Feeling discouraged

Hi,

I'm 41 & only been playing in my local comp since the start of 2022 so im fairly new to the sport. In 2022 I went from div 4 to the top of div 3. This yr im in div 2 & I'm feeling discouraged. 

I practice with a robot at home (my only option for regular practice) to fix some technique faults but im not feeling like its showing in my game (if anything i feel like I'm going backwards).

How do you deal with the mental side of trying to improve technique, putting in the time practicing but not having it translate into seeing results in matches?

Hi Tim,

Firstly well done on your quick rise in divisions.  That doesn't happen very often.

I think the next thing is to think about how you can translate the skills into a match situation.  Unfortunately that is difficult with just training with a robot.

See if you can start to arrange some more hitting with other players.  You need to start to utilise your strokes in a linked situation and also after getting different balls coming to you.  The robot doesn't provide enough of that.

In a game situation you are required to make a decision before executing your stroke.  Try to practice in more of a game situation if you can.