Site Products
Sally and somaTaiwan school team’s training in Yokohama with Sally Moylande of the Yokohama team working on repairing the table tennis pickup nets

Taiwan school team’s training in Yokohama with Sally Moyland

Taiwan school team’s training in Yokohama with Sally Moyland

(By Sally Moyland)

My teammates and I just came back from a one week training in Japan. My teammates are  from the middle school I study at in Taiwan, Cheng-Zheng Junior High. We spent the week training at Hayato High School located in Yokohama. It took us about 50 minutes of travel time to get from our hotel to the school. For transportation, we needed to take the train to get to Yokohama, and then take the bus to get to the campus.

The training sessions in Japan were compact and well organized. They have a quick tempo throughout the day, no matter if it is practice or break time. The kids in Japan have good teamwork and will always help their teammates. Yet, at the same time they are also independent and can help themselves. For example, they train and compete as a team, but when coaches’ attention is elsewhere, they can still solve problems and improve themselves.

Their playing style is quite different from what I have experienced in my USA and Taiwan tournaments.The most common style of play I saw in Japan was aggressive with a flat hit, rather than a control and attack style. In competitions, even the younger players would setup strategies. Almost every shot is a powerful shot, and that makes playing rallies quite difficult. I learned that sometimes the strategies don’t work, but even so to keep thinking and still be determined when executing new ones. It took me a few games to adjust to this style of play, where every detail is important.

During the day, there are many chores to do. The younger students clean and repair table tennis equipment. The older students make tea and wash dishes. I ended up choosing to repair the nets that we pick up balls with.

It was a new and different experience to practice outside Taiwan with my teammates. I also really enjoyed being in Japan. Even though the training was different and quite tiring, I think it  helped me improve, and I definitely want to go again.

Sally and some of the Yokohama team working on repairing the table tennis pickup nets

Sally and some of the Yokohama team working on repairing the table tennis pickup nets

Latest News

Three Point Forehand Loop Demo with Edmarie – PR National Team

May 30, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Edmarie Leon is executing the Three Point Forehand Loop covering… Read More

Lily Zhang: Big Game, Bigger Legacy

May 29, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) PLAYER SPOTLIGHT 🔍 Lily Zhang has long been one of the most decorated players in… Read More

Tanish Mamidyala – Northeast Regional Championship U13 Highlights

May 29, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights – Tanish Mamidyala Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table… Read More

Relax Your Shoulders

May 28, 2025
Forehand block (regular and no spin block) – robot plays very spinny shots deep SET TO RING 1… Read More

If You Step Around Your Backhand to Play a Forehand, Go All the Way

May 27, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) “I’m too slow!” That’s the cry of many players who play a forehand from the… Read More

Contact the Ball off the Bounce

May 26, 2025
Backhand regular block and Backhand spin block alternate – robot plays spinny shots deep SET TO RING 1… Read More

Breaking: NY Slice’s New Owners!

May 26, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) New York, New Owners 🗽 Pharma execs and lifelong racquet sports fans Shweta & Sachin… Read More

MLTT Team Feature: East Division’s Florida Crocs

May 25, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The Florida Crocs are ready to snap in the 2025 Major League Table Tennis (MLTT)… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.