All Kiwi
sport must be fun.
Sessions should not exceed 30 minutes. Children should
want more when you finish. Some children will not like
the sport, but if the session is short their attention
span should last 30 minutes.
All Kiwi sport is to encourage participation in a sport
and to develop hand eye co-ordination or new skills.
Inter school Kiwi Sport will allow mixing with others,
especially important for small country schools.
Mix up schools, ages, boys, girls, good players, first
timers etc. This encourages mixing with others. The more
experienced children should help the learners. Kiwi sport
is not designed for coaching a particular sport to
competitive level.
Kiwi Table Tennis
When taking a group it is important to assess the level
and age of the children.
At all levels try to have more than two players on each
table. This encourages good behaviour. Children who do
not try will spend more time on the side of the table
watching.
Under 8 year olds I would start on what I call level 0 or
1D table tennis. Progress up the levels is dependant on
achieving at each level.
Start off with only singles. Doubles is too difficult and
more time will spent chasing balls.
Do not be bullied into using a net too early. Explain
that the first timers must have a chance to learn.
Level 0
The nets are removed until they can hit the ball. The net
is the biggest obstacle ever invented. Without a net
playing is possible within a minute. Start by rolling the
ball along the table. You could start by being a control
at one end of the table.
Hitting the ball.
Use backhand. This is the easiest shot to learn. To get
the angle of the bat right stand in the middle of the
table, hold the forehand side of the bat on chest or
stomach. Then push the bat over the table. Players having
trouble may use two hands with the second hand just
holding on to the edge of the bat opposite the handle.
The ball is gently pushed along the table to the other
end. Care should be taken not to drag the bat on the
table. Use the bottom edge of the bat to strike the ball.
The aim of this level is to learn about angles when the
ball is struck.
It is important to get the player to move directly in
line with where the ball is heading to so that they hit
the ball right in front of their body. Reaching for the
ball may hit the ball off the side of the table.
Playing games
When they can hit ball back and forth then you can start
games.
Count how many times they can hit the ball between two
players with out stopping.
Play a game up to 3 or 5 points.
Points are lost if the ball is rolled off the side of the
table, if the ball does not reach the end of the table,
if it is hit too hard or if you miss the ball.
There is scope here to make any rules you like. The loser
of the game or point is replaced by the player at the
side of the table.
Level 1
Basically the same as level 0 with no net still
hitting the ball backhand. This level will automatically
develop from level 0 and at any time there may be both
levels being played.
The object is to hit the over the centre of the table
with the ball bouncing twice on the other end of the
table. This slows down the ball and makes it easier the
return.
In games a point is lost if the ball does not bounce
twice (optional).
Level 2
The net is used. This level should only be used
if they can hit ball consistently at level 1.
Still using the bounce twice on the other end rule. Using
a net too early will have children chasing balls for most
of the session instead of playing table tennis.
Remember it has to be FUN.
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