Table Tennis is changing.  And as it is changing with new rules, new ball, etc...  the players must change with new techniques, better fitness, and other aspects of the game.  I realize that I also need to continue to change and continue to improve my coaching skills.  In this short article, I would like to share with you on some of the positive changes that I plan to implement in my coaching during the next year.
 
#1 I need to do a better job of discussing with my students about specific goals that they have in table tennis and how to reach these goals.  By re-evaluating these goals on a regular basis, we will better be able to track our progress and make necessary changes.  You have probably heard the expression, "if you don't know where you are going, then any road will take you there."  I feel the same is true in regards to many tournament players.  They want to improve, but have no roadmap to take them to the next level.  
 
#2 I need to do a better job of meeting individual needs.  Each player is talented in special ways.  Hesam has a natural talent for serving, shreyans has a natural talent for ball placement, Scott has a natural talent for chasing down balls, Roger has a natural talent for his forehand loop, Cathy has a natural talent for ball control, Ed has a natural talent for blocking.  Instead of having a set type of drill that I use for many of my students, I need to customize the drills better so that each of my students can perfect the unique aspects of his game.  It is my job as a coach to realize the ability that I see and shape my player's game to properly match that ability.
 
#3 Throughout my years of coaching, I have been a huge advocate of video analysis.  I have strongly encouraged my students to record their practice sessions and tournaments and to spend significant time studying and taking notes.  Now, I'm seeing the importance of watching the video clip TOGETHER with my student.  By watching it together, I can have a better understanding of what my student understands and doesn't understand.  I can stop from time to time and see what advice he can offer for his own game.
 
#4 Sometimes, when a player receives advice from multiple coaches, he gets confused and it really hinders his progress.  However, sometimes it does make a significant difference.  If my students want to read books from other coaches or travel to another training center to receive competant advice from another coach, I now encourage it.  Each of my students need to learn to take each piece of advice and filter it properly by asking several questions......Is this profitable for my game at this time?  Why or why not?  Is the stroke or strategy similar to what a professional player would do?  Why or why not?  What steps do I need to take in order to implement my new idea?
 
#5 And lastly, I need to do a better job of simulating tournaments and having a strategy on how to keep practice and tournaments very similar.  For example, I would like for my student to practice during the same time of the day as he would play in a tournament, eat the same foods, warmup with the same stretches, and practice with the same training partner.  The more factors like playing conditions and training can be kept the same, the more my student will feel at ease.  Some factors are out of our control, so in this situation, the player will need to learn to adjust.  Also, we sometimes go through a routine of stretching, forehands, backhands, footwork, serve and attack, then matches at the end.  This is a great routine, but what happens if you don't have that luxury in a tournament, can you adjust?  Well, we also need to simulate training in bad environments.  I need have teach my student how to perform when they don't have warmup.....when they don't have good lighting....when they don't have good flooring....I need to teach them how to focus even when the conditions are terrible.
 
During the next year, I hope to continue making positive changes.  Thanks for reading my articles.  If you would like to suggest a topic, feel free to e-mail me at tt@samsondubina.com