Improvement at any age?

[Greenflash]

As i like others are wandering into the 40's or even later for others i'm curious is it possible to improve year on year even at later stages in life. This may sometimes only be in a strong mental state or some other area of the sport but is it possible to improve at something everytime you train?


Setting personal goals in any area of desired improvement, whether Table Tennis or another sport, can provide a person with a greater sense of direction and focus in their chosen endeavor. I have read some studies that have demonstrated that setting goals encourages people to work harder and be more dedicated to attaining their aims. I suppose if one always sets an objective or goal then going someway to achieving must mean improvement at any age?

If this is the case why do most people not improve year on year? Is it simply Table Tennis players get old and lazy or simply accept the fact improving is impossible at an older age even if it's only the 40's or 50's for example.

[Wiggy63]

It really depends on where you are starting your improvement from........... The higher standard you were in your prime, the less possibility that you can improve on it, there are the obvious limiting factors, age and fitness, if however you have not really reached the kind of standard that most truly dedicated enthuisiasts reach, yes, its easily possible, and many players do improve when they find they have more time as a vet. If you want a tip from me, a player who did improve considerably in my early/mid 30's don't worry about short term losses and be really self critical about your ability and weaknesses, only when you truly identify what they are, can you improve.

[Chopfloat]

It really depends on where you are starting your improvement from........... The higher standard you were in your prime, the less possibility that you can improve on it, there are the obvious limiting factors, age and fitness, if however you have not really reached the kind of standard that most truly dedicated enthuisiasts reach, yes, its easily possible, and many players do improve when they find they have more time as a vet.I was just about to say the same (well almost the same), Wiggy. If you reached the top of your game in your prime, then obviously the peak has been reached and you can only sustain that level for so long, and then decline does set in!
In my case , I did not fulfill my potential in many areas,( not just TT) and therefore, I feel that I can improve my game in the coming years.
In my attempt to climb my own personal Everest, where will I end up? Under starry skies at base camp could be my resting place.

[Fatboy]

I was just about to say the same (well almost the same), Wiggy. If you reached the top of your game in your prime, then obviously the peak has been reached and you can only sustain that level for so long, and then decline does set in!

Yes but how do you know ?

[Chopfloat]

I was just about to say the same (well almost the same), Wiggy. If you reached the top of your game in your prime, then obviously the peak has been reached and you can only sustain that level for so long, and then decline does set in!

Yes but how do you know ?Well Jim, once you've planted that flag, it's all downhill! And things start to go missing.

[Dave Robson]

Well i think you have deffinitely improved Jimmy (scope) ........... well in the last year so keep the work going and Greenflash has his answer. The upshot is exactly as Wiggy states you need to take a long hard critical look at yourself before you can address the problems concerned. The videoing of matches is probably the best way of doing this. It is something i personally do no see much of these days, which is a shame considering in a few years the footage could be interesting to see. If anyone has some well get it uploaded so we can have a look!

[Big Geordie]

Can anybody help me with my game I`m missing more balls than I hit and it`s depressing me

[Chico]

I agree with Wiggy, I could only improve once I had recognised my faults. Now I just have to rectify them before my body gices up.

[Barry White]

The game is all in the mind. Improvement is all about belief. List all your limiting beliefs, then list find reason to change these, by picking fault with these beliefs. It does eventually work. In my mind I am playing better than I have ever played before, I won a game 11-1 last night, the 1 was my limiting belief. I felt the opposition didnt deserve to loose 11-0. I have found by videoing myself is excellent for self coaching. I have noticed that my elbow lifts on my second shot. Now I know what I have been doing, I can correct it in a game.

[Wiggy63]

the limit to your belief is the quality of your opposition, its called reality.

[Dave Robson]

Yes but i have seen far to many "reality" desicions made before entering the battle so realty im all in favour of but not when it means ive lost or cant beat this guy ................

[Chico]

reality should set in after the match has finished, until then we can all live in fantasy and believe in fairies.

[Chopfloat]

reality should set in after the match has finished, until then we can all live in fantasy and believe in fairies.
And believe me, I've lost to a few fairies in my time!

[Dave Robson]

LOL ............. but keep the faith Mr Scope as the faries sometimes become reality too !

[Pam]

Well after 28 years I picked up a table tennis bat, again, my best achievements were playing for Wiltshire and then state games for Western Australia, my son bought me a table to put up in the shed, the first thing I went out and bought was decent bats and only this week I actually am managing to loop again, the feeling was awesome, the thrill of the chase is on, I do not believe I can ever be the player I was again but fast approaching 60 with some more hard work and a decent sparring partner I am sure I could hold my own with my age group who have never really stopped playing....................well I am hoping

[Belisar]

Perhaps your game changes as you get older.

A little less energy, a little less power but perhaps more consistency and more thought.

Improvement in some areas for sure.

[Crispione]

fast approaching 60

Perhaps we know each other Pam - same era, similiar area. Did you play for Wilts with Bill Moulding, Tony(?) Wolfe & Penny (?)? Did you ever venture down to the YMCA tournaments in Bournemouth?

[Pam]

Yes I did............
I used to enjoy the Bournmouth events
omg I do recognise your name
Chris Sewell played too and Alison Boyce
made my day

[Chopfloat]

Improving as a Vet.
Looking at the 4 semi-finalists at the Nationals (Vets), shows that you can in fact improve as you get older. 3 of the players stopped playing for a good number of years (Bartram, Taylor and Trott) and have shown with hard work and their natural talent, that you can take your game to a higher level. The winner, Keith Williams, is now in his 2nd season of 50's, and just keeps staying so consistent.
Obviously these players have an abundance of talent and not everyone can achieve their high standands. But it just goes to show, that if you keep working hard at your own game and realise your own level of potential, then you can keep improving, steadily, year after year.
In the Vets scene, a lot of players do improve year upon year and maintain their enthusiasm as a result of this.

NB. But be warned. Don't get trapped in a lift with these folk!:rulebook: