Life has changed more over the last 20 years than it has in the last 2000 years due to technology. But has table tennis culture evolved? Often I look at life and reflect and ponder, is change a good thing?
In my opinion, YES!
We have a limited amount of time on earth and without change, life would be very boring! Imagine sitting in your house for the rest of your life? Not many would want that! so let’s embrace change?
World School Table Tennis Championships
Table Tennis Culture
We create our environment and table Tennis has changed, possibly more than any other sport in the past 20 years. This includes a change of ball size and material, scoring system, speed glue ban and huge technological advances in equipment.
Even though our sport has changed in many ways it has NOT evolved!
Clubs: still run from church halls, community halls, small halls, leisure centres. We have only had 3-5 full-time centres open over the past 20 years in England (as far as I’m aware) Players: Good players, lack coaching, support, sparring and good facilities to train at. Tournaments: We have plenty of events (possibly too many). Quality has gone down due to quantity. Price has gone up 4x and prize money possibly went up by 10% Finance: there are very little profits to be made as a club, player or coach. It’s an industry of 300 million players and yet we struggle to create a broad financial base?! Coaching: We are limited to few coaches who can take players from intermediate level to elite. And unfortunately, lots of coaches are content with a certificate instead of self-development. We are happy to pay a £100 per hour for a golf coach. But we are unwilling to pay £30-£50 for a Table Tennis Coach?
What can be done?
knowledge: learn from each other, unite and invest in self-development. Embrace change: understand that without change we are heading backwards. It’s like seeing your own child unable to read or write. Because they chose to keep things as is. Unwilling to develop themselves, if they keep that mindset they will never be able to read or write. And I’m sure as a parent you would never want to see your own child stagnant?! Money: develop a system to enable players, coaches and clubs to make good money. Be willing to pay for our special sport and the more we invest the more external investors will be willing to invest in our sport! Create a Table Tennis Culture: Find ways to make our table tennis commercial and promote it in such a way that it gets recognised for its true sporting skill. Take it out of church halls, small community halls, full-time time purpose built centres
A great man once told me, without input there’s no output! So let’s put in more for our sport and the output will increase for us all.
Have you had that feeling; when you play out of your skin and you seem to do no wrong? Or you beat someone you’ve never beaten before or you have just won a tournament? That feeling of joy which is why we play sports. And that joy is why table tennis is a sport, not business.
Unfortunately, like most things, there are a few negative elements! I don’t enjoy delving into the negative. But I feel we must be aware to enable us and provide whats required, for table tennis to flourish, now and in the future.
Table Tennis in the Office
3 Things Required:
– An open-minded governing body; willing to help, looking to grow and develop. A fair system that understands the player’s needs and caters for it in the best possible way, for all those inside our sport. In my opinion, it’s key to cater to those inside the system first! our players and coaches require more opportunities. If we employ external coaches and send our best players abroad, how can we develop? what inspiration do our players and coaches have from within? We must find a way to make our best players stay and provide the right stepping stones for our coaches, just like the best nations do. France, Germany, Poland, Belgium and other great nations all have top quality home bred coaches.
– Club structure, I’ve said this many times we must create a system which caters for all levels and ages, big centres and surrounding feeder hubs.
– Learn from the best; look at systems that work and implement it our way. We are stuck in an old system (local league diminishing, poor venues for national league, etc and a lack of togetherness in many instances, GP’s disorganised, expensive and very little reward).
Change
We must remember that table tennis is a sport and not a business but big changes are required. If we don’t make them we won’t ever have an efficient system to compete with the very best, continuously. A system that caters for all playing stages is essential alongside continuous support.
This must all come from the top and flow down to the bottom. Having a system that feels like a business is disheartening, especially for people like me and others alike, who truly love our sport.
China’s table tennis dominance continues as they took both men and women’s team titles the weekend. I watched most of the event with many thrilling matches, but I chose not to watch the final (I knew the outcome prior to the occasion).
The issue for Table Tennis:
Knowing the outcome is a big problem for our sport or any sport for that matter! For example, if I took a Ferrari and a Ford Focus on a track and announced to all my family and friends come and watch these two cars race, I’m pretty sure no one would be interested. Why, because common sense tells you the Ferrari will destroy the Ford and there’s no point in watching when you most likely know the final outcome. There needs to be uncertainty to increase players and viewers appetite.
