Teaching Children
Training
Cloud Cledera Asked 13 years ago
Hi Alois and Jeff,
I've been thinking about a lot of videos, showing prodigy children from various countries who have already tapped their potential in being table tennis prowess. Some have started at 4, 5, or 7, while the lowest is in fact 2. I would like to do the same, as I would like to teach some of my child siblings and niece, and maybe even when I get a child. So how you can you teach a child to play ping-pong, who can't even reach the table yet, and who can't carry that much a paddle yet. Can you tell me how, and any other tips? Starting training?
Alois Rosario Answered 13 years ago
Hi Cloud,
Firstly I think just some basic hitting and bat ball skills are the first thing to work on. I wouldn't go spending too many hours on a 4 or 5 year old unless they were showing a great interest in learning the game. Let them just develop as they go.
You can get them to do simple things like hitting the ball against a wall or rolling the ball along a table. Also take a look at our lesson on Practicing Alone which will give you some good off table activities you can use.
Lots of repetitive hitting in a fun atmosphere is what you are really aiming for.
Recommended Video
#8 - Fast Footwork
In this session you'll focus on increasing the speed of your footwork. To do this we ask you to forget about consistency and concentrate on speed. You should be playing at a pace where you can get around 4 or 5 balls on the table. If you are getting 10 or 20 balls on then you need to up your pace again. It's important to play right to the edge of your ability to actually increase your skill level. We also continue to develop the new serve you have chosen to work on.
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Cloud Cledera Posted 13 years ago
Okay, I get your first point then. Now, when the child is kinda getting the hang of it, but still cannot reach the table, should I give it a stand on a chair and let the ball move on where it could freely it, but with the usage of multiball would be better right? Just asking, you know, letting it stand so that it could see it.
andrew brand Posted 13 years ago
how about a smaller table and junior size racket? until the child is bigger.
Cloud Cledera Posted 13 years ago
smaller table won't work. Racket ain't a problem though.