Overcoming stress during matches
Mental Preparation
utkarsh agarwal Asked 10 years ago
Hi coach,
Thank you for all your video stuff and online help . I can just see a lot of improvment in my game. But due to studies i couldn't play tt for 2-3 months. There was a tournament so i practiced hard and regained my form. But when i played my first match whigh was against a very weak player i don't know what happened to me and I just started playing horribly. What i think i was able to regain my form but not confidence. Please help me on this issue as there is an upcoming tournament in 2 days and I want to perform well.
There is also a second question. There is a player with very strong forehand and also backhand. He tries to finish the rally as soon as he can . he hits a fast topspin (never saw him looping ). He has a medium backhand and also is dwarf.he has excellent movement. Can you tell me what should be our strategy against these types of players and if possible any weak point u cud figure out by my debscription.
Thank you very much !!
Alois Rosario Answered 10 years ago
Hi Utkarsh,
Having the technique is only part of the solution. Learning emotional control is also a big part of being able to play well. Perhaps you went into the match thinking you were going to win easily because it was a weaker opponent. Then when things don’t go easily for you, panic sets in and then it is hard to control those emotions.
It is important to practice this during your training as well. When you are training, try o simulate matches but putting your self under some pressure. Set yourself targets for each drill such as how many balls you can hit on the table in a row. Practicing under pressure will help you when you get to a match.
As for the strategy against the player it is difficult without seeing them play but you pointed out the backhand side was weaker so that is where you may be able to build your strategy around. Try to get him to play more backhands in the rally.
Recommended Video
How to Win Close Table Tennis Matches (9–9 Strategy Explained)
What should you do when the score is 9–9 or deuce? One point can be the difference between victory and frustration. In this video, we break down how to win close table tennis matches with a smart, pressure-tested strategy.
🏓 In this video, you'll learn:
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Why pressure changes everything at 9–9
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What top players do differently in close games
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The 3 biggest mistakes players make at deuce (and how to fix them)
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Simple drills to train your mind and body for high-pressure points
🎯 Takeaway: Winning close matches isn’t about playing harder—it’s about playing smarter.
💬 Question for you:
What’s your go-to serve or tactic at 9–9? Or… what mistake do you often make in tight matches? Let us know in the comments!
Thoughts on this question
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utkarsh agarwal Posted 10 years ago
Some people told me that he is lways at his backhand side to play forehand and recommended to play a fast push on his extreme forehand.... Will this work... And it is really difficult to execute these kind of strokes..
Think about the tactic you need for the next point. Then think about how you are going to execute that. Don’t try to do anything too different, but think about how you have won points so far.
Rob Janssen Posted 10 years ago
Try to recreate every point in your head and think about what happined and what you did wrong or good. And if you did sonething wrong the try to think what would be better to do next time
for example, I serve shot with backspin, he returns it short to my forehand and I flick the ball into the net.
and I try to think what I did wrong. So he ruturned it short and what I did wrong was I did not expect him to push short to my forehand and because of that I was to late for the flick. So next time when I do this serve I have to move A little bit more to the forehand side and theb when he returns it the same way I have more than enough time to flick it.
Another example; I serve long to the backhand and my opponent topspins it down the line and I could not even reach to it.
So when I do this serve again I have to watch if he steps around again and if he does then get prepared for the ball onto the forehand. If he places it onto the backhand you will be there in time as well.