(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame)
I like to divide tactics into five levels. First, think of your game and your opponent’s game as a combination of strengths, average aspects, and weaknesses. Then there are nine possible combinations, divided into the five tactical levels.
Level 2 tactics
- Your strengths against opponent’s weaknesses
Level 1 tactics
- Your strengths against opponent’s average
- Your average against opponent’s weaknesses
Level 0 tactics
- Your strengths against opponent’s strengths
- Your average against opponent’s average
- Your weaknesses against opponent’s weaknesses
Level -1 tactics
- Your average against opponent’s strengths
- Your weaknesses against opponent’s average
Level -2 tactics
- Your weaknesses against opponent’s strengths
Next time you play a practice match, why not analyze your game and your opponents, and the tactics you use, and see what level tactics you are using? Are your tactics positive, or are you falling into negative territory?
A member of the USATT Hall of Fame, Larry has received numerous honors, including USATT Developmental Coach of the Year, the President’s Award, Coach of the Year, and the Lifetime Achievement Award. A USATT National Coach, he has directed more than 200 sanctioned tournaments, coached at over 100 training camps, and published thousands of articles on table tennis. He holds a master’s degree in journalism and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Maryland.
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