what happens when you get to THE POINT

[Tyce]

I'm in my 40s, started as a teenager, quit for 14 years and yes, I am definitely improving even despite my way too frequent doubts about almost everything.
I did plateau in my twenties before I left the sport. Now I'm slowly climbing

 

[Lula]

This is everyone all the time. Only the number one in the world that feel differently. I think I have more internal motivation compared to external. Winning and competing is not so important. I just want to keep developing and have fun. Also do not need to evaluate everything. Can just be.

 

[NetProphet]

well you are both in a plateau too.
the whole world is in a big plateau.
you just trick yourself into thinking you are improving.

I don't know why you'd write this as you couldn't possibly know and so therefore you are, quite predictably, wrong.

in what division are you now and it what division were you 3 years ago?
also for context when did you start competing?

Started competing in Sept 22, went through Divisions 2 (won lge and cup), 1B (won lge), Div 1 (runners up in lge and cup).
Possibly promoted to Premier lge nxt season or another season in 1A, not sure yet.
Definitely there have been plateaus but that's the same as in EVERYTHING in life.
Like seriously, what else have you tried in life? I've played Football for 25 yrs (soccer in America 😉), pool, snooker, Tennis, TT, Chess, and everyone of them comes with improve, stagnate, figure it out, improve, stagnate, repeat.
I think attitude may be your biggest barrier. And this being the case there is nobody who can help you before you start to help yourself.
That's all from me but good luck to you! 👍

 

[NetProphet]

what about you?
how long ago did you start competing?
in what division are you?

the thread was meant as a deep dive of a terryfing situation over the tt clubs in the planet earth.
not about my personal situation and "how can we help you".
it seems every thread people react in this way "let's see how can we help you and give you instructions".

Don
If everyone else is looking at things differently to you, like almost literally everyone else, then that is a sign that what needs the deeper dive and examination is your very own view on things. (lest you head towards insanity and deeper disillusionment).

This is a random collection of people from different corners of the planet and they all have a relatively aligned view that is vastly different to yours.
If you actually want to learn and develop then that should tell you something.
But much like you would throw away the game to convince yourself the problem is the game and everyone else, it seems you would also throw away this forum to again convince yourself that the problem is everyone else.
And yes, we would probably like to help if we can but that's the nature of many people who take time to contribute to forums like this, you cannot change that either.

Acceptance brother, that's the key.
Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the Wisdom to know the difference.

 

[Tyce]

You can also think of it like this: you're not declining.
Plenty of skills decline as you age. Keeping your level up is very good for you both mentally and physically.


Of course this isn't really a point if you are in your twenties, thirties and perhaps even forties. If you plateau as a 20-something and that plateau isn't somewhere at the top, keep working to break it.

One resource that's always going to be scarce is time. Adding hours of quality training will always be better, but plenty of people can't or won't (studies, work, family).

Another is fitness. More stamina, stronger core, legs, and focused fast twitch training like jumps, ladder work, skiprope. Having crazy stamina means you can use more energy towards decision-making, playing relaxed and keeping more level under pressure.

Getting coached is one thing, but there's levels of engagement too. A coach can just give you drills, but do they find and address your flaws? Do they watch your matches and tell you what you need to win them? Do they understand what game you want to play so they're not trying to improve areas you're not interested in using for matches? Do they coach you tactically, mentally?

I know if I added a coaching session every 2 weeks to my regimen I would be able to climb more, faster. But I know the coaches I would ask, and they know me. That's a lot of added value.

 

[blahness]

Chill man, just have fun playing. Dont be so serious....

Do what you feel is fun, and if it is no longer fun, maybe try doing something else you find fun.

 

[Ninja26Go]

what about you?
how long ago did you start competing?
in what division are you?

the thread was meant as a deep dive of a terryfing situation over the tt clubs in the planet earth.
not about my personal situation and "how can we help you".
it seems every thread people react in this way "let's see how can we help you and give you instructions".

