Coach Shahin’s 7 Pillars | Part 3: Power of the Pause

Coach Shahin competing at the Mega Money Open | Photo by: Lorenz Schimonsky

By David Yeakle

When we watch elite table tennis, we marvel at the lightning-fast rallies, the incredible counter-loops, and the physics-defying spin. But according to Coach Shahin Akhlaghpasand, Head Coach at the Austin Table Tennis Club and former captain of the Iranian National Team, the real secret to consistency isn't what happens during the rally—it’s what happens between them.

Having competed in 9 World Championships and recently capturing the US National Championship (Men's Over 30), Coach Shahin has spent decades testing psychological strategies at the absolute highest levels of the sport. His verdict?

"In competitive table tennis, your consistency during active play is almost always determined by how well you manage the pauses."

Cost of Rushing: A World-Class Mistake

A common error Coach Shahin observes—ranging from recreational players to competitors at the state level—is rushing into the next serve or return. This is especially true right after a frustrating unforced error or a grueling, physical rally.

When you give in to the urge to rush, Coach Shahin warns that a dangerous chain reaction occurs:

• Physical Redlining: Your heart rate stays spiked, completely preventing short-term physical recovery.

  
  

• Tactical Blindness: Clouded judgment takes over, causing you to make rushed, poor tactical choices.

  
  

• Loss of Rhythm: Your natural timing breaks down, making compounding mistakes and "snowballing" points highly likely.

  
  

Rushing is an emotional reaction to pressure. As Coach Shahin often reminds his students at the Austin Table Tennis Club, rushing plays right into your opponent's hands.

Establish Your Psychological Anchor

To combat the urge to rush, Coach Shahin utilizes training methodologies backed by his credentials as an ITTF Certified Instructor and alumnus of the prestigious Olympic Solidarity Course. He advocates for establishing a strict between-point routine to serve as your physical and psychological anchor at the table.

Think of it as a manual reset button for your brain and body. It ensures that you play the next point on your terms, not your opponent's.

Coach Shahin’s Step-by-Step Between-Point Routine

Whether you are playing in a local league or competing for a title, Coach Shahin recommends implementing this exact five-step sequence between every single point:

1. The Physical Release: Immediately after a point ends, drop your shoulders and take one deep, deliberate breath. Release the tension of the previous play.

   
   

2. The Walk (or Wipe): Either walk to the back of your court or wipe your hand near the net. This physical action creates a literal boundary between the past point and the next one.

   
   

3. The Tactical Reset: Use this brief moment to analyze what just happened. Did you miss because of spin, or positioning? Where are you going to place the next ball?

   
   

4. The Stance Reset: Step back to the table and consciously rebuild your ready position from the ground up—feet set, knees bent, paddle up.

   
   

5. The Final Pause: Before you serve or signal that you are ready to receive, take one final independent second. Look at the ball, commit to your plan, and initiate play.

Take Control of the Match

This brief intermission prevents compounding mistakes, calms your central nervous system, and allows your technique to remain steady and reliable.

Take it from a 4-time Iranian National Champion who has shared training camps with elite Chinese and North Korean coaches: Don't let the pace of the game dictate your mind. Take control of the pauses, and you'll take control of the match.

What’s Next?

Mastering your between-point routine doesn't happen overnight. Next time you step up to the table—whether in a tense club match at the Austin Table Tennis Club or a high-stakes tournament—try putting Coach Shahin’s advice into practice. Take that deep breath, step back, and hit your mental reset button before every single serve.

This is just one piece of the puzzle. "Power of the Pause" is Part 3 of our exclusive series breaking down Coach Shahin’s 7 Pillars of athletic excellence.

Stay tuned for Part 4: Mastering the Poker Face where we will dive into Coach Shahin's elite strategies for carrying yourself between points without giving anything away to your opponent.

We want to hear from you: What part of your mental game do you struggle with the most? Do you find yourself rushing when the pressure mounts? Let us know in the comments below!