Site Products
Larry Hodges: MDTTC Coach & Butterfly Writer

Coaching Tip of the Week: A Trick to Beat a Tricky Pusher

(By Larry Hodges)

Some players have very accurate pushes, and will push very wide to your backhand over and over – unless they see you stepping around, or even hedging that way. That’s when they push to your wide forehand and catch you off guard. Let’s say your forehand loop is stronger than your backhand loop, but your pushing opponent isn’t giving you the chance to use it. Here’s a simple trick: Serve backspin or push to the pusher’s backhand. Then take a step to your left with your left leg (for right-handers). As the pusher is about to push, step back into position. You’ll be amazed at how many pushes you’ll get right into your forehand, where you are now ready and waiting! The pusher saw your fake “step around,” and changed directions – but you were one step ahead of him! (I call this the “Hokey Pokey” tactic: “You put your left foot out, you put your left foot in, you put your right foot out and you loop a forehand in, you do the Hokey-Pokey as you celebrate your win, that’s what it’s all about!” Lefties reverse, and if you haven’t heard of the Hokey-Pokey, Youtube is your friend. I first devised this tactic many decades ago as an up-and-coming player when trying to figure out how to beat USATT Hall of Famer and master pusher Jim McQueen.)

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

Product Validation – Timo Boll Post Career Set up

July 26, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Product Validation, Brian Pace shows you what Timo Boll’s Set-up is after… Read More

Laurent Jutras-Vigneault and Natalie Chan Win Canadian Junior Titles

July 26, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo TTCanada) The Canadian Nationals are split into two events with the senior event first… Read More

Edward Ly and Mo Zhang Biggest Winners at Canadian Senior Championships

July 25, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Richmond’s Olympic Oval in British Columbia was host to the 2025 Canadian Senior Table Tennis… Read More

Incorporating the Wait Function

July 25, 2025
WAIT FUNCTION: 1 short side spin serve, robot will play 5 random top spin balls anywhere on the… Read More

Play 60% of Your Maximum Power

July 23, 2025
Robot will play RANDOM top spin balls anywhere on the table, either Forehand topspin or Backhand topspin to… Read More

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
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.