Building a winning game

Ray Algar Asked 16 years ago

I have returned to playing competitive table tennis after a break of many years. I used to play to a very good UK regional standard as a junior. I have a very solid counter-hitting game. Presently, my games are littered with unforced errors - the technigue is still there,but no consistency. In matches, I get confused. If I become too defensive, I tend to lose. When I become more attacking, I make more unforced errors - a pretty confusing scenario. I would welcome your views on how I should get back into using winning tactics.

Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago

Hi Ray,

Well done on making the big move to playing competitively again. It is probably one of the most frustating activities you can enter into. I think the key is to work out what you can do NOW not what your memory tells you, you used to do or what you would like to do.

Go for consistency as the key to start off with.
Don't mix up the thoughts of defensiveness and consistency.
Consistency is doing the things you can do lots of times.
Defensiveness is not allowing yourself to do the things you can do.

Once you have built the confidence by getting a lot of balls on the table you can start to work on your more attacking game. Do lots of drills where you are hitting the ball on the table a lot of times, whether it be footwork or just stroke hitting. Then start practising some more game oriented drills such as serve, return and topspin (3rd ball drills). It will come together for you.

I am sure you know what type of game you want to play and how you would like to win points. The problem is having the patience to get back there. Give yourself time. The great thing is that you are back on track. Persevere but as hard as it is, try to live in the present.

A big good luck with the project. Let your Ping Skills friends know how you get on.

← penhold with shakehand Backhand topspin footwork →

Ray Algar Unknown Posted 15 years ago

Hello Alois. I am returning to competitive table tennis after a break of many years. I have played to a very good UK regional standard as a junior - long time ago !

I am finding that my consistency is returning, but I am very poor tactically in competitive matches. I seem to have no game plan and get walloped by experienced players even though I can match them for technique (my brain just seems to turn off). I also have a tendency to rush against better players as I feel that I have to make the first attacking move which can lead to many unforced errors. Can you please suggest what I need to focus on improving? Thanks. Ray

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago

Hi Ray,

Good to hear that your consistency is improving. Some of the things to focus on with tactics are;

Work out which of your serves your opponent doesn't like.
Work out which side they are stronger and weaker i.e. Forehand or Backhand. This may be different for when they are blocking or when they are hitting or when you give them a short ball or their return of serve off different serves. Try to work out each of these. Some of this can be done by watching your opponent play other matches beforehand, but not all as you won't know how they react to your shots until you start playing them.
Then work on your own game. Do you want to be attacking at every opportunity or trying to get them to make an error through your own consistency and placement.
Try to exploit their weak areas.

Rushing against better players is a natural tendency because we start to panic and try to do too much because we feel we have to. Focus more on playing your best and then seeing what the result is. If they are too good then bad luck but at least you have played up to your ability. Going the other way often leads to us feeling bad about our play.

Good luck with it. I know it can be a frustrating time.

Building a winning game

Table Tennis Match Strategy

Ray Algar Asked 16 years ago

Alois Rosario Answered 16 years ago

Thoughts on this question

Ray Algar Unknown Posted 15 years ago

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 15 years ago

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