Your Form; wins and learning experiences.

[J-fed]

Not just in measurable terms but also in terms of progress in technique, fitness and mentality.
What worked, what didn’t? Did you notice any response to things you tried. What was the reason for your good or bad form? Is your form getting more stable?
Interested to hear everyone’s journey on the tables.

 

[lightspin]

So with respect to form, I have made a few HUGE mistakes listening to coaches and although I did what they said, the results were disastrous. My advice is that if you are improving, keep doing what you are doing. If there isn't something obviously wrong, you just need to practice more. Also you can have the best form in the world, but if you cannot read the incoming ball you are going to miss even with perfect form. If you are consistently missing a certain kind of shot over and over, then get a coach and see if it has to do with your form.

 

[J-fed]

So with respect to form, I have made a few HUGE mistakes listening to coaches and although I did what they said, the results were disastrous. My advice is that if you are improving, keep doing what you are doing. If there isn't something obviously wrong, you just need to practice more. Also you can have the best form in the world, but if you cannot read the incoming ball you are going to miss even with perfect form. If you are consistently missing a certain kind of shot over and over, then get a coach and see if it has to do with your form.

Little bit of a misunderstanding over my intended meaning of form.
I meant in terms of how well people are playing at the moment. The wave of everything coming together well and the days when it just doesn’t work.
Certainly interested to get your comment though. You are talking about technique and mechanics. This is also linked to form as I intended to discuss.
It also has a wave but IDK how your coach is explaining things and at what volume. This is also important.
Any more details?

 

[Nash77]

So with respect to form, I have made a few HUGE mistakes listening to coaches and although I did what they said, the results were disastrous. My advice is that if you are improving, keep doing what you are doing. If there isn't something obviously wrong, you just need to practice more. Also you can have the best form in the world, but if you cannot read the incoming ball you are going to miss even with perfect form. If you are consistently missing a certain kind of shot over and over, then get a coach and see if it has to do with your form.

Intrersting stuff.

Can you elaborate? what is your level and why was the advice given so unhelpful?

Since I have no real coach I am my own coach - meaning I try to work on things I think I need to improve. So far I'm still improving in a good rate, playing for 2 years now. But I do wonder If I need to listen to someone with more experience and at a higher level then me. Currently I estimate I'm around 2100 TTR (europe).

 

[lightspin]

So you have been playing for only 2 years and you are 2100 TTR? That would mean 2400-2500 in USATT ratings for only playing two years. If you are improving that fast, I worry any advice I give you would slow you down. Keep on doing what you are doing. Ignore any advice from anyone. Once you level out and have a hard time improving, then worry about what to do next.

 

[J-fed]

So you have been playing for only 2 years and you are 2100 TTR? That would mean 2400-2500 in USATT ratings for only playing two years. If you are improving that fast, I worry any advice I give you would slow you down. Keep on doing what you are doing. Ignore any advice from anyone. Once you level out and have a hard time improving, then worry about what to do next.

I feel like maybe you have had overbearing coaches who gave you too much information at once or perhaps you are a person who gets frustrated easily and needs to work things out through chaos and consternation with the coach.
I’m not dismissing that as a bad approach at all. There are many different effective mindsets and different types of sports players. Just telling people to point blank refuse all coaching isn’t very good though. Coaches have a very big role to play.

 

[J-fed]

Intrersting stuff.

Can you elaborate? what is your level and why was the advice given so unhelpful?

Since I have no real coach I am my own coach - meaning I try to work on things I think I need to improve. So far I'm still improving in a good rate, playing for 2 years now. But I do wonder If I need to listen to someone with more experience and at a higher level then me. Currently I estimate I'm around 2100 TTR (europe).

What’s your style and where do you play?
In a club or with set partners?
Does your club have a coach who sets routines and regimens?
The structure of the club is in my experience and opinion, crucial.

 

[lightspin]

I feel like maybe you have had overbearing coaches who gave you too much information at once or perhaps you are a person who gets frustrated easily and needs to work things out through chaos and consternation with the coach.
I’m not dismissing that as a bad approach at all. There are many different effective mindsets and different types of sports players. Just telling people to point blank refuse all coaching isn’t very good though. Coaches have a very big role to play.

The main point I am trying to make here is that if he has only been playing 2 years and feels he is 2500 USATT, he is perhaps the fastest improving player in the history of mankind. I have had friends make the US national team and medal at the Chinese National games. None of them would be close to 2500 after only 2 years of practice. When something isn't broke don't fix it. If he is improving that fast, then stay away from any coaching until your improvement rate levels out. I would never in normal circumstances tell a player to avoid coaching. But if you can hit 2500 after 2 years of picking up a racket and playing table tennis for the first time, I will tell that guy to stay away from any coaching because he is his own best coach.

 

[Yuomay]

he should definitely document his method.

Back on topic, form is such an elusive topic. The main factors that seem to influence it for me are, sleep, stress and alcohol.

Decreasing the difference between in form or out of form would be consistency training and doing a solid warm-up

 

[ThePongCommenter]

Since I have no real coach I am my own coach - meaning I try to work on things I think I need to improve. So far I'm still improving in a good rate, playing for 2 years now. But I do wonder If I need to listen to someone with more experience and at a higher level then me. Currently I estimate I'm around 2100 TTR (europe).

Did you mean to type 1200 TTR?

 

[J-fed]

The main point I am trying to make here is that if he has only been playing 2 years and feels he is 2500 USATT, he is perhaps the fastest improving player in the history of mankind. I have had friends make the US national team and medal at the Chinese National games. None of them would be close to 2500 after only 2 years of practice. When something isn't broke don't fix it. If he is improving that fast, then stay away from any coaching until your improvement rate levels out. I would never in normal circumstances tell a player to avoid coaching. But if you can hit 2500 after 2 years of picking up a racket and playing table tennis for the first time, I will tell that guy to stay away from any coaching because he is his own best coach.

Yeah. fair enough

 

[Tyce]

Here's some things that can really make or break my "form of the day".
1. Painkillers. I had a period of back pain and I just lost points and matches because I was lagging and making bad (weird) decisions. I am talking about heavier painkillers here (tramadol, diclofenac) but I feel there is a smaller effect on ibuprofen as well.
2. Coffee. Even a cola makes it harder to get in a relaxed flow state and as a result I'm quickly playing too tense, bad quality contact and even rushing things. This is especially true playing against awkward players as it can already take me most of the match to get my game going. Any additional tension just throws away chances.
3. Bad warmup. A good warmup for me is also mentally switching to game mode. I'm only now learning to make a basic ritual here to get into the right basic stance, grip, and moving body before arm. I think I can also incorporate a little mental on switch for footwork. This is all at the table, I do most of my mobility and stretching automatically. Also just getting some bearings to how the venue plays is always good.

 

[boretennis]

Did you mean to type 1200 TTR?

this sounds realistic for 2 years without a coach.