Any attempt to play in an competitive environment ruins this sport for me (rant)

[doppelmoral]

As the title suggests, this is more of a rant than asking for advice kind of post.

I have been playing table tennis religiously for about two years now. The training and progress, slowly learning techniques and improving is the motivation that drives me, and I usually play at least 4 times a week nowadays.

However, I haven't played competitions, and for good reasons. Because I have no rating whatsoever (0TTR), my club is in constant debate in which league they should put me. Some argue that it must be the lowest team because thats where I can carry the most, despite being way too low league for me. Others want to put me in a league which is way above my level, just because of internal politics, it has nothing to do with team chemistry or my actual playing ability. Whenever I suggest to just put me in a reasonable league that corresponds to my playing ability, I get ignored.

I am tired of this aspect in table tennis, because we are all amateur and frankly noobs, but ppl always manage to ruin a hobby somehow. Did you make similar experiences?

I am back to the grind just continuuing my practise sessions, because thats the most fun for me with the best vibes. I might try some tournaments though, which are one time events I am more comfortable with.

Cheers

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

placement in teams is always a problem, everywhere.
i would say, with zero match experience, going into a lower league, to gain experience is not necessary bad.
compared to go to a too high league, and loosing moral.

of course the internal politics is never enjoyable.
Maybe speak to someone who show concern and can do something about it.

why is it that there is no team available for "your level"? is the team full already?

 

[Lazer]

When you start, you start from the bottom. Then where you belong will be adjusted by itself…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[Fedex78]

It's pretty normal and I fully agree with Tony's post.

Please take also into consideration to switch to another club, you seem to be based in Austria and it should not be a problem to find another club. When you speak to the new club tell them in advance which league you would like to be playing.

 

[doppelmoral]

Hi Tony,

there are 7 Teams in my club. First the idea was to put me into the absolut lowest one, but that would be no fun for me and frankly I would prefer to just to practise sessions than to play ppl who literally drink beer in between sets.

Then I was fine to play in the 3.-5.th team, but these are full and dont want to split up (understandable).

And now because of internal politics and because I am unranked, I am about to be placed into the highest team, while the ppl in that team tell me that I have no place in that team whatsoever.. quite ridiculous to be honest

What I hate is that even when I say no because it makes no sense, ppl get extremely emotional and insult each other and me as if their life would depend on it. Most clubs I have visited or heard from were like that (with few exceptions).
And, ppl are extremely irritated if I tell them that I am indeed quite satisfied even only doing practise without competition

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

well, I think you will find the same situation every where you go, especially if your desired spot is full.

you see, you are new and unranked.
if today, you have some ranking to talk about, then maybe, they would listen.

This is no different to you and a provincial player from China who is unknown and works his way up in some top leagues.
Trust me, many started lower than they should be, and over 2 or 3 years, they promote up with merit.
That is probably the fairest method for all players invovled.
otherwise, some other new player rocks up and just push you down? that isn't right too, if you know what I mean.

so, its good to rant about it, but maybe get some ranking and see if it will helps.
no ranking - every where you go, it will be the same thing.
unless you have world ranking, and can just fit into the 1st team (which wasn't the case for the provincial players from China that I know)

hope this helps a bit,
good luck

In the ideal world (ie in schools teams in Taiwan)
you get internal trials to decide on positions and then forming A and B and C teams etc.
that won't work in clubs (I haven't seen it before)

 

[doppelmoral]

Hi Tony,

then what is the problem with me just doing practise only without competition.

Frankly speaking this is enough for me, but the club won‘t accept it in my case because I am still fairly young and motivated to train alot, they wont accept me not doing competitions under their conditions. Am I really wrong to refuse competitions?

Cheers

 

[Tony's Table Tennis]

Hi Tony,

then what is the problem with me just doing practise only without competition.

Frankly speaking this is enough for me, but the club won‘t accept it in my case but will accept it for players that in their eyes are „worse players“

Cheers

does your club have a rule that all must play competition?

 

[doppelmoral]

does your club have a rule that all must play competition?

No, of course not. Just pay the fee and be friendly, thats the rule.

I have good relations with everyone in the club except the ppl in charge of team building 🤣

 

[TackyForehand]

At some point, the only way to further improve is through competition. And eventually, the only competition at your level would be in tournaments. Sounds like you are not there yet, but trying to actively win would fuel your passion for training, which would in turn accelerate your growth.

 

[doppelmoral]

At some point, the only way to further improve is through competition. And eventually, the only competition at your level would be in tournaments. Sounds like you are not there yet, but trying to actively win would fuel your passion for training, which would in turn accelerate your growth.

I thought about this alot myself and I agree with you, I think I would improve faster by playing in a league. But tell me, whats the point of playing in a league in which you clearly are the worst player while your teammates are annoyed of you being part of team in the first place.

 

[doppelmoral]

well, I think you will find the same situation every where you go, especially if your desired spot is full.

you see, you are new and unranked.
if today, you have some ranking to talk about, then maybe, they would listen.

This is no different to you and a provincial player from China who is unknown and works his way up in some top leagues.
Trust me, many started lower than they should be, and over 2 or 3 years, they promote up with merit.
That is probably the fairest method for all players invovled.
otherwise, some other new player rocks up and just push you down? that isn't right too, if you know what I mean.

so, its good to rant about it, but maybe get some ranking and see if it will helps.
no ranking - every where you go, it will be the same thing.
unless you have world ranking, and can just fit into the 1st team (which wasn't the case for the provincial players from China that I know)

hope this helps a bit,
good luck

In the ideal world (ie in schools teams in Taiwan)
you get internal trials to decide on positions and then forming A and B and C teams etc.
that won't work in clubs (I haven't seen it before)

Actually, we did internal rankings last winter where I was told to prove myself.