Photo Courtesy of Steve Rowe (Aerobic Table Tennis)
China has dominated table tennis for nearly 20 years now and from an inside or outside perspective the joy of uncertainty has disappeared!
Some would say well what about someone like Usain Bolt who dominated sprinting for a decade? That was joyful to watch, yes but everyone knows that stint would only last for a decade at most and like any athlete, their time will pass. China keeps producing new table tennis superstars, so their dominance seems unstoppable unlike a top sportsman who’s rain will eventually end. China as a nation continues to dominate and their supremacy is unknown which means it’s down to us to do something about it.
Football:
Why does football as a sport do so well from a spectator’s and players point of view? 1. It’s simple to understand 2. The game has many elements of uncertainty, a team from the lower end of a division can beat a top end team. 3. Countries like Sweden, Belgium, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, USA, Cameroon etc. Can all beat one another on a given day?
So how can China’s dominance be challenged?
1. Belief: Often I see TT players not believing that China can be beaten before they start they have lost! 2. Time: China seems to have a little gap which I’ve not seen before, only Fan Zhendong seems to be a new generational player. Could we see a small kink in 3-5 years, time or do they have some hidden stars ready to take Ma Long and Xu Xin’s place? 3. United: countries must unite in training regimes to push one another to higher levels.
It’s time to believe, unite and take this possible opportunity to break China’s stranglehold and dominance on our sport.
Written by Eli Baraty
eBaTT (Eli Baraty Academy of Table Tennis)
Coach Me Table Tennis
Most players can read table tennis spin, for example when someone cuts under the ball, they know its backspin, when they hit the side of the ball they know it’s side-spin. But a large proportion of players struggle to read the amount of spin imparted.
We may misread what spin has been implemented when receiving high-quality serve’s. Players may struggle to read what spin is on the ball, due to deceptive movements or a slight variation of contact points.
Table Tennis Spin
Why do so many people make unforced errors?
I coach many players of all levels and I’ve found that players miss due to a misunderstanding of revolutions. Meaning they miss read the amount of spin. A ball can spin up to 120 times per second and if we are unable to detect the approximate quantity, it will lead to an unseemly error.
So how can we detect and develop our awareness of spin quantity?
Look at the ball carefully in mid-flight, can you see the logo? If not most likely it has a lot of spin. If you have good eyes you’ll see the ball fizzing with spin, use that indication to play the correct stroke.
The flight of the ball: is the ball curling in the air? Is it kicking forward? All of them indicate a lot of spin which creates, those flight pathways.
Sound: try to listen to the contact imparted by the opponent; is it a clunky/woody sound? Or a thin grip screech? The later generally indicates spin and vice versa.
Watching the hand and arm prior and at contact point; is there plenty of backswing? Good follow through? Is the hand moving fast but the wrist is locked? Does the wrist snap just before the point of contact? Does the player decelerate before point of contact? They are all giveaway tails towards reading whether there’s a lot of spin medium amount or very little!
A simple exercise to help you read the amount of spin
Do a backspin serve and ask the opponent to receive using: heavy/medium/little amount of backspin. You must look carefully using at all the indications mentioned above to identify how much spin is imparted. Then follow up with a topspin and adapt to the spin accordingly. E.g. if there is lots of backspin you will need to hit the back of the ball around 9pm contact point. You will also need to have a more open bat angle with and increase your arm speed enabling you to lift the ball up and over the net. You will create (an override from the spin given) and will be transferred into your own topspin.
The better you understand spin the easier the game becomes.
And as my old coach always said, “Spin to Win”
A small video to help you develop thin contact on the ball imparting spin, click here.
A new World no.1 Table Tennis player has been listed this month (July 2018). The sport has been dominated by China over the past 20 years. China has predominately ruled table tennis since its existence and non-table tennis players associate the sport with China.
Fortunately, and unfortunately, the game is dominated by China. I say both fortunately and unfortunately because having the largest population on the planet enables the sport to flourish in front of millions. Unfortunately, the sport gains little credibility outside of China which has a huge impact on the sport. and it may be the most dominated sport on the planet by a single nation.
How do sports flourish?
