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

Geovanni Coello – Panamerican Masters Championship

March 3, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Geovanny Coello is in action as he wins the Panamerican… Read More

Open Versus Closed

March 2, 2026
Robot plays backspin to long Forehand, Logan plays Forehand topspin down the line, robot plays little topspin to… Read More

Play the Inner Forehand Against Backhand Players

March 2, 2026
By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame Many players with strong backhands cover the… Read More

Lingshaui Meng – Multi ball Backhand Blocking

March 2, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Lingshaui Meng is focusing on the Backhand Block using Multi-ball… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: RA Table Tennis Centre

March 1, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The RA Table Tennis Center is centrally located in Ottawa, just off of highway 19. … Read More

Top Ranked Players Win Singapore Smash

March 1, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The top players in the world converged this week in Singapore, and a… Read More

Final Four in Singapore: Chuqin, Lebrun, Yun-Ju, Moregard

February 28, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The top players in the world converged this week in Singapore, and on Sunday only… Read More

Maintain a Low Position

February 27, 2026
Robot plays long topspin balls to long Backhand, Logan plays Backhand chop block (Hack) off the bounce, robot… 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.