Topspin + flick training camp

In this training camp we will work on a range of attacking strokes – forehand topspin, backhand topspin, forehand flick and backhand flick. The coaches will demonstrate how to attack using very reliable technique and demonstrate more advanced technique too. You will learn how to attack backspin balls consistently, how to follow your serves with strong attacks and how to attack your opponents’ serves. This is a great training camp for any player who wants to develop their attacking game. 

  • Date: Monday 4 December 2023 to Friday 8 December 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 4 December

  • 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
  • 10.15am-12.45pm – Forehand & backhand topspin vs block … Learn how to play a consistent forehand and backhand topspin strokes and how to progress these strokes by using more speed and spin.
  • 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
  • 1.15pm-3.45pm – Topspin rallying skills … Learn how to switch efficiently between backhand and forehand topspin strokes and develop a strong topspin game.
  • 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches

Tuesday 5 December

  • 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
  • 10.15am-12.45pm – Forehand topspin vs backspin … Learn how to attack pushes, chops and backspin serves with a very reliable forehand topspin technique.
  • 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
  • 1.15pm-3.45pm – Backhand topspin vs backspin … Learn how to attack pushes, chops and backspin serves with a backhand topspin. It’s one of the toughest shots to learn – but we will show you a simple and very effective technique to consistently attack those backspin balls.
  • 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches

Wednesday 6 December

  • 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
  • 10.15am-12.45pm – 3rd ball attack … Learn how to follow up your serve with a strong 3rd ball attack. We will work on backspin serve + 3rd ball attack and topspin serve + 3rd ball attack.
  • 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
  • 1.15pm-3.45pm – 5th ball attack … It’s not always possible to do a strong 3rd ball attack, so in this session you will learn how to use 5th ball attacks to win points or gain the advantage in a rally. 
  • 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches

Thursday 7 December

  • 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
  • 10.15am-12.45pm – Backhand flick … Learn how to attack short backspin serves with a very reliable backhand flick technique. This is becoming one of the most important strokes in table tennis, and will definitely help you win more points.
  • 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
  • 1.15pm-3.45pm – Forehand flick … Learn how to attack short backspin balls with a forehand flick. It’s a tough shot to execute, but we will show you a technique which is very consistent and effective.
  • 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches

Friday 8 December

  • 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
  • 10.15am-12.45pm – Fruity flicks … Learn how to attack short backspin serves with banana flicks and strawberry flicks. You can cause all kinds of problems with these creative shots.
  • 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
  • 1.15pm-3.45pm – Attacking return of serves … Learn how to consistently attack your opponents serves with topspins and flicks. 
  • 3.45pm-4pm – Debrief / stretches

Coaching team

The coaching team for this training camp will be:

Lead coachTom 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 combines strong defensive play with strong counter-attacks. 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 December 2023.

Click here to view the latest list of training camps. Alternatively, you may be interested in attending one of my group coaching days.