(by Larry Hodges) You can ask three coaches this question and get three different answers. Some say guard against the deep serve and react to the short one. Some say the opposite. Some say guard against both equally. Make that four different answers, because my answer is, “It depends.” I once coached a top player […]
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Leave Your Comfort Zone to Develop Strategically
(by Larry Hodges) Let’s get right to the point – you must lose to improve. Why? Because developing your game means adding new techniques. When you add these techniques, they won’t be developed yet, so they won’t be consistent nor will you be comfortable yet in using them. Most players have their “comfort zones.” If […]
The Surprise Test
(by Larry Hodges) When you miss a shot, how do you react? If your first reaction is anger or disgust, you are going about it all wrong. Yes, some top players do show anger or disgust when they miss a shot, but that’s usually a secondary reaction, one that hits them only after their first and […]
Hitting to the Same Spot Twice
(by Larry Hodges) It’s important to play to all three spots – wide forehand, wide backhand, and the middle (the mid-point between the opponent’s forehand and backhand, roughly their playing elbow). But often players inadvertently only play to two of them, and opponents, either consciously or (more often) subconsciously pick up on this and so […]
Down the Line Training
(by Larry Hodges) There are two reasons for practicing down-the-line shots. First, because in games you want to use the whole table so the opponent has to cover the whole table, and to do that you need to be able to play wide in both directions, crosscourt and down the line. Second, to quote USTT […]
What to Do in the First Game
(by Larry Hodges) The simple answer to this question, for most people, is obvious: WIN!. But there are really four things you should be doing in that first game. First, you want to force your game on your opponent. This means both finding ways to set up your shots and getting those shots going. If […]
Smother the Table When Blocking
(by Larry Hodges) The best advice I ever received about blocking was to think of it as “Smothering the table.” I don’t remember who told me this, but the advice really works. The point is that blocking should be a quick shot, and to do that, you have to stay close to the table, i.e. […]
Focus on Placement to Win and Increase Consistency
(by Larry Hodges) Placement is key to winning, in two ways. First, if you place the ball where your opponent is weakest, you put him in the weakest position possible. That’s obvious. Second, it’s not just picking the right placement, but placing it in the most extreme way. This is especially true when playing to […]
Shadow Practice for Fitness and Improvement
(by Larry Hodges) Many players use running to get in shape for table tennis and other activities, or simply for health reasons. There’s nothing wrong with that. But you get the same thing if you shadow practice your footwork for the same amount of time, plus you develop the footwork technique and the specific muscles […]
Forehand or Backhand Receive in Doubles
(by Larry Hodges) (Excerpt from Table Tennis Doubles for Champions by Larry Hodges. April is Doubles Month!) Historically, most players received with their forehands. This made it easier to forehand loop any serve that went even slightly long. (Some players, even back then, were better with backhand loops and so received backhand, but they were a […]
March Break: A Time for Rest Or High-Level Competition
April 11, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports/Jimmy Xu) For many students, March Break is a time to rest and recharge. However, for… Read More
Butterfly Training Tips with Bob Chen – After Serve Control and Backhand Attack Training
April 11, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Bob Chen is working on the combo of Serve, Short… Read More
This is It: Championship Week in Philly
April 10, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) History is Calling 📞 Who Will Take the Title? Championship Weekend is finally… Read More
Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights – 2024 US Open Amber Lin Finals Highlights
April 10, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights, Amber Lin explains her strategy in the Finals at… Read More
Jenson Van Emburgh’s Return to International Competitions
April 9, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) After an eight-month hiatus following the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, American para table tennis athlete… Read More
Lee Sangsu Makes History at the 2025 WTT Champions Incheon!
April 9, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) Congratulations to Lee Sangsu for becoming the first Korean player to reach the final of… Read More
Edmarie León Shines at the WTT Youth Contender Humacao
April 9, 2025
(by Edgardo Vázquez) The WTT Youth Contender Humacao 2025 was marked by the talent and determination of Edmarie… Read More
Butterfly Training Tips with Emily Tan – Forehand Pendulum Short and Long Serve
April 9, 2025
(by: Bowman Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Emily Tan is executing the Forehand Pendulum Short and Long… Read More
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