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View Full Version : Games of the Mind


SteveJ
02-26-2008, 02:47 PM
As we all know, table tennis has a very strong mental aspect, which many find quite difficult to apply. Lets face it your not going to win if you're in the wrong mindset.

My point is this.......How can get your opponent in the right mindset to lose?

If your opponent happens to be slightly or even a lot older than yourself, his speed and general tempo of playing may will probably be a lot slower than yours. For example the opponent may compose himself longer and take longer to serve meaning this person is comfortable at that particular speed or tempo. The resulting action from yourself obviously pick the pace up generally, maybe throwing the ball back quicker and retrieving it quickly meaning the older guy is playing at a tempo or pace he or she certainly isnt happy with. Many older players wear themselves out by playing at a pace or tempo they are not familiar with, exploit this

That is the oppisite for a younger or more aggitated player with more keen and less thought, running like an out of control maniac collecting the ball and throwing it back to be always at the highest tempo............slow them down and make the do the oppisite, not cheating mearly using the tools of the sport to your advantage which is mind games.

Use time - outs well and effectively not to only get the required corner advice but to take the tempo away from a player who is obviously flowing like a river flooding.

Many players have many different ideas and some are very effective with opponents getting annoyed easily and losing points unessecarily by lashing out with no control because someone happened to stop and tie his lace!

Non-verbal communication can be a very able solution to what maybe a runaway train.

Now your turn, what mind tools have you used to your benefit, within the boundries of Table Tennis rules that is.

TheMoose
02-27-2008, 10:39 AM
The whole mind games concept has been used for so many bad reasons it's difficult to find a legal use, but the time wasting routine in a clever way can certainly irritate players to the point of losing matches for shear anger.

My outlook is to play to my strengths and the other persons weakness, not in a mind games way but playing technique, mind you with some idots it is worth having the odd mental challenge with them, i aggree with the post above in respect of tempo as some players get totally out of their stride when slowed down or even made to rush around.

Spongebob!
02-27-2008, 06:16 PM
...If your opponent happens to be slightly or even a lot older than yourself, his speed and general tempo of playing may will probably be a lot slower than yours. For example the opponent may compose himself longer and take longer to serve meaning this person is comfortable at that particular speed or tempo. The resulting action from yourself obviously pick the pace up generally, maybe throwing the ball back quicker and retrieving it quickly meaning the older guy is playing at a tempo or pace he or she certainly isnt happy with. Many older players wear themselves out by playing at a pace or tempo they are not familiar with, exploit this

I would hate to think I had to stoop to this level to beat an older man / lady by employing these tactics...could end up picking them off the floor rather than picking up the set!!! :thumbdown: