Umpires

[Spinmaster]

Not a strange topic but nevertheless a contraversial one, i consistently observe players and coaches alike behaving badly on or around matches, which usually isn't rectified by the umpire of the match concerned.

We all have silly times on and off court but the behaviour sometimes is beyond acceptable and in my opinion needs to be looked at by umpires with more discipline. The younger players, as with football see older role models carrying out such behaviour then follow suit !

[Alfie]

it's not like there are penaltys and offside in TT what's the problem with people when playing TT in the UK it's a really cut and dried sport it either hit's the table or it doesn't?????????????

[DaveR]

Nice one i agree. The table is there did you hit it yes or no

Move on and play, it always bothers me when in tennis competitors dont feel the need to constantly say sorry for an edge or net whilst in TT we do !

why ?

[MickM]

The concept of sorry all the time was "inherited" by most players from their peers, i suppose its courtesy but taken slightly to far when people moan if a player just carries on without saying a word.

[Leeston]

I have found it rather amusing to see the different reactions you get when you hit an edge or net. Indeed, its has helped me not be affected by it. Lets break this down - both parties have equal "opportunity" to get a net or edge. If one party has the style that means they are able to achieve either, then well done them.

Rather than saying "sorry" say "unlucky" while at the same time, hold your hand up as an indication of regret - its a mind game out there so why not use it.

Im amazed at the number of opponents who get so irate, etc - and so are still fuming over the "lost ball" during the next point thereby losing that one too cos they are still fuming.

How many games have you won game 0 ? None cos its a game whereby you just need to make fewer mistakes that your opponent. Try laughing at the net or edge against you and acknowledge it was a good point - you will be less affected in the next point.

Thankt the psychology of the game for you !

[MickM]

This is my experience and only mine, some may agree or otherwise but i find the lower the league or level the more irrate and upset the player seems to become, where the higher level tend to accept the fact it is part of the game and will therefore move onwards without anything said keeping concentration, that said you will always have an element of players who moan at just about anything that isn't a clear green or blue shot, with anything else either lucky or plain hopeless.

Edges and nets will always make up an entertaining part of the sport so enjoy them i say.

[DaveR]

Well said !

I never get edges or nets so i guess im counted out of this debate hehehe:happy:

[Blocking Ace]

Those miserable players who moan if you get more than one or two nets and edges against them, generally, will whine whether you apologise or not.
So, if the wretched things go on like that, one may as well not bother saying anything. Or, say 'shot' just to rile them a bit more.
:pray:

[Powerhouse]

In every sport you will always get the player who is critical of anything apart from themselves, which is sad really as their improvement would be increased if they were to do so.

Smile and say shot is a great way to rile someone.:taz:

[Blocking Ace]

Yes. In fact, I do not have a problem with 'noisy' players whose grumbling is self-directed. It's when they throw a bit of unneccessary and unpleasant 'needle' towards their opponent that things become tense and gruelling.
Have you encounterd those hypocritical players who are full of false bonhomie at start of evening, who transform into intensely over-competitive fiends when things are not going their way. I cannot stand them.
I have a theory that a proportion of them are frustrated that they are not boss in their own house, and then try to compensate for their inadequacy at the table tennis match. Either that or they're thick.
:pray:

[SammyBoy]

I would say thick is the best description for them, why not be over competitive all the time, at least we would know where we stand.

The competitive side is a must in every sport, i actually hate matches that have little or no edge at all, a balance is needed with the spirit added. Some players find this a difficult balance to mix, all said and done it takes all sorts to make the sport interesting.

[Anth Barella]

yeah the ball either hits the table or it doesnt, however if you think it does/doesnt and the umpire disagrees with you thats when you can easily become annoyed. that and when they claim you have an illegal serve, when the other person you are playing has a more illegal serve thaan yours. this has happened to me once and he took 6 points off me in 1 end (luckily the person i was playing was fairly rubbish) and i still managed to win, some umpires earn reputations thou giving bad decisions.

Also what sometimes may happen if you have had a bad match with a certain referee and you then get him/her for another match either the same weekend or a couple of weeks later then they have a sort of vendetta against you

Or this may have just been the case with me??!! let me know if this has ever happened to you

[MickM]

The whole competitive issue is one that has been debated for years, with many older players disliking the "edge" element and prefer the softer friendly approach, which has tobe said is fine when its a local league match. Myself i prefer more needle and money worth so keep the competitive side for me.

As regards umpires my feelings are known on this and some are so power mad they rarely give a thought about the match itself, more themselves being in charge of it. That said i hate the upiring of matches but lets face it some umpires are being paid well with nice accomadation in the deal.

Going onto another area of umpiring all these players who like to play then bugger off when lost, in other words not upiring after the loss should be talked to by the organiser its not correct even if you have lost, the tournament needs umpires to carry on.