Tournament play help

I really think I should be able to get my rating to 1700, no problem.  Maybe 1800.  I'm not sure how to say what level I play at.  I win against 1800 level players regularly and occasionally against 2000-2100 level players.

Anyway, any advice on how to adjust my mental state when at tournaments?  (I'm sure the reason I'm playing so badly is all mental).  

take notes if you are so inclined, reflect on what transpired in match play and consider what is needed to alter the outcome to your advantage.

+1.  Too many players think club play = tournament play.  

It's not even close. in club play, you play on your own schedule (basically in your comfort zone, prob 6 to 8 pm), in tournament play, you play in a RR format on their schedule (ie @ 8:00am). 

If you beat 1700 - 2000 rated players during club play, it means nothing because it doesn't count. You play differently during tournament play because EVERYTHING counts.

Just relax and do YOUR shots, you'll get more comfortable with each tournament.

How long would you say you played before you started playing better in the tournament setting?

I agree - just play more tourneys and you will improve with experience. Also, don't put too much stock in wins in club play. Many players don't push themselves too hard in club play.

You can also treat some of your club matches as real matches. How? In Korea, we would make a match bet for who pays for the chicken. So, make a quick round robin of 4-5 players, do a round robin for a big-azz 2 buckets of chicken or 24 piece Popeyes that would run around $40 USD and go at it. Whoever finishes first contributes only $5 to the food bill, 2nd place $10, 3rd place $15 and last place $20. That is $50 and enough to feed an Army. In such a situation, everyone is looking to get a free ride or reduced fare, so the competition and pressure is real, sometimes it is more intense than a tourney as this is actually a tourney with players familiar with each other.

 

We do that all the time in Korea and you can imagine how much we get down to action. We can add beer to that if your club is in Korea. In USA, since everyone has to drive and no clubs are withing walking distance, beer is outta the picture completely and you focus on Chicken or expensive premium pizza or something. You all get the idea.

 

Such a deal gives everyone motivation to perform and it is FUN!!!!!! You also have the club owner come and eat their share (for free) and maybe a few of your friends. Fun all around and you are also team building.

Loads of good suggestions! 

Seems to mostly come down to "play more tournaments", which was my original plan.  Just so I don't sounds like an idiot, I never considered club play and tournament play to be similar.  They're obviously SO different.  

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Yes, but you also said the following:

was this during club play ?

Are you looking to make a fool out of me or something?  lolol

 

I'll just add this:  Making good use of the warm up time.

 

 

Attack his forehand, backhand, drive the ball to his body, send some top-spin and back-spin balls to the opponent.  So, before the match starts get some info on your opponent's strength & weakness - that will help you in the match.  Avoid playing into his strength, playing against his weakness instead.

 

*** If the playing levels are close, it will help.  If the levels are far apart, it won't make any difference.

 

*** My level is only 1700, so my advice probably doesn't worth anything.

I like the idea of having someone there to coach me during the match.  Problem is, all my friends I go with are always busy with their own matches.  :(  I'll try and go with bigger groups of people so hopefully someone will be free.  I think this would help quite a bit.

Of course your advice matters! :D

Although, warm up with your opponent is usually just 2 minutes and it's really just to warm up the strokes a bit and get the blood running, I think.