In this training camp you will learn how to serve and execute a 3rd ball attack. If used correctly, your serve can be a reliable tool to set up attacking opportunities. This puts your opponent on the back foot and can help you win lots of points. We will look at different serves – backspin, topspin, sidespin and float – and how each serve can set up an attacking opportunity. You will also work on your attacking strokes, including topspins, counter topspins, power loops. By combining your serves and these attacking strokes you will finish the training camp with a deadly serve + attack strategy.
- Date: Tuesday 25 March to Friday 28 March 2025
- Venue: Cambridge University Sports Centre, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS
- Start / finish time: 10am-4pm each day
- Coaches: Tom Lodziak + two guest coaches (TBC)
- Participants: Maximum of 16 players per day
- Cost: £70 per day
- Flexible booking: Join for 1, 2, 3 or 4 days
- BOOKING FORM – Sign up to this training camp
Programme
Here’s what to expect from the training camp…
Tuesday 25 March
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Backspin serve + attack … Learn how to use a backspin serve to set up a topspin attack (both forehand and backhand)
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Topspin serve + attack … Learn how to use a topspin serve to set up a counter topspin attack or a high ball which is easy to attack
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Wednesday 26 March
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Left sidespin + attack … Learn how to use a pendulum style serve to set up an attacking opportunity on the backhand side of the table
- return any table tennis serve by using only four basic shots.
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Right sidespin + attack … Learn how to use a reverse pendulum / hook / tomahawk style serve to set up an attacking opportunity on the forehand side of the table
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Thursday 27 March
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Float serve + attack … Learn how to combine backspin serves and float serves to set up an easy attacking opportunity
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Long serve + attack … Learn how to combine short serves and long serves to force weak returns and create easy attacking opportunities
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Friday 28 March
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Preparing for serve + attack … Learn how to use a service routine and visualisation and to prepare for, and execute, a successful serve and 3rd ball attack
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Serve tactics … Learn how to analyse your opponents strengths and weaknesses and select the right serve + attack tactics to cause maximum damage!
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
The coaching team
The coaching team for this training camp will be:
Lead coach – Tom Lodziak
Tom is a full-time table tennis coach, based in Cambridge. As well as face to face coaching Tom has a popular coaching YouTube channel and is the author of Spin: Tips and Tactics to Win at table Tennis. Tom competes in the top division of the Cambridge league and veteran tournaments around the country.
Support coach 1 – TBC
Support coach 2 – TBC
Who is this training camp suitable for?
This training camp is suitable for players who are already competing at a local league level or in amateur tournaments. At a minimum you should be able to serve confidently and be competent playing a forehand push, backhand push, forehand drive and backhand drive.
This training camp is not suitable for complete beginners. Instead, I recommend 1-to-1 coaching. If you are unsure whether this training camp is suitable for you, please email me with more information about your playing standard and I will advise.
You can also read testimonials of players who have previously attended my training camps.
Training camp format
There will be a maximum of 16 players per day on this training camp. The big benefit of attending a smaller sized training camp is that you get lots of feedback from the coaching team.
There will be a mixture of demonstrations, drills and match-play exercises. There will also be opportunities for you to set your own exercises and work on the skills which are really important to you. The coaching team will observe you play and give technical and tactical feedback.
You will get the opportunity to play with different people throughout the training camp – usually a mixture of players from around the UK and also players from other countries. You will experience a positive coaching environment, joined by like-minded table tennis enthusiasts!
In the evenings, there might be opportunities to play table tennis at nearby clubs. There may also be opportunities for 1-to-1 sessions. More details will be given nearer the time. Alternatively other players may wish to meet up together for food and drink. You will be invited to join a WhatsApp group where you can communicate easily with other players.
Venue + accommodation
This training camp will take place at Cambridge University Sports Centre, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS.
There will be eight good quality tables and high quality training balls.
The sports centre has a small car park (free of charge) and modern changing facilities. The sports centre sells basic refreshments and also has free water dispensers to fill up water bottles.
If you require accommodation, please take a look at this accommodation guide, which gives lots of affordable options.
Visit Cambridge
If you live in another part of the UK (or another country), you could combine this training camp with some sightseeing of Cambridge in the evenings. There is always plenty to do in the picturesque university city. Find out what’s on in Cambridge on the Visit Cambridge website.
How to book
If you would like to join this training camp, please complete this online booking form.
Flexible booking – Many players like to attend for all days of the training camp. But it is possible to attend for one or two days only. Just select the days you would like to attend on the booking form.
The cost is £70 per day. Please note that lunch is not provided. You will need to bring food and drink with you.
When I receive your booking form, I will then confirm your place by email and give you information on how to pay.
In the event that you register and then need to cancel, my cancellation and refund policy will apply.
If you want any more information before you book, then please email me – tom@tabletenniscoach.me.uk
Can’t make this date?
If you can’t make this particular training camp, there are other training camps available. Take a look at the full list here.
If you would like to be notified of future training camps, then please complete this very short expression of interest form.