June 14, 2011

"Let go, Have fun"

One of the toughest things to do in table tennis (or any skill sport) is to do exactly what the heading says - "Let go, Have fun." In a split-second skill sport like table tennis, you can't consciously control each shot; it's all instinctive. Yet that's exactly what one does when they can't relax. And so all their instincts go out the window, and suddenly they can't make a shot. Afterwards, they wonder why.

USA Women's Champion Arial Hsing, just 15 years old, exemplifies the ability to "Let go, Have fun." It is that ability (along with huge amounts of training, great coaching, experience, etc. - details!) that make her a champion. And how did she learn to do this? During her up-and-coming years, guess what she always wrote on her arm before a tournament? Here she is, about four years ago, at age 11. Yes, that's "Let go, Have fun!" written on her arm. (I have a larger version on my computer so I can zoom in and verify the words, including the exclamation mark at the end.)

Players who learn to do this find themselves basically spectators when they play. They think tactically, but otherwise they just watch the ball and let their bodies play the game while they observe. They just have fun watching as they pull off shot after shot!

Why not say "Let go, have fun" to yourself before every match from now on? Imagine how much better everyone would play. Of course, now that the secret's out, your opponent's going to do the same thing, and soon we'll have matches where the two players just sit around and watch while their bodies go play.

I was now going to direct you to a site dedicated to sports psychology for table tennis, run by table tennis star and sports psychologist Dora Kurimay - but apparently that site has been hacked by a nutty "Isl4m For Ever" extremist group. (Anyone know anything about this?) Hopefully Dora will get control of the site back soon. (I just sent her a message, but I'm guessing she already knows.)
Breaking News - Dora has fixed the problem, so now you can see her sports psychology for table tennis site! 

Here are some nice video points

ITTF Coaching Seminars in the U.S.

There are now five ITTF Coaching Seminars coming up in the U.S. (I ran the first one by a USA coach in April in Maryland.) Here is the upcoming schedule - get out your five-sided coin and choose!

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PipProdigy Tue, 06/14/2011 - 16:50

I kind of adopted the "Let go, have fun" outlook in my sanctioned tournament this past Saturday. While I didn't make a lot of mistakes from being tense, I found that it took away some of the aggression and focus that I would normally have. I guess I was doing it wrong xD.

Profile picture for user Larry Hodges
Larry Hodges Tue, 06/14/2011 - 16:26

Hi PipProdigy, 

It might be that you haven't done it before, and so need practice in finding the right balance. You can actually "Let go, have fun" and at the same time play highly aggressive. The way I do it is I think of myself as a sprinter at the starting blocks. When the point begins, I'm set to go, but I let go and let the natural reactions take over. 

PipProdigy Tue, 06/14/2011 - 17:12

Ya, that was probably it. I haven't really done that before and I may have gone out and had too much fun. All in all it was a fun tournament, and I'll be sure to give em hell next time. The starting block example really helps, thanks.