Unserious behaviour in matches

It was all about nerves for me playing an important finalplay today in the regions pingis league here in Finland. Since I have a stressful job it is hard to go playing at 10 in the morning saturday. I always get caught in the same trap. The opponent is unfair, discuss during the match, I react with frustration, and so I have found myself loosing all the nerves and the match is over. I lost 1-3 against a player I could beat, just because of the fuss. We play the games today without referee, which cause us to count the points by ourselves. So in the start of the match it was a discussion of who to count the next set and so on. All this distract me so much that I become unable to concentrate no matter how much I try to prepair myself for this kind of situations to happen. In the double match we won because of the support I gained from my co-player, but in the single I suffered. We lost the semi-final game.

It is a fact that a stressful working life influates directly on table tennis.

What can I do about this?

Kindly, 

Ulf

Hi Ulf,

It sounds like you are frustrated playing.  I think the first thing is to take a step back and enjoy each game.  Try to take the pressure of the winning and losing and think about how well you can play and hit the ball.

Perhaps a little time off after work and before playing will also help, even if it is 30 minutes.  In the match use some breathing techniques to try to calm your mind and body.

Also take a look at our section on Sports Psychology which will help with some ideas as well.