By Joe Connolly
In any endeavor we pursue, our ambition is usually to become the best at it. Some people work hard to the end and see their dreams come true while others give up along the way. What makes the difference is the amount of passion and dedication one has. The same goes for anyone who wants to be a professional ping pong player.
If this is you and you have ambition but no idea how to initiate action, read on and we’ll show you exactly what you need to do to achieve your dream.
1. Have a strong reason why
Ping pong is a very tasking sport, requiring a lot of mental energy and unless you have a strong purpose, the possibility of quitting is very high. You should do some soul searching and once you decide deeply in your heart that you want to go pro, you can now proceed and buy equipment, rackets and if you can afford, the table itself. If you can’t afford a table you can use one at your local table tennis club. But for rackets, it’s highly recommended that you use your own so that you can get comfortable with it.
2. Take lessons
There are people who are better than you at the sport and are willing to help you reach your potential. Take advantage of this and harness the knowledge they have. Nowadays, the internet has made everything easier and you can get thousands of free video tutorials which 20 years ago would have been impossible.
There are also online schools were certified coaches can give you instructions you need to get ahead. In addition, you can read books and magazines and get familiar with some basics of the sport e.g. about the sizes of the rackets and also the official ping pong table dimensions and measurements as this will help in mastering the game more.
3. Join a community
Surround yourself with those with the same mission as you, that’s the only way to get better. It gives you a chance to compare yourself with others, gauge your abilities, get help in your weak areas and also help others who are lower than you. So join the local club or even an online community so you can connect with like minded people from all over the world.
4. Practice Practice Practice
Just like the old adage says, practice makes perfect. The way to get better is by doing more and more as it helps you understand your equipment better, improves your body awareness’, helping you know how much you need to move or swing.
In short, it helps you develop your technique. A key thing is to know the value of solo practice. Greats like Cristiano Ronaldo in soccer and Michael Jordan in basketball are known for remaining on the playing grounds doing extra practice.
The results? They became the best in their sport.
In addition to all these, the most important thing is to have a deep belief in yourself and your abilities. The Bhagavad Gita (A scriptural text from India) says that ‘man is made by his belief, as he believes so he is’. That needs no explanation.