Focus and Aim

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To reduce the level of stress in the final year of the IB, I would like to focus more on a sport that primarily targets strategic thinking over physical demands.

Learning Outcomes

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Addressed Learning Outcomes:

1. Identify your own strengths and develop areas for personal growth.
2. Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process.
3. Demonstrate how to initiate and plan a CAS experience.
4. Show commitment to and perseverance in CAS experiences.
5. Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively.
6. Demonstrate engagement with issues of global significance.
7. Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions.

CAS Hours

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CAS Stages

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Preparation and Planning

Plan a flexible schedule of table tennis activities, with moderate levels of exercise to ensure the output of calories.

Selectively watch tutorials from Chinese media platforms to refresh on the theoretical component of the sport. Then, produce an adequate plan of which skills to brush up on and when.

Action

On weekends, execute the schedule and play with a companion. Each time, learn from past mistakes in order to improve and perform better in the next session.

In school, take advantage of the everyday hourly break to engage in the sport. At the end of each week, I will look back at the plays in the week to summarize my weaknesses and seek potential improvements.

Evidence

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See all records here

Reflections

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30/06/2024

I've strengthened my coordination and strategic thinking, especially in refining my serves and backhand, through continuous practice in regular 10 minute slots. Collaborating with my peers in matches has honed my skills of learning from each others' styles, analyzing them, and fine-tuning my own.

Playing table tennis reveals the global cultural differences in sports techniques. Western players typically focus on power and range, while Eastern players emphasize speed, control, and consistency. Learning and incorporating these varied styles highlights the importance of cultural exchange, enhancing understanding and respect for different approaches, and promoting international cooperation and appreciation of diversity.

Reflecting on my choices in matches, there was a moment when my opponent made a close call that I initially disagreed with. Rather than contesting it, I chose to trust their decision and continue the match without conflict. This experience underscored the importance of fair play and respecting the integrity of the game, showing me that upholding sportsmanship sometimes requires prioritizing mutual respect over personal disputes.

31/07/2024

Returning to China for the summer holidays, I had the opportunity to play table tennis with a friend of mine whose parents set up and are running a table tennis club. There, I exchanged knowledge and skills with the players who are above my level and learned about the professional training and competition system in China. This experience highlighted the importance of global engagement in sports; the Western system of training and competitions is vastly different from what players and coaches undergo in China. Having the conversation with the peers and professionals working in the industry allowed me to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each system from the broad operational overview to the concrete details such as training schedules, habits, and mental aspects.

13/08/2024

This month, I was actively playing with a peer of mine here in Spain, who, unlike myself, attended professional training before. A few games led to the ephiphany that not only am I lacking in the technical aspects of the sport, but also in tactics. With this in mind, I have decided to exploit online tutorials to strengthen both my theoretical and practical knowledge of the sport.

On the 11th, having played three hours consecutively was a physical challenge as well: Apart from the difficulty in monitoring and controlling hydration, I also found it harder to maintain focus and precision of the shots in the last hour. Nonetheless, I was able to finish the session with a few games played and a few more lessons learned therefrom.

20/09/2024

Returning to school, I have been able to play with and learn from other peers as well, during the lunchtime and breaktime. This really challenged my critical thinking in sports: Each opponent has different styles of playing and thus different strengths and weaknesses. I have learned to adapt to these different styles by exploiting the weaknesses of each of my opponents respectively. This again reinforced the subtle fact that table tennis is much more than physical exercise - it is a mental game as well.

05/10/2024

This month, I was able to take advantage of the school's allocated lunch time to engage in daily table tennis practice. Not only was this a great way to relieve stress between lessons but it was also a good opportunity to adapt to and combat the different playing styles of my peers. In this rather unprofessional setting, the playing style was shown different from what I had experienced in China, and it reminded me of the importance of adapting to different environments and levels of play.

18/11/2024

This month, I've felt my performance slipping - it's been harder to find time for table tennis with my IAs and EE taking priority. Missing regular practice has made a difference; my reflexes feel slower, and I'm making mistakes I wouldn't have before. It's frustrating to see progress stall, but it's also a reminder of how easily skills fade without consistency. Balancing everything has been tough, but I'll need to find a way to keep improving, even if practice is less frequent.

09/12/2024

This month, I have become more aware of how inconsistent practice affects performance. With academic deadlines still taking priority, I have realized that even short, focused sessions can help prevent skill loss. Instead of trying to regain my previous level immediately, I have focused more on accuracy and strategy rather than intensity.

Surprisingly, stepping back from regular play has given me a new perspective. Watching others play has helped me analyze different techniques and understand the importance of adapting to different styles. This experience has shown me that improvement is not just about physical practice but also about learning and reflection. Moving forward, I plan to balance both to keep developing my skills despite time constraints.

08/01/2025

The holiday break gave me the chance to dedicate more time to table tennis, allowing me to regain some lost form and refine my technique. With fewer academic pressures, I could focus on longer practice sessions, experimenting with different strategies and strengthening my consistency. Playing more regularly also reminded me of the value of collaboration. Training with others not only helped improve my skills but also gave me insights into different playing styles and approaches.

Beyond the game, I have also become more aware of the environmental impact of equipment maintenance. Regularly cleaning my racket extends its lifespan, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing waste. The rubber and adhesives used in table tennis gear contribute to environmental pollution when discarded carelessly, making proper care a small yet meaningful step toward sustainability.

19/02/2025

Reflecting on my table tennis journey, I can clearly see progress both in my skills and in my understanding of the sport. Throughout this experience, I have learned a great deal from others, whether from peers at school, skilled players in China, or through watching tutorials and analyzing different playing styles. The opportunity to engage with various approaches has deepened my understanding of the global diversity within the sport, showing that improvement comes from learning and adapting to different techniques from around the world, rather than following a single method.