Here are some of the attacks against your commitments; pressure thoughts about needing to win or fearing to lose, awareness of others’ expectations, other competitors’ gamesmanship, injuries, nets and edges, poor lighting and slick floors. None of the issues would matter as much to you if you weren’t striving to be something greater. However the higher your table tennis game elevates, the greater the potential for distractions that can suck the commitment right out of you like a mental game undertow.

In an average tournament, you might have around 20 games that are 9-9 or 10-10.  Your success or failure during the tournament largely rests on winning those games.  I have a few tips that will help you better win those important sets.
 
#1 Enjoy them!  You probably enjoy the rush from other things in life like roller coasters, scary movies, caffine, and other things.  If you feel a bit excited in a close game and your heart is pounding a bit harder, learn to enjoy it!  Enjoying those close games with a smile will help you to relax and play your best!
 

Principle #1 your mind can only concentrate on one thing at a time.
 (Action Statement for principle #1) I take control of what I picture, choosing to think about what I want to create in my life.
 
Principle #2 what you say is not important. What you cause yourself or others to picture is crucial.

 
There are 2 frequently asked questions that I would like to answer in this blog posting…
 
Question #1
Bob, “Samson, why do I often play much better in tournaments against players would are rated 200 points higher that I am.  It seems like I play better against better players.”
 
Question #2
Betty, “Samson, why do I often play very poorly against better players.  I just can’t seem to get into my normal routine.”
 
Hi Bob!

 
If you are a tournament player, shaking off a loss will be one of the biggest hurdles that you need to jump.  This entire article can be summed up in 1 sentence…
 
Stop the excuses, admit you lost.  
 
After admitting to yourself that you lost that match and it was your fault, you will then be able to clearly think why you lost and you will learn from your mistakes.  If you continue to make excuses, then you won’t change, you won’t improve, and you will keep losing.
 

 
Question:            Samson, how can I improve my mental game?
 
Answer:               Choose a level-headed, world-class player and copy him.
 
When studying this elite athlete there are several things that you should be looking for.
 
Attitude During Training

 
You have often heard the Marines say, “Earned, never given!”
 
This is the same mindset and you should have in table tennis. 
When you serve a fast, surprise serve, you are planning for your opponent to return and you are planning to win the rally.
When you loop with your powerful forehand, you are expecting your opponent to return it and you are expecting to loop multiple balls in order to win the rally.
When you push deep and fast to your opponent’s wide forehand, you are expecting a soft opening that you can counterloop.
 

When you play against high-rated opponents, do you play better or worse?
 
If you play better against them, it is probably due to the fact that you are more mentally relaxed having a “nothing-to-lose” mentality.  If you have this focused, relaxed attitude – wonderful!  Try to go into every match and every practice session giving your best, having fun, and not putting the pressure on yourself.  This is a great experience!