The Summer School went into another cool day. Everybody enjoyed the fresh air and it made it easier for all participants to stay in the time in the hall, as this was the first day with pure badminton-trainings in the morning and afternoon.
The morning session concentrated on doubles play. All players met after breakfast to learn from Fran, An, Tina, Kenn and Peter about rear court offence in doubles. At the same time Alan, Anders and Tomasz taught the coaches about mid and rear court defence. After a short break everybody went to the big hall and the coaches got the chance to see the staff in ‘action’ with the players on what they have been taught in the first session. Some of the coaches already took the chance to apply their new knowledge.
After the lunch it was time for the small groups. It was the first time the 3 coaches held the training session for their 6-7 players. The staff responsible for the respective group supervised this. With different topics regarding the analyse of the group on the previous day. It was good to see how the different groups worked together and how the coaches handled the players. These small group-sessions give the opportunity for players, coaches and the staff to work closely together and learn from each other. It was a new experience for some coaches to work with a colourful mixture of players from all over Europe.
After the dinner the players and some of the coaches took the chance to be outside for the evening activities. The location and possibilities at Sacre Coeur are perfect for these activities. so there everybody split up between football, basketball and beach-volleyball. All enjoyed the possibility to do something different but unfortunately, this had a sudden finish, as the mosquitoes just decided to join the activities at quarter past nine. So the players had the chance for an early rest to get ready for the next day.
Some impressions of the different participants:
This is the second time I come to the Summer School. I have also been in Sweden last year and it was very nice. Today, we practised some shots that are used in doubles. Moreover I tried a new net-drop with my group which was very important. I was also taught how to smash properly, something that was difficult but I managed to do it. I think that every year the Summer School is becoming better and this is a reason to come again next year.
by Stella Knekna (Cyprus), player
On Monday morning, we learned when to use which offensive shot. Then after a short break, we practised our defence. In the afternoon, we trained in our small groups on individual weaknesses. After the evening meal, we played a few games of beach-volleyball. We had a lot of fun, but the mosquitoes were annoying.
by Akis Thomas, Mike Vallenthini (Luxembourg), player
This is the first time for me to participate as a coach at this kind of a camp. It is very interesting for m. I learned a lot only in these two days. I know that I will get a lot more information and I look forward to get them. Today it was the first time for me that I could coach a lot of good players from different countries and I really enjoyed it. The best thing here are the staffs. They are very professional and they teach us really a lot. They are patient, funny and they take care for all things.
by Maja Kersnik (Slovenia), coach
After a short night for the most of us we had breakfast at around 7 o’clock. Why did we stayed up long? Well, the coaches had to plan their 1. session for the players in small groups.
The 1. session started at 8:30. The coaches had a session from the staff and the staff gave training to the players. The coaches-session was really good, we had a lot of discussions and everybody was changing opinions. Sometimes there are problems with languages but we use everything we can to explain, that’s really funny. At the start we played English doubles with our court and its always Thomas (Cyprus) who has to be the jackass…. J
The 2. session was at 11:00, The staff gave the same session as we did in the morning to the players and we could help them. Whenever you feel save to go on court you can. So, most coaches where giving feedback. We all start to know each other a little so it’s easier to talk at laugh.
The 3. session was the first time that the coaches had to give training to the small groups of players. Everybody was well prepared and ready for the action. I was happy that I could finally work with the players because I hate paperwork. It was a good session and we also had some fun with the players. So, I’m looking forward to tomorrow.
There was no 4. session today because with did another activity, I went to join some players to play beach-volleyball. Really funny if you see some of the guys or girls hitting the ball. The coaches didn’t stay long because they had to prepared the next session, for some of us that’s means: first trying to make a planning because not everyone is on the same page. So after that we could start with searching for the exercises… long, long night.
Koen Verleyen (Belgium), coach
After a nice breakfast, we had a session with the staff about strokes under pressure. There I improved my knowledge about the grip on the backhand side. Afterwards we had to observe the staff teaching the same things to the players. If we wanted we could help with some feedback.
Unfortunately I missed the first half hour, as I went to town to buy an adapter for my charger, as I have a British-style charger. I thought I could make it on time but it was too far away. I felt bad about that because I really wanted to be as good as I could. But now I learned my lesson and I am always asking before I do something. So at 11.30 I came to the hall and I tried to catch up as much as I could and I think I did well, because I am feeling more comfortable with the players after the first couple of days.
Then for the first time I had to coach a small group under Kenn’s supervision. I tried to teach them the held clear and I think I did ok, but I need more confidence.
I enjoy every minute speaking with Kenn, as I think he knows almost everything and I try to be like a sponge when I am around him.
Then I played some football with some kids from another group from Austria and I got a cut in the foot, so I skipped the evening activities. I also planned the practise of Thursday and Friday with the other coaches of my group and Kenn. We had another very, very good talk with Kenn Where I got valuable information about planning the training for juniors and seniors.
After this I went to bed to get ready for a new day.
Thomas Anastasiades (Cyprus), coach
The 3rd day of BE Summer School was the first hard working-day for the coaches. After a short night, with a lot of planning and a lot of new information at the coaching education course in the morning, it was their turn to train the youngsters in small groups in the afternoon.
The players had also a lot of work as having training in the morning in large groups followed by the small group training with the coaches.
For the staff the work has changed, after planning the large group training and making the selection for the small groups (players & coaches) within the first two days, now especially in the afternoon and in the night they are here for the coaches to supervise them with planning and organizing their training.
In the evening the players and the coaches had the opportunity to get out of the sports hall and the planning room, to make some different sports outside (basketball, football, beach volleyball). As the weather forecast promises at least over 30 ° for the coming days, everybody will look forward to tomorrow, when there will be the possibility to go swimming.
by Tina Riedl (Austria), staff-coaches