First Ever Competitive Match, Any Tips?

[VinceG]

Hi People.

I started playing table tennis again after a layoff of some 35 years, just playing with friends.

However, things have moved on over the past weeks because in an effort to beat my friend, I started visiting the Dewsbury and District Table Tennis club on a Friday, the idea being that by playing better players I would improve myself.

I was enjoying it so much, I decided to join, and tonight have been asked to represent the club in a "match" next week. So, that will be "three" nights I will be playing next week, Monday with my friends, Wednesday in the "match" and then again at the Dewsbury and District club on Friday.

What tips have you got for the "competitive match"? I've never played one before.

 

[Matt Hetherington]

Leave nothing to chance, be confident and go for it you have nothing to lose! I remember playing my first international match against a player I had watched many times online who was formerly top 200 in the world. I just went out there and gave it everything, I lost the match but managed to steal away one set where I played some amazing table tennis and I felt great after it

 

[Der_Echte]

Rent a room to stay in after the tournye, you prolly will not be in any shape to travel right after the tourney, it is demanding, and so is the after TT parties with the TT athletes and club owners. Stuff a really cold 24 pack of ale in the TT ruck, share it with other club owners at the venue and with the ladies who are cooking lunch at the venue. You will ensure yourself an excellent lunch if anything.

Do they let you do that over there like you can in KOrea?

Ohterwise, be sure to bring a cooler with a lot of bananas, one sports drink to drink and refill with water every hour or more often, a couple sandwiches, a folding chair if the venue sucks, and some headphones for your phone music. Take a lot of pics and meet a lot of friends. How you do in the tourney doesn't really matter, you are setting up contacts and learning how things operate. Best to go in with low expectations of performance and look for a lot of fun,build a lot of contacts for more fun, then come in and clean up your next tourneys.

 

[ttmonster]

Reach there at least one hour before your event and warm up for 30 minutes, don't tire yourself out but get accustomed to the flooring , the lighting and the hall. Best of luck !!

 

[vvk1]

Vince, I take it this will be your first local league match? The key is to try staying calm and relaxed and enjoy the experience. In the end, it is just the first match of the many more to come. Play the game you're comfortable playing, and don't experiment

Ask your teammates about the players from the opposing side - what style to they play, do they have tricky serves, etc. Watch the opponents when they play your teammates, you might discover they don't like a particular serve, etc.

 

[sjuesju]

I think the most important is to stay concentrate all the time. This means to play for every single point whatever the result is and to forget every point immediately after it is finished. Also, you have to watch your opponents and try looking where do they make mistakes. Some may have problems with receiving long serves, some can not switch from backhand to forehand successfully and so on. But the most important is to stay calm and concentrate. This is essential.

 

[SpinQuark]

During the first game try to identify your opponents strong and weak points. When you have spotted a weakness e.g. Against a particular serve, don't keep playing to that weakness on lots of shots in a row because this will just train him to improve the weakness. Keep mixing it up and when things get tight play to his weakness to regain the edge.

Do not let it bother you if you lose a long string of points. That stuff just happens and you could win a long string of points yourself to come back. Being 9-4 down may seem game over but is very possible to pull back and when you get to 9-8 your opponent will be getting tense.

Try to keep the tempo between points to what suits you and not what the opponent may prefer.

Use the break between games to take 30 secs or so to think about how you will adapt tactics in the next game.

Remember it takes time to get used to another players style. If you happen to win the first two games then concentrate like mad and try to finish it in the third before the opponent works out your style. Equally if you lose the first two games keep battling because as you get used to your opponents style you will win more points.

Don't expect too much in your first match. I only won 8 times in my first season (17% win rate). There is a lot to learn. I am now at 86% in my third season and hoping for promotion.

 

[VinceG]

Thanks guys, some great advice there, yes it is a local league match and I will be playing in the lowest group.

I'm really looking forward to it though, and yes, I'll try to look for weaknesses in my opponent and will try and capitalise on that weakness if there is a close game.

My friend who I am trying to beat (and am still trying) has a weakness I have discovered in that he has a great defence game, but when I block back after a number of top spins, my good quality rubber reverses the spin, giving him back spin to deal with, which he can't and put's it into the net.

I only said that to illustrate that I am looking at the game intelligently and will take on board what you have all said.

 

[vvk1]

Good luck! Let us know how you get on.

 

[VinceG]

Will do, the match is tomorrow night, tonight is for practice

 

[VinceG]

Well guys, I've had my first ever match and it was garbage. Out of the 12 games I lost 12, and I won NONE!

I managed to get 8-6 up in one game, then lost it 11-8. One could say, I snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.

The only way is UP!

 

[Der_Echte]

You brought food n drink and had a blast and made lots of contacts right? Then you suceeded.

Sent from my VS980 4G using Tapatalk

 

[VinceG]

HI Der_echte It was only a local league match and so I didn't take any food and drink, unless of course you count my bottle of re-hydrating water that is.

Yes, I met some good guys but it was only a 3 per side match. Thoroughly enjoyed the evening though, cheers.

 

[Der_Echte]

Well, we all start somewhere and when you have initial low expectations, when you explode in level, it makes it all that much more fun.