MBF's table tennis hobby and competition path

1. Objective

This hobby and competition path[1] The purpose is to explain what kind of systematic path MBF has for all players — both juniors and adults who play table tennis. The path defines how to improve recruitment, especially for young people, how to organize the hobby for young people and adults, and how to progress from beginners to competitive players.

Everyone interested in the sport should have the opportunity to practice the sport according to their own interests. Everyone is given the opportunity to develop in the best possible way, regardless of level. The club's coaches, instructors and everyone involved in the club's activities have a sufficient level of expertise that inspires and encourages those who join the club's activities. The club also offers several league teams in all divisions, so that the club's players can find a place to play at their own level if they so wish.

The activities of the club, as well as the club itself, are guided by the values approved by the club's board. These are:

  • joy of playing,
  • fair play and
  • goal-orientedness.

When developing hobby and competition paths, it is worth considering how parents can be informed even better about junior activities. In addition, this development work should consider how parents can be more involved in organizing competitions and camps, for example. The better parents are involved in the club's activities, the more likely it is that the club's juniors will not drop out.

Members can also integrate into the club in ways other than just playing. The club offers, among other things, working on the board, in working groups, organizing or maintaining hobby groups, and helping with organizing competitions, including refereeing.

[1]This hobby and competition path has been prepared by coach Mika Räsänen in collaboration with Matti Vainiowith. We are grateful for Taneli Keinonen's comments. Any additional comments and development suggestions can be sent to info@mbf.fi. 

2. Promoting the hobby and getting involved

There are different ways to promote the sport of table tennis and encourage new players to take up the sport. Below are some ways to promote the activity:

  • Sport presentations (in schools, events, etc.).
  • Through the club's own marketing: social media (own website, Facebook and TikTok), advertising distribution, personal marketing and communication by its own players and parents.
  • My own interest, encouraged by friends, "bush radio".
  • The club currently has a trilingual (Finnish, Swedish and English) website about its activities, to make it easy to join. The activities must be of high quality and must also appear so from the outside.
  • The club is part of “The Finnish Model of Hobbyism”" so that schoolchildren come to the Olympic Stadium, Ruskeasuo and the German School for activities organized by the club.
  • The club is considering how it could go to schools that have desks and how schools could get more desks so that the participation threshold is low and there is no need to move further away to pursue a hobby after school.
  • The club is open to other ways to increase the number of juniors.
  • For adults, the club mainly markets its activities through websites and social media.

3. Stages of the hobby and competition path

To create a clear training and competition path with its own goals and diplomas, we can divide the training into different phases for recreational and competitive players. The phases of the recreational and competitive path are (see image)

MBF_n_hobby_path_version_1-1
MBF_s_hobbystig_version_1
  1. Beginner
  2. Developing player 
  3. Intermediate player 
  4. Advanced player 
  5. Competitive player 
  6. Professional player 

MBF has players from beginners to competitive players. In Finland, there are two full professionals and a few competitive players who train professionally, including in our club.

1. Beginner

Goal:

  • The main focus of the Coaching is on developing ball handling skills and the basics of the sport. Ball handling skills are developed with a partner and an instructor, and the goal is to develop skills for playing with a partner.
  • Playing on the table is gradually increased. If the beginner player is very young, they can initially learn how to use the ball and racket without a table and net, for example by rolling the ball or hitting the ball through the floor. When the skills are sufficient to play on the table, the instructors aim to guide the players to achieve as many successful performances as possible. 
  • The use of multiple balls and ball box training is used early on to gain repetitions and diversify training. A table tennis robot is also used to gain repetitions.
  • As skills develop, juniors are able to play with each other. 
  • We teach the basics of the sport, the rules of the sport and the procedures. 
  • We will teach you how to return with a backhand and palmhand underhand, as well as how to serve correctly.
  • Let's teach the correct playing position.
  • The player understands the basics of footwork.

