Should i compete to see what level i'm currrently at?

[Zandastu]

I haven't competed for 4 years at least i only have ever participated in 2 tournaments in table tennis. The first tournament i had i came 3rd in under 15 i believe i was when i had a pre-assembled bat at this time i was learning my strokes, the second time i had a custom racket at the time when i begun to take table tennis to a higher level but at the time i still wasn't that consistent with my forehand but my backhand was horrible and i lost in the quarter finals. Currently right now i can do the basics and advanced strokes may it consist of the push, forehand and backhand loop, block along with chop block as a variation and other numerous techniques i have learnt/
There is a tournament soon at Fusion do you think i should compete and whats your opinion of this?

Any comment made i appreciate it

 

[NextLevel]

Yes. Always compete to get a realistic assessment of your strengths and weaknesses.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

I agree with NextLevel. However, I would answer differently. Hahaha.

Do you want to compete? It sounds like you do. So, go with NextLevel's answer. But you should compete because you want to. Not because you think you should.

So you really would have to decide for yourself based on how you feel about the idea of competing.


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[Ilia Minkin]

Do you have a rating system there?

 

[Zandastu]

During my second tournament those years ago really broke my confidence during that time since i lost the majority of my games i felt powerless during that time, that had a repercussion effect on me which really put me off from going tournaments. But i kept training regardless to improve my game and i feel complete currently right now to compete

 

[Zandastu]

Yes we do but i don't know much about the rating system here

 

[Shuki]

I've only competed in non-sanctioned tournaments. i will be doing my first sanctioned one in june. Theres not a lot of sanctioned ones around here and traveling has been the only thing keeping me away. Sadly without a rating i won't be able to get out of round robbin as I'm estimated at 1700. a 1700 wont be able to get out of an open.

I believe the 1700 is fair, I occasionally lose to players around 1600 and theres a few at 2000 that i can consistently take to game 5 and even beat. But those are just because I've played with them enough to understand their style/tricks/weaknesses.

I would suggest, given the opportunity, compete as much as possible. It will give you experience to get better and it will let you chase your passion to have fun.

 

[NextLevel]

Good to see and hear from you, Shuki. Hope all has been well.

 

[Shuki]

Good to see and hear from you, Shuki. Hope all has been well.

actually been sick and busy in general, surprised someone noticed I was MIA. thanks for noticeing, life is much better now than in the past.

 

[UpSideDownCarl]

During my second tournament those years ago really broke my confidence during that time since i lost the majority of my games i felt powerless during that time, that had a repercussion effect on me which really put me off from going tournaments. But i kept training regardless to improve my game and i feel complete currently right now to compete

Look for and read the thread about competing in NCTTA tournaments. It has some information that should be helpful to you there.


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[UpSideDownCarl]

I'll try and add some here too. But there is lots of related info there.

When you are playing people don't focus on whether you win or lose a point, a game or a match. Focus on playing the point you are currently playing to the best of your ability.

More than any other game or sport I can think of, table tennis is a game of levels.

When you are playing someone who is a higher level than you, you can end up feeling like a fool who can't play for your life because of how much this game is affected by technique and skill level. You can lose several points in a row because you were not prepared for the placement or the spin that was given to you.

When you are playing and the other person keeps winning points, just keep focusing on trying to be as focused as possible and trying to learn from what you are not prepared for. It is very common to look at a ball that is coming at you slowly, think it is an easy ball and totally mess up and think you are just messing up. That is not an easy ball. If you mess up, there is usually a reason. As you get better, you play people who are even better and it happens again.

Ma Long makes guys who are really darn good look like fools who can't play quite often. In 3 different WTTC Semi-Finals (2009, 2011 & 2013) Wang Hao used the short game and the Jedi mind trick and made Ma Long look like that too. And those lessons, learned at the hands of a master like Wang Hao have helped Ma Long become the truly great player he has grown to be.

So learn as much as you can from those lessons at the hands of someone who throws things you are not ready to handle at you. Sometimes it is even a player who really isn't good and they just keep giving you these odd junk balls that you mess up on. That means you need to work on them.

I have a friend, (for NextLevel--SmashFan) who plays matches with me and purposely switches from attacking mercilessly to giving me garbage balls so I will be ready for everything. He does this to help me get better. And man it works. No question. But there is always higher level garbage.

Just keep an open mind, stay focused, try to have fun and learn as much as you can from when you feel like you are not playing well.


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[pgpg]

I haven't competed for 4 years at least i only have ever participated in 2 tournaments in table tennis. The first tournament i had i came 3rd in under 15 i believe i was when i had a pre-assembled bat at this time i was learning my strokes, the second time i had a custom racket at the time when i begun to take table tennis to a higher level but at the time i still wasn't that consistent with my forehand but my backhand was horrible and i lost in the quarter finals. Currently right now i can do the basics and advanced strokes may it consist of the push, forehand and backhand loop, block along with chop block as a variation and other numerous techniques i have learnt/
There is a tournament soon at Fusion do you think i should compete and whats your opinion of this?

Any comment made i appreciate it

I think as stated it's a rhetorical question - the only way to find your level is competing against other players and seeing where you stand. To me it sounds more like you have second thoughts about competition in general, which is fine, since no one likes losing, to be honest.

Come to think of it, I might be somewhat incorrect - you can get pretty good idea where you stand level-wise just by playing folks in your club. A lot of people I know do just that and don't bother with entering official tournaments.


As others said - really up to you: you'll get official rating /ranking if you play tournament, but if that's not important or you don't enjoy pressure - no big deal.

 

[Shuki]

The idea of these slower balls and timing monsters that high level players do is really interesting.

My coach always tells me, "no matter what your opponents timing is, fast or slow, keep your timing the same. She told me this once she saw me miss a couple slower balls. (not so much miss but my timing was off and i tried to do a lot more to it because it was slower. once you have your timing down, no matter who you play, and you can still hold your timing. That's when she says she'll teach me some tricks to messing with your opponents timing. She says this will be around the 2000usatt level.

 

[Suga D]

But there is always higher level garbage.

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Hahaha, this is really good.


Actually the whole post is really top notch, but that little sentence is standing out.
Made my day.