PATT Notes - February 2010 - #1

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PATT Notes* � November 13th, 2009
*(PATT Notes is a periodically issued table tennis discussion from The PATT Institute (www.ThePATTInstitute.com)
Observations on Chinese Tactics and Strategies
During the time period I was completing the ITTF Level 5 International Table Tennis Coaching Course, held during the 1997 World Championships in Manchester, England, a question and answer session was held with Mr. Zhang Xielin, the head coach of the Chinese Women�s team.  My notebook is full of very valuable and intriguing observations from this exceptional coach.  I would like to take this opportunity to highlight two such insights.
Among many in our sport, there exists more than a small amount of fascination and mystery surrounding the Chinese table tennis system.  As the results from this program are like none other, any information into its workings is held in high regard.  Because tactics and strategies are important parts of high level play, how the Chinese integrate these matters into their structure is of great interest.
A Belgium coach asked the Chinese coach a rather rambling open question concerning the use and application of tactics and strategies during the three domains of player participation; direct coaching instruction, training, and competition.
Among the several statements in Mr. Zhang Xielin response, two are as follows, one of a general nature, one more specific: 
1.       Tactics and strategies should be integrated into each training session via the composition of drills and routines that reflect sound tactical approaches to the combination of shots being used.  Other than the exceptional case, each patterned drill should reflect the proper tactical play appropriate in a competitive setting.  By so reinforcing these correct ways of playing, training session by training session throughout the years, the player develops self-reliant competencies of significant value.
2.       The most fundamental tactic developed during training is �changing the direction of the ball.�  The phrase �changing the direction of the ball�, as translated by the interpreter, refers to the ability to return a shot to a location other than the direction from which the shot came.  It is recognized that the most common and the easiest direction to return a shot is back to the location the shot came from.  Because developing proficiency in creating angles away from your opponent elevates the options available to the player, it is highly valued in the Chinese system.
It is clear from Mr. Zhang Xielin very interesting comments that there exist in the player development process integrations that are subtle, at times not fully grasped by the player intellectually, yet powerful in their effects. 

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Donn Olsen Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Beginner Joined: 10/22/2009 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 14	Post Options Post Reply Quote Donn Olsen Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: PATT Notes - February 2010 - #1 Posted: 02/02/2010 at 9:04am
	*PATT Notes � November 13th, 2009** (PATT Notes is a periodically issued table tennis discussion from The PATT Institute* (www.ThePATTInstitute.com) Observations on Chinese Tactics and Strategies During the time period I was completing the ITTF Level 5 International Table Tennis Coaching Course, held during the 1997 World Championships in Manchester, England, a question and answer session was held with Mr. Zhang Xielin, the head coach of the Chinese Women�s team. My notebook is full of very valuable and intriguing observations from this exceptional coach. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight two such insights. Among many in our sport, there exists more than a small amount of fascination and mystery surrounding the Chinese table tennis system. As the results from this program are like none other, any information into its workings is held in high regard. Because tactics and strategies are important parts of high level play, how the Chinese integrate these matters into their structure is of great interest. A Belgium coach asked the Chinese coach a rather rambling open question concerning the use and application of tactics and strategies during the three domains of player participation; direct coaching instruction, training, and competition. Among the several statements in Mr. Zhang Xielin response, two are as follows, one of a general nature, one more specific: 1. Tactics and strategies should be integrated into each training session via the composition of drills and routines that reflect sound tactical approaches to the combination of shots being used. Other than the exceptional case, each patterned drill should reflect the proper tactical play appropriate in a competitive setting. By so reinforcing these correct ways of playing, training session by training session throughout the years, the player develops self-reliant competencies of significant value. 2. The most fundamental tactic developed during training is �changing the direction of the ball.� The phrase �changing the direction of the ball�, as translated by the interpreter, refers to the ability to return a shot to a location other than the direction from which the shot came. It is recognized that the most common and the easiest direction to return a shot is back to the location the shot came from. Because developing proficiency in creating angles away from your opponent elevates the options available to the player, it is highly valued in the Chinese system. It is clear from Mr. Zhang Xielin very interesting comments that there exist in the player development process integrations that are subtle, at times not fully grasped by the player intellectually, yet powerful in their effects.
	Donn Olsen - The PATT Institute

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