(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 […]
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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 […]
Serve or Receive First in Doubles?
(by Larry Hodges) (Excerpt from Table Tennis Doubles for Champions by Larry Hodges. April is Doubles Month!) In both singles and doubles, I usually advise players to choose to receive first, if they win the choice at the start of the match. This is the time when a player is most likely to miss easy shots—he […]
How to Play Doubles with a Much Stronger or Weaker Player
(by Larry Hodges) (Excerpt from Table Tennis Doubles for Champions by Larry Hodges. April is Doubles Month!) What are the best tactics for a lopsided team, where one player is much stronger than the other? (This often happens in rating or mixed doubles.) Many believe that a more balanced team has an advantage over a more […]
Top Ten Things to Remember in Doubles
(by Larry Hodges) (Excerpt from Table Tennis Doubles for Champions by Larry Hodges. April is Doubles Month!) Signal serves. Let your partner know what’s coming! Sometimes the server’s partner signals the serves since he’s the one who has to follow them up. Typically, signal under the table by pointing a finger down for backspin, thumb up […]
What Makes a Great Doubles Partnership?
(by Larry Hodges) (Excerpt from Table Tennis Doubles for Champions by Larry Hodges. April is Doubles Month!) Here are ten components, not necessarily in order of importance. On a scale of 1 to 10, where do you and your partner(s) come in on these ten? Willingness to play as a team. Some players are simply unwilling […]
BREAKING NEWS: Fan Zhendong Joining MLTT Team
August 6, 2025
(by: Major League Table Tennis) BREAKING NEWS: Major League Table Tennis just added a new Fan. Fan Zhendong, the reigning Olympic gold medallist… Read More
Move Your Legs First, Not Your Arm
August 6, 2025
Half random rhythm exercises a few random balls Backhand topspin from Backhand to Backhand and 1 Forehand topspin… Read More
Kevin Doyle – Forehand Loop Pivot
August 5, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kevin Doyle is focus on his pivot to Forehand Loop https://youtu.be/27UOeGGrtUg… Read