Scared in tournaments

Table Tennis Mental Preparation

Last updated 9 years ago

Ali Zarei

Ali Zarei Asked 9 years ago

Hi Alois. I'm playing for about 4 years.When I go to club and play with my friends and other players , I'm better than most of them and I can win them 3-0 or 4-0 . But when I play in a tournament with just those players I feel scared even if the other player is a lot weaker than me or the tournament isn't important at all.Also in our city the number of tournaments is very low.About 1 or 2 per each 4 months.  In some of them if I  can play my real game I can even win that tournament but in all of them I have knocked out in the first or second match.  I feel very scared and unconcentrated And I can’t even play 20% of my real game, footwork or topspins and I simply lose to the weaker opponent with a bad result.  WINNING is really a dream for me in tournaments.  Please help.  I will be very glad and appreciated. THANKS


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 9 years ago

Hi Ali,

The first thing is to try to focus on how you are playing not the results of the tournament.  It is obvious that the tournaments mean a lot to you so you are getting yourself quite tight before you play.

Take a look at our lessons in the Sports Psychology section of our videos.  I think these will help you.


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Ji-Soo Woo

Ji-Soo Woo Posted 9 years ago

That reminds me of an interview I once saw with Persson.  He was talking about all the competitive table tennis he played when he was young.  He said that the most useful lesson he learnt from these was how to lose!  This is interesting but really true.  We lose a lot in our table tennis "careers"...especially when we are still working on the fundamentals, but even afterwards we always face opponents who are better, or who are just playing too well on the night.  Eventually, you realise losing is not the end of the world - and life goes on.  Once you "get used" to losing, you can then just focus on the table tennis itself.


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 9 years ago

Nice one Ji-Soo.


Ali Zarei

Ali Zarei Posted 9 years ago

I agree Ji-Soo Woo.And u Galois.Thanks.I think when u lose a lot u get used to it and then you realize that you can focus and play well and even win the match.OK I will try it.Thanks again.



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