You can’t teach old dogs new tricks.  Is it true?
 
Well, I have found that teaching adults new skills isn’t too difficult.  The difficulty comes in changing an old habit.  Changing an awkward grip, changing a stroke, or changing a footwork movement takes time and persistence from both the coach and player.  On the flip side, a new serve or a new serve return technique or a new looping variation can be learned fairly quickly for these same players.
 

 
 
 
 
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.
 

Playing Better vs. Improving
 
Last week, coach Massimo Costantini was discussing with me the difference between playing better and improving.
 
I can play better if I continue to practice hard.  My strokes become more solid and possibly my mind will become sharper from getting more experience.  However, my progress curve will be fairly slow.