All About Table Tennis

[therat]

normally the school coach will advice which type to buy.

[markfch]

therat:

normally the school coach will advice which type to buy.

Too late. Already got 2 bats and converted my dining table into an impromptu tt table (saved a few hundred dollars on not buying one) with the chairs serving as tt net holder.

[PAPASAN]

The best age to start a child in TT is 7-8 years old . Some Schools these days have began what they termed Mass customisation programme with very experienced coaches to help identify and train these young prodigy .


It is important to start a beginner with a reasonable TT bat ( can seek out the coach opinion ) , coz if we buy a ‘toy’ Bat ( below S$30/-) , the bats are juz basic bat for ppl who juz hit for fun sake …

However , if it is a beginner who wishes to make progress with the game of TT , then , it is best to start them on a right footing … ie a reasonable bat .

The School training these days have taken on a much systematic and proper way , unlike in the old school days where we play juz for the fun of playing as a game …

Many schools with coaches , especially those with mass customisation programmes are serious about grooming the child to play the game properly …

Hence, with Parents out there with children taking up TT as a CCA , it is very important to get them a reasonable bat .
A good bat not only bring confidence to the child , it will assist in enhancing the child’s handling of the ball .

A good/reasonable bat provide the 'correct feel ’ when executing a shot ,
as opposed to a ‘lower’ quality bat .What is the difference ?

A bat with a reputable brand and a set of reasonable sheet of rubber allow a player to be able to control the ball and placement of shots with ease .
A lower quality / non branded one would not perform in the same manner as the one above if the same/similar execution of task …

The difference of S$20-30 , really is not a lot , as the benefits that would bring about to a beginner is really un measureable .

[PAPASAN]

Hi , understand that many parents wanted to look for a reasonable training programme for tt for their children .


You may wish to try STTA 's learn to play programme , a 10-12 lessons group training conducted by STTA's Chinese coaches . Call them to findout more ...

Alternatively , you can sign up at the following Zone centres :
Tampines Sports Hall , Yishun Sports Hall , Bishan sports hall , Clementi Sports Hall

Alternatively , i recommend Coach Bi 92342705 , they have group training for children daily , at Jalan Pemimpin . (Juz tell him Mr.Tan's recommendation.)
You can PM me , i can share info on other local and chinese coaches that are worth recommending ...

Market rates for China Coaches for one to one coaching ranges between S$40-70 / hour .
Local Coach starts from S$ 30.00 to 50.00

IMO it is better to start yr child with a Good Coach , as the correct fundamentals are very crucial to a Player's future advancement ....
If a player with incorrect playing postures / styles or accumulate bad playing habits , it will impair the player's progress as they go further .

How to know that the coach is a good one ?
Talk to ppl , word of mouth recommendation , speak to players etc ....
Some coaches are good with children , some with intermediate players and some are good in training higher levels etc . :celebrate:

[PAPASAN]

Hi ,


A good and patient coach is important for the beginner in TT .
Correct method of training in the beginner’s stage will help the player to go a long way in the Sport .
Hence , getting the right coach and following them tru the beginner’s stage will help the child to master the game early .
STTA training centre have a very systematic way of training young beginners to adopt the correct posture , footwork , strokes and co-ordinations which would help the child as they progress further .

If we are serious about getting our child to play the game of TT , try to take time to put them in these centres , not only are they cheaper , the results are better . Learning the game from players who have no formal training previously , may result in the beginner picking up lots of bad habits which could be costly and time consuming to undo at a later stage …
just 2 cents worth of opinion from my past experiences

[markfch]

Thanks for the detailed explanation, PAPASAN.


You a coach or national player?

[JonC]

Double Happiness bat and Butterfly bat, only the wood part is good, the default rubber on it usually not good.


If in school team, better buy good rubber, and of cause the table tennis glue to glue the better rubber to the bat.

I used to like http://www.megaspin.net/store/default.asp?cid=rubbers&brand=729%2FFriendship rubber. http://www.butterflyonline.com/rubber_all.asp?frompg=allrubbers rubber also not too bad.

[markfch]

JonC:

Double Happiness bat and Butterfly bat, only the wood part is good, the default rubber on it usually not good.


If in school team, better buy good rubber, and of cause the table tennis glue to glue the better rubber to the bat.

I used to like http://www.megaspin.net/store/default.asp?cid=rubbers&brand=729%2FFriendship rubber. http://www.butterflyonline.com/rubber_all.asp?frompg=allrubbers rubber also not too bad.

:offtopic:
I heard from my colleague that the tt scene at the sch level is very well run by STTA. Lots of coaches imported from china to train our budding talents.

Trying to dsa thru tt is going to be extremely competitive.

[PAPASAN]

Hi , i played TT and represented my club and the former SAFSA team when i was 18… back in the early 80s


i hv great passion for the game, but studies , work and personal commitments forced me out of the game for about 25 years… ,so when my child came along , i decided to build the passion around them …
i went back to TT , i took pains to re-learn the new generation’s playing styles, game techniques, developments , i took time grooming and honing the skills of my kids…
after 4-5 yrs of ‘hardwork’ , i m quite glad to hv managed 1 in the National youth development squad , 1 in the National ‘Schools’ ( combined sch team ) , and the youngest undergoing STTA selection .
Having finally seen my child don National Colors, i felt proud for him , and that gave me moltivation to pursue the National Sports Council’s Coaching courses
i play TT these days with one purpose , " FITNESS and Health " .
( all for the fun and the passion ) , not the $ .

[PAPASAN]

markfch:

JonC:

Double Happiness bat and Butterfly bat, only the wood part is good, the default rubber on it usually not good.


If in school team, better buy good rubber, and of cause the table tennis glue to glue the better rubber to the bat.

I used to like http://www.megaspin.net/store/default.asp?cid=rubbers&brand=729%2FFriendship rubber. http://www.butterflyonline.com/rubber_all.asp?frompg=allrubbers rubber also not too bad.

:offtopic:
I heard from my colleague that the tt scene at the sch level is very well run by STTA. Lots of coaches imported from china to train our budding talents.

Trying to dsa thru tt is going to be extremely competitive.

Yes you are quite right , schools these days have the financial ability to engage top coaches , and that is really good news .
i reminded my children on how lucky they are at this moment to have world class coach for the TT /CCA , when during my time it was almost impossible. How many of us have the chance to be trained by a world class coach ?

it is not difficult to use DSA , all u need is lots of time,and monetary investment in training .
My child (not talented sort / but lots of hard work) could take on imported players and have beaten some of them in recent competitions , showed that it is possible for us to achieve it .
To get to DSA ,one has to get into the school team , the child needs to set aside time for more basic training ( inclusive of external personal coaching ), to hone their skills, try to take part in as many external competitions as possible .
This is common in other sports too ..... so regardless of which sporting CCA , Time is the essence ..... be prepared to spend time