I got second in my division and beat someone from the 3rd team. Afterwards, the internal ranking was not being considered for the team building process (not only in my case but for everyone)

 

[NetProphet]

Just do what they suggested and start at the bottom. It's about teams, not you so don't forget the team.
If you won't do that for the team (start at the bottom and earn your ranking) because you prefer selfish enjoyment then you have no right to complain about being chucked anywhere else.
Dude, tbh, you sound like a pain in the ass who's in there with no ranking or experience but just moaning about their decisions. I say pain in the ass because you're fully able to recognise and complain about everyone elses moaning but don't seem to acknowledge your own?
If you were at my club and refused the low team and was then placed into a higher team with me I'd also tell you that you have no business here.
Can you see other people's perspective on it?

 

[doppelmoral]

Okay, guess I will just start at the bottom then

 

[d3nium]

Hi Tony,

there are 7 Teams in my club. First the idea was to put me into the absolut lowest one, but that would be no fun for me and frankly I would prefer to just to practise sessions than to play ppl who literally drink beer in between sets.

Then I was fine to play in the 3.-5.th team, but these are full and dont want to split up (understandable).

And now because of internal politics and because I am unranked, I am about to be placed into the highest team, while the ppl in that team tell me that I have no place in that team whatsoever.. quite ridiculous to be honest

What I hate is that even when I say no because it makes no sense, ppl get extremely emotional and insult each other and me as if their life would depend on it. Most clubs I have visited or heard from were like that (with few exceptions).
And, ppl are extremely irritated if I tell them that I am indeed quite satisfied even only doing practise without competition

I know a few guys who like a beer during a match, what's the issue with that?

Like the other poster said, you come across as a pain in the ass, you start at the bottom and work your way up.

 

[Tyce]

There is one other option: go play a few tournaments individually to build a ranking. I know a few players who don't play league, either for time constraints or just because they don't like it, but they do play tournaments

 

[doppelmoral]

I know a few guys who like a beer during a match, what's the issue with that?

Like the other poster said, you come across as a pain in the ass, you start at the bottom and work your way up.

You have to understand that its not me vs the whole club. The team leaders are fighting each other which team is gonna get me, and all of them „claim“ me for their team. I am just being thrown around for maximum profit in that sense

My stance is, pls put me in a reasonable team that somewhat corresponds my level, but thats not happening

We have internal rankings where I am about 10-15th rank among 60, and some ppl want to put me into the last team last spot. Why do internal rankings exist then.

As I said, I will just follow your advice and let them fully decide my faith, but I dont understand the logic of it.

At the end of the day, I just wanna have fun and play Table Tennis, and this whole process kills the fun out of it.

Therefore this post was marked as a rant. Thanks for the advice nonetheless. And, I truly appreciate your insights because it offered me a new perspective

 

[d3nium]

You have to understand that its not me vs the whole club. The team leaders are fighting each other which team is gonna get me, and all of them „claim“ me for their team. I am just being thrown around for maximum profit in that sense

My stance is, pls put me in a reasonable team that somewhat corresponds my level, but thats not happening

We have internal rankings where I am about 10-15th rank among 60, and some ppl want to put me into the last team last spot. Why do internal rankings exist then.

As I said, I will just follow your advice and let them fully decide my faith, but I dont understand the logic of it.

At the end of the day, I just wanna have fun and play Table Tennis, and this whole process kills the fun out of it.

Therefore this post was marked as a rant. Thanks for the advice nonetheless. And, I truly appreciate your insights because it offered me a new perspective

Yeah I understand. I played a lot when I was a junior and got to a pretty good standard, but then packed it in for a long time. When I came back to the game i joined a local club, and they put me in the bottom team in the bottom division.

After the first season I averaged 95% and they quickly promoted me, I'm sure that the same will happen with you.

 

[NextLevel]

Yeah I understand. I played a lot when I was a junior and got to a pretty good standard, but then packed it in for a long time. When I came back to the game i joined a local club, and they put me in the bottom team in the bottom division.

After the first season I averaged 95% and they quickly promoted me, I'm sure that the same will happen with you.

This is (an unfortunate) part of life everywhere in almost any endeavor. You often don't get to provrr yourself in your preferred manner, you need to climb the ladder multiple times in inconvenient ways to get to the place where you want to be, not the place they give to people who have not proven much. Luckily it is sport which is less subjective than some other fields, but you still need the track record to get the strongest claims and to avoid arguments of unfairness. Otherwise you need to know the eight people which isn't fair, but sometimes knowing the right people is part of egst happens after you clime the ladder the fair way.

 

[Tyce]

I've been in this situation twice now, the second one being right now actually as I'm starting league play next season again.

First time was when I went from junior to senior league, this was before the ratings were introduced here. I had to start in the lowest division.
And guess what, I lost. A lot even. At the time it was highly frustrating, but now I see that this was simply because I didn't have any experience at all playing against people who just play less conventional. Different materials, rubber that's been dead for years, penholders, those who have so much experience they see my weakness in two or three balls...
It wasn't fun at the time, not at all. But in hindsight I learned a lot