Zone in table tennis

[God-scrubplayer]

Zone explanation video

Zone is a term referring to a player's state when they reach their maximum potential. It is a superlative of regular concentration and focus. The conditions to enter this state vary from each person. The basic requirement for entering the Zone is to have unwavering passion towards the sport. This requirement goes along with having to meet the user's independent conditions, in most terms, desperation of winning or the thrive for competition.

I'm currently 2214, without entering the zone I am most likely 2100-ish as shown in my league rating https://usatt.simplycompete.com/userAccount/up/122934?embedded=&uai=122934 . In bay area, league rating is underrated as compare to other places where usually league rating is overrated. Bay area league rating is usually usatt - 100 ~ 150


For the last 5 tournament i was able to enter the zone at will(ish) and now I have a better understanding of the trigger and dynamics of it. That said I am a special case where I completely understand my trigger for the zone, while others who entered it in the past, keep trying to chase it to no aval and end up getting frustrated because he/she cannot enter the mental state where "nothing misses". So here's a quick info list:

1. After entering the zone where you felt none of your shot will miss, there's a chance that you will go overload and kick yourself out of the zone by trying circus shot and sync yourself out. Example: Simon is 6-2 leading on the fifth, did an incredible point. However, that point basically synced him out. He instantly thought he is on god mode and try to do reckless shots and end up losing the match. This happens to me a lot of the times as well where I did an incredible point and start to think i can play out of my ability.
2. Unless you are someone like me who understand thy self's zone trigger, relying on zone to win match will only result in eternal frustration. I've seen countless of players who "accidentally" enter the zone during practice match and falsely believe that's their level and keeps getting frustrated on why they can't hit balls like that ONE session months ago.
3. Consistently entering the zone is extremely difficult for adults especially as you age. In order to enter the zone you first cannot feel "tired". So the min requirement is you are physically fit(unless you pip chop blocker). If an adult want to enter the zone in tournament the MINIMUM they need to do is to make sure they have good sleep, maintain high sugar during tournament, have enough clothes to keep warm during wait period, and most important DO NOT look at your phone and doom scroll in between matches.
4. Zone is a very fragile state, any small accident like net/edge and easily sync you out of it. It could be as easily as laughing with your friends when you saw something funny to arguing with ref. At the same time, zone can easily be accidentally entered. And this post hope to help you plebs (0.1%) who enter the zone to maintain it or understand your trigger.

Anyways, for my trigger it's usually when the game is close like 2:2 on the fifth and i'm down 2~3 points.

Exhibition A: 2:2 4-7 down, Went on god mode and win 11-7
Exhibition B: 5-7 down 12-10

There are others but it weren't recorded but if you scroll through my last 7 tournament the only time I lost a close game was against kef and he was 2400. I almost never lose a close game. Why? because fortunately a close game is my trigger to the gate of zone(god mode)

 

[doppelmoral]

Ma Long chopping with an Iphone vs you when you enter the „zone“, who‘d win?

 

[mcfly]

Ma Long chopping with an Iphone vs you when you enter the „zone“, who‘d win?

if only it is the 16 Pro Max

 

[Topspinslinger]

My take is that I find mostly people who look for technical improvement getting in "the zone" and not being something mystical.
As "the zone" is mostly technical perfection due to mental calmness when someone isn't focusing on mistakes but on ergonomic natural movement.

 

[PhoenixTT]

"Flow" is a similar concept (book by Csikszentmihalyi). Actually not sure how they're different.

Being in the zone delivers the best performance, AND the best feeling. Not sure what triggers it in me, but you're right, a good night rest and peak/near peak physical form are strong pre-requisites.

We've all seen delaying and disruptive tactics by the opponent, done in order to take you out of your zone.
Older people with their unorthodox homegrown personal hitting style and sneaky tactics, put me in the twilight zone instead

 

[Amayzde]

More like Harimoto mode

 

[enoxzr]

Getting in the zone for myself is in preparation of the day, or during the day if its a tournament.

My local league games are usually on a Friday evening. If I can, I make sure to work from home those days. I also like to stand behind my desk more often then regular days, to give back and limbs more of a break.

I like to arrive on time, hydrate myself throughout the evening/day and strech if needed. Also not too much warm-up is something I like as well.

 

[davidsyd828]

I also discover that when I am meditating regularly. My awareness level increase.
The timing is also significantly better. Mind is more calm and play a generally better game overall.

 

[latej]

I also discover that when I am meditate regularly. I awareness level increase.
The timing is also significantly better. Mind is more calm and play a genraly better game overall.

We're the best-selves when our self doesn't stand in the way... That requires certain humbledness (if such word exists), a thing incomprehensible for the OP ;-) with all due respect for him posting - good topic... So yes, I agree the physical should be ready, and preferably optimal, but it's not as important as the mental side - sometimes you can be very tired and still be in the flow/zone... (actually sometimes certain level of being tired helps)... But all that said, when we are our best-selves, we still are just our-selves! I don't want to go into what that self actually is now, there are others who can start better here... It's just that the reality will kick in - when I'm in my best-self I still won't take a set of ML... just train and have fun... And note, when someone says he can enter at will, he most likely has zero understanding!!! Cheers.

Edit: We are being entered...

 

[God-scrubplayer]

We're the best-selves when our self doesn't stand in the way... That requires certain humbledness (if such word exists), a thing incomprehensible for the OP ;-) with all due respect for him posting - good topic... So yes, I agree the physical should be ready, and preferably optimal, but it's not as important as the mental side - sometimes you can be very tired and still be in the flow/zone... (actually sometimes certain level of being tired helps)... But all that said, when we are our best-selves, we still are just our-selves! I don't want to go into what that self actually is now, there are others who can start better here... It's just that the reality will kick in - when I'm in my best-self I still won't take a set of ML... just train and have fun... And note, when someone says he can enter at will, he most likely has zero understanding!!! Cheers.

Edit: We are being entered...

I'm aoimine

 

[Silver Server]

If I’m playing a higher level player I’ll use Removal. If Im down a lot of points I’ll use Possessed by a God. For players my level and lower I’ll just use Total Concentration Breathing techniques.

 

[Gozo Aruna]

Zone? No Zone?

Zoning is too unreliable. The best thing is still rely on yourself.

 

[God-scrubplayer]

If I’m playing a higher level player I’ll use Removal. If Im down a lot of points I’ll use Possessed by a God. For players my level and lower I’ll just use Total Concentration Breathing techniques.

That's right. I'm the main character. Those are my traits

 

[Gozo Aruna]

Dear God,

I found a song that when played and listen too: It will make my ZONE become EPIC ZONE.

Feat: Epic Zone
1. Concentration +8
2. Speed +8
3. STR + 4
On than that I gain an additional bonus feat: LIGHT AS FEATHER ( Footwork + 4 )

So what is that song that I am referring to?

This song!