How to play deciding game
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First off, how do they slip away? Are you behind straight from the start and never able to catch up? Or do you go pretty much even and miss it from 8-8?
Because the first one is usually a lack of sharpness, the second one is more likely to be nerves.
Find the cause, and you can find the cure
Because the first one is usually a lack of sharpness, the second one is more likely to be nerves.
Find the cause, and you can find the cure
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When I'm nervous I focus on footwork. That's often what goes bad when I tighten up. Concentrating on my feet (and also maintaining core tension and a shoulders over toes stance) frees up my hands to do what they know how to do.
For game 5 tactics, if I don't have a plan by this point (or if my plans have blown up in my face and he just came back from 0-2) I use the all-purpose table tennis default tactic which is deep and spinny to the elbow until I get something easy. I use whatever serves were working. If none of them were working then it's dead ball serves to wherever make him most uncomfortable. And I receive conservatively. No unforced errors; make him win his points.
For game 5 tactics, if I don't have a plan by this point (or if my plans have blown up in my face and he just came back from 0-2) I use the all-purpose table tennis default tactic which is deep and spinny to the elbow until I get something easy. I use whatever serves were working. If none of them were working then it's dead ball serves to wherever make him most uncomfortable. And I receive conservatively. No unforced errors; make him win his points.
Remember to breathe and try and stay present. It's very easy in big events to close off and go very very internal. Once you're bouncing around in your own head and over thinking, simple motor functions become very tricky. Some players have their own things that keep them present. moving, routines or evens keeping an eye on your corner for a connection.
During the first 4 games you need to be taking data: what works, what doesn't work, what did you do to have the advantage during a rally even though it didn't pan out in the end. Then you need to do what seemed helpful.
You also need to think what your opponent did to you and how to adjust to give you an advantage.
Table tennis is ridiculously complicated on a technical level and even more complicated on a strategic level. Watch the previous world championships where Liang JingKun was down 2-0 and then adjusted and won. During game 5 you yourself need to adjust and hopefully gain an advantage.
You also need to think what your opponent did to you and how to adjust to give you an advantage.
Table tennis is ridiculously complicated on a technical level and even more complicated on a strategic level. Watch the previous world championships where Liang JingKun was down 2-0 and then adjusted and won. During game 5 you yourself need to adjust and hopefully gain an advantage.
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Personally, if it's the pressure that gets me, I remind myself that it's just a game and that failure is not the end of the world, and try to focus on playing well rather than winning (if that makes sense).
I.e. when I'm scared to loose I tense up and start to hesitate, but if I focus on my footwork, balance, stroke and tactics I start to relax more. If I loose a ball I try to pep-talk myself and remind myself what I did well, like "I might have missed that shot but it was the right call to go for it".
And like the some other posts in this thread already mentioned, the data from the previous sets are crucial. What has been working for you and what hasn't? How is your opponent winning points?
Usually, I try to save some tactic that I haven't used in previous sets, e.g. some weird serve or a new serve-attack combo. Your opponent are most likely going to be a bit tense as well, and bringing something new into the game is hopefully going to make them more stressed
I.e. when I'm scared to loose I tense up and start to hesitate, but if I focus on my footwork, balance, stroke and tactics I start to relax more. If I loose a ball I try to pep-talk myself and remind myself what I did well, like "I might have missed that shot but it was the right call to go for it".
And like the some other posts in this thread already mentioned, the data from the previous sets are crucial. What has been working for you and what hasn't? How is your opponent winning points?
Usually, I try to save some tactic that I haven't used in previous sets, e.g. some weird serve or a new serve-attack combo. Your opponent are most likely going to be a bit tense as well, and bringing something new into the game is hopefully going to make them more stressed
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What is happening in your head after every point? Every game?
Is the victory slipping away because you are exhasted?
Do you have a prediction where the ball will get back on you end?
Do you have a ledger or known positions that are weak on the opponents side?
Do you know where are you weak positions? Do you choose serves based on your opponents position behind the table?
Do you serve with purpose?
Do you pull back your power in the 5th?
Is the victory slipping away because you are exhasted?
Do you have a prediction where the ball will get back on you end?
Do you have a ledger or known positions that are weak on the opponents side?
Do you know where are you weak positions? Do you choose serves based on your opponents position behind the table?
Do you serve with purpose?
Do you pull back your power in the 5th?
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When I play someone and I am not brain dead at the moment, I do take ledger of my weaknesses against that particular guy. If a guy receives my top spin serve with high cut, and my smash is getting into the net, I will pull back all the power and then provoke this guy to make this receive, and try to get a consistent return from my side.
At the end of the day, the core principle is getting the ball on the other side of the table.
At the end of the day, the core principle is getting the ball on the other side of the table.
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Play aggressively to ur opponents forehand. I think because the forehand stroke is always harder to execute than the backhand stroke. If your opponent is calm and you are not, then your chances are pretty low, but if you are both under pressure than i suggest to play agressive backhand down the line, hopes this helps
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I either do what's worked best against the opponent throughout the game, or focus on setting up my strongest attacks.
If there's a particular serve or opening they have struggled against, I will repeat that and pressure them to overcome it.
It's good to keep in mind the other player is also under pressure in the decider, and to keep your own focus on each individual point at a time and not let your mistakes or good shots by the opponent throw you off your strategy.
If there's a particular serve or opening they have struggled against, I will repeat that and pressure them to overcome it.
It's good to keep in mind the other player is also under pressure in the decider, and to keep your own focus on each individual point at a time and not let your mistakes or good shots by the opponent throw you off your strategy.
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