Confidence and Psychology

Hey guys, this is a thing that has affected me for ages. It is a real problem. I  can play the shots fine but I am too scared to play them, especially with my backhand. I just hit the ball lightly and dont fully go for it like I should . I don't use my full technique. Eg, I could counte loop but instead I just block or i dont  topspin drive the ball hard like I should but instead just loop it lightly. I think this is a psychology problem. Is there a way to improve confidence? People who are shytter can beat me. It's really bothering. HELP!!

Ditto problem for me.

PhilsterT wrote: Ditto problem for me.

Ok, you can do a barrell roll too then

Press R or Z twice

Hi Boll_rules,

You can also trying playing with partners who are at higher levels . In this game , the pressure is off from you and anyway playing blocks , pushes will not be useful . This will allow your mind to play those aggresive shots which are in your bag but not used .
I think important point which is keeping your stokes in the bag is the thinking in your mind which says that If
I play safer stroke , I can keep the rally on & produce an error from the other side . When you start playing with a higher level , the time you play a higher play it is cleaned up immediately . This will enforce you to intiate a aggresive attack.

That is very popular problem between players that they can not fight in the games. I had this problem with my young players who their technique was very good but day lost very simply in important matches. So considering my experience I can recommend following procedure for you to improve your mental confidence in game.

 

1.      don�t do your exercises with only one partner. Many players do very beautiful hits against their familiar opponent that they use to them. So it is better you do exercises with different opponents. but not each session. For example every week you can change your main partner. But each session at the end of exercise do games with different partners or I suggest to do service receiving each session against different players .

 

2.      do much training for attach from Bose sides against long services with different spins. If you can improve this ability you won't lose regular situations for attacking.

 

3.  for a period of time ( 2 or 3 month and each week 2 or 3 session.)   when you are parleying against your friends concentrate to attack each ball that are coming out from the table. But remember that your friends should not inform about your plan. With out any attention to beat your opponent only concentrate to do attacks for out coming balls, specially services.  The important point is that you should do your attacks with control and most of them with looping. Not with close eyes!! Consider a penalty for your self for balls that came out and you don't attack those. For example for each ball 500 meter running. As a whole do your regular games to improving your abilities not only for winning.

 

4.      I think the most important situation that players are nervous is when they are against an opponent who has equal level. When you are playing with stronger players you have not any thing for losing so you are comfortable and you can do your best. But when  opponent is in same level you have much stress.  However may be you don't like it but  I suggestion do every week some games on  some things, for example a sandwich, against players are in your level. Not so weaker or stronger!!!!!!!!  ( be careful don�t go to big gamble!!!!!!!!)

 

5.      at last I can suggest you to do physical exercises. If your body be prepared your nerves will do better work.

 

 do TT for fun and pleasure even if you are professional.!!!

 

Good luck

 

 

fatcomet wrote: rzr did i do it right?

he said r OR z twice.. so here we go

rr.. nope

let's try.. zz

nope

jc that sucked, didn't work at all

Thanks guys. This was a lot of help. I hope that now I can play with confidence and to my full potential.

Boll_rules wrote: Hey guys, this is a thing that has affected me for ages. It is a real problem. I  can play the shots fine but I am too scared to play them, especially with my backhand. I just hit the ball lightly and dont fully go for it like I should . I don't use my full technique. Eg, I could counte loop but instead I just block or i dont  topspin drive the ball hard like I should but instead just loop it lightly. I think this is a psychology problem. Is there a way to improve confidence? People who are shytter can beat me. It's really bothering. HELP!!

   Keep practising it, and don't be too concerned about losing. The wins will come later.  Get a coach or knowledgeable player to help you out, as well.  This is advice I give to myself as well!  I'm a 2000+ level( Canadian) player, and I spin the ball regularly with lower level players, from forehand and backhand. And I'm successful. But when it comes to playing higher, or as high, level players , I mostly spin on service return and rely on blocks and a few hits for almost every other shot.  I want to get to the point where I'm top spinning with 2000+ players on a majority of rallies, but it's not going to happen overnight.  Keep at it!

 Is there any way to raise your confidence in a match when you are not steady?

try to play the point and not the match. i try only to think about the score in between points.

fatcomet wrote: try to play the point and not the match. i try only to think about the score in between points.

very good advice

I'm sure pretty much everyone has this problem. Definitely when I'm afraid to lose I get nervous. Once, this 14-year-old kid came to my club, well-coached, and I played him. Since I'm about 8 years older than him, my honour was at stake. It was a very close match, and I had him at match point. Then he came back and won it.

But because he was younger and I was afraid of benig shamed, I got nervous and couldn't make myself play aggressively, with my hardest loops. I reverted back to medium loops and blocks. And I know I play better when in aggressive mode because I usually control the pace with third-ball attacks and attacking their serves.

I think the more you put yourself in those situations that make you nervous (whether it be at a tournament, or whatever), and force yourself to play the way you want to, to overcome your mind, then you will be able to perform under pressure. I'm still working on that.

I remember reading either a thread or an article about this. There are 3 R's: Release, Relax and Re-focus. I don't remember what Release means, but yeah try to relax and clear your mind before each point, especially if the nerves are ruining your serving confidence too, which I've experienced before.