Coaching

Hi Pingskills,

I have been looking into coaching courses in my area. Coaching in general is something I am passionate about. I coach two other sports, but have always concentrated so much on the playing side of Table Tennis that I haven't looked into coaching. Having had some really good coaches previously, I feel it is my time to pass on the knowledge I have been given to the next set of younger players coming through! I have played with a coach since I was 11, and at the ripe old age of 24, I think it would be great to start to help others.

How did you get into coaching? Was it something that you always wanted to do when you stopped playing competitive table tennis? What do you try and do when you find yourself coaching a total beginner who hasn't played before? Are you trying to make the session as fun as possible, or do you try and make sure that player makes as much progress and quickly as possible?

Hi Simon,

That is good news for a lot of players present and future.

I started coaching before I finished playing because I started helping out a junior group at my club.

When coaching a complete beginner which I do usually on a weekly basis, I try to get them to enjoy the experience but also leave them with some definite skill improvement that they can be proud of and have a sense of achievement about.  So I don't think it is an either or situation but they are both improving and having fun.

Good luck with that coaching career...