Weird serving failures

Hi,

I've been playing table tennis for 27 years.

But since last year I lose my rallies because of service fails (~5 per set), get the ball on my finger or on the edge of the racket.

Why does this happen to me and what can I do against it?

Hi Julian,

It's quite frustrating when you start to encounter unexpected errors in your game, especially when they seem to come out of nowhere after years of playing. There are a few possible reasons why you might be facing these issues:

Sometimes, especially if you've been playing for a long time, complacency can creep into your game. You might subconsciously feel that certain aspects of the game are automatic, which can lead to a lapse in concentration. Addressing this starts with mindfulness. Before you serve or as the ball is coming towards you, take a brief moment to focus on the action at hand.

Over time, even seasoned players can develop slight changes in their technique that can lead to errors. It might be helpful for you to revisit the fundamentals of your serve and stroke techniques. Video recording your matches or practice sessions can be a great tool to help identify any technical faults.

Have you changed your racket or rubber recently? Sometimes new equipment can mess with your feel for the ball, requiring an adjustment period.

Don’t just play games; dedicate part of your training session to serve practice, including serving from various positions and to different targets on the table.

Begin by making sure you can land ten serves in a row in the same spot without making an error before trying to add speed or deception to your serves.

Tension can lead to errors. Develop a routine between points to relax, such as deep breathing or a specific physical routine that helps you reset.