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Phil , Founder, Planet Table Tennis

Table of Contents

• Sporting Thoughts

• World News

• Training

  • The Importance of Training

    • Coaches View

  • The Role of a Table Tennis Coach

    • Player Profile

    • Drill Of The Week

    • Equipment

    • Video Of The Week

    • Players Stories

    • How Did We Do?

    • Subscribe

    • Free Mobile App

 World News 

Results and Events around the world

World Table Tennis

International Table Tennis Federation

European Table Tennis Union

Table Tennis England

We will in future editions be featuring different events and table tennis associations across the planet.

If you would like to have your country , association or event featured in this section please email [email protected]

 Training 

Training is the backbone of any table tennis player’s journey, regardless of their skill level. Whether you are a beginner or an elite athlete, consistent and focused practice is key to refining techniques, improving physical fitness, enhancing mental sharpness, and developing winning strategies. Proper training not only sharpens the fundamental strokes but also improves decision-making, speed, and endurance.

Why Training Matters

In table tennis, success is often defined by the smallest of margins. The fast-paced nature of the sport requires players to master a blend of skills—quick reflexes, precise hand-eye coordination, powerful footwork, and a keen tactical mind. These skills don’t develop overnight; they are the product of hours of focused, deliberate practice. Consistent training hones your motor skills, improves muscle memory, and helps you internalize various strokes, spins, and serves, which are essential for high-level performance.

Moreover, training builds physical and mental resilience. Table tennis is both physically demanding and mentally taxing. Players need to be agile, maintain balance, and execute rapid movements across the table. Regular training enhances cardiovascular fitness, strength, and agility, ensuring you are able to handle long matches without losing form. On the mental side, practice sharpens focus, decision-making under pressure, and the ability to adapt to different opponents’ playing styles.

How to Approach Table Tennis Training

To maximize the benefits of training, it’s essential to approach it with a structured and disciplined mindset. Here are key strategies for effective training:

1. Set Clear Goals: Whether it’s improving your forehand loop or mastering a new serve, setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals can help focus your training sessions. Each practice should have a purpose, whether it’s footwork, consistency, or match-play scenarios.

2. Focus on Technique: Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to table tennis training. Pay attention to proper stroke mechanics, foot positioning, and body movement. A good coach can guide you through the nuances of your technique, ensuring you avoid bad habits that can limit your progress.

3. Train for Consistency: Repetition is key to mastery. Practicing strokes and rallies repeatedly under controlled conditions will help develop muscle memory and consistency. This is essential when executing shots in high-pressure situations during matches.

4. Include Match Simulation: Playing practice matches or setting up drills that simulate match conditions is crucial. It helps players get used to the speed and mental demands of competitive play, teaching them how to strategize, read the opponent, and adapt.

5. Stay Physically Fit: Table tennis is a full-body workout. Include strength and conditioning exercises in your routine to enhance your agility, balance, and endurance.

6. Mental Training: Equally important is the mental aspect of training. Visualization, focus exercises, and learning how to manage stress during matches can give players a competitive edge.

By approaching training with focus and dedication, players can gradually improve their game and unlock their full potential in table tennis.

 Coaches View 

A table tennis coach plays a crucial role in the development of players, not only in terms of their technical skills but also in shaping their mental, physical, and strategic aspects of the game. The coach's responsibility goes far beyond simple instruction; they act as a mentor, motivator, and strategist. Whether guiding a novice or a professional athlete, the coach's influence is vital to a player's success in this fast-paced and demanding sport. In this article, we will break down the various roles and responsibilities a coach must undertake to ensure their players reach their full potential.

1. Technical Development

One of the most obvious and fundamental roles of a coach is to teach and refine the technical skills required to play table tennis at a high level. This includes imparting knowledge on the basics like grip, stance, and footwork, as well as advanced techniques such as spin variation, timing, and stroke mechanics. A good coach has the ability to diagnose and correct a player’s technical flaws, ensuring that their strokes are not only efficient but adaptable to various playing styles and conditions.

A table tennis coach must also focus on the consistency and accuracy of strokes. Drills such as multiball sessions help players improve their repetition and timing, which are critical in mastering the precision needed to succeed at competitive levels. The coach ensures that players learn how to execute a wide variety of shots such as topspin, backspin, flicks, blocks, and smashes, and understand when to use them.

2. Tactical and Strategic Guidance

In table tennis, knowing how to win points is just as important as mastering the technical elements. A coach must help players develop a game plan based on their strengths, weaknesses, and those of their opponents. This involves teaching strategic thinking, such as how to apply pressure through variations in spin, speed, and placement, or how to anticipate the opponent's next move.

The coach also works to develop the player’s ability to adapt during a match, ensuring they can alter their tactics based on the flow of the game. Whether it's advising on serve-and-return patterns, rally construction, or defensive maneuvers, a coach's role in tactical training is critical for success at all levels of play.

3. Physical Conditioning

While table tennis may not appear as physically demanding as some other sports, it requires excellent hand-eye coordination, agility, and endurance. A coach is responsible for ensuring players are in optimal physical condition to meet the demands of the game. This includes guiding players through physical conditioning exercises that enhance their speed, strength, balance, and reaction time.

Training routines focusing on footwork, quick reflexes, and core strength are essential for improving a player’s ability to move swiftly around the table and react quickly to an opponent’s shots. Coaches also emphasize the importance of recovery, warm-ups, and stretching routines to prevent injuries and keep players performing at their peak.

4. Mental and Emotional Support

A significant part of a coach’s role is to prepare players mentally for the pressures of competition. Table tennis, especially at the elite level, is as much a mental game as it is physical. A coach must help players develop focus, confidence, and resilience. Handling high-pressure situations, maintaining concentration during long rallies, and bouncing back from a poor performance are all challenges that can be overcome with proper mental preparation.

Coaches often work with players on goal-setting, visualization, and relaxation techniques to keep them mentally sharp and emotionally balanced. By creating an environment that promotes a positive mindset, a coach can help players believe in their ability to succeed, even in challenging circumstances.

5. Motivational Leadership

A table tennis coach serves as a leader who motivates and inspires players to reach their full potential. This is especially important during periods of struggle or when players face setbacks, such as injuries or losses. A great coach knows how to encourage players to push through these difficulties and maintain their passion for the game.

Motivation comes in many forms: setting achievable short-term goals, offering constructive feedback, and maintaining a supportive yet challenging environment are all key aspects. Coaches must balance discipline with encouragement, fostering both individual and team development in a way that keeps players engaged and committed.

6. Communication and Relationship Building

Effective communication is a hallmark of a successful coach. Whether explaining a new technique, giving feedback during practice, or discussing tactics between matches, clear and constructive communication is vital. A coach must also be a good listener, understanding the needs, concerns, and aspirations of each player.

The relationship between a coach and a player is built on trust and mutual respect. This bond allows the coach to better understand the player's motivations and work in a way that maximizes their potential. The ability to build strong, positive relationships with players creates an environment where growth and learning thrive.

Conclusion

A table tennis coach wears many hats – they are teachers, strategists, motivators, and mentors. Their influence extends far beyond technical instruction; they shape a player's approach to the game in its entirety. From developing tactical skills to building mental toughness, the role of a coach is indispensable to any player's journey toward success. A great coach not only helps players improve but also inspires them to push their boundaries and reach their ultimate potential.

 Player Profile 

Full Name: Jan-Ove Waldner
Nickname: "The Mozart of Table Tennis"
Nationality: Swedish
Date of Birth: October 3, 1965
Playing Style: Shakehand grip, offensive, with a combination of exceptional technique and strategic brilliance
Era: Late 1980s to early 2000s
Dominant Hand: Right
Key Strengths: Precision, adaptability, calm under pressure, creativity in shot selection, mastery of serves, and a wide range of strokes

Biography:

Jan-Ove Waldner is widely regarded as one of the greatest table tennis players of all time, often referred to as "The Mozart of Table Tennis" due to his extraordinary talent and contribution to the sport. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, Waldner began playing table tennis at a young age and quickly rose to prominence with his unique playing style and remarkable control of the ball. His career spanned over three decades, during which he became a global icon, known for his calm demeanor and near-perfect technique.

Waldner was a trailblazer in modern table tennis, revolutionizing the game with his blend of traditional European style and Asian-influenced strategies. He had an ability to anticipate his opponent's next move and execute complex rallies with ease, making him a formidable competitor across all eras. His dedication to the sport and deep understanding of its nuances helped him remain competitive well into his late 30s and 40s, outlasting many of his peers.

