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Bill Lui - U.S. Certified National Coach

Interview With Bill Lui

Q: Occupation?
A: Table Tennis Coach

Q: Who are some of your past and present students and their greatest accomplishment?
A:

Serena Banh: Semi Finalist, Girls Under 10 at 2003 U. S. Nationals. Rank 6th for Girls Under 12 in country.
Jessica Yick: 1st Place, Under 1100 at 2003 U. S. Nationals; 2nd Place, Under 1400 and Under 1100 at 2004 California Open.
Joseph Wang: 1st Place, Under 1200 and Under 1000 at 2003 U. S. Nationals; 1st Place, Under 1400 and Under 1100 at 2004 California Open.
Past students coached for at least 6 years from absolute beginners with various national titles: Freddie Gabriel, Peter Zajac, Terrence Lee, Sergy Gutkin, Trevor Runyan, Atha Fong.
Past students coached for at least 2 years with various national titles: Michelle Do, Jackie Lee, Kyna Fong, Anthon Plake.

Q: How often do you coach ?
A: Six days a week for a total of approximately 30 hours.

Q: What area of coaching would you consider to be a strength ?
A: Understanding of the fundamentals and the game, patience and communication skills.

Q: If your students could only remember one thing, what would you want it to be ?
A: Do the best that they are capable of doing.

Q: As a coach, what has been your proudest moment thus far ?
A: To be selected as the US Olympic Committee Developmental Coach of the Year for Table Tennis in 1996, it’s inaugural year.

Q: What are your feelings on the 40mm ball?
A: Due to the reduction in spin and speed, and the higher visibility, it has made it easier for beginners to learn and stay with the game.

Q: How has this affected your approach to coaching?
A: It has not affected my approach to coaching but more emphasis has been placed on close to the table looping than when the ball was 38mm.

Q: What are your feelings on the 11-point game?
A: From a game coaching standpoint I am not in favor of it. It does not allow the coach or the player to establish a rhythm and put undue pressure for the players to win each point/game.

Q: How has this affected your approach to coaching?
A: It has put more emphasis on winning each point instead of establishing a game plan and give it a chance to develop.

Q: What are your feelings on the hidden service rule?
A: It has reduced the deception effect. The intent is good but almost impossible to enforce.

Q: How has this affected your approach to coaching ?
A: All my students are instructed to comply with the rule even if the opponent is “crossing the line”, and to rely more on variation than deception.

Q: If you could change one thing about table tennis it would be ?
A: For it to be viewed and treated as a sport than as a recreation.

Q: How did you get started playing table tennis and how old were you?
A: I lived in Hong Kong until I graduated from High School. I started playing as a sport in school when I was about 9 years old.

Q: What hobbies do you have?
A: Swimming, playing bridge, going to professional basketball games and watching them on TV, surfing the net, listening to music.

Q: What is your favorite movie?
A: The Sound of Music.

Q: What is your favorite TV show?
A: The West Wing.

Q: What is your favorite food?
A: Authentic Chinese.

Q: What is your favorite sport outside of table tennis?
A: Basketball.

Back to Bill Lui

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