Are Table Tennis Training Camps in China a real Benefit ?

[pingpongrob]

We keep getting a few requests for these Chinese Table Tennis Camps, are they of any Benifit, Can the Chinese Coaches really make such a differance in such a short period of time, or are they just a MONEY making scheme for the organisers.

From my experience I have seen many Juniors come back from these trining camps, the same standard as what they left. Of course the extra practice will make a small differance, but wouldnt that same amount of practice in their home country with other players also achieved the same result.

Big Ears, being a coach, and also playing the game a lot longer than myself may have some interesting points and views.

[speedplay]

Rob, what's up with the crush you seem to have on Biggy? Seems like most of your recent posts ends up with you asking for his opinion

To answer this question, I would have to say, it's related to level. At our level, I'm sure we could all get good enough coaching at home, but players who aim to compete at the world stage probably gets some benefits from these camps.

I do believe that part of the reason that China are dominating the sport is due to their good coaches, and if we instead of "importing" their players to strengthen our leagues, imported their coaches, we would be able to close in on China.

Also, I do think these China visits might serve as a huge inspirational factor, which might help the players a long time after they have returned home from the camp.

[pingpongrob]

Rob, what's up with the crush you seem to have on Biggy? Seems like most of your recent posts ends up with you asking for his opinion

Big Ears being a Coach, and probably has experience with these camps.

[RebornTTEvnglist]

Biggy would have to have experience either of the camp or of someone coming back from one though. Speedplay, myself or anyone only have a somewhat educated opinion from what we have read on forums. My opinion would be that a training camp probably isn't going to have the time to make a vast improvement in anyone. The Chinese domination players have had years and years of training in this environment, developed huge dedication and probably had just a little (tongue in cheek) talent. A lot would depend on the individual attending the camp and how easy they pick things up, and how well they retain it to keep practicing after they come home.

Having said that I think the experience, especially for a youngster, would be invaluable if they want to go ahead with the game... and indeed just as a life experience...because it would stay with them as an incredible TT experience all their life. If you just look at the actual training involved, could probably get equally effective training on homesoil for less cost. But for the extra cultural experience, I'd say the camps probably win out.

[pingpongrob]

This is what I mean.

HarbinTT8

I think that a bunch of kids getting together will not benifit them at all.
It should be an organised session.

[RebornTTEvnglist]

I think that a bunch of kids getting together will not benifit them at all.
It should be an organised session.

Totally agree!

[PF_4]

That session in the video is a very organised with several coaches in attendance and shows approximately 2 minutes of one of two 3 hour sessions daily. I think it would be hard to find this sort of coaching and practice and intensity in Australia Rob.

[pingpongrob]

That session in the video is a very organised with several coaches in attendance and shows approximately 2 minutes of one of two 3 hour sessions daily. I think it would be hard to find this sort of coaching and practice and intensity in Australia Rob.

Welcome PF-4, You input is very welcomed. I myself have never been to any of these Chinese Camps, but have attended some down here in Australia. I found these very benificial. I just cant understand how So many Kids getting together could possible benifit. To me 1 on 1 or small groups of 3 can help.

If all The states got organised and 1 venue was set, with all the talented kids from around Australia attending, they would benifit just as much. We have some very Talented and experienced coaches in Australia. Why do these Kids have to travel, to get this experience.

[big ears]

Funnily enough, I'm running a training camp tomorrow and Wednesday. The question regarding how much a particular player gets out of one whether it be Chinese or otherwise depends on the player, their dedication and discipline, and the relevance of the coaching content to their own standard and potential. There is no point trying to show a 40 yr old overweight player what he needs to apply to his training program in order to compete for a place in his national side! This is my problem with Chinese training methods, they are too rigid to encompass, and therefore give a real benefit, to the majority of players who attend them. I know many players who have, most of them young and elite, but they still struggle to gain as much benefit as the home based Chinese players because of the difference in culture/dedication/ work ethic.
The same is true to a far lesser degree with the Camps that I am a part of, all in attendance will benefit in the short term, they are hitting balls constantly for two/three days, but unless they look at the long term picture and apply the exercises/drills/ techniques the have been taught with dedication, they will not have significantly achieved anything. Some who attend know this, and just use our camps for a good practice session to bring their game up to scratch, whilst not expecting to improve, Others who attend regularly, are steadily improving and we can tailor their program to suit.
The Training camps that I am involved in do not exist to make money, they are costed to provide a venue, Hotel, meals, and pay coaching staff expenses(modest) we run them 5/6 times a year, they are open to all irrespective of age/ability, and in general most players return, so we have fun/cameraderie, and most importantly a collection of ideas and TT related chat. The head coach is Mr D. Marples, who is still Alan Cookes coach and has overseen victories over players such as Applegeren, so there is an international level of expertise, yet Derreck will have no problem spending hours with a novice player.

[PF_4]

If all The states got organised and 1 venue was set, with all the talented kids from around Australia attending, they would benifit just as much. We have some very Talented and experienced coaches in Australia. Why do these Kids have to travel, to get this experience.

Rob, TTA hold a week long camp each year usually in January (postponed this coming year because didnt get the numbers) for the elite juniors from all over Australia and I'm sure most of the kids get something out of it such as comradeship,  ideas or training methods for future improvement,  but I dont really think that they improve over such a short period. As to whether travelling to China to train would benefit these kids or others for that matter, I think it would depend on a few things like the quality of the coaches, quality of the practice partners, length of stay, attitude of the person attending. I have seen different juniors return from these trips both with great improvement and negligible improvement.

[pingpongrob]

Rob, TTA hold a week long camp each year usually in January (postponed this coming year because didnt get the numbers) for the elite juniors from all over Australia and I'm sure most of the kids get something out of it such as comradeship,  ideas or training methods for future improvement,  but I dont really think that they improve over such a short period. As to whether travelling to China to train would benefit these kids or others for that matter, I think it would depend on a few things like the quality of the coaches, quality of the practice partners, length of stay, attitude of the person attending. I have seen different juniors return from these trips both with great improvement and negligible improvement.

I Totally agree with some of the points outlined above. What I cant still understand is why the States dont get together and have one of these camps every year. Why is there no co-ordination between our states.

Of course any amount of hitting a ball is going to help Kids & Seniors improves their skills, is not simply fine tune the one's they already have. But my question is - Do these camps actually give great benifit to the Kids, or great benifit to the organizers ?

[PF_4]

I'm sure that the organiser/s benefit if the organiser/s are a private company or whatever, not a sporting body of some sort however I'm sure the people willing to pay for this service are aware of this prior to engaging their services.


A link for some CTTA organised camps below if you are interested


http://www.ittf.com/ittf_misc/2010%20traing%20camp%20programme.pdf