Trying too hard in a game
Table Tennis Mental Preparation
Last updated 12 years ago
KEVIN SALT Asked 12 years ago
Both in practice and in games I've noticed I try too hard to win a point and because of it my technique suffers. It means I try to hit the ball too hard rather than relaxing and timing the shot better. I've also a tendency of responding to some shots by do the same rather than blocking or just getting the ball back.
Obviously practice is a help but is there any other secret to trying to stop the above from happening?
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Kevin,
I think you have identified the problem.. You are trying too hard. As soon as you do this your body tens to tighten up.
In this situation focus more on the process of the strokes for a while rather on the result. think about playing the stroke correctly. This may take the pressure off the winning of points.
Thoughts on this question
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KEVIN SALT Posted 12 years ago
The advice is very sensible. Focussing on the process of the stroke will hopefully enable me to relax.
Certainly when I'm being coached the best shots I produce are the ones where I've relaxed most. We tend at the end of a session to have a mini match of one set where for example the coach will e.g. Chop the serve to force a loop and then develop into a match situation, he's an experienced player and concentrates on just returning the ball to give me a chance, I'm obviously keen to beat him but at key points when trying to finish the points off I try and hit the ball too hard and lose the point. Will try to focus as you've suggested.
On the return I've got a tenancy to respond against a hard shot with a harder shot but this rarely works because I rush into the stroke the technique suffers and I lose the point. It's like being hit with punch you want to punch even harder back and I need to find a way to rein this impulse in, does the same advice apply?
Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago