February | 2021 |

Ask The Experts: Jishan Liang, No. 379

February 28, 2021

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer Question: I’m a lefty, who gets attacked a lot with high arch loops to my backhand side. I am not able to step around to my forehand side. So I end up making a weak return with my backhand that either goes off the table or easy for the […]

Welsh Junior to Talk Climate with President Biden

February 27, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins, photo from prideofsportawards) At age 14, Welsh junior table tennis champion, Anna Hursey, is already making international waves. She was recognized last year by the UN last year as a Young Champion and included in the UN Climate Change initiative that uses sport to help get the message out. Hursey speaks English […]

Butterfly Favorite – PongNow: David Zhuang

February 26, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) This installment of the PongNow interview series was originally posted last September. This edition features David Zhuang, one of the most decorated American table tennis players of a generation. He is an Olympian, a 6-time National Champion, and a Hall of Fame Member. David’s club is featured this week at ButterflyOnline.com – WAB […]

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Princeton Pong

February 26, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) Princeton Pong’s 10,000 square foot table tennis facility is in Princeton Junction, New Jersey. They are located between Philadelphia and New York City – centered in one of the largest population centers in the United States. The elite facility features 14 professional tables, custom sport flooring, high ceilings, great lighting, a player’s […]

Ask The Experts: Hui Wang No. 378

February 26, 2021

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer Question: I want to upgrade my blade. I’m looking for a set up that will give me a good combination of ball feel and spin, speed and control. My decision is between the Timo Boll ALC and the Jun Mizutani ZLC. I also don’t want something that’s too stiff […]

WTT’s Doha Event Rosters Suffer Due to COVID-19

February 24, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The first ITTF events of 2021 are slated to start this week in Doha. The “Middle East Hub” is a series of four events that begin with the WTT Contender Event on February 28, then the WTT Star Contender Event on March 5, then the World Singles Qualification Tournament on March 14, […]

CFTTC Monthly Cash Tournament – Thursday, February 25

February 24, 2021

(By Cape Fear Table Tennis Club) Greetings! Just wanted to remind you that Thursday night (February 25) is the night of our next monthly cash tournament! The cost to enter is $20 – must be in cash. Please see the attached flyer for details. Congrats to Itziar Rios, Kenai Rios, and Riley Yost who qualified […]

German League: Regular Season Finale Preview

February 23, 2021

(by Steve Hopkins) The top three positions are locked up with Borussia Dusseldorf entering the 4-team playoff as the top seed, and Saarbrucken and Ochsenhausen will be matched up against each other as second and third seeds – though it is not yet certain which team will be the higher seed. The fourth seed remains […]

Ask The Experts: Liu Juan, No. 377

February 23, 2021

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer Question: I play with the Chinese pen hold grip. My play style consists of spin serves and defensive front runner with the back side being my smashing rubber. What would you recommend to increase the spin with a good balance of control for the front and power and control […]

Coaching Tip of the Week: Rote vs. Random Drills

February 22, 2021

(By Larry Hodges) A rote drill is a drill where you do the same repetitive movement over and over. An example of this is forehand to forehand, or a side-to-side footwork drill. These are excellent for developing specific techniques you will need in a match. A random drill is a drill where there is some […]