In what spirit should a match be played?
Discussion
Cornel Panceac Asked 12 years ago
Basically, i'd like to know what attitude should we have when we play the match? Should we be arrogant, should we be humble, should we not care?
Thank you,
Cornel
Jeff Plumb Answered 12 years ago
Hi Cornel,
Great question. I like to see matches played in a good spirit. I think that people should be fighting for every point but show sportsmanship by being fair and playing by the rules. Table Tennis at the top level is generally very well regarded and if an umpire misses an edge but both players have seen it they will often be honest and award the point as it should have been.
Having said that you can't control the actions of everybody and so you need to just play your game when you come up against someone who is arrogant or doesn't seem to play by the rules.
What do other people think and what is your attitude when you play?
Thoughts on this question
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Arnon Thaicharoen Posted 12 years ago
I used to play with outcome in mind. This mindset just made me tense and the outcome was not favorable to me. Plus, I didn't enjoy the game. Nowadays, I approach each match with eagerness for good play, on my part. I didn't focus too much on match result. If I play a point well, I'm satisfied and have fun with it.
Robi Diddi Posted 12 years ago
For a long time I was focusing my play only on winning the game. So I forgot why I'm plying table tennis - to have lots of fun. Today I'm satisfied when I play a point well, but also compliment my opponent on great points. That doesn'nt mean, that I don't want to win the match, but I'm not such dissapointed when it happens.I think it's also important but not easy in every case :-) , to congratulate your opponent when you´re loosing.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Great Arnon. I bet you'll actually end up with better results with this new approach.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Robi,
That sounds like an excellent attitude!
Duncan Wraight Posted 12 years ago
"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all". I'm polite to all of my opponents and congratulate them on particularly well constructed points, or empathise with them when they've been unlucky.
However, if I'm not playing too well or either of us are getting frustrated, I think it's generally better just to play.
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Good point Duncan. I find the hardest time to be a good sport is when I'm frustrated with my play. As you say, in this situation it can be better to just concentrate on your game and get on with playing.
Duncan Wraight Posted 12 years ago
At a lower level of play, what's your opinion on Umpire comments? If I'm keeping score I often say "great rally" or "unlucky". Is that "au fait"? I can imagine it would wind some players up..
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
Hi Duncan,
I think it's safer as an umpire just to keep the score. You don't want to appear to have any bias and even though there may be none, players can be stressed during a match and take things the wrong way.
Having said that, if there is a particularly good rally, I think saying "great rally" is fine. I think phrases like "unlucky" or "bad luck" can come across the wrong way to a frustrated player though.
Duncan Wraight Posted 12 years ago
True. true. Is it considered bad manners to encourage your team when keeping score?
Jeff Plumb from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago
I guess it depends a lot on the attitude of the people in the competition. If it's just for fun and everyone is happy, then it's fine. As it starts to get more serious, I think the umpire should be just an umpire and not be clapping for their team mate.
Duncan Wraight Posted 12 years ago
I was more thinking in terms of, "come on Jeff, keep your chin up". Having only been playing for 2 months now, I was placed in a bottom-division team with a few youngsters. They're not great but they can win a few points - until they start getting their head down and getting wound up at themselves.
You're right though - I guess there's a time and a place, i.e. after the match or a quiet word between sets/games (whichever it is, I always forget).