Do you want to become a smart table tennis player?

It is a two-step process. Focus on both steps and it will happen.

First, think a lot about the game. There are actually three domains here: technique, tactics and sports psychology. The more you think about it, the better your understanding will be. Think about every aspect. If you have any questions, please ask someone with experience and knowledge. (Or buy a good table tennis book that will make you think about the sport!) A true student of the game learns everything he can, and this makes him both a better player and a better coach. Note that this thinking must take place in the first place away from the table. Once you’re at the table, let your training take over, limiting your thinking to between points and focusing on simple tactics. Thinking too much just freezes you up, whether it’s during a match or training.

Second, talk to smart table tennis people. You’ll be amazed at how much you can learn by listening. There are weak players who are smart players – and you can learn from them. There are also strong players who are not actually smart table tennis people, but who know it their game, and you can learn from that. (I learned a long time ago that you can divide top players into these two categories: table tennis experts, and experts only in their game.) You can also learn a lot by talking to average players who are not necessarily smart table tennis players. Unless you literally think you know more about every aspect of table tennis than they do, you can learn something of them. Plus, you’ll learn how other players think, which helps develop your own tactics. (For example, I’ve sometimes fallen into the trap of opponents overthinking things, thinking, “This is what I should do, but he expects it, so I’d better do something else.” I’ve learned that the vast majority of the time, opponents don’t expect the obvious, or at least aren’t ready for it.)