(by Larry Hodges) Here are six scenarios when serving short. You should incorporate these into your own serving game and learn to follow them up with strong attacks. For these scenarios, I’m assuming your forehand loop is stronger than your backhand loop, and so you’d want to favor it when possible. If you prefer to […]
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To Hit or to Loop?
(by Larry Hodges) That is the question, and whether you’re Ma Long or Hamlet, you have to decide. Back when I started out, the answer was easier – except at higher levels, you mostly looped against backspin, and (except at higher levels) mostly hit against topspin or blocks, though there were plenty of forehand loopers, […]
Top Ten Table Tennis Tournament Travel Tips
(by Larry Hodges) Some of these are table tennis specific, others are more general – but they are all tips for travel to table tennis events. (Some are things you should do in advance of the tournament to help prepare.) Keep necessary stuff in carry-on bag when flying. Bags sometimes get lost. So try to […]
The “No Net” Rule Against Heavy Backspin
(by Larry Hodges) We’ve all done it – faced with attacking a heavy backspin, often deep on the table, you get nervous and try to weakly topspin it up, and it goes right into the net, plop. Often players get frustrated by this heavy backspin, saying or thinking, “It’s too heavy! I can’t lift it!” […]
Tactical Confidence
(by Larry Hodges) I’ve seen coaches give tactical advice that wasn’t particularly helpful in itself. And yet, it often paid off with the player confidently executing the so-so tactics – and winning. Why? Because it’s not always the tactics. Given confidently, these tactics, whether good or not, gives the player a plan, and that inspires […]
Nine Battles
(by Larry Hodges) How many years have you played before noticing that “Table Tennis” is just an anagram of “Nine Battles”? And it’s applicable to our sport. Here’s my list of the nine biggest opponents you battle with in a match. Your assignment is to think about each and figure out how best to deal […]
The Value of a Good Stiff Push
(by Larry Hodges) I once watched video of a top junior who’d just lost a close five-game match. He’s normally an aggressive player, but has a good, stiff push that often catches opponents off guard. He’s also comfortable blocking, so he can get away with letting the opponent attack first as long as he’s not […]
Shadow Replay
(by Larry Hodges) Over the many decades I’ve watched and learned about this sport, there are certain trends I see that stick out. This is one of the simplest, often the difference between fast-improving players and those who just stare at their rackets in frustration after missing a shot and continue to do so the […]
Bryce Milford – Going After Batman
(by Larry Hodges) With a name like Bryce – you know, that superfast sponge from Butterfly – you’d think he’d be an all-out looper, like the overwhelming majority of top players. But no – he never loops, he just hits. And he’s the US Nationals and World Junior Champion. With hardbat that is. Yes, Bryce […]
Hardbat Clinic at the Classic Nationals
(by Larry Hodges, Photo Credit: Steve Claflin) On Friday night, Aug. 11, I ran a free hardbat clinic for players here at the Classic Table Tennis Nationals at the Austin TTC, Aug. 11-12. Twelve players participated. Cesar Serna assisted as my practice partner – he’s seeded #6 here in Open Hardbat with a 2201 hardbat […]
Don’t Hang Out
July 21, 2025
Robot will play RANDOM top spin balls to 2/3 of the table (Forehand), only Forehand topspin to Backhand… Read More
#4 Heavy Pushes that don’t let the opponent take the initiative (final episode)
July 21, 2025
Feature] [Special feature] America’s star! Jha’s strong points #4 Short Pushes that don’t let the opponent take the… Read More
Three Things You Want To Do In The First Game
July 21, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Establish your game. For example, if you have a strong third-ball attack, such as short… Read More
Kevin Doyle – Counterloop Variation
July 21, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kevin Doyle https://youtu.be/wBDNHVdu33w Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis… Read More
Major League Table Tennis: New Rules for a New Season
July 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) As Major League Table Tennis (MLTT) prepares to launch its third season this September, the league… Read More
WAB CLUB FEATURE: Canadian Elite Table Tennis Training Centre
July 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The Canadian Elite Table Tennis Training Centre (“the Centre” or “Elite”) is a table tennis club… Read More
Latest Rankings
July 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Despite some surprises at the United States Smash, the World Rankings saw very little changes… Read More
European Youth Championships
July 20, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Ostrava, Czech Republic is host to this year’s European Youth Championships. In the… Read More
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