In this training camp, you will develop both your attacking skills and your defensive skills. We will look at how to beat different types of defensive players – the blocker, the pusher, the chopper and the lobber. You will also learn how to win against long pimples. On the defensive side, we will look at how to use blocks, pushes, chops and lobs to frustrate your opponent and force errors. You will also get the opportunity to join the dark side and use long pimples! This is the ideal training camp for players who want to add more variety to their game and beat a wider range of players.
- Date: Tuesday 24 September to Friday 27 September 2024
- 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
- BOOKING FORM – Sign up to this training camp
Programme
Here’s what to expect from the training camp…
Tuesday 24 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Attack vs block … Learn how to beat a blocker by using topspin attacks, precise ball placement and a little bit of power. For the blocker, learn how to use slow blocks, fast blocks and switch blocks to force errors from the attacker.
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Attack vs push … Learn how to beat a pusher with the use of heavy topspin loops. For the pusher, learn how to use short touches and aggressive pushes to make the attacker miss.
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Wednesday 25 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Attack vs chop … Learn how to beat a chopper by combining short touches, deep topspin attacks and angled drives. For the chopper, learn how to use heavy and light backspin chops to disrupt the rhythm of the attack to force errors.
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Attack vs lob … Learn how to beat a lobber with powerful smashes aimed in different areas of the table. For the lobber, learn how to use lobs with challenging height, depth and spin to make the attacker miss the smashes.
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Thursday 26 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Attack vs long pimples … Learn how to win against long pimples by reading the spin correctly and playing the appropriate attacking shot. For the long pimples player, learn how to use your pimples to confuse and bewilder your opponents and score many cheap points.
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Attack vs mixed defence … Learn how to beat the player who uses a variety of defensive strokes – pushes, blocks, chops and lobs.. For the defender, learn how to use all of your defensive options to return ball after ball until the attacker messes up.
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Friday 27 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Defensive strategy … Learn how to play a tight defensive game, forcing your opponent to make wake shots or attacking errors.
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Attacking strategy … Learn how to vary the spin, speed and placement of your attacking strokes to outplay your defensive opponents.
- 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. In addition to coaching, he also 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. 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.
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!
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.
There is some booking flexibility. If you can’t attend all the days, 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.
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.
Alternatively, you may be interested in attending one of my group coaching days.
If you would like to be notified of future training camps, then please complete this very short expression of interest form.