How to play more steady
Danttgeek asked 5 months ago
Hi Tom and Dan
So I have an issue around variability in how I play matches.
Last week I had two match points against the top player in division 2 (lost 15-13 in the 5th) and I give some top players in division one that play a aggressive conventional game a real run for their money – even against players above division 1 I can get to 6 all and up to 7-9 points – those games really turn some heads!
Similarly, when I play with my mates outside of fixtures who are at my level, sometimes I completely crush them – I get into this zone where I can hit anything, anywhere, anyhow – it’s almost supernatural and slighty weird. I even have this deep sense around surving and returning that I know exactly what to do – where to serve each ball to make them struggle and get easy points – almost like I am psychic.
Whilst this all sounds great, the problem is that I cannot reproduce this state. It seems to happen after playing longer sessions with great warms ups – after an hour of match play I suddenly switch on like that.
On the contrary, when I play against other players, with weird styles and weird timing, or good counterhitters/blockers, sometimes I am completely hopeless. I suddenly feel like I have no idea what to do to win, they seem to read all my serves and have no problem with them, my technique breaks down and I slap at the ball, often reaching and hitting the ball too early – it’s like I don’t know how to play table tennis.
I really struggle with these ups and downs – one moment I am punching 1 or 2 levels above my weight, the next I play like someone who has no idea.
This is really wearing!
I know that being relaxed is key, but it seems there is more to it. Being tired makes me a bit lazy and my foot work suffers, but then there is this whole problem where I just kind time the ball and almost forget my technique.
How can this be?
What can I do?
Tom Academy Coach answered 5 months ago
Hey Dan!
I can totally understand the frustration and the feeling not finding that same feeling or state of mind consistently but I think you mentioned a couple of really important things there that help. So the first one is having a really good warm up before matches and getting all your shots going and that’s important before all matches. Also of course being tired like you said will make it hared to be aggressive and attacking as you’ll be a bit slower and later to the ball. But to me it seems like it’s the strange and slightly different styles where it will happen the most and that’s the same for many players, this is because it throws out your rhythm and timing and you can’t get the same slow into your attacking game.
What I would suggest is playing lots of exercises where the timing is changing and working on adjusting to slow balls then fast , lots of spin then not much spin and all this variation. Even just getting someone to block on the backhand and really mix up the speed and placement and you have to keep your topspin going. The other thing that can help is trying to play practice matches against a wide range of players with different styles, this helps you get used to all the weird and strange shots against different players and be more comfortable with adapting to them.
Also training plenty of serve and return as often if you can be strong in this area it allows you to get an attack early and not fall into those messy awkward rallies. Lastly I would say just try to remember when you are a playing well the sequences you are using and which shots or tactics it is that is winning you most of the points. Get used to these patterns as much as possible and get used to getting them into play more against whoever you play. This will allow you to use your strengths more and more even if you aren’t playing your best. Also sometimes if you do find you are struggling it’s about being able to fall back on something, so for examples lsowing right down and just going for consistency and spin to reduce mistakes.
I hope this helps and le us know if you have any other questions on this1 Tom 🙂
DanttgeekAmazing answer Tom.
Table tennis is a weird sport – for someone who is said to be reasonably smart – I sure feel really dumb a lot of the time playing this game.
Those are really great tips – having the goto plays can hopefully pull me out of that robotic play mode where I feel the game slips away so quickly. When that happens, I seem to lose all my imagination and my variation in serve shrinks to like 20% of what it is normal – so weird and bewildering.
Really appreciate the rapid reponse
It’s tough sport and it’s such fine margins as well between playing well and making a mistake. Glad I could help you anyway and definitely it will help to have some planned tactics and try to have the ability to find your level even when you are struggling. It’s good that you recognised that your serve tends to shrink, so when you do get in this situation you know to remind yourself to really go for your serves and be positive. No problem at all.
