Teaching Children
Table Tennis Training and Drills
Last updated 11 years ago
Cloud Cledera Asked 11 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 11 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.
Thoughts on this question
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Cloud Cledera Posted 11 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 11 years ago
how about a smaller table and junior size racket? until the child is bigger.
Cloud Cledera Posted 11 years ago
smaller table won't work. Racket ain't a problem though.