(by Larry Hodges) That is the question, and whether you’re Ma Long or Hamlet, you have to decide. Back when I started out, the answer was easier – except at higher levels, you mostly looped against backspin, and (except at higher levels) mostly hit against topspin or blocks, though there were plenty of forehand loopers, […]

(by Larry Hodges) We’ve all done it – faced with attacking a heavy backspin, often deep on the table, you get nervous and try to weakly topspin it up, and it goes right into the net, plop. Often players get frustrated by this heavy backspin, saying or thinking, “It’s too heavy! I can’t lift it!” […]

(by Larry Hodges) How many years have you played before noticing that “Table Tennis” is just an anagram of “Nine Battles”? And it’s applicable to our sport. Here’s my list of the nine biggest opponents you battle with in a match. Your assignment is to think about each and figure out how best to deal […]

(by Larry Hodges) Over the many decades I’ve watched and learned about this sport, there are certain trends I see that stick out. This is one of the simplest, often the difference between fast-improving players and those who just stare at their rackets in frustration after missing a shot and continue to do so the […]