Many sports flourish due to unpredictable outcomes. Leicester FC is a wonderful example of Footballing unpredictability! This gives the sport a sense of “anything can happen” we all love miracles and spectators can watch in hope even if they are the underdogs. Where in sports like Table Tennis, even a non-TT player will say “are the Chinese still the best?” The outcome is known by everyone and this currently disables the sport for both players and spectators!
A new world table tennis no.1
But after 7 years we have a new non-Chinese world no.1 Dimitri Oscharov. Dima has done something which many wouldn’t believe possible. Due to the dominance of fellow competitors: Zhang Jike, Ma Long, Xu Xin and Fan Zhendong but Dima has managed to take the no.1 spot despite this formidable opposition.
What does this mean?
Well, it gives hope!
Everyone on the tour now can see that you don’t have to be Chinese to be world no.1. If you work smart and hard and believe in yourself and your team, you can achieve the unthinkable!
I’ve always believed Dima could reach this position, I don’t think he is the most talented player nor do I believe he is the best player but boy, does he possess desire. The new ranking system is based on the current form of players and their playing activity. There are arguments for and against the new system but I’m swaying towards liking it. I would also hope to see this kind of ranking system implemented in England. Dima’s vision, belief and desire is unquestionably the highest I’ve seen in over a decade. Before Dima it was players like Jean-Micheal Saive, Jean-Philip Gatien and Wenger Schlager. These past European players were not the most gifted like Waldner, Samsonov, Karakasovic and Appelgren. Nevertheless these players they possessed hearts of lions. You could see it written all over their faces and their body language, they possessed the eyes of a tiger.
It can be done
Will seeing Dima’s ‘Grit’ in achieving his goal, push others players to be inspired and obtain that belief required to achieve greatness?
Hopefully, Dima’s achievement will encourage more players around the globe to step up, and possibly then we could see a rejuvenated sport. More worldly competition can also introduce new pathways for growth and development both from within and outside the sport of table tennis.
If you desire something enough it will more often than not, find a way into your life, so go and make your vision happen.
Two huge losses for Lin Gaoyuang what will this mean?
The World Table Tennis Cup is currently being played and Lin Gaoyuang, has suffered his second loss from a winning position!
Lin, played in both the World Championship and World Cup this year and on both occasion’s he was leading vs Xu Xin and Timo Boll; 10-5 and 10-4 in the last but managed to lose.
Lin Gaoyuang representing China
So, what does this mean?
In every nation but China, this kind of loss would be dealt with a pat on the back and some critic as to what happened, followed by words of encouragement.
In China, it’s a different ball game!
This is seen as a huge problem and one of which has been dealt with severely in the past. Such as; (funnily enough – both left-handed, like Lin).
Chen Qi – was a remarkable player capable of beating anyone on his day but often failed under huge pressure and thus was never a first-team player, for China.
Hao Shuai- another phenomenal talent that crumbled against Michael Maze having many match points and leading 3-0. His future was never the same after that event!
Today Lin, crumbled on two big occasions, he can be forgiven against Xu Xin but I believe his first-team position has ended as of today! Losing to Timo Boll from 10-4 in the last will be the nail in his coffin. He will be in the national squad for sure but likely will never be in the first team.
Harsh Truth
This may seem harsh and many will feel it’s wrong, sideling a player after two poor performances especially as they have sacrificed their lives for the sport. But China has a strict regime that takes no prisoners and unfortunately, due to their TT dominance, they will not allow a weak leak in their set up.
Both I and David Diniz (professional coach in Portugal with his own TT academy www.ttpor.pt), spoke about this matter today and felt it’s a huge subject.
What’s your opinion on this? and do you think Lin Gaoyuang, will be given another chance to redeem himself in the future?
To view Timo Boll’s Come back against Lin Gaoyuang click here
I have expressed my thoughts on numerous occasions regarding (Table Tennis England’s) ranking system. The Table Tennis Ranking system currently, in my opinion, is unjust and with a few disagreements, most agree with me. Unfortunately, the current system is dated and quite frankly poor which can be extremely disheartening for some players. I was told by TTE that they are looking into changing the current system but I would like to see this done sooner rather than later.
Winning Must be Credited Correctly
Issues:
The current system has a win-lose system which gives the players the opportunity, if they so wish to duck and hide, from certain matches or events. This is done in order to avoid potential loss of points and protect current ranking.
If you represent England outside of the English system you may receive points from an international event if you manage to win some matches. Is this system used in another European? Please note I’m basing this on a system for juniors and younger age categories, not senior rankings.
