Preparing for a tournament
Match Strategy
Wayne Sy Asked 12 years ago
Hi there coach, I just wanted to ask something about being in the condition for a tournament. Our competition is just a month away (december 4) and our coach said that we should start sleeping early. I just wanted to ask if what are some more things I need to do or not do in order to stay in the best condition until the competition? The next question I would like to ask may be a little bit taboo, so please forgive me. Does abstinence help me be in the condition for the tournament? what are its benefits and side effects? I apologize for the second question sir, but I am just curious, thanks in advance sir.
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Wayne,
Sleeping is a really important part of preparation for the tournament. It is often underestimated in a players preparation. In the last week you can also start to decrease the amount of on table training. This is a matter of preference though.
Also make sure you are eating well and especially staying hydrated in the days before.
As far as abstinence that is still a matter of conjecture and there is no real proof either way.
Thoughts on this question
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Matt D Posted 10 years ago
Hi Alois,
I play a lot of tournaments ( in England ) as I want to become a professional table tennis player but for some reason I always lose in tournaments. I also play local league but I do really well in it!
Thanks
Matt
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Matt,
Do you find the different format hard to adjust to. Take a look at our blog on What to Expect at a Tournament.
Warming up and not knowing when matches are going to be played makes it more difficult to prepare yourself at a tournament whereas at league you know when you are playing and who you are playing.
Matt D Posted 10 years ago
Hi Alois,
I know when my match's are going to be played and who I am playing and what time they are going to be played but in a tournament I can't seem to do shots which I can do in training and league but when I get to the tournament I go back to bad habits, ie my footwork is rubbish and I hit the ball flat because of my footwork I guess.
I think a small bit of this might be something to do with nerves because I was playing the nationals in England ( probably the biggest tournament ) and one of my match's went very close and my legs were shaking a bit but not at the beginning of the match and I still wasn't playing very well. Its quite annoying because I am a seed in most tournaments and I do really bad.
And by the way the reason I joined up to pingskills was because I want to start winning tournaments. Sorry I never replied to your first email.
Matt
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
Hi Matt,
Being able to control your emotional level is a key part to performing in more important matches.
One of the main tools that I find useful is to be able to take a long deep breath when you start to feel yourself becoming nervous. You also need to be able to recognise the feelings in your body when you are starting to get nervous. The earlier you recognise these the more effective you will be in dealing with them.
When you take a deep breath, then try to focus on what you need to do for the next point.
We will be making a series on this area as part of our Premium membership.
Matt D Posted 10 years ago
Thanks coach.
I know this sounds a bit silly but Is there a topic about being able to put training into matches????
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 10 years ago
I think the series on Mental Preparation will be just that.