Mental approach during a close tough matc.
Nomad asked 4 years ago
Hi Dan / Tom
I enjoyed your videos of the analysis of your games in the TTD team.
I believe your mental approach to a game, whatever the sport, can mean the difference between winning and losing. In Dan’s game for example, the obvious frustration of his opponent was the first sign that his confidence was beginning to weaken and was being replaced by some doubt about his stategy (mainly due to Dan’s change of tactics). When this happens it can have an effect on stroke production and shots which once were outright winners now begin to lose consistency. By keeping focused and calm you will have the ability to re-assess your tactics and put more pressure on the opponent which can turn round the whole game.
With the ‘Pocket Rocket’ I felt that he was depending a great deal on winning an outright point quickly with his impressive fast backhand. Against Tom, (Mr Consistency), I felt that if he could have slightly reduced the power he has with a little more control he would have been more consistent and yet still have more than enough speed to give Tom problems. When a usually dependable killer stroke becomes inconsistent this can effect your whole game. In Pocket Rocket’s case he gave a few points away when he served into the net – which, I think, was a result of increased pressure and tension.
I know it is not easy, but if you can appear calm during a stressful match yet inwardly be totally focused and fully concentrating, you should have an advantage over an equally skillful, yet easily frustated, opponent.
I look forward to seeing your next videos.
Best wishes for 2021
Alex
Tom Academy Coach answered 4 years ago
Hey Alex, glad you enjoyed the match analysis videos we think they can be a very good learning tool for members and help gain a better understanding of tactics.
Mentality is so important in all sorts and particularly table tennis so absolutely agree with you there! Keeping calm and not showing your opponent your frustrations is extremely valuable and can help win matches you otherwise wouldn’t. With my game against Umair, yes he made some unforced errors because he felt under pressure to win the points and sometimes that’s what you have to do, and it’s not easy sometimes to realise these situations during games and that’s where the best players are very good at adapting thier game.
As with Dan’s game it he was able to adapt and also stay calm better than the opponent which eventually got him the win!
Cheers, Tom
