How to calm my nerves
Mental Preparation
Paul Foo Asked 11 years ago
You are probably right when you mentioned that I am probably too tense and nervous, which causes some footwork problems during matches. Are there any ways to keep myself relaxed? to loosen up?
Jeff Plumb Answered 11 years ago
Hi Paul,
This is a very big topic and there are lots of different ideas on how to calm your nerves.
Some suggestions are to sing to yourself while playing so that you keep your deliberate thinking out of the process so you can play naturally.
Other ideas are to concentrate on your breathing. Just focus on taking a few deep breaths. Again the idea is to take your mind away from any negative thoughts so you can be "in the moment".
Developing a pre-point routine is also a good idea. This way as you go into the routine, it is familiar and helps you have a clear mind.
Just the fact that you are aware of some tension will help you deal with the issue. Good luck and let me know if any of the tips above help.
Recommended Video
Building Block 7: Master the Mental Game of Table Tennis
The seventh building block of table tennis is sports psychology, an essential aspect of mastering the game. The first step is recognising your emotions during important matches. Understanding how pressure and nerves affect your performance allows you to develop strategies to stay focused and in control.
By strengthening your mental game, you can handle high-stakes situations with confidence and perform at your best, no matter the challenge.
For help with this building block watch the following tutorials on sports psychology.
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