What To Do Between Tournament Matches
It’s the beginning of the tournament and now is the time to put into action all that you’ve learned in practice (you have been practicing right? :-)).
Now what do you do during the time when you’re waiting for the next table tennis match?
Countless players who want to be properly prepared have asked this question many times. I can certainly relate.
I remember when I was about to attend my first tournament. The butterflies in my stomach seemed to do more than just flutter. My palms were as wet as the Atlantic Ocean. My heart was pounding like the bass drum in a marching band. I was a nervous wreck!
To be best prepared, the first thing to keep in mind is to simply relax. Take a moment and breathe.
The last thing you want to do is let the excitement overtake what you came to do, which is winning your matches! Enjoy the moment for what it is and have fun.
Allow yourself time to eat something to keep your energy up. Those granola bars you see in health food stores are a good source of packed in energy that your body needs.
Bananas are great because they are chocked full of potassium to keep you from getting cramps and they are easy to store in gym bags.
Make sure that you drink plenty of water even if you feel as though you’re not thirsty. This helps to cool your body down and keep you hydrated while you’re sweating it out on the table.
Leave the cell phone somewhere where you’re not distracted with phone calls. Nothing kills the concentration better than someone who wants to call and chat.
This is YOUR time!
It’s not a selfish thing to do if you have a specific goal in mind (which should be winning).
Above all, you want to relax. While it’s great to check out other players to gauge their weaknesses and strengths, it’s even more important for you to remain calm.
Allow yourself time to visualize what you want to do. See yourself winning and what you are going to do to win. However, never think about anything that involves losing. This includes thinking about what you going to do if you lose. Always carry the winning spirit within.
By following these simple steps, you should be able to win more of your matches and have a great time.
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