Site Products
How to Make Your Strengths Stronger with Serve and Receive

Coaching Tip of the Week: Don’t “Guide” Your Loop

Posted on

(By Larry Hodges)

Many players, when learning to loop or when under pressure, try to guide the shot consciously. This is a mistake and leads to a weak and erratic loop. Instead, let the shot go, accelerating smoothly through the shot. Don’t try to “muscle” it – that just leads to spastic shots and a loss of control. Watch how the top players do it almost effortlessly, and with enough practice, you’ll be able to do it. When you miss, adjust the shot on your next shot, and again let it go. If you still have trouble, there are two simple remedies: get a coach or copy the top players. And table tennis is a sport where you can absorb by watching – when you do so, your subconscious picks up on it, and can do a surprisingly good job of copying what it sees. One huge key – once you start looping competently, remember the feel of the shot – the entire stroke, from start through contact – and then just repeat. It’s as simple as that!!!

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

Through the Eyes of Our Coaches & Players: By Satya Aspathi Pan American Journey

July 16, 2026
(by Satya Aspathi / Butterfly Americas) Last August at the Pan American Junior Games, I experienced how quickly… Read More

Arantxa Cossio Aceves – Forehand & Backhand Loop from underspin

July 16, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips,  Arantxa Cossio Aceves is executing an Opening Loop, followed by… Read More

Tiana Piyadasa – Backhand Smash

July 15, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Tiana Piyadasa is executing full table random https://youtu.be/4s6EjFElfGs Stay “In The… Read More

The Value of Down the Line

July 13, 2026
(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame Crosscourt. It's so much easier to hit… Read More

Geovanny Coello – Gameplay Sequencing

July 13, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights, Geovanny Coello is in action a the World Veteran's… Read More

2026 US Nationals Recap

July 12, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) When action began on July 3rd in San Jose for this rendition of the US… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: True North Table Tennis

July 12, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) True North Table Tennis Centre is located in Scarborough Ontario, a suburb just North of… Read More

Serving as Head Coach for Puerto Rico’s U11 and U13 National Teams By Carlos Gracia

July 12, 2026
(By Coach Carlos Gracia) Serving as the Head of the Puerto Rico U11 and U13 National Team delegation… 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.