Moving age groups, player’s take their ranking points and do not receive a 10 % deduction, unlike the age group entered. Many young players move into a higher age group rocketing up the ranking because they had lots of points at e.g cadet stage. They leap above players who they may not have beaten previously and likely to be a weaker standard than them. This system disturbs the whole ranking system and may take up to 6 months before everyone settles into approximately where they should be. Then it starts again the following season, how is this justified?
What can be done?
A simple solution would be to provide a system which only allows players to gain table tennis ranking points and without loss of points. This would encourage more participation by all players to grow their points and ranking position. It would brush aside fear of losing points and develop a winning mentality. The opposite of ‘I don’t want to lose’ mentality.
Seniors should be exempt from this as some are professional and require international exposure. Juniors and lower aged category’s should be encouraged to compete inside the English table tennis system regardless of England representation. Young players constantly develop but a system that protects the “so-called” England players does not allow healthy competition. Some players who play for England are happy to stay away from all domestic events and sustain their high ranking position by playing for England. A simple solution is to scrap international points and encourage domestic rivalry for healthy development.
Avoid points separation up until U-21 category. This will 1) help TTE in terms of data input (simplicity), 2) Give a clear player ranking position in accordance to his/her level regardless of age differentiation. Lastly, it would stop huge ranking movement each year from U13’s to cadet to juniors to U21.
I don’t think there will ever be a flawless system but I do believe we should always aim to provide the best opportunities for our young players if possible. Thousands play tournaments throughout the year spend plenty of time, money and energy. The least they deserve is a system that continuously develops towards fairness and perfection.
As a coach, I often ask myself “what makes a top table tennis coach”. I want to better myself and raise, British table tennis as a whole. I have been privileged in achieving many great things as a coach but does that classify me as a “Top Coach”?
Firstly what is classified as a top table tennis coach?
For me, a top table tennis coach is someone who is able to bring the best out of their students. A coach that; provides the tools and knowledge to execute correct technical shots with correct decision making. This is a long and complex subject but ultimately a top coach must possess; –good knowledge of technique, good communication skills, – open-minded, – willing to learn, – must not possess a big ego ‘think he/she are the best. I believe there is no such thing as the ‘best coach. I will explain further (below). Furthermore, the coach must be able to adapt his/her coaching style to suit various conditions, facilities and personalities. This list can go on forever but these are the fundamentals needed to be considered as a top table tennis coach.
English Open
No such thing as the best coach:
I have worked with some of the best coaches in the world and learnt a lot’s from each coach and put my own personal touch on some. Furthermore, no matter how good I believe I am or others perceive me to be, I continuously thrive towards bettering myself and my coaching ability.
Table Tennis Scenarios:
Here are a few debates I often face; 1) Many TT players ask me if I would like to be England’s National Coach? or 2) Eli, do you think Lui Guliang is the best coach in the world? My Answers 1) Currently, I do not want to be a National Table Tennis Coach and 2) No, Liu Guiliang is not the best coach in the world! There is no ranking system for coaches. Yes… I hear you saying, but Liu, coaches the best table tennis nation in the world! That’s true but it does not make him the best. For example, if I told you, around 100 million table tennis players play in your country and they see table tennis as an opportunity (to escape poverty). Furthermore out of those people you get to pick and choose the best 30 players to coach, what would you think?
Personally, given those circumstances, I would think I have the easiest job in the world. You get the best of the best with an amazing coaching team and infrastructure behind you. In fact its the same for every national coaching job you get the best in your country to work with. When Liu, retired as a player he worked with the national team for a few years as a sparring partner and assistant coach. Liu worked his way up towards the head coaching role. Please don’t misunderstand me, I have no doubt Liu is an amazing coach but I also know he would very much struggle if he had to do what someone like myself does. Coach players from beginner level to national/international. Without any help or supporting team alongside coaching 20/30 other kids at the same time. To make matters worse all the players are of a different level. Did I forget to mention behaviour issues which require mentoring (the disobedient kids) and limited space-facilities and time.
