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 + two guest coaches (TBC)
- Participants: Maximum of 14 players per day
- Cost: £65 per day
- BOOKING FORM – Sign up to this training camp
Programme
Here’s what to expect from the training camp…
Monday 4 December
- 10am-10.15am – Warm-up
- 10.15am-12.45pm – Forehand topspin vs block … Learn how to play a consistent forehand topspin stroke and how to progress the stroke by using more speed and spin.
- 12.45pm-1.15pm – Lunch
- 1.15pm-3.45pm – Backhand topspin vs block … Learn how to play a consistent backhand topspin stroke, focusing on the use of the wrist to generate speed and spin to challenge your opponents.
- 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 – Other 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 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 – Lois Peak – Lois is a top English female player. She has represented England at both the junior and senior level. Lois is also a level 2 coach and has excellent tactical and technical knowledge, which she will share with players on this training camp. Lois will be joining the training camp for the final three days – 6 December, 7 December and 8 December.
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.
Participants
There will be a maximum of 14 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
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 £65 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.