Sumirat asked 4 years ago
Hi Coach,
I had read many theory on some coaching site about how to have good technique and tactic on table tennis. Example how to have great serve, good backhand/forehand stroke, etc. I practice it on daily drill. But when on real match all of them is forget and mostly back to my old habbit. How deal with it ?
Tom Lodziak Staff answered 4 years ago
Yes, this is a common issue which all players have to some extent. When you learn a new stroke, it can take a very long time before you can use it – without thinking – in match-play. I have been working on my backhand loop for 10 years. I can execute it well in training, but still I do not use it in matches and usually push instead. It is very frustrating!
But in general there are two ways you could approach this problem…
1 – Are you training in the right way? Make sure the drills you do in training reflect random match-play in some way. You need to create realistic point scenarios in your training to test out your new technique. If you can consistently use your new technique in irregular training drills, then it is much more likely you will be able to use your technique in matches. Read this article where I explain in greater detail: How to replicate training form in league matches
2 – Try to have a different focus when you play matches. Don’t worry about winning or losing. Give yourself a different goal. If you are trying to develop your forehand loop for example, make your goal during the match to execute a forehand loop five times. It doesn’t matter if you win any points with this shot. Your goal is simply to execute your new technique in a match scenario. This should prevent you from going back to old habits. Over time your new technique will become ‘normal’ and your old habits will disappear. This can take a long time, so be patient.