OOAK Table Tennis Forum

By game, I mean your own style and ability. Do you know what style you are, what your strengths are? Do you play to them in matches or do you simply walk up to the table, serve and react to what comes back?

Do you even care? Once a points in play, it's very difficult to pause, think and pontificate about what to do next. But that's where training and practice come in. Do the thinking in practice so that it's habit and automatic in match play. And therein lies one of my favourite quotes of which there are many variations:

"the more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle"

The key is to be willing to sweat doing the right thing in training, and you'll only really manage to do that if you think about how you actually perform in battle. So how much do your really understand and think about your game? Self reflection mmm.... not one of my strong points. I'm better at assessing other's games than my own which kind of explains a lot

Yeah, I think I know my game quite well. I certainly know what my weaknesses are, and work hard to try and improve on those in training.

Even then though, I regularly find myself thinking about ideas to implement in matches - "work your way into the game", "keep a high bat", "be prepared to push more" - only to find myself trying to blast at absolutely every ball when the match starts

Being present is important. And very difficult...

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Very much agreed. Being aware of changes in momentum, tactics of what your opponent is doing, patterns in the play are hugely important. A player who can think for themselves and recognise these during a game has a massive advantage over players who "play by numbers" as drilled, robotic. Alas I am much better at noticing patterns in play in games a watch than those I compete in myself.

I have a lot of trouble thinking while I'm in the game, and also find it much easier to spot issues in other people's game. I don't know if that's a skill can can be learnt... as i agree it would be enormously beneficial.

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A very good point raised by the OP ..

For me, it's 50-50 ... or perhaps 60-40 .. I know 40% of my own game - My strengths & weaknesses .. same with spotting those of my opponents..

However, for me the big issue is application - Even if I know where I'm going wrong, and what I'm supposed to do to mitigate, I find it pretty hard to apply it in practical game-play .. I will do it in practice session, but find it hard to do so, in proper game-play..

There seem to be a trend developing here. Being able to spot trends in others, being able to spot trends in ourselves but not being able to do much about this information or skill when we are playing.

During points it's such a quick sport with lots to take in so that's tough to do. In between points is the time when a player can reset, clear the head and go again. Has anyone found or been given any useful tips on how to "stay present" in a match situation and apply that knowledge in a practical way to their own game?

On a slightly different topic do members here video your matches and then crucially watch them back to learn about your own strengths and weaknesses and those of your opponents for future reference? I've filmed lots of videos for players and given them access to recordings but I know from viewing figures and talking to the players concerned, they are typically only watched by family. The players themselves either aren't interested or prefer to watch and learn from the "pro's". The only problem with that is to play like the pro's you need their ability and technique and their physicality. Sometimes you're better off playing like you play, just doing it better and smarter.

It is regretful that my brain was ate by a zombie after my first time playing table tennis

The amazing thing is that I actually enjoy it!

Now that would make a great TV series and really help promote TT to a wider audience! Zombie vs Timo Boll - would Timo's smooth personality and charisma save him or would the Zombie rip his brains out.

I have been told by others that I am one of the more thoughtful players about my game.

I try to analyse what the opponent is doing to my shots so that if my default game is not working for me I change it. For example if the opponent is teeing off my push / chop returns of serve I try to make no spin or some sort of top spin returns. I try to work out if they are more comfortable forehand driving balls spinning in to them or away from them. Stuff like that.

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I know my game but during practice / match play, I don't want to overthink. Most of the time, I just want to enjoy.
I play TT supposedly to unwind / remove some stress. If I think on winning too much, it adds up to my anxiety.
I play different during tournament though. But sometimes, life stress caught up and I fail to strategize

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Enjoy the game. It is a never ending learning experience once you play and keep the ball on that 45 sq ft of space or should I say half of that space.