Last week I visited German Bundesliga club, ASV Grünwettersbach. A professional table tennis club. Whoah! In this blog, I’m going to share some insights from my visit – the facilities, training methods, coaching style and equipment. What lessons did I learn? And did I manage to win any matches? Let’s find out… Keep reading
We won the league! Having finished second for the past two seasons, this year we finished top of Division 1 in the Cambridge league. Hooray! I am chuffed. This is my first ever Division 1 title in local league. I finished with a 63% win percentage, which is my highest total in Division 1 so far. In this blog post, I look at what went well during the season and what areas of my game let me down and need improving. Keep reading
I’ve completed my first year of being a full time table tennis coach. Whoosh! The past 12 months have flown by. But what has it been like? Am I bored of table tennis yet? Did I earn enough money to pay the bills? Has my body survived the hours and hours of coaching? And what are my plans for the future? In this blog post I give an honest review of life as a table tennis coach. Keep reading
This league season I have been playing with the JOOLA Fever blade. This is an offensive carbon blade and one of JOOLA’s best sellers over the past few years. It has a 5+2 ply build with the 2 ply build formed by lightweight carbon meliorate. But is it any good? How does it perform when topspinning, hitting, pushing, blocking and serving? And what type to player should consider using this blade? Here’s my review… Keep reading
Some players attack. Some players defend. Others like to mix up defence and attack. Some use lots of spin. Others prefer flat hits. Some players like to stay close to the table. Others will go three metres back. Most players use inverted rubbers, but others use pimples or anti-spin. So many options. So many playing styles. But which is best? Which playing style will give you the most success? Let’s explore these questions… Keep reading
As we age, we do decline physically. We are not as fast, strong and nimble as we once were. But the great thing about table tennis (at the amateur level at least), is that power and athleticism are not essential to win matches. If you’re a senior player (60 years+), what is the best way to compete with, and beat, younger players? In this blog post, I give nine areas you can focus on to help you get the better of your younger, fitter and stronger opponents. Keep reading
![[Video] How to return Craig Bryant’s 4 killer serves](https://www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Return-killer-serves-380x214.jpg)
Last month I posted a video “4 killer serves to destroy your opponents”, featuring service expert Craig Bryant. I got several requests asking how you can return these serves. Luckily, I just about had enough footage of myself returning each serve (at least once!), so I have put together this new video explaining how to return Craig’s serves. Keep reading
The score is 10-10. How should you try and win the game? Play if safe? Or take risks? Just keep the ball on the table and hope the other payer makes a mistake? Or take the initiative and go for a big attack? In this blog post I share my thoughts on the best way to win when the score is 10-10. Keep reading
In August 2019, I will be running a table tennis training camp here in Cambridge. It’s going to be very focused towards local league players. We’re going to work on the skills, technique and tactics needed to win extra points when paying local league matches. Keep reading
Almost every table tennis player I know has experienced injury at some point. Common complaints are back injuries, twisted knees and ankles, and repetitive strain injuries in the wrist, elbow, shoulder or hip. However, we can take positive steps to reduce the chances of getting injured. In this blog post, I explain a few different ways you can minimise the risk of injury when playing table tennis. Keep reading