When you are having a bad day...

[schrodingerskoalabear]

What are your go-tos to regain composure, focus or confidence?

After playing really well last week, I had real difficulty focusing on the ball, getting distracted by the environment, and just feeling like I was always hurried, even versus slower balls. People I beat pretty easily felt really difficult to play against.

Due to work, I wasn't able to have a proper meal an hour and a half before playing. I am wondering this had something to do my performance.

 

[zeio]

1. Cao ni ma
2. Frisbeeing the racket at a journalist/TV
3. Kicking at a TV while playing dumb
4. Smashing a plastic bottle
...

 

[Gozo Zyreruna]

What are your go-tos to regain composure, focus or confidence?

After playing really well last week, I had real difficulty focusing on the ball, getting distracted by the environment, and just feeling like I was always hurried, even versus slower balls. People I beat pretty easily felt really difficult to play against.

Due to work, I wasn't able to have a proper meal an hour and a half before playing. I am wondering this had something to do my performance.

It is ok, having a bad day is common for everyone, even for pro. The difference is, for us, a bad day means just a bad day, no biggie. For a pro, a bad day means a smaller pay-cheque / salary at the end of the month. This is the biggest difference.

 

[Snek]

The good old racket throw and catch! Really, bad days need to be accepted and forgotten.

 

[NetProphet]

What are your go-tos to regain composure, focus or confidence?

After playing really well last week, I had real difficulty focusing on the ball, getting distracted by the environment, and just feeling like I was always hurried, even versus slower balls. People I beat pretty easily felt really difficult to play against.

Due to work, I wasn't able to have a proper meal an hour and a half before playing. I am wondering this had something to do my performance.

Tiredness and basic mental fatigue are thf worst for me.
My biggest frustrations usually come when my brain is toast and I'm too tired to identify patterns, remember what worked in the previous game or concentrate on tactics etc. That's when I start to feel helpless.
Like most of us, my matches are in the evening and they often come at 8pm after working 7-7.

Lack of proper fuel will contribute too as will even slight dehydration (but thankfully I usually manage to get these right) so yeah, not eating before matches will almost certainly impact you at some stage of the contest.

 

[Nash77]

I used to play other sports at a higher level and the tips that I always liked are :

1) try to relax, even for just 5 minutes - before starting the practice. Just focus on breathing, music - disconnect from the hustle of the work day.

2) Eat a banana and drink enough, especially if you missed a meal.

3) In the middle of game - take a few seconds to take a few deep breaths, relax, lower pulse, regain focus.

 

[Amayzde]

Whenever I have an off-day where I miss lots of shots I usually make is to start playing at 70-80% first and make sure I hit the balls on the table. Thats how the points are won. I could keep trying to force the balls on the table by playing 100%, but that will only lead to more misses.

You should always have the ability to play the same game, but with a bit more safety. It might not feel as great, but most matches are won by playing it safe and put the ball on the table. Not by hitting the most beautiful topspins.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

Tiredness and basic mental fatigue are thf worst for me.
My biggest frustrations usually come when my brain is toast and I'm too tired to identify patterns, remember what worked in the previous game or concentrate on tactics etc. That's when I start to feel helpless.
Like most of us, my matches are in the evening and they often come at 8pm after working 7-7.

Lack of proper fuel will contribute too as will even slight dehydration (but thankfully I usually manage to get these right) so yeah, not eating before matches will almost certainly impact you at some stage of the contest.

Yeah, this is me. Days I have to play after work, I have to be very mindful of eating times and making sure I am getting enough fuel.

The kicker was even though I had accepted, it was going to be a bad day, I was still getting very frustrated. I look at my footage and I didn't even play horribly but boy did it feel horrible!

I like the safe 70% shot tip from @Amayzde

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

I used to play other sports at a higher level and the tips that I always liked are :

1) try to relax, even for just 5 minutes - before starting the practice. Just focus on breathing, music - disconnect from the hustle of the work day.

2) Eat a banana and drink enough, especially if you missed a meal.

3) In the middle of game - take a few seconds to take a few deep breaths, relax, lower pulse, regain focus.

I like all of these tips.

For (1), I usually try and do deep breathing walking to the hall but yesterday I think just got like a time-anxiety since lots of players had shown up and I wanted to quickly get a game

 

[blahness]

Dude if you don't feel like playing just don't play lol. Go home, sleep and watch some dramas and listen to music.

 

[igorponger]

Alex lost composure and payed badly with his welbeing. Broken fist.

 

[MaggiGoreng11]

When I'm having a bad day, I usually just take a step back and breathe deeply. Helps to clear the mind and clear any angry thoughts. I also watch some professionals play sometimes to motivate me towards my goal. Choosing a good practice partner is more important though, as he's kind of the reason why I get angry, no hate though, he's trying his best.