10 Tips for Tournament Beginners!
How to play better table tennis and have more fun!
Take your time: Practice calling timeouts and use towel breaks. This helps you think clearly which is imperative to playing well. I was once told that if you lose a match without using your timeout, then you didn’t do everything in your power to win.
Ask to see your opponent’s racket before each match during the warmup. They may have a different surface on one (or both) sides. It is best to build the habit of asking to inspect the opponent’s racket to avoid being deceived. It is your right to see what they are using.
Don’t get frustrated if things aren’t going your way. Maybe you get a slow start or you lapse in focus mid-day. You can pass a group or win a round robin even if you lose a match. My coach says, “It’s not how you start but how you finish.”
Don’t blame or change your equipment too much. Use something reasonable and stick with it.
Practice your serves (consistently). Not just a little here and there. Think how they both win points and set up your overall game. Consider which serves you struggle against and try to implement them in your own game.
Record some matches to review and improve, but also to capture some great moments that you can look back on.
Put the ball on the table more and expect your opponents to do the same. Many tournament players focus on consistency and placement. They aim to get one more ball on the table than the opponent, and you should too.
Appreciate chances to play stronger players but also get comfortable competing against players at or below your level to build skills and confidence.
Learn when to call it a day! Sometimes you know you can’t advance or it’s late in the day of an exhausting tournament weekend. Manage your matches to capitalize on opportunities but also minimize risk of over-exertion or high-risk, low-reward rating matches when tired.
Most importantly... relax, play, and have fun!
Hope these tips help you on your tournament journey! If you are already competing at a more advanced level, or simply want to take a deeper dive into table tennis tactics, check out this REVIEW of Table Tennis Tactics for Thinkers by Larry Hodges and consider purchasing his book!