What discourages me

Table Tennis Mental Preparation

Last updated 8 years ago

utkarsh agarwal

utkarsh agarwal Asked 8 years ago

i been to a tournament recently. we reached the finals. there is a best of five team even with 2 singles then a doubles and den again two singles if needed. i hadn't played any singles in the entire tournament but i was really confident in the finals because i had played well in the semi finals. our team lost the first two singles , den won the doubles and the next singles. the score was 2-2 and i had to play the decider singles match. it was a best of five match. i wasn't against a very good player and i won the first set by 11-9 . den i don't know what happened to me after that. when the second set was going to start i realized that my heartbeat was rising and my legs didn't seem to make effective movements as i was able to in other matches.i just got nervous and then i lost the proceeding three sets under five and lost with a set score of 1-3 . it was really a shameful defeat as i was expected to win the match really easily. but i lost that last match and the finals. 

i just dont understand what happened to me suddenly and what was the reason that i came under pressure and this was not the first time it happened to me in such situations.

P.S. i dont suffer from any medical problems as such that could cause it. 

thank you, your reply would really help me since there is another tournament shorty and i need some mental preparation.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 8 years ago

Hi Utkarsh,

This is a something that happens to most players at some stage.

Your emotional level went through the roof and that is why you started to get a faster heart rate and all those other feelings.

Take a look through our Sports Psychology section, in particular the first lesson on how to Recognise Your Feelings.  This will really help.  If you get a chance and can sign up to the Premium membership you can also watch some other lessons in the series.


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utkarsh agarwal

utkarsh agarwal Posted 8 years ago

I have watched that video and the exact same things were happening with me. How do you deal with such situation. Do you think Playing casually in such situations without any fear or pressure can be a good idea 


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 8 years ago

It is difficult to fool yourself.  Try to find ways to lower your emotional level.  Deep breathing can help.



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