Winning by Not

 "Master, I am having trouble winning points," said Po after entering the Master's room.

The smell of incense filled the room, or maybe it was Louisiana Hot Links, the Master was partial to both.  The carpets were rich, soft and lent the room a quiet that the slap of a court shoe would not disturb.

The Master was busy with a small cotton ball and some cleaner, making sure the grip of his paddle was perfect.  A cup of tea and a saucer of almond cookies lay at his elbow.

"What is that Po?  I did not hear you come in," the Master replied.

"I'm not winning a lot of points.   Points that I think I should win," said Po.  He looked dejected and any glow of a long day's play had faded his features.  His tan couldn't break through his lack of winning.

"Remember Po, the movie that was shown last week.  The one with the little green creature, who suggested that doing and trying were different things?  What was his name?"

"It think you are thinking of the Star Wars movie and that was Yoda, who was training the last Jedi."

"Yes, well, whatever.  The issue of trying is one that must be understood.  Trying is a measure of impatience, Po.  Doing requires patience and waiting.  Effort must be used only when appropriate."  The Master reached for a cookie and took a nibble.  The cookie made a soft sound as it was replaced on the plate.  The tea was slurped and the Master put down his paddle to concentrate on Po's lesson.

"But Master, I wait for an opportunity, but I can't seem to finish the points."

"Of course.  I suspect like all young players, you see the path to win the point."

"Yes, I get a pop up or loose shot and I strike, like the cobra."

"Of course.  And how many times does the cobra eat for each strike?"

"Well that is the problem Master, my strikes are not wonderful."

"So we have opportunity.  Errant ever are opponents given time and teasing.  The game is one of waiting for the gifts of the gods.  Or lessor opponents, heh, heh," said the Master.   A gleam shown in his eyes as his memory skated back over decades of matches.

"But Po, what happens then?"

"Then I strive for victory!" replied Po.

"Ah and in doing so, you miss on occasion?"

"Yes, but I have the chance, should I not take it?"

"Po, we are back to doing and trying.  The little green man knew something of the truth in this, but not all.  I guess it was made that way to satisfy the base understanding of the masses.  Sad that, but Po, you are not of the masses.  You need to know more and do more and do better.  When opportunity arises, you must do several things, you must recognize it, which is not as simple as you might suspect.  Some opportunities are easy and some are traps for the unknowing.

"It is often better to be conservative in your cobra strikes, Po.  If you seek to accrue more advantage rather than end the point, you will find more success.  Stretch the opponent, make them run, of course hit it past them if you can, but only when you can do it without error.

"Po, the final phase of all players to become the player that cannot be beaten.  To do that, remove errors.  Never miss easy shots by overhitting.  Better to dink back than to miss long or try to overpower the net tape.  Patience is supreme, wait and then wait some more.  If an opportunity shows up, take it but do not over take it.  Play the ball back firstly, then winners will come.  Let the opponents err, you just strive to be serene and patient and accurately and thus deadly.  Does that help Po?'

"Yes Master.  I see your wisdom.  I will strive to the wall that misses no returns."

"Excellent Po.  Would you like an almond cookie?  The chef seems to have given me an extra today.  I need to watch my figure, heh, heh."