The Whole Picture:
I don’t want to be negative but often we don’t know the ins and outs, the background, the full picture because we are only exposed to the front end, (the end result). Therefore we assume and think what we see is the truth and that’s where it all goes wrong. Most top coaches are not the national coaches they are the local, club, personal and regional coaches. They are often hidden and unseen by the prestigious title of the national coaches. In fact, one of my former players represented England and reached the semi-final of a major international event. I had worked with the player around 5 years at the time and approximately 20 hours per week. I stumbled upon a press release mentioning my player’s achievement alongside the national coach receiving credit for his wonderful achievement. I was not mentioned but the England coach got praise for what a wonderful job he was doing with the player (sad but true).
Systematic coaching
I also see the game being coached the same/similar, methods and styles throughout a nation. No matter where you go in the world you will see drills such as backhand to backhand and forehand to forehand, Falkenberg, middle wide etc. So how can a coach be considered better than another if most coaches work in a similar manner? Simple its an individual’s perception, if I play for a club in Germany I will automatically think I have a better coach than an English coach. Because I’m playing in a far better table tennis nation. When in fact I could be coached by someone far worse and failing to realise that it’s not necessarily the coach but the system that makes Germany’s TT superior to England. Coaches must be categorised by how they deliver their knowledge and the ability to get the best out of an individual. For example Tiger Woods, the William sisters and others were coached by their parents who were not professional coaches, try to figure out why and how.
Three things that make a top coach:
1.You have to be in love with the sport because 9 times out of 10 you will not be given the credit you deserve. Even though you are clearly dedicated, work hard and input love into your coaching.
2.Coach players as individuals, for example, I often see players with a certain forehand technique I automatically know who their coach is. The coach has a certain system they use and they won’t deviate, giving all players similar technique and relievedly the same results. A coach must take into account; one player may be very slow another fast or one short the other tall. This means a fast player can develop his game around his forehand if he/she wish to do so. On the other hand, the slower player would require an equally strong forehand and backhand otherwise they would be pinned to the weaker wing. A short player in most cases should look to stay close to the table covering the angles where a taller player can afford to step back and use his/her wingspan.
3.Always be willing to learn, a lot of coaches have big ego’s including myself but we must be willing to learn. in doing so, we will continue to develop and improve, alongside the games adaption. This gives the coach the best tools for his/her players and the best chance of succeeding.
A top coach will provide the tools, teach you how to use them plus guide you on your path but only you the individual can make your desires a reality.
A good table tennis coach will change your game but a great coach will change your life
Some may say this is a tough comparison and extremely debatable. But for me, who is the greatest table tennis player (currently) remains clear and he holds the current GOAT Title!
Ma Long
Ma Long has reached a level never seeing before in table tennis. He looks technically perfect and at times he seems to be unbeatable.
Ma Long has won every major title, has the longest unbeaten streak in history and is the only player in history to have a winning ratio against every player he has ever competed against. Including his arch-rival Zhang Jike with a head to head ratio of 31-10.
Ma Long was unfortunate not to have been granted a place 2012 Olympics and lost in the Semi-finals of the world champions to his teammate (wang Hao) on numerous occasions. If those titles were on his CV, it would have been tough for me to argue that Ma deserves the GOAT trophy.
The Greatest Table Tennis of all Time
But on this occasion, I believe as of now, Waldner is still the greatest of all time!
Waldner like Ma Long has won the grand slam title in TT. So if both have won all titles and Ma has reached the highest TT level ever seen, why is Waldner still ahead for me?
Table Tennis GOAT
Time plays a huge factor here and I grew up watching both these Table tennis icons. Waldner currently edges this contest for me, because:
Waldner sustained a world-class level for 3 decades. Facing 3-4 breeds of new and world-class players from China plus the rest of the world and defeating them all.
Waldner faced massive game-changing factors including; Speed glue, change of ball size, new high tech rubbers, new scoring system and adapted to all with great success.
Waldner also reached the highest-level TT had ever seen in his prime and raised the level a few times.
Waldner was far more creative and constantly developing his game by reinventing himself. This gave him the ability to beat world class players and compete for major titles up until he was 45 years old.
Waldner did not come from a nation of 200 million TT players. He did not have the best infrastructure such as China and yet from a small TT community in Sweden he enabled himself to become the greatest player anyone had ever seen back in the ’80s-’90s and early ’00s.
Taking all these factors into account, currently, Waldner is the greatest TT player in history (in my opinion). Now looking at the facts you can decide whether you agree with me or not!
Begin your journey to becoming the greatest possible player you can be…
