Masaaki
Tajima - U.S. Certified National Coach
Place of Birth: Tokyo, Japan
Now Resides: San Francisco, CA
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| Click here to read our interview with Coach Tajima. |
| More articles from Coach Masaaki Tajima |
Dominate With Serve & Receive:
In this article, I will go over the importance of serves and the receiving of serves as two of the top technical training priorities for future Champions.
In virtually every racket sport, serves and the ability to return them effectively are dominating factors in the outcome of any match. Besides table tennis, tennis is another example of a sport where this is true. Whether it is the men's or women's division, the big serve sets the tone of the match; if you serve well, you play well. On the other side, the player who can receive well can stay in the point until it is his or her turn to serve....(for complete article click here)
Vicarious
Parents:
One of the biggest problems and headaches that a coach faces is
dealing with vicarious parents. Vicariousness is, living one’s
life through another person. These are parents living their life
and dreams through their kids. Parents must realize the distinction
between living their lives through their kids and living it with
them. Parents too often push their kids in order to make up for
their own past frustrations and limitations placing tremendous burden
and pressure causing embarrassment not only to the child but also,
unknowingly, on themselves. It is an insidious disease that is prevalent
in all sports causing unrealized damage......(for complete article
click here)
Aching Wrist Problems:
A table tennis player asked Coach Tajima the following question:
My wrist hurts occasionally when I play my backhand topspin and
sometimes it hurts during the forehand topspin. How can I improve
this and also improve my technique?.....(for Masaaki's answer click
here)
Playing Against
a Long/Short Pips Combo :
A table tennis player asked Coach Tajima the following question:
I would like to know how to play a player with pips on both sides
of his racket; short pips for his forehand and long pips on his
backhand with no sponge? I'm a all around player with a powerful
forehand......(for Masaaki's answer click here)
Mental and
Emotional Training:
Virtually every coach and players I know places emphasis on technical
and physical aspects of the sport and little if any time to mental
training. But all will tell you how mental this sport is. The fact
is, most coaches don’t have the education or experience in
this area to teach it and players place low priority on it and do
not think about paying for mental aspects of coaching even though
they admit it is so important. Moreover, players resist mental skills
training believing achieving technical skills will cure whatever
ills them and attach unwarranted stigma in seeking mental training......(for
complete article click here)
