Tightening up
Table Tennis General
Last updated 14 years ago
carol almond Asked 14 years ago
Hi Alois,
Could you give me any tips to stop me from tightening up near the end of the game. I have had a difficult first season back in the game, not winning hardly any games, but i have improved a lot throughout the year, now i am getting some good scores against decent players, last nights match, I got 9 or above in 7 out of ten matches! However, when I am up, say 10-7, or 9-7, which is quite often I am seeing the finishing line and tensing up. I either play half shots, or go for the hit to quickly and miss it. It nearly always end up with them coming back and winning. I know I have to stay calm, but any tips on how would be very helpful.
Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago
Hi Carol,
Don't despair. Everyone feels this way at some stage. In fact almost everyone feels a degree of this every time they find themselves in an important situation. Firstly accept the fact that this is what everyone feels. Then try to focus on playing well in the next point. Think about your basic tactic that you are trying to employ and work on it. For example if you know that your opponent is weaker on the backhand side, then just before the point think about trying to get the ball into their backhand during the rally. Then serve the ball or get ready to receive and see what comes of it.
This is a big area of the game and a big topis to tackle which we will get to at some stage in a fuller manner.
Take a look at these previous questions on Mental Training. They will also help you.
Thoughts on this question
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Piers Grey Posted 14 years ago
hey, try this, I use it to help me settle my nerves in a game. Try and take any bad feelings (or nerves) to the back of your head and focus on the next point;this works for me and it works everytime!!!, trust me :)
andrew brand Posted 14 years ago
Piers Grey Posted 14 years ago
Yeah, so do I. It might be hard to do, but after a while it becomes easier to do.
I think it all comes down to experience of how many matches you have played though (ultimately).
andrew brand Posted 14 years ago
Ji-Soo Woo Posted 14 years ago
Ideally the percentage should be the other way around. You should be winning more in "real" competition than you are in practice. The reason is because practice is when you should be pushing the envelope and going for a little more on your shots than you can safely play. Real competition is when you should be playing within your capability. Personally, I almost never win a match in practice - and if I do I think I must have done something wrong. Of course, it is a balancing act. If you go for wild shots every time, you will surely lose, but you won't learn anything. You have to fine tune JUST playing a bit above yourself.
Indrit Bajraktari Unknown Posted 14 years ago
What I would recoment for these type of situation is: realize what is you strong poit (for example i have a stong FH topspin) once you know yours just try to lead your game acording to it. If I am leading 10-7 in a game I wold try to hit any ball even it I know that it may not pass the net. ( this work for me most of the times, you just try to forget what is the result and hit the ball) If it doesn't work and the result get 10-9 it would try to play my safest shots. Keep in mind that you opponent is under pressure like you.