The problem with being down 0-2 in a match isn't that you are down 0-2; it's that you are being outplayed. If you outplay your opponent the rest of the way, then you'll likely win the next three games. So, don't worry about the game score. Focus on your performance and tactics and you'll maximize your chances of outplaying your opponent the rest of the way, and thereby winning the next three. And remember that what happened before can’t change and so doesn’t matter anymore. Only the next point counts.

So, what happened in those first two games? (Related question– what happened in the first game that you failed to correct in the second?) You need to figure out what he’s winning on or what you are losing on, and change it to what you are winning on or what he’s losing on. Sometimes it’s a matter of tactics. Other times it’s a matter of getting a shot to work better. For example, if you are losing in backhand-to-backhand exchanges the first two games, you have two options: Get out of those types of rallies (tactics), or focus on playing your backhand better (getting a shot to work better). If you are pretty sure you can’t win unless you do better in those backhand-to-backhand rallies, guess what? Instead of avoiding them, start the rally looking to get into them, and with that mindset, maybe you’ll do better in them.

Sometimes it’s something simple that turns everything around, such as attacking the opponent’s middle (elbow) during those backhand-to-backhand rallies, one of those most common ways I’ve seen a match turn around. Whatever it is, find it – it’s usually something simple. And if you still lose, then learn for next time so you don’t fall behind again.

Ultimately, the best thing is to avoid having to come back from down 0-2 – and that means scouting out your opponent so you know what to do at the start, have a working game plan, and warming up properly for the match. Then go in with a clear mind and battle it out!

The single most important thing you have to adjust to with any given opponent is usually their serve. Many players take a game or so to do so. But there’s a shortcut, and a secret of mine and many top coaches and players.

If you have a match coming up, it’s great to study his game, either live or on video. When I coach at tournaments, at the start I always put together a list of opponents my students – or me, if I’m playing – will play. Then I find videos of them – Youtube is your friend. (Put in the name of the player followed by “Table Tennis.”) But the single most important thing to watch is the serve. Don’t just watch it; you or your student should imagine receiving it as they watch it. Even stand up and go through the motions of doing so. I often assign players to watch upcoming opponents with the focus on their serve. If they are watching the upcoming opponent live, then I have them stand and watch from directly behind the opponent’s opponent, so they can imagine seeing and returning the serve. By the time the match starts, they should be somewhat comfortable against them – which often may save them from losing that first game, which they otherwise would have spent adjusting to the serve.

Here is a great way to understand how the mind should operate during a table tennis rally. If you play a musical instrument, you don't consciously play a song; your subconscious does. Each note triggers the next note. In table tennis, whatever your opponent does triggers your next move. It’s the same thing, with the one exception that in music, there’s no indecision as you know in advance each note you will play. But it’s really the same thing – just as your subconscious directs your moves when playing a musical instrument, your subconscious should direct your reactive moves when playing table tennis.

What does this mean? It means that, just as with the music example, you have to let go and let the subconscious do its job. Your conscious job is to think simple tactics and keep your eyes on the ball and opponent, and let the subconscious do the rest. If you are even an advanced beginner, it’ll do a MUCH better job than your conscious mind can! Not sure about this? Try tying your shoes where you have to consciously guide each move. That’s you trying to consciously guide yourself in table tennis. Or, to use the music example, try playing an instrument where you have to consciously decide on each note before playing it. Good luck!

So, as I’ve advised many times, let your subconscious do its job, and guess what? YOU get the credit!

There is no such thing as a weird style, just styles you are not used to. And yet, players are often petrified, or at least mentally too tight, to play effectively against weird styles. (When I say “weird style” I’m referring to any aspect of the opponent’s play that’s “different,” whether it’s technique or equipment.) So, how can you defeat these weird styles?

1. Remember that they play weird only because they play a rare style or use different equipment, which means it has built-in weaknesses – or more would play that way. Find the weaknesses in their game and apply pressure. For example, a player might have trouble playing against long pips, where he keeps getting his own spin. Then he realizes that if you simply gives the long pips a no-spin ball, he’ll get a no-spin ball back – and once he’s used to that, he can start teeing off against them. 
2. Adjust to their style. Play right into the weirdest parts until you are comfortable against it. Then you’ve taken away their “weirdness.”
3. Don't let a few careless mistakes bother you. When “normal” players play, they are playing their normal game against a style that they are used to. Against a “weird” style, you will make more mistakes, especially when attacking – so accept that, and don’t get discouraged by it. Just make sure you are winning most of the points so those few silly-seeming mistakes won’t matter!
4. Play as many “weird” styles as you can. Some avoid doing so, either because they aren’t fun to play, or just as often from the logic that they may never play another player like that, so why learn to play against this one player? The problem is that adjusting to “weird” styles is a habit that needs to be incorporated into the subconscious so that you can quickly adjust to any style. If you only play “normal” styles, then your subconscious – which controls your reactions – will learn to only react normally, and won’t learn to adjust to shots outside the “normal” range. It’s all about developing flexibility in your game, as opposed to robotically reacting the same to different shots, which is fatal against “weird” styles.
5. In particular, learn how to play against all playing surfaces, not just inverted. Long pips (with or without sponge), medium-long pips, short pips, antispin, hardbat – learn to play them all, both in practice and in theory. For example, against long pips, I’ve already mentioned above how no-spin gives them trouble – in theory. But you have to actually practice doing this, and going after their following returns, to really learn to play this tactic.)

Finally, one little piece of advice. Don’t think of “weird” styles as something to fear. Instead, think of them as someone who’s achieve a higher ranking or rating than they might have if more players knew how to play them. If you know how to play them, they will seem over-rated and won’t seem too threatening. Instead, by knowing how to play them, you are the one who is threatening!

You have three options – as the ball rises, at the top of the bounce, and on the drop. Which should you choose?

Ideally, take it on the rise, right after it bounces on your side of the table. This allows you to rush your opponent, go for maximum angle, and because you are closer to your target – the far side of the table – it actually gives you surprising control. The downside, of course, is that you might be rushed to do this and so lose control and consistency.

If you can’t take it on the rise, the it’s usually best to take it on the drop. This gives lots of control, and also makes it easier to load up the backspin. The downside is you can’t rush your opponent as much or go for as much angle. But since you have more time to react, it gives the most overall control and consistency.

Generally the worse place to contact the ball when pushing is at the top of the bounce. If you do so, since your contract point is higher, your push will tend to bounce up more, giving your opponent an easier attack. However, pushing at the top of the bounce does give you more net clearance and so some players do this with very aggressive pushes. But you can do that almost as well with a later contact point that gives you a lower-bouncing push, and so that’s generally better.

Experiment with all three, find what works for thee!