(by Larry Hodges) Everyone plays a little differently, and it’s important to play as many different players as possible. Some might think this is so you can learn to play every style, and there’s some truth to that. But that’s only for learning to play general styles – two-winged loopers, one-winged loopers, hitters, blockers, choppers, […]
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Five-Minute Rule
(by Larry Hodges) Nobody likes losing. (If you do, Dumb Ways to Lose might help.) There are always those players who smile immediately after losing, but usually that’s either hiding an inferno on the inside, or it was against a much stronger player where they simply enjoyed the opportunity. The reality is that losing a […]
Forehand Back Foot Placement
(by Larry Hodges) When you first start out, players are taught to move the back foot backwards for forehands. (This would be the right foot for righties, the left for lefties.) This makes it easy to backswing and opens up a larger hitting zone from the side. Historically, this is how forehands were taught. However, […]
Consistent Rallying Pace
(by Larry Hodges) One of the toughest things is convincing developing and even advanced players to slow down for consistency. Too often they want to play at a rat-a-tat superspeed, believing that the way to develop fast rallying speed is to practice using full speed before they can control it, and that consistency will eventually […]
See Things from Opponent’s Point of View
(by Larry Hodges) One of the hardest things for players and coaches to do is see things from the opponent’s point of view. They think about what they want to do, and about tactically playing into specific weaknesses of the opponent. But they aren’t really seeing things as the opponent sees it. It’s easy for […]
Coaching Tips of the Week: Stepping Versus Lunging
(by Larry Hodges) Many players reflexively reach for the ball when caught out of position. This means leaning toward the ball, with your weight on the foot in the direction you are trying to move – and so you can no longer move in that direction! And so, rather than move into position you are […]
Accelerate Through the Ball for Power
(by Larry Hodges) Mike Tyson once said, “I tried to punch his nose bone into his brain.” That’s a rather graphic way of showing how to maximize power as well as killer instinct. (That’s a separate issue.) But it is one of the reasons why he had such power. In boxing, they tell you to […]
Random Drills Placement
(by Larry Hodges) In the standard random drill, one player (the “feeder”) plays backhand (or forehand) randomly anywhere while the other player (the “driller”) keeps it to his backhand (or forehand). There are really two things going on here, as both players are actually doing a drill. For the “driller,” he’s reacting to (“neuromuscular adaptation”), […]
Hardbat, Sandpaper, and Wood, Oh My! Three Huge All-Classic Tournaments Coming Soon
The Frontón México playing hall in Mexico City. Inset: Hardbat star AJ Carney (by Larry Hodges) Mark three dates on your calendar and make your plans for Austin, Westchester, and Mexico City . . . and leave the sponge behind! Yes, it’s the US Classic Nationals, US Hardbat and Sandpaper Championships, and the Classic World […]
Solving Slow Starter Syndrome
(by Larry Hodges) A common problem for many players is starting slow. Often they have a bad loss or two before they get going, and from there on they play well – but it’s too late for that tournament. And this happens over and over. I struggled with it for many years as well – […]
Stay Lower
June 23, 2025
Forehand topspin against backspin that comes half long to Forehand – aim to Backhand (imagine 2nd ball bounce… Read More
Mental Training Tip – Finding Your Champion Mindset: Lessons from Hugo Calderano’s Historic Victory
June 23, 2025
(by Dr. Alan Chu, Ph.D., CMPC) When Hugo Calderano stepped onto the court for the 2025 ITTF Men’s… Read More
MLTT Featured Team: Portland Paddlers
June 23, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Portland Paddlers are navigating the current of the West Division of the… Read More
WTT Star Contender Ljubijana: Calderano Wins Again
June 23, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Hugo Calderano has done it again – winning the WTT Star Contender Series… Read More
Calderano, Jorgic, and both Lebruns reach Semis in Slovenia
June 23, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Top seeded Hugo Calderano met stiff competition at the WTT Star Contender Series event in… Read More
WAB CLUB FEATURE: Bridgeport Sports Club
June 23, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) At over 14,000 square feet, the Bridgeport Sports Club one of the largest table tennis… Read More
How to Anticipate Opponent’s Placement
June 23, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Players with great reflexes don’t have great reflexes. There, I’ve said it, and you probably… Read More
Product Validation: The Dignics Line
June 21, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Product Validation, Brian Pace explains the classic Dignics Line https://youtu.be/kdLpK-QbZlg Stay “In The… Read More
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