Ahahahahahaha but so very observant true.
There are very good reasons why such coaches should and many do insist on at the table drills for strokes, footwork, and combinations.
Such coaches rarely link what they are doing and why as to how you can see the ball better and how these practices make you better able to know and cope with the likely things that happen and how to win points, games, and matches.
This is a whole other area of teaching that many high paid coaches do not get into much, so do, many do not.
I totally understand Tensor BH's reluctance to commit big money to a process that he believes will not benefit him as much as he financially and emotionally pays.
it is tough to find a knowledgeable and balanced coach who can work with adult learners to get them in the right effective direction of becoming fundamentally sound and how to subconsciously think, act, and win.
While I understand why such "anti" comment on such coaches exist, and while not all coaches are the same. I also understand how such drills, are good for service return too.
The 1900 players may think he is only doing topspins of bh, fh, wide fh, then back in bh. While I'm sure many 2100 + plaeyrs will agree with me here is that what 1900 doesn't know is when he is doing all this, there is the full movement - footwork, weight transfer, spinning of the ball, recovery, reading of the spin, generating of the spin - both physical and mental gains.
Just based on some of tb's videos, his footwork isn't great. So I won't be surprised he will be late or in the wrong position for his service return shots and probably slow recovery and what not. I said many times in his training videos thread, that training partner quality is not great. the partner is not forcing him to move better, or to be more prepared.
I would imagine, those WTTC champions, are way better than his partner and would force him into uncomfortable positions, of which tb will struggle (even look really ugly) -and if he can cope with it one day, or master it, his understanding of the game will be better, and so will his understanding of service return - of which is just the understanding of spin, and the control of the ball in the returning of the service, backed with correct footwork movment, timing and execution.
BH top spin, is the same logic as BH flick.
FH top spin, is the same logic as FH flick
Footwork movements of tops spin, is the same logic as pushes (drop or long)
Brushing the ball is brushing the ball, no matter if it is top, side or bottom of the ball.
While USA is very expensive on one one one coaching, and maybe tb sees zero value. I also see zero value with his freebie training partner (I know that is harsh words, but reality is reality).
He needs trainers to make him better, and he needs someone there speaking with him.
Else, you get what you pay for. Maybe he could find another trainer for free, or maybe he needs to find higher levels and pay some or little money for better quality, because it is only possible if there is some trade - not everyone operates like a charity and will be willing to do it longer terms.
I have learnt something as a coach, especially with adult learners and tb has the same problem.
he thinks going from 0 to 1900, is successful and he did it over what, 4 years. This is good on him, but what he doesn't know is, this zero to something growth is normal, because zero to anything is expected and achievable with self learning. But the problem is, once you get to a certain level and need to move up even more, ie, from 1900 to 2100, or 2100 to 2300, or 2500 to 2600 for example, those climb are a lot harder and will require specialists.
Especially he will need to unlearn bad habits he has in his self learning.
And the most important part that I spoted is, tb is very adament on what he wants. his cup is probably full.
so, could he take in things like what I am saying? I don't think so, because he may only want to hear things that suits him and would probably brush off anythign that has anything to do with coaching. So he would continue to explore his self learning. Maybe it will work (which I will bless him if it does), or maybe it doesn't work. You do get crowds that think coaching is not necessary, which is okay - but I am typing all those, so readers can have a different view on how topspin drills do add value to overally play and I see it so often on how some little coaching, helps with the table tennis IQ improvement, and therefore leads to various improvements in the game.
Recently I'm helping a player on her BH topspin - living underspin balls.
while working on her BH loop, her BH flick also improves greatly.
And then you have those that think it is two different things and why waste time on the foundation, and just want to start off some where else (on a higher floor). While I work with semi pros most of the time, the theory of foundation is really the same.
