Sponsored by Mecano Sports, presented by Caliente.mx, sanctioned by ICTTF (by Larry Hodges, photo by Larry Hodges: “Jungang Huang of China right after his win over Andrew Baggaley in the Sandpaper Open Quarterfinals) Play began at 8:15AM on Thursday, Jan. 4. There were 75 players competing in 15 groups of five, with two tables for […]
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ICTTF and the Internationalization of Ping Pong
Posted onSponsored by Mecano Sports, presented by Caliente.mx, sanctioned by ICTTF (by Larry Hodges, photo: “The historic first meeting of the ICTTF”) The first Ping Pong World Cup starts tomorrow (Jan. 4-6, 2024), in Mexico City, with events for all three major classic surfaces – hardbat, sandpaper, and plain wood. Events include Open Singles for all three, and Women, Over 55, and Under 18 for […]
Micky “Miky” Huidobro – Rocking with Pong
Posted onSponsored by Mecano Sports, presented by Caliente.mx, sanctioned by ICTTF (by Larry Hodges, PHOTO ABOVE Miky Huidobro on right – with beard – discussing TT issues with Director Steve Claflin in front of the Big Board, as Mike Babuin puts up results on left. Photos by Larry Hodges.) How did Micky “Miky” Huidobro – a […]
Mike Babuin and the US Classic Association
Posted onSponsored by Mecano Sports, presented by Caliente.mx, sanctioned by ICTTF (by Larry Hodges) Mike loves playing sandpaper table tennis. In fact, he’s off to the Philippines in two weeks to play in a “Liha” sandpaper tournament, just for fun. But it’s as an administrator that he would have a world-class rating. He was on the […]
$36,000 Mecano Sports Ping Pong World Cup – PREVIEW
Posted on(by Larry Hodges) Hardbat and Sandpaper and Wood, Oh My! That’s what’s coming up in Mexico City, Jan. 4-6, 2024 – the $36,000 Ping Pong World Cup. That’s no typo – $36,000 in American dollars, over 600,000 pesos. (That’s a lot of money for the game of ping pong!) Here is the entry form, with […]
Are You Too Backhand Oriented?
Posted on(by Larry Hodges) A common problem for players at all levels is being too backhand oriented. Backhand orientation (BO for short) means that you favor your backhand too much over your forehand, and try to cover too much of the table with the backhand. Some players are better on the backhand, and so should cover […]
Why Aren’t You Pushing Heavy?
Posted on(by Larry Hodges) It never ceases to amaze me at how many players push serves back safely, essentially patting it back, perhaps with good backspin, and then mentally pat themselves on the back for making this excellent return. And this works . . . at lower levels. But why put good backspin on the ball when […]
Fake-outs
Posted on(by Larry Hodges) I’ve always thought this is one of the most underused techniques in table tennis. Most players simply do whatever it seems they are going to do. And opponents see what they are doing and have little trouble reacting to it. How boringly simple that is! Instead, why not fake one thing, then […]
Forcing or Adjusting Your Game
Posted on(by Larry Hodges) I once read an article that compared the tactical approach of Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, two of the greatest tennis players of all time. Federer tended to adjust his game against different opponents, while Sampras tended to forced opponents to adjust to his. Both approaches work, in both tennis and table […]
Are You Maximizing Your Angles?
Posted on(by Larry Hodges) Most players who play the crosscourt corners do exactly that – they play the crosscourt corners. And that’s where many or most of your attacks should go, as they give the most table when hitting crosscourt. However, when looping (where the topspin pulls the ball down so you need less table), against […]
Shashin Shodhan Amicus Training Series – Loop Transition
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(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Amicus Training Series, Shashin Shodhan is executing a Loop Sequence and Footwork Drill… Read More
Angel Naranjo – Reverse Pendulum Serve
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(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Angel Naranjo is demonstrating the Reverse Pendulum Serve to the… Read More
Harimoto and Hayata Win in Frankfurt
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(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Germany's Patrick Franziska gave hope to Germany fans with his heroics, but ultimately… Read More
Playing Lefties
November 9, 2026
(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame) The problem with playing lefties is two-fold:… Read More
Butterfly Players Hold Both World No. 1 Spots
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(by Steve Hopkins) Butterfly has signed Wang Manyu of China, and the timing couldn't be better. Butterfly players… Read More
WAB CLUB FEATURE: Central Florida Table Tennis Club
November 6, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) Located on South Orange Blossom Trail, just south of downtown Orlando, Central Florida Table Tennis… Read More
3 Germans and 3 Japanese reach Quarters in Frankfurt
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(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The top two seeds avoided early upsets as both Matsushima and Harimoto reach… Read More
Yu Di – Forehand Loop Timing
November 5, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Yu Di is demonstrating exact dynamics of the timing of… Read More
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