Last updated on 20-Oct-2008 09:19:52 AM
Hi Merle,
You need to be able to stay focused on what you are trying to do out there. If you are able to think only about the tactics and watching the ball this will help you.
Ths is definitely not an easy thing to do and will take practice. The more you are put in that situation the better you can get at it like anything else you practice.
Watch the ball really , really , really closely and this will start to eliminate some of the other things that are happening.
When I play in tournaments I occasionally do so in front of several spectators (not huge crowds alas) - especially in the later rounds. I know people who start choking in front of ONE audience member. For me, the key is to enjoy it. I love trying to play good table tennis in front of others - it helps that my natural tendency is to hot-dog. Sometimes the crowd can be vocal (if they are all relatives and friends of your opponent!) but even when they are 'hostile' it really gets my competitive juices flowing.
