Coaching Tip of the Week Page 3 of 22 Butterfly Online | Butterfly Table Tennis & Ping Pong Equipment

Coaching Tip of the Week – Outcome Versus Process

January 3, 2022

(By Larry Hodges) These are not the same thing. Suppose it’s deuce in the fifth, and you make two awkward, weak returns that hit the edge. You’ve won!!! You are so happy. But the shots you did were not good. You should be happy about the outcome, but unhappy with the process. Now supposed at […]

Coaching Tip of the week: Equally Comfortable Attacking or Defending

December 27, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) Many players tend to strongly favor either offense or defense. Even at higher levels, many players are very comfortable attacking, but get very uncomfortable and inconsistent when the opponent attacks first. At lower levels, it’s often the reverse, where they are most comfortable pushing and blocking, and hoping the opponent misses. One […]

Coaching Tip of the week: If You Play to Not Lose, You Are Playing to Lose

December 20, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) This is a simple one. When a player has a good lead or is playing a seemingly weaker player, they often play to “not lose.” This means lowering their own level of play, since they are no longer doing what they normally do. They are literally abandoning whatever gave them that lead […]

Coaching Tip of the week: How Attacking the Middle is Different and Often Better Than Attacking the Corners

December 13, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) I’ve written tips on attacking the middle, but it can’t be overemphasized how important this is. It’s likely the most under-used rallying tactic at the intermediate and even advanced intermediate level. Advanced players don’t have this problem – it’s usually their go-to spot. What are the advantages of attacking the middle? If […]

Coaching Tip of the week: Bring Proper Equipment and Supplies

December 6, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) You’ve practiced, you’ve worked with a coach, you’ve done physical training, you’ve done mental training… you’re ready for the tournament. What could go wrong? Let’s see . . . the floor’s slippery, so you can’t move… it’s humid, so the ball is sliding off the racket . . . and the only […]

Coaching Tip of the week: How to Get Lucky

November 29, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) Few things are more frustrating than losing a match because the other guy got a bunch of “lucky” nets and edges. And yes, each of those nets and edges were lucky – individually. But in the long run, certain styles or tactics lead to such “luck.” So, how can you get lucky? […]

Coaching Tip of the Week – How to Fix a Weakness in Your Game

November 22, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) Do you have weaknesses in your game, ones that often cost you a match? Of course you do! Everyone does, since weaknesses are relative to your level, and so the weakest parts of your game are the weaknesses in your game. (If you improve a weakness to the point where it is […]

Coaching Tip of the Week – Don’t Give a Quick Player Too Many Short Balls

November 15, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) If your opponent is quicker than you, than the last thing you want to do is let him rush you. If you put the ball short over the table, then your quick opponent will be able to hit very quickly at wide angles. So keep most shots deep against quick opponents to […]

Coaching Tip of the Week – Relentlessly Reliable Receives with Systematic Practice

November 9, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) “If it weren’t for your serves, I’d have won.” How many times have you heard or said or thought that? Receive is seemingly everyone’s weakness. But it shouldn’t. The primary reason why so many people have weak receives is because they don’t systematically practice it. If you want to develop your forehand, […]

Coaching Tip of the Week – Use Practice Matches to Practice

November 8, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) Exactly as the heading says – this is the time to try out new things, develop new techniques, and improve your game. If a player has trouble looping, for example, many will fall back on more successful shots in practice – and so continue to have trouble looping. Instead, use those very […]