During this training camp, you will learn how to switch efficiently between backhand and forehand strokes, move at a quicker pace, control the table, improve your visual awareness and play that one extra shot to defeat your opponent. Having strong rallying skills can make a huge difference to your game. You will become far more consistent, win more points through spin and placement and generally raise your game to a higher level. The training camp is essential for any player who wants to become a relentless rallying machine!
- Date: Wednesday 3 July to Friday 5 July 2024
- Venue: Cambridge University Sports Centre, Philippa Fawcett Drive, Cambridge, CB3 0AS
- Start / finish time: 10am-4pm each day
- Coaches: Tom Lodziak, Martin Gray, Ádám Füzes + Charlotte Bardsley
- Participants: Maximum of 16 players per day
- Cost: £70 per day
Programme
Here’s what to expect from the training camp…
Wednesday 3 July
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Topspin vs block … Learn how to play consistent topspin strokes and move quickly across the table
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Counter-topspin … Learn how to return your opponents topspin attacks with your own counter-topspins, both close to the table and away from the table
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Thursday 4 July
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Random topspin rallies … Learn how to play longer random topspin rallies with focused observation, quick feet and efficient stroke mechanics
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Controlling the table … Learn how to dominate rallies with precise placement, active body positioning and pressurising topspin strokes
- 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches
Friday 5 July
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.30pm – Pushing rallies + getting out of pushing rallies … Learn how to push more effectively and how to get out of pushing rallies with consistent topspin attacks
- 12.30pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Match-play consistency … Learn how to play more shots than your opponent and turn your consistent rallying skills into a weapon to win more matches
- 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 – Martin Gray
Martin has three decades of playing and coaching experience. He has been Cambridgeshire singles champion on multiple occasions and currently competes in British League. Martin coaches in the Cambridge area – running group sessions and giving 1-to-1 lessons. Martin will be joining us on Wednesday 3 July and Thursday 4 July.
Support coach – Ádám Füzes
Ádám has over 30 years of playing experience. He has competed in Division 1 in Hungary and enjoyed success in the senior British league. Ádám is well known for his big topspin strokes and excellent counter-topspin attacks. Ádám will be joining the training camp for all three days.
Support coach – Charlotte Bardsley – Charlotte represented England at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and is a former England U21 champion. She has played professionally for SV Böblingen in Germany (1st Division of the Bundesliga) and is currently studying History & Politics at the University of Cambridge. Charlotte will be joining the training camp on Friday 5 July only.
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
This training camp took place in July 2024.
Click here to view the latest list of training camps. Alternatively, you may be interested in attending one of my group coaching days.