The player is new to the sport and has little experience or skill. The basic techniques and rules of the game are not yet fully mastered. The player has challenges moving with the ball in the way the sport requires and his shots are uncertain. Rating below 800.

Diploma 1: Beginner – Requirements:

  • The beginner is able to hit basic shots, such as backhand and forehand spins, and serve correctly. He understands the rules of the game and is able to move correctly at the table. The basic shots stay on the table sufficiently well and with good quality.
  • Aim for 10 clean underhand and overhand strokes in a row.
  • No rating.

Diploma 2: Advanced Beginner -Requirements

  • The player is able to perform basic shots and passes with sufficient confidence.
  • The basic level is 50 underhand backhand and forehand strokes and 20 overhand counter strokes in a row, proper serving according to the rules, and the correct way to move around the table. 
  • The player can participate in friendly matches or beginner competitions organized by the club.

2. Developing player

The player is beginning to understand the basics of the game and is able to perform basic shots such as passes and returns, but does not yet master all the techniques or game tactics. The game may still be uneven and movement on the court is not optimal. Rating 800-1300.

Goal:

  • The goal of the Coaching is to guide you towards more effective training, which will also motivate players to practice independently and compete. 
  • Players train in a group, where they create an even stronger foundation for basic techniques. Gradually, game-like Coaching for competition are also added. 
  • The goal is also to motivate the junior to compete according to their enthusiasm.
  • Improve the accuracy, quality and consistency of your shots.
  • We will learn game tactics and basic game strategies.
  • We will regularly participate in training and possible practice matches and competitions.
  • The development of a player's level can also be monitored using the federation's rating system if the player participates in competitions. The rating gives the player an idea of ​​their current level.

Standard:

  • The player regularly participates in training sessions and matches organized for the group. 
  • The player understands the basic strategies of table tennis.
  • The player knows the basic strokes and uses them consistently. 
  • The player can also perform more complex shots (spin from the underhand) from the backhand and palmhand sides. 
  • The player can serve spiral passes from both the backhand and palmside.
  • The player knows how to respond to twisted passes.
  • The player can perform various shot sequences.
  • The player has a developed understanding of how to win balls.
  • The player also focuses on physical fitness through basic Coaching. 

3. Intermediate player

The player has achieved a good technical level and is able to execute most shots accurately. He knows the strategies of the game and knows how to position himself correctly on the court. The player's game is relatively stable, but he still has room for improvement in, for example, speed, shot accuracy and reading the game. Rating 1300-1700.

Goal:

  • The Coaching focus on different aspects of the sport in a systematic manner. 
  • Players compete regularly and training aims to improve competitive performance. 
  • The development of a player's level is regularly monitored using a rating system.
  • The coach discusses with the players about competing and how different areas should be developed to improve the competitive result. The players' development path is more systematic and, where possible and necessary, an external physical trainer is used to teach the technique of gym training and to plan the training program.
  • The player has a good command of the basic techniques.
  • The player understands and uses basic tactics in competitive games.
  • The player builds basic physical and mental strength.

Standard:

  • The player demonstrates the ability to use different techniques of the sport. Participates in matches/competitions and is also able to use different tactics, including tactical patterns (three/five ball tactics). 
  • The player begins to develop the physical qualities needed for table tennis.
  • The player improves the more advanced techniques needed in the game. 
  • The player begins to think more about the match tactics used in the game and their own strengths and weaknesses. 
  • The player participates in local tournaments and 3rd and 4th division games.

4. Advanced player

The player is very skilled and experienced, masters all the important techniques and is able to implement complex game tactics. The player is fast and agile on the field, and is able to play at a competitive level. Rating 1700-2100.

Standard:

  • The player demonstrates the ability to use different techniques of the sport. Participates in matches/competitions and is also able to use different tactics.
  • The player is in good physical condition. 
  • The player clearly uses his own match tactics, as well as his own strengths and the opponent's weaknesses. 
  • The player participates in national tournaments and 1st and 2nd division games.