Notable Achievements and Titles:

• Olympic Games:

  • Gold Medal: 1992 Barcelona (Men's Singles)

  • Silver Medal: 2000 Sydney (Men’s Singles)

• World Table Tennis Championships:

  • Gold Medal: 1989 Dortmund (Men's Team)

  • Gold Medal: 1997 Manchester (Men's Singles)

  • Silver Medal: 1983 Tokyo (Men's Doubles)

  • Gold Medal: 1989 Dortmund (Men's Singles)

  • Silver Medal: 1991 Chiba (Men’s Singles)

  • Silver Medal: 1995 Tianjin (Men’s Singles)

  • Bronze Medal: 1985 Gothenburg (Men's Singles)

  • Bronze Medal: 1991 Chiba (Men’s Team)

• World Cup:

  • Gold Medal: 1990 (Men's Singles)

  • Gold Medal: 1991 (Men's Singles)

  • Bronze Medal: 1983, 1994, 1996 (Men's Singles)

• European Table Tennis Championships:

  • Gold Medal: 1982, 1986, 1990, 1992 (Men's Team)

  • Gold Medal: 1996 (Men's Singles)

  • Silver Medal: 1984, 1988 (Men's Singles)

  • Bronze Medal: 1982, 1986 (Men's Singles)

• European Top 12 Championships:

  • Gold Medal: 1984, 1986, 1988, 1996

• Swedish National Championships: Multiple titles in singles, doubles, and team events.

Legacy:

Jan-Ove Waldner's impact on table tennis goes beyond his impressive list of titles. He was a cultural ambassador for the sport, especially in China, where he gained celebrity status. Waldner's longevity, skillset, and sportsmanship have earned him a special place in the hearts of fans and players worldwide. His adaptability and innovation set a new standard for future generations of players, inspiring both European and Asian competitors alike.

Waldner remains a symbol of the beauty and artistry in table tennis, showing that the sport is not only about power and speed but also about strategy, finesse, and creativity. His achievements, particularly his Olympic and World Championship victories, solidify his place as a true legend of the game.

 Training Drill Of The Week 

This training drill will help improve your lateral side to side movement , footwork and transition from BH to FH and back again.

Goal : To improve sideways movement and transition from BH to FH and back again. Plus improve down the line FH stroke. Coaching points :

1. Set a target for the number of complete repetitions of this sequence: BH , BH, FH (middle) , FH (wide) , FH (middle), BH , BH.

2. Stay relatively close to the table

3. Start with your weight distributed evenly on both your feet.

4. Take the ball at top/peak of bounce or just before on all strokes.

5. Use some topspin to help with controlling the ball on both FH & BH

6. When moving sideways use short movements to get in position for each stroke.

7. Focus on moving your feet quickly after each stroke.

8. Make sure you rotate your shoulders for both FH strokes.

9. On FH 2 ( wide ) make sure your weight has transferred mainly to your right leg/foot ( for right handed players) . This will enable you to push yourself back to the middle of the table for the next FH.

10. Maintain a low stance with knees bent at all times.

11. Keep your head at the same height and avoid bobbing up and down as you move from BH to FH.

12. Start slowly at a comfortable pace , the more repetitions you can complete the quicker your movement will improve . Increase the pace gradually.

13. Do this exercise for 3-5 mins depending on your fitness level then change roles with your training partner.

Use multiball as a way to improve the accuracy of the control/feeding.

 Equipment 

In future editions we will be highlighting lots of different equipment from a range of top table tennis brands.

You can check out the 2024/2025 season range of equipment and great offers from top supplier Bribar Table Tennis.

Simply click the image or link below

Video Of The Week 

 Players Stories 

In future editions we will be featuring stories from players all over the world.

If you have an inspiring , entertaining or informative story you would like to share then please send this to [email protected]

If you were forwarded this edition or are reading online and you have not yet signed up to receive Planet Table Tennis News, you can sign up now by heading to: www.planettabletennisnews.com/subscribe

I hope you have enjoyed this weeks edition

Have a great week of table tennis!

See you next week

To your continuous improvement

Phil