Uhh, we are just trying to help? Anything wrong with that? Also You have a pure gold Viscaria? lol

 

[merlin el mago]

there is a certain point where you can beat everyone below you in the rankings.
but everyone above you in the rankings will beat you.
you have tried all the styles and all the equipments.
you tried private coaches.
but nothing makes you progress further.

what to do then?
simply leave the sport quietly?

You need to have a lot of skills so you can change how do you play depending how plays the person in front of you, mental strength & good strategy are also very important to win.

 

[mamedium]

 

[the-don]

I'm just stating the obvious fact of life.
People plateau after a number of years.
Then after that it's just a slow decline due to age.
If your TT career is 40 years it might be that you reach the peak in the 5th year and then you have 35 years of slow decline.
That's just how it is....and it's a bit depressing.
And please don't ever talk about me.
This thread is about every single person in the world except me
I am an exception.
I am not a person.

 

[Ninja26Go]

Therapist please?

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

I'm just stating the obvious fact of life...
That's just how it is....and it's a bit depressing.

"Has any one supposed it lucky to be born?
I hasten to inform him or her it is just as lucky to die, and I know it.

I pass death with the dying and birth with the new-wash'd babe, and am not contain'd between my hat and boots,
And peruse manifold objects, no two alike and every one good,
The earth good and the stars good, and their adjuncts all good.

I am not an earth nor an adjunct of an earth,
I am the mate and companion of people, all just as immortal and fathomless as myself,
(They do not know how immortal, but I know.)

Every kind for itself and its own, for me mine male and female,
For me those that have been boys and that love women,
For me the man that is proud and feels how it stings to be slighted,
For me the sweet-heart and the old maid, for me mothers and the mothers of mothers,
For me lips that have smiled, eyes that have shed tears,
For me children and the begetters of children.

Undrape! you are not guilty to me, nor stale nor discarded,
I see through the broadcloth and gingham whether or no,
And am around, tenacious, acquisitive, tireless, and cannot be shaken away."

-Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, section 7

 

[Ninja26Go]

"Has any one supposed it lucky to be born?
I hasten to inform him or her it is just as lucky to die, and I know it.

I pass death with the dying and birth with the new-wash'd babe, and am not contain'd between my hat and boots,
And peruse manifold objects, no two alike and every one good,
The earth good and the stars good, and their adjuncts all good.

I am not an earth nor an adjunct of an earth,
I am the mate and companion of people, all just as immortal and fathomless as myself,
(They do not know how immortal, but I know.)

Every kind for itself and its own, for me mine male and female,
For me those that have been boys and that love women,
For me the man that is proud and feels how it stings to be slighted,
For me the sweet-heart and the old maid, for me mothers and the mothers of mothers,
For me lips that have smiled, eyes that have shed tears,
For me children and the begetters of children.

Undrape! you are not guilty to me, nor stale nor discarded,
I see through the broadcloth and gingham whether or no,
And am around, tenacious, acquisitive, tireless, and cannot be shaken away."

-Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, section 7

Leave him to his own misery. There is nothing we can do to help people who genuinely don't want to accept help. Too many trolls these days

 

[Zezima]

Everyone can beat those ranked below him and lose to those ranked above, that's what rankings are for, so you're really just describing someone who's stagnant. To breakthrough you need to identify and address your weaknesses. What one's weaknesses are and how to address them will vary wildly from person to person, so there isn't gonna be an easy answer.

to add to this you can also film your matches (in case you play against the same opp somewhat in the near future again) and find his weakness and try to exploit that more in the match. In best case using your strength against his weakness.

And also just watch matches and think more about which serve the opp is weak against or find patterns what he does and see if you reacted properly. Most players play so one dimensional that while playing you don't even realize that and still act surprised that he did the same kind of point again and again.

Shotselection is what most people do wrong. I am also not perfect at this but when I look at others I feel like I am ahead at this speaking of people around my level and a bit higher than me.

Just beat another player today who only knew 100% smashes or 20% speed to but the ball on the table nothing inbetween. His errorrate was super high and those fast smashes also only net 1 point.

