how pressure affected him differently when he was an Adult compared to when he was a Junior.
Tip of the Week - 15:30
We discuss what a pre-point routine is and how you can develop one.
Drill of the Week - 20:43
Third Ball Under Pressure
Remember When - 23:19
We're going all the way back to the start of August. :) This is when the ITTF released a new form of Table Tennis called TTX.
Tournament Wrap - 32:57
With the Olympics well under way we discuss the format of the Singles events in Rio.
Thoughts as You Approach a Victory - 37:39
Grenville: In a particular match when I was up 2-0 and on match point (10 -7), I actually lost the match 2-3 and I wanted to know what should be a players thoughts should be when they are approaching the win.
Keeping The Feeling Alive - 41:32
Marcin: After a long rally I lost the good feeling I had been having till that point and from being up in the match I ended up losing. How can I keep the good feeling alive?
Showing Excitement - 43:11
Tushar: Do you think that showing our excitement after every point increases our chances of winning?
Attacking a Long Pimple Push - 44:45
Yap: I have a problem when attacking a long pimple push because it is very low. Should I play a topspin against backspin stroke to attack the ball?
Playing Against a Chopper With Long Pimples - 45:53
Sumit: How can I lift a heavy backspin ball that a defender with long pimples has hit to me? The ball comes back with so much backspin that it is very difficult to return.
Recovering From Backhand Loop - 48:51
Daniel: When I do a backhand loop, I find it hard to recover from the finish position. If I try to automatically transition from it my stroke doesn't turn out as efficient. How do I effectively transition?
PingSkiller Mail - 50:22
We discuss some of the mail we received regarding Show #273 - Table Tennis at the Olympic Games.
Posted 4 years ago
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Chris Roe Posted 4 years ago
Great show Alois and Jeff. I can certainly relate to the situation of being in front in a match only to lose the match. When this has happened I can sense that I have started to lose my focus, but try as much as I do, I don’t calm down again until after the match is finished. By which time it is too late! More practice in this situation is required for me to switch amongst being calm and focused on the one hand and being over excited at the prospect of winning leading to a completely different result.
Jeypi Gamer Posted 4 years ago
Most of the times I feel pressure when playing a match. Because I am still and Amateur player and I am really not sure in my strokes, this is something wich makes me do a lot of mistakes. I don't want to blame my coach but he teaches me a single stoke for 1 or 2 hours. He doesn't really make do moving exercises or returning backspin balls, he only pushes me the ball back to my forehand or backhand. On that way I don't really learn much and I struggle a lot when playing rallies. I really need to speak with him about my training sessions. I think when he starts training me correctly I will feel more calmn in matches.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 4 years ago
Hi Jeypi,
Good to recognise that you are feeling pressure in matches. As you do more random skills or more moving and switching between forehand and backhand which closer emulates the game then you will start to feel more comfortable in matches as well. This is a good process to work through with your coach.
Rohan Keogh Posted 4 years ago
TTX? Looks like Ping Pong to me ;-)
Bill Beaver Posted 4 years ago
Where can TTX equipment be purchased? I did some internet searches and didn't find any source. Thanks.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 4 years ago
Good question Bill. On ttx.world they have some information about equipment for manufacturers but I can't find anything for consumers. Has anyone else found something?
Ulf Nyback Posted 4 years ago
I can good relate to what is happening during a match when it comes to the last important balls and I get nervous. It feels like your legs just freeze. True that it is almous impossible to get away from that state in a match. And I think that your tip with the pre-point routine is really the only way to cope with the situation. Thanks a lot for the tip.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 4 years ago
Glad you like it Ulf. Give it a try and let us know how you go with it.
david palethorpe Posted 4 years ago
thanks very interesting hope I can think quickly enough when playing to benefit. Now have a robot server so hope to get in even more practice cheers David
Roberto Suave Posted 4 years ago
I think the advantage of ttx is while playing outdoor in windy situation otherwise i dont see the point.
About pressure : ping pong is like the real life : always some people/thing to bug you down ...take a step back , try old tricks and see if it works ...repeat till the genie in the bottle pops up. The pleasure dont come from points but to accept the opponent is smarter , has more experience , learn from him .
The best way for ittf to popularise our sport : give credit/$ to passionatis like Aloi and Jeff who make those wonderfull videos.
Have the best 2020.
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 4 years ago
Thanks Roberto.
Ulf Nyback Posted 4 years ago
It was all about nerves for me playing an important finalplay today in the regions pingis league here in Finland. Since I have a stressful job it is hard to go playing at 10 in the morning saturday. I always get caught in the same trap. The opponent is unfair, discuss during the match, I react with frustration, and so I have found myself loosing all the nerves and the match is over. I lost 1-3 against a player I could beat, just because of the fuss. We play the games today without referee, which cause us to count the points by ourselves. So in the start of the match it was a discussion of who to count the next set and so on. All this distract me so much that I become unable to concentrate no matter how much I try to prepair myself for this kind of situations to happen. In the double match we won because of the support I gained from my co-player, but in the single I suffered. We lost the semi-final game.
It is a fact that a stressful working life influates directly on table tennis.
Tips of what to do anyone?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 4 years ago
Hi Ulf,
It sounds like you are frustrated playing. I think the first thing is to take a step back and enjoy each game. Try to take the pressure of the winning and losing and think about how well you can play and hit the ball.
Perhaps a little time off after work and before playing will also help, even if it is 30 minutes. In the match use some breathing techniques to try to calm your mind and body.