Site Products
Tip of the week: Always Think of a Loop as a Set-up Shot

Tip of the week: Always Think of a Loop as a Set-up Shot

(By Larry Hodges)
Tip of the week: Always Think of a Loop as a Set-up Shot
Many players, when they get a chance to loop hard, think of it as a put-away shot. And often it is. However, this can cause problems since sometimes they do come back, especially when you face stronger players. There’s a simple way of looking at it. If it doesn’t come back, you don’t have to worry about it, so assume it will come back, and prepare for that. So always think of a loop as a set-up shot for the next shot, which is where you might look to put the ball away – and that shot, while often a put-away, should also be thought of as a set-up shot. This doesn’t mean you don’t try to loop a weak ball with enough speed and placement (that’s key) to end the point, but after you loop it away, you should expect it to come back, and be ready to follow up.

Here’s a good exercise. When you play a practice match, when you see a ball you can loop away, take 10% off your speed, but focus 100% on placement – often to the middle (playing elbow, midway between forehand and backhand), or a wide angle if it’s open, where you try to win the point or force a weak return because of the placement. The opponent will have to move out of position to return the shot, and if he does return it – assume he will! – then you end the point to the part of the table he either left open, or leaves open in attempting to cover the part he left open. Or just go at the middle again.

For full article, please click here

Latest News

Jacob Kordus – Backhand Loop Forehand Pivot

September 4, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Jacob Kordus  is executing Two Backhand Loop, then a Pivot and… Read More

Where Should I Aim?

September 3, 2025
Robot plays 1 topspin in Forehand middle and 1 ball in Backhand middle. Jhon plays Forehand topspin from… Read More

Simeon Martin – Short Push Variation

September 3, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Simeon Martin is demonstrating a drill that will improve the… Read More

Geovanni Coello – Short Game to Open Play

September 2, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Geovanny Coello is working with his student on executing a… Read More

MLTT is back in less than a week!

September 2, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) Opening Week Is Around the Corner — Sep 5–7 It’s been months in the… Read More

That One Good Block

September 2, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) The stronger the player, the more predictable their attacking shots tend to be. Why? Because… Read More

Contact the Ball Earlier

September 1, 2025
Robot plays short backspin to Backhand, Jhon Backhand push to long Backhand, robot plays very spinny topspin to… Read More

Jonathan Pino – Falkenburg

September 1, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Jonathan Pino is executing the Falkenburg Drill https://youtu.be/BRcvQsyegPo Stay “In 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.