Site Products
Larry Hodges

Coaching Tip of the Week – The Seven Links of Table Tennis

(By Larry Hodges)

There have been numerous discussions over the years over what is the most important part of table tennis. Many say the serve, or receive, or the forehand, or footwork, or consistency, or tactics, or mental strength, and so on. Of course, many of these discussions are like arguing which link in a chain is most important! Also, many of the aspects are related. For example, having a good forehand isn’t so helpful if you don’t have serves, receives, footwork, and tactics to get that forehand into play.

Here are the seven links of table tennis that pretty much covers it all. Note that things like tactics, mental strength, footwork, etc., are all parts of these, but spread over multiple parts. One strength or weakness can lead to strengths or weaknesses in multiple links.

Serve. Every point starts with it. Many call it the most important aspect, often the least practiced. It’s primary purpose is to set up the best part of your game, usually some sort of attack.

Receive. Perhaps the weakest part of most player’s games. How often do you really practice it, other than in actual games? The receive can focus on consistency (so make few mistakes, but often give the server the initiative); neutrality (make a few more mistakes, but get into a neutral rally); or aggressive (make more mistakes, but take the initiative). You should be able to do all three of these.

Pushing. How many rallies start, usually until someone finds a ball to effectively attack. They can be both long or short pushes.

First attack. Both players should be looking for this, even defensive players if the opponent doesn’t force the attack. The key is the first attack has to be both consistent and effective, and well-placed.

Defense or Counter-Attack. How you handle the opponent’s attack. Blocking is the most common method, but also soft counterlooping, fishing, lobbing, and chopping. Or you can deal with the opponent’s attack by counter-attacking with aggressive blocks, counter-hits, or counterloops. Many up-and-coming players develop strong attacks but fall apart when the opponent attacks first. If you want to be good, you need to be comfortable whether you or your opponent attacks first.

Continued attack. How you continue your attack after the first one, often against an opponent’s block. Consistency and placement are key until you get the right one to end the point.

Putaways. Ending the point!!! Smashes and loop-kills.

So, how strong are you in each of these links? A chain is only as strong as its weakest link! (That’s not technically true in table tennis, of course – a player may get away without a strong putaway, for example, if he has a strong continued attack. But if you are weak in any of the above, it weakens your game.)

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

Playing Kids

July 8, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) Let’s face it; they’re probably faster than you. They might have a coach working with… Read More

#2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down The Line

July 7, 2025
[[Feature] [Special Feature] American Stars! Jha’s Strengths #2 A Skill That Is Likely To Score – Backhand Down… Read More

United States Smash: Tight Scores and a Big Upset in Early Action

July 7, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Action is underway in the main round of the United States Smash, the… Read More

MLTT Featured Team: Bay Area Blasters

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) The Bay Area Blasters plan to blast through the upcoming Major League Table… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) Established in 2002, Calgary United Sports Table Tennis Association (CUSTTA) is Alberta’s largest Table Tennis… Read More

Butterfly Players Shine at the 2025 US National Table Tennis Championships

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) The 2025 U.S. National Table Tennis Championships is one of the premiere annual… Read More

US Nationals Recap

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) The US National Table Tennis Championships is in the books.  One of America’s premiere events… Read More

United States Smash: Qualifiers are Finished and the Main Draw Begins Today

July 6, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Americans made waves in the qualifying rounds of the United States Smash, the… 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.