Coaching Corner
Ael-y-Bryn takes coaching seriously, our numerous tournament successes bear testament to hours of hard work and commitment by coaches and the players themselves. Ael-y-Bryn has players with huge potential and ability, however without hard work and dedication to training, none of this potential will lead to success. In the picture above are Ryan Jenkins, Alan Monks, and Carl Prean, 3 players who have worked extremely hard during thousands of hours of training in order to achieve huge success within the sport. There are no short cuts, no one is born a table tennis champion, you decide how good you want to be, and then train hard enough and long enough to make it happen. Ael-y-Bryn Table Tennis Club is there to help you achieve your aim, because when you win, we win.
Ael-y-Bryn players can approach Neil, John or Alan with their questions on any playing/coaching matter. A few “frequently asked questions”,together with an answer are included below.
“Neil can I knock with you?”
I wish I had a pound for every time I have been asked this one! Unfortunately, there are too many players at each session to knock with everyone, so don’t be disappointed if I say no. I try to knock with everyone at least once a month so that I can gauge their progress and current training needs. During training, I will find you an appropriate player to practice with, so that both of you can improve, if you want to be a better player, practice until you are tired then rest. Take part in all activities (top table, physical, etc). I promise you that your skill as a player will improve.
“Neil can I practice with Alan?”
Our club is lucky to have Alan attend some sessions, he is here to coach our higher performing players who need Alan’s coaching because of the tournaments and competitions they enter. You don’t need to practice with Alan to get better at Table Tennis, you need to spend as much time on a table as possible playing against others at the club.
Table Tennis is a cruel sport, when you play someone in a competition, one of you is going to lose, there is no other possible outcome. You can’t blame others because table tennis is not a team game, its just down to you. Sometimes you lose to a player who you have regularly beat in the past, and feel as though you getting worse not better. These disappointments are normal in sport, don’t worry, and above all don’t quit. If you are not happy with your results train harder you will improve I guarantee it. We never, ever , criticised a player for losing, it happens to everyone, but we have no time for players who quit.