 

[lightspin]

there is a certain point where you can beat everyone below you in the rankings.
but everyone above you in the rankings will beat you.
you have tried all the styles and all the equipments.
you tried private coaches.
but nothing makes you progress further.

what to do then?
simply leave the sport quietly?

This happens quite a bit. Depending on how early you get proper training, you will hit a wall that will be impossible to break through. Even with proper training at a young age this wall will making a visit to you. The only option is just keep playing for fun if you want. Otherwise find something else to do that is fun for you.

One more thing to keep in mind is that as you get higher in the rankings there are fewer weaknesses that are easily exploitable. There is also less fluctuation in a players skill level the higher you go up in ranking. While quite frequently a 1900 player will beat a 2000 player, it is much rarer that a 2300 player beats a 2400.

 

[NetProphet]

I'm just stating the obvious fact of life.
People plateau after a number of years.
Then after that it's just a slow decline due to age.
If your TT career is 40 years it might be that you reach the peak in the 5th year and then you have 35 years of slow decline.
That's just how it is....and it's a bit depressing.
And please don't ever talk about me.
This thread is about every single person in the world except me
I am an exception.
I am not a person.

This is sad to read.
It seems clear to me that you need a bit of help.
Please get some help and be happy.
Sincerest best wishes. 🙏

 

[NetProphet]

"Has any one supposed it lucky to be born?
I hasten to inform him or her it is just as lucky to die, and I know it.

I pass death with the dying and birth with the new-wash'd babe, and am not contain'd between my hat and boots,
And peruse manifold objects, no two alike and every one good,
The earth good and the stars good, and their adjuncts all good.

I am not an earth nor an adjunct of an earth,
I am the mate and companion of people, all just as immortal and fathomless as myself,
(They do not know how immortal, but I know.)

Every kind for itself and its own, for me mine male and female,
For me those that have been boys and that love women,
For me the man that is proud and feels how it stings to be slighted,
For me the sweet-heart and the old maid, for me mothers and the mothers of mothers,
For me lips that have smiled, eyes that have shed tears,
For me children and the begetters of children.

Undrape! you are not guilty to me, nor stale nor discarded,
I see through the broadcloth and gingham whether or no,
And am around, tenacious, acquisitive, tireless, and cannot be shaken away."

-Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, section 7

Dude I'm loving these.
Seems you're into poetry a bit, I haven't read any since school and I did love it back then but I haven't read any since.
Please pm me your top 10?

 

[Scarfed Garchomp]

Dude I'm loving these.
Seems you're into poetry a bit, I haven't read any since school and I did love it back then but I haven't read any since.
Please pm me your top 10?

Lol these are the only two big ones I'm all that aware of. The former is from the movie Interstellar and the latter from an automotive YouTube content creator haha

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

there is a certain point where you can beat everyone below you in the rankings.
but everyone above you in the rankings will beat you.
you have tried all the styles and all the equipments.
you tried private coaches.
but nothing makes you progress further.

what to do then?
simply leave the sport quietly?

Progress is never linear nor predictable:

• You progress, sometimes rapidly even to your surprise.
• Then you plateau. I think this is your phase right now.
• Then you progress step wise in little baby steps.
• Then you drop a little as life circumstances weighs in, work, baby, promotion, injury, family commitments, elderly parents to take care, etc...
• Then you progress again.
• Then you drop, but not because you drop per se, but your regular sparring partner improves.
• Hey! Why can't they also progress?
• The you progress again...
• This is the life of sportsmanship. It is never linear nor predictable.
• But this is all what make it human and endearing.

Enjoy the journey my friend.

 

[ajtatosmano2]

I'm just stating the obvious fact of life.
People plateau after a number of years.
Then after that it's just a slow decline due to age.
If your TT career is 40 years it might be that you reach the peak in the 5th year and then you have 35 years of slow decline.
That's just how it is....and it's a bit depressing.
And please don't ever talk about me.
This thread is about every single person in the world except me
I am an exception.
I am not a person.

You are asking the question like it was a universal thing. But in reality it comes down to unique situations. There are many different reasons why people stop improving, there isn't a good answer to this. We have to stop pretending everything can be answered with a general philosophical take.