Summing up what this thread is about, tactics before, during and after a match, thoughts of myself and others that have contributed to the thread.
BEFORE,
This is mainly relevant if you know who your opponent is or maybe.
For those that play at a high or very high level, or regular participants in ranking tournaments and dedicated to improving, climbing the ranks, who have set some high goals for themselves such as playing for county, region, national level or international level. Then working on your match tactics before a tournament is, as far as I’m concerned pretty important!!
Know your own game style and how you can implement your tactics to enhance YOUR game.
Record your matches, build a library of information about yourself and those you play.
One question you need to be aware of is whether you are allowed to record matches, especially recording young players, check first!!!
Draw on the experience of others, coaches, team mates, players that have already encountered an opponent.
Try and Build a team around you, your coach plus one other to be at the tournament with you.
The ‘other’ can ‘scout’ out possible opponents, if the group is being played on 2 tables then you can split the tables between you.
Check the draw, see who is in your group. ( no brainier, everyone does this!!) look at the other groups, check to see which group winner or runner up you will play against if you qualify for the next round, keep an eye on this as the group stages progress.
Depending on how your group and the other group pans out you will have a reasonable idea of who you are likely to play. Or should I say one of your ‘team’ should!!
As the player, you should be concentrating on your current group and yourself.
Do you have a pre match routine? music you like to listen to? Settle yourself into match mode etc what makes you feel good? nerves can also be a good thing! Try not to let nerves worry you!!, it shows you care and are excited!!
If the answer to the earlier question about videoing is a NO, then your ‘scout’ watching opponents is a must, your ‘scout’ needs to have a reasonable idea about TT as well !! So they can give a good evaluation.
When not playing you have to umpire / score a match or two, rather than seeing sitting in the umpires chair as a necessary nuisance, use this to watch both players, concentrate on what they are doing, how the match was won or lost.
Discuss and formulate some tactics, try and evaluate opponents weaknesses and how you can capitalise on these.
For us mere mortals who play at a lower level !! Then it’s unlikely we are going to go to those lengths!!
However you can still evaluate your opponents before a match, draw on your own previous experience and that’s of your team mates.
DURING,
Ask your team mates what they see happening, get their advice.
At a higher level, your coach can advise between ends, if you have ‘timeouts’ available your coach should use these when he feels appropriate.
Discuss and evaluate what YOU think is good and bad, see if your team mate / coach agrees!!
AFTER
Evaluate your performance with your coach and team mates.
Highlight areas for improvement, formulate some possible tactics to implement when you next encounter a certain player, maybe keep a notebook / match diary to reference back to.
Practice how you are going to implement your new tactics.
Practice how you can enhance your chosen style further, and how you can try and impose your style and tactics during a match.
Highlight your weaknesses and formulate how to improve.
GENERAL TACTICS
Attack opponents ‘middle’ or ‘ crossover’
Vary spin, speed, placement, rhythm. Try and disrupt opponents rhythm.
Variation of serves can be key, keep opponent guessing or having to evaluate and make a decision, rather than them ‘knowing’ where and how !! Short, 1/2 long, long, fast, slow, heavy spin, medium spin, light spin, no spin. This is also relevant during play!!
Switch play
Choose the ‘Right Ball’ be patient, don’t rush unnecessarily.
Use 1st set to evaluate your opponent, try and work out their weaknesses early.
When in doubt play down the centre of the table, this helps reduce the opponents angles available to them.
Control your service points ( if you can!!!) sometimes less is more!!
Control placement of your strokes, try and give your opponent quality balls to deal with. Try and negate opponents strengths.
Move opponent around, especially if their movement is poor.
Take in as much ‘background’ information as you can. Do they signal direction of shots? Etc
Concentrate!!! You may think you are!!! But are you really?? See above!!
Relax, is this tactics? Not really but learn to recognise if you are ‘tensing’ up, if you tense up to much it’s unlikely you can play quality strokes and therefore implement your tactics.
Don’t get flustered, try and remain ‘level headed’
’Cho’ if that’s your thing!! fist pump!! Show positive attitude. These can be ‘mental’ tactics to use.
there are probably more things to add, please feel free to do so.
Cheers!!