Rushing my shots

Table Tennis Mental Preparation

Last updated 11 years ago

Mandy Sutter

Mandy Sutter Asked 12 years ago

When playing matches against better players than myself, I often start rushing my shots and making a lot of mistakes to the point where sometimes my game goes completely to pieces. It also happens near the end of matches - even when I'm well ahead, I'll often throw points away and end up losing. No amount of telling myself to calm down seems to help. Is there a trick or technique that might help? 

Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Mandy,

This sounds like a matter of nerves and tension.  The only thing is to reduce that tension.  Before each point, where you are starting to feel yourself rush, take a long deep abdominal breath.  Then focus on your tactic for the next point.  Breathing between points is a simple way of calming yourself down. 


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Thoughts on this question

Leslie Yin

Leslie Yin Posted 12 years ago

From my own perspective I find that if I'm playing someone who's better than I am, I have nothing to lose and don't have any pressure if I lose. It's even more relaxing knowing that if I can pressure my opponent, they'll be feeling more anxiety than me as they are expected to win.


Mandy Sutter

Mandy Sutter Posted 12 years ago

Thanks Alois and Leslie. It is definitely a matter of nerves, being too easily intimidated and possibly sense of humour loss also. I will try what you suggest.

Rajesh Sawant

Rajesh Sawant Posted 11 years ago

Hi Mandy,

I completely understand your situation :) adding to alois's comments, after you deep breath try to put smile on your face and feel relax and then concentrate on your game and main thing dont rush on finishing game just relax, smile and try to concentrate this will help you alot.

 Thanks,

Rajesh Suhas Sawant     

 


Mandy Sutter

Mandy Sutter Posted 11 years ago

Dear Rajesh

Thanks for your understanding and advice - I am sure a smile could be a big help in relaxing!  

 


Ji-Soo Woo

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 11 years ago

Interesting. I use the "smiling" technique sometimes too and it actually helps. 

Mandy Sutter

Mandy Sutter Posted 11 years ago

Thanks Ji-Soo. I suppose when you think about it, a smile might be a message to oneself not to take it all too seriously!


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