Just like any other table tennis skills, developing a tactical mindset takes discipline.  As I work through the various styles over the coming weeks and teach you how to play against various opponents, I want you to understand that you too can think of your own tactics.  I’m not very smart, I’m just an average guy.  However, I do spend quality time thinking.  You too can develop this same discipline.

 
 
 
 
 
 
Forgetting & Remembering
 
During a table tennis match, is it beneficial to remember previous points or to just block out the past and play in the moment?
 
The answer is…   BOTH!
To reach your peak potential, you need to forget and remember!  I’m going to illustrate my point by sharing a true story that happened to me.
 
I was playing one of the most important matches of my life. 
I was down 1-2 in games in a best 3/5 match.

 
 
 
 
 
     The short pips smasher is often described as one of the scariest opponents in the game, unless you use the proper tactics!  You give a weak push – bang! It gets smashed at 90mph!  You give a weak loop – bang! It gets smashed at 90mph!  You block the smash and it go into the bottom of the net!  Wow, how frustrating! 

 
 
 
 
 
“If I could have won all the deuce games at the last tournament, I would be rated over 1400 now!”
 
“If my opponent hadn’t got 2 nets at deuce, I would have had the upset of my life.”
 
“If I could have won all the deuce games at the state championship, I would have won the title 4-0.”