How to see yourself play in the third person

Mental Preparation

Ji-Soo Woo Asked 14 years ago

Hi Alois

I enjoy playing team-based competition because it allows me to bring into play my biggest strength...not as a table tennis player but as a quasi-coach! I find when I watch my team-mates play, it is very easy for me to dissect what is going on and to highlight tactical mistakes they are making. I pride myself in being able to give pithy advice between games that can swing the momentum of a match.

This is in stark contrast to myself as a table tennis player where I am much worse than anyone else in my division at figuring out stupid tactical errors I am repeating over and over again, and adopting a plan B. I feel when I start a match I have no flexibility to adapt my game based on how the opponent is playing. I guess part (or most) of the reason for this is just nerves and tension...but was wondering whether perhaps there were other obstacles at play, and if you had any advice on ways I could "watch" my own match more as an outside observer, and to give advice to myself as I do my team-mates.

Thanks

Ji-Soo

Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Ji-Soo,

I think the best match I ever played was when I was seeing the match through the eyes of a person I respected, sitting up in the stands.

During the match I remember often thinking "what would he be thinking and saying to me now".

Another coach much later talked about it as being Super Vision or seeing yourself from outside the game. It was an interesting concept that I related to with this match.

Perhaps you could have a try at seeing if this works for you. Pick someone in the crowd and put your thoughts with them.

Let me know if this works for you. You might need to experiment with it a few times.

Question actions

Back to Questions

Recommended Video

The Controller

Most drills involve one person performing the exercise and the other placing the ball as required by the exercise. We call this person placing the ball the controller. When you are acting as the controller it is a great opportunity to practice your blocking and concentration. As blocking is an important part of the game you should be 100% focused at this time. You also owe it to your training partner to be blocking effectively so they get the most from their exercise.

Watch Now

No comments yet!

Become a free member to post a comment about this question.