Giving points
Match Strategy
Yap Zhi De Asked 8 years ago
Hi Alois
In school, my coach ask me to play with the big guys and ask them to each give me 3-5 points before starting the match depending on their skill level. Are there any tips for me to play against these big guys that are better than me, given that they had gave me some points before starting the match.
Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago
Hi Yap,
In the situation where you are playing a better player you can afford to take more risks. If you play a careful game, it is likely that their control will be better than yours if they are a higher level.
The way to keep them on their toes is to play a little faster and see if you can "steal" some points.
Thoughts on this question
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Yap Zhi De Posted 8 years ago
How about them giving me points, any tactics, or even tactics to try to affect their mental mindset.
Yap Zhi De Posted 8 years ago
What do you mean by taking risks?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago
Play some faster or stronger shots.
Nicolas Matthew Posted 8 years ago
I think its a common symptom for beginner and they get really down-hearted with that fact. I dealt with the situation by always thinking to myself that the additional point was my own hard work. In table tennis it is important to not think how the previous or future point but to be ready for the current point you are fighting. Its part of beginner mental toughness and fighting better people needs fearless mental toughness. Confidence and a little bit of arrogance helps. Don't get over confident but in a gameplay try to remove the word "better opponent" in your mind and think him as someone level to you. Reevaluating mistake after every lost point is a must but don't over think it. I hope this helps :)
Johan B Posted 8 years ago
I find that the key to beating better players is dominating on the receive and third ball. Once the rally progresses further, their superior consistency and rally strength will kick in - you can basically only win the point if you manage to get them to lob because your initial attack was high enough to ellicit a high ball that you could smash or loop kill.