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Starting to play in a club

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Kevin Winata
Kevin Winata Asked 12 years ago

Hi Alois!

I am having a very long holiday now, so I want to try to play in a table tennis club since I only have one friend that could play table tennis seriously.

But I get really nervous to join the club, almost of the players are adults, and maybe I'll be the only kid (I'm 14 years old). And then I don't think that I have enough skills to play and compete with them. I will be looked awkward and of course I will annoy them (because they will have less portion of playing. There are only 3 tables in that club).

Maybe you can give me some advice about how to face an advanced player for the first time, or something like that. And also some advice to encourage me. I'm a quite shy guy. I'm not confident enough. I always thinking about how if I could be beaten very easily and laughed by them?

I planned to visit the club tomorrow afternoon (based on GMT+7 [western Indonesia time]). Should I bring my bat to play if I were ready to take the risks of getting awkward? I try to not make a decision by myself since I'm still a little kid without enough wisdom.

Thanks for your attention Sir Alois!

Regards,

Kevin Winata

Alois Rosario
Member Badge Alois Rosario Answered 12 years ago

Hi Kevin,

I think it is a great idea to go to a club.  It will really help your game a lot.  You should definitely take your bat.  Just go there and ask someone howl to join in.  They may be really happy to see a new face at the club as well.

It can be very awkward when going to a new place but think about the benefits it can give you.

Good luck and let me know how you go.

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8 comments from the PingSkills community.

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Kevin Winata

Kevin Winata Posted 12 years ago

So, how to face an advanced player without getting underpressure? And to make it worse maybe there will be more people who watch my first match and of course I will be the centre of attention? I have cancelled my plan to go there today. I will go there in this weekend 

Lourens Willemsen

Lourens Willemsen Posted 12 years ago

Remember, everyone starts out as a beginner. You're not different and you have nothing to be embarrest about. 

Kevin Winata

Kevin Winata Posted 12 years ago

Thanks Lourens, I'll try

Lourens Willemsen

Lourens Willemsen Posted 12 years ago

Let us know how it went,... I'm sure everything will work out fine. And,... in the very, VERY, unlikely case that they don't accept that you're a beginner (it won't happen) that's good too. Then you'll know those guys ain't worth your time and you can look elsewhere.

I know it's a little scary to start something new with people you don't know yet, but that's the case for everyone and people will understand.  In a few weeks you look back and ask yourself what all the fuss was about. Remember this lesson when you start at a new school or start a new job, the beginning is a little scary but you will feel at home in no time. Good luck!

 

Kevin Winata

Kevin Winata Posted 12 years ago

I'm sorry to say this, but there is a very very big problem. The club (actually just a court with certain player) opens at 7 pm. So I'm not allowed to go there since I will come home so lately. Maybe the best solution for me to improve my game is ask the principle for adding table tennis to extracullicullar lesson.

Alois Rosario

Member Badge Alois Rosario from PingSkills Posted 12 years ago

Hi Kevin,

Getting a table at your school is a great idea.  That way you can start your own club.

Sasha Dansereau

Sasha Dansereau Posted 12 years ago

Kevin, I am fourteen as well. I started playing at a club when I was 12. At fist like Alois said I can be quite daunting seeing some better players but once you come more regularly you can meet so friends at the club, and maybe they might be your team mates later on

Good luck     

Kevin Winata

Kevin Winata Posted 12 years ago Latest

Thanks for all of your supports

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