In this training camp, we will focus on the tactical side of table tennis. You will learn how to analyse your opponent, how to develop a game plan and how to play your best in pressure situations. You will also get to learn lots of new tactics – attacking tactics, defensive tactics, service tactics, return of serve tactics – which will help you win lots more points in your league and tournament matches.
- Date: Monday 25 September 2023 to Friday 29 September 2023
- Venue: Cambridge University Sports Centre, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS
- Start / finish time: 10am-4pm each day
- Coaches: Tom Lodziak, Ferenc Horvath, Orsi Petocz
- Participants: Maximum of 16 players per day
- Cost: £65 per day
Programme
Here’s what to expect from the training camp…
Monday 25 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.45pm – Basic tactics … Learn how to control the table and exploit an opponent’s weaknesses by using effective ball placement.
- 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – New tactics … Experiment with a variety of different tactics, involving spin, speed and ball placement. A good opportunity to learn a few new tactics to win extra points and stay a step ahead of your opponent.
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Tuesday 26 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.45pm – Attacking tactics … Learn how to vary the spin, speed and placement of your attacking strokes to outplay your opponents.
- 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Defensive tactics … Learn how to use pushes, blocks, chops and lobs to frustrate your opponent and force errors and weak shots.
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Wednesday 27 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.45pm – Service tactics … Learn how to use your serves to win cheap points, set up 3rd ball attacks and force your opponent to play your style of game.
- 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Receive tactics … Learn how to disrupt a server’s rhythm and apply pressure with a variety of different service returns.
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Thursday 28 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.45pm – Analysing your opponent … Learn how to assess strengths and weaknesses and use tactical thinking to outwit your opponents.
- 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Developing a game plan … Learn how to implement your A game during a match and learn when to switch to plan B!
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Friday 29 September
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.45pm – Tactics in pressure situations … When the score is 10-10, should you play safe or hit hard? Learn how to win points when the pressure is really on.
- 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Mental strength … Learn how to control your nerves, keep focused and succeed when under pressure.
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
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 – Ferenc Horvath
Ferenc is head coach of Paragon Table Tennis and has featured in many of my YouTube videos. He has coached in many countries in Europe and plays to a very high standard. Ferenc will be joining the training camp for all five days.
Support coach – Orsi Petocz
Orsi has represented Hungary in several international tournaments including two European Championships. She is an excellent defensive player with a passion for the tactical side of the game. She has extensive coaching experience and an encouraging communication style. You can follow Orsi on Twitter.
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.
Participants
There will be a maximum of 16 players per day on this training camp. The small number creates a more intimate training camp and ensures every player gets lots of feedback from the coaching team.
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 seven high quality tables and lots of 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
This training camp took place in September 2023.
Click here to view the latest list of training camps. Alternatively, you may be interested in attending one of my group coaching days.