Problem while tournament
Table Tennis Match Strategy
Last updated 12 years ago
Rajesh Sawant Asked 12 years ago
Hello Alois, Jeff
Yesterday I had played corporate tournament and at Quarter final match I was defeated.
Strange thing I have observed is the guy who defeat me is average level guy with not much drives and topspins. When I start playing with him I feel like I can get him very easily under 5 or 6 and game will be mine. But when actual game starts, I was start facing some strange problems like instead of 3rd ball attack or back hand drives/topspin I start to play chopp and amzingly my chopps goes off the table(I was using new spinny rubber at BH on very fast/offenssive ply) I start to feel like I will loose this game and stop trying hit shots even when ball is very loose and I can hit it 99% accurately on the table.
On the other hand that guy/Opponent keeps on playing his slow and steady game like he was planned to play. In second set I had lead as 8/6 and I was close to win but I was unable to win that last 3 points. I am still confused what was happened to me? Where I lose my natural attacking game?
Point to observer is before this match I was win against very good player who was very offessive in nature and I give him very tough fight and win the game 2-1. What I start feel now is, My game turned as per opponents nature of play. I can beat person who is stronger than me but when I face some person whose game is not offessive and very slow I begin to lose point and can not play my natural game
Can you tell me what exactly happened to me and what should I do to come over from this problems
Thanks,
Rajesh Suhas Sawant
Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago
Hi Rajesh,
It sounds like it may just be tightening up when you play against slower or weaker standard players. When you do this you may stop moving and therefore get into bad positions to make the shots.
Also it sounds like you had some expectations for that match because you had already beaten a better player.
Each match is different with different pressures and tactics required. It is important to take each match as it comes and work hard. When you started to lose to a player that you thought was not as good, it is easy to tighten up even more.
Thoughts on this question
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Rajesh Sawant Posted 12 years ago
Dear Alois,
I also feel fear of loosing game and do not try simple shots and prefer defense and play chop shots. feels like take minimum risk and let opponent attempt shot and make mistake. And in that case I simply lose control and can not play my attacking game.
Thanks,
Rajesh Suhas Sawant
Ji-Soo Woo Posted 12 years ago
Rajesh
I didn't see your matches so can't comment directly but in general too many people seem to confuse slow and steady with a lower standard of table tennis and impressive looking attacking drives and loops with a higher standard of table tennis. However, at the end of the day, it's the player who finds the way to win that is the better player. Too many times I've heard friends complain, "I get so annoyed playing these old slow players! I am so much better than them but they always beat me!" To which I always reply, "well, that means they are better than you."
Table tennis is not just about looking good playing, it's about making your opponent look bad!
Rajesh Sawant Posted 12 years ago
Hi JI-soo woo,
Very well said and I am completely agree with you.
Can you help me what thoughts or mentality makes me feel better before I face such opponents so I will beat them with high margin.
Basically while playing, I feel like my opponent will not try to play any good shot and he will do job of keep returning ball unless I will get tired and try to hit some shot with errors. What should I do to get out of it and keep concentrate on my original game.
Thanks,
Rajesh Suhas Sawant
Ji-Soo Woo Posted 12 years ago
In my personal experience I've often come across opponents who can beat me with slow backspin and sidespin rallies but who I can beat comfortably if I can just increase the pace and force them into topspin rallies.
The trouble is, once a pushing rally starts, it is VERY hard for me to psychologically break out of that pattern. I'm sure all intermediate players (myself included) have the same experience of just getting into a LONG pushing rally, and you get so much into pushing that you are unable to do anything else, even when ball after ball is popped up and could be easily put away.
The easiest solution for me is to NEVER hit a backspin shot in the first place. So if the opponent serves long, you loop/drive. If the opponent serves short, you flip. When you serve, you serve predominently fast topspin serves. This way you force them immediately into faster paced rallies which play to your strength.