(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 […]
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Sandpaper Open at the US Classic Nationals
(by Larry Hodges) Before we get to the last event of the US Classic Nationals, the Sandpaper Open, let’s take a moment to thank those who helped put the event together. · Special thanks goes to Tournament Director Steve Claflin, who put it all together. · Umpire Ning Cheng worked long hours, umpiring all the […]
Hardbat Women, Seniors, and Juniors at the US Classic Nationals
(by Larry Hodges) PHOTO: Action at the Austin Table Tennis Club, host of the 2023 US Classic Nationals. Junior Champion Bryce Milford on near right. Photo by Larry Hodges. Along with Hardbat and Sandpaper Open events here at the Classic Nationals at the Austin Table Tennis Club, there were three other events – Women, Seniors […]
Hardbat Open at the Classic Nationals
(by Larry Hodges) Twenty-five players took the plunge and played in the Hardbat Open event. With top-seeded Jimmy Butler seeded out, there were four groups of six, with the top two advancing. In the round robins, matches were best of five to 11. In the single elimination stage, it switched to best of three to […]
Sara Gulabani: the Batgirl and Batwoman of Hardbat
(by Larry Hodges) In an earlier article, I called AJ Carney and student Bryce Milford the Batman and Robin of table tennis. But AJ has another student, and she’s doubled-up on both – she’s Batgirl AND Batwoman! Sara Gulabani, 17, easily won Hardbat Women here at the Classic Nationals at the host Austin Table Tennis […]
Jian Zhuang – From Penhold to Shakehand to Champion
(by Larry Hodges, Photo Credit: Steve Claflin) Jian Zhuang, 65, started playing table tennis in Shanghai, China. He played in school and through college, but said he never really trained seriously at that time. In 1988 he came to the US as a graduate exchange student in electrical engineering. He spent about 25 years as […]
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 […]
Active Feet on Receive
(by Larry Hodges) Watch a top player when he’s about to receive, either live or, better still, on video so you can replay or even do slow motion. While players often have some differences in their stances and how they move, most have two things in common. First, they start out low. Second, as the […]
Total Confidence
(by Larry Hodges) In table tennis and other sports, your subconscious is trained in a training environment, where there’s no pressure and so players can relax and just drill their shots or play practice points. With no pressure, there’s little hesitation or rushing of shots. If one of those happens, the player or coach makes […]
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