5. Competitive player

The player regularly competes in tournaments and is high in the national rankings. He has strong game reading skills and excellent physical condition. He is part of the best in the club or region. Rating over 2100.

Standard:

  • The player demonstrates an understanding of basic techniques and the understanding and use of basic competition tactics.
  • The player improves techniques and focuses on more regular training
  • The player develops his own gameplay and tactics.
  • The player regularly participates in regional competitions and league games. 
  • Developing the player's physical and mental qualities. 
  • The player regularly participates in domestic competitions, league games (1st division/Finnish championship, foreign leagues) and larger national competitions also further afield. 
  • The player has developed technical and tactical ability as well as goal-oriented competition and training.
  • The player understands the strengths and weaknesses of his own game and develops the game according to his own characteristics.
  • Regular development of the player's physical and mental qualities. 

6. Professional player

The player is a full-time professional who competes in international arenas. He has extensive experience and excellent technical, tactical and physical level. The player earns his living by playing and regularly participates in major tournaments.

Standard:

  • The player participates in international competitions and league games. He is a top player in his age group and country, and a national team player.
  • The player's understanding and control of technical and tactical matters is at a high level. 
  • A professional's understanding of their own playing, strengths and weaknesses, and their own style of play at a very high level.
  • Developing the player's physical and mental qualities to the level required by the top level of the sport and continuously improving these aspects.

4. Other table tennis hobby opportunities

In addition, the club strives to organize the following opportunities for all enthusiasts of the sport:

  • Hobby group for adult players (learning the basics of the sport, the rules of the sport and how to operate, easy transition to club activities and, depending on interest, also to series playing, competing and other club activities).
  • The club's adult players also get quality playing time in mixed shifts. During these shifts, players are free to play and practice with each other, and participation in league activities is also possible. In addition, the club organizes guided coaching activities for interested senior players. The club offers meaningful training opponents for adult players of all levels, from those who have been playing the sport for a long time to those who started playing at a later age.  
  • MBF internal competitions, especially the weekly “kingis”. Other competitions can also be developed.
  • A family table tennis group where the role model of parents is important in creating a sports culture.
  • Free training group (the coach is not necessarily so closely advising and guiding, more free play.
  • Informing parents and engaging them in the activity.
  •  Use of assistant coaches in larger training sessions.

5. Summary

The recreational and competitive path is designed to give players goals to strive for. This motivates players and helps them see their own progress and next levels of ambition. With clear requirements, qualifications and a structured plan for each stage, enthusiasts of the sport can achieve their goals in an organized and inspiring way. 

The hobby and competition path gives the club opportunities to develop its own activities and provides players with a clear picture of the different opportunities to get involved in the sport and the club's activities. 

The path has tried to take into account the players' interests and goals in the sport. Not all players aim to be a top player. A player can participate in the sport with goals and playing level that suit them. The sport can be practiced in many different ways and at different levels, and it is possible to make it a lifelong and communal form of exercise, regardless of age or skill level. 

Training

The club's coaches are qualified to act as coaches. Sufficient understanding of the sport and training: FTTA organizes training for beginners (VOK 1), which also focuses on working with children and young people and how to lead groups, as well as training for more advanced coaches (VOK 2), which covers more advanced sports techniques and more detailed coaching. Each club coach must have a sufficient level of training and be able to demonstrate that they are capable of acting as an instructor and coach for children and young people. The club is able to ensure high-quality activities for players of all levels.

If necessary, families are also offered other coaching or lectures on athlete nutrition and mental preparation.

Good governance

The club's operations are transparent and in line with good governance. Every member of the club feels like an equal member whose opinions are listened to. Members are able to practice the sport in the way they wish.

Club values

The club's values ​​are joy of playing, fair play and goal-orientedness. These are explained in more detail on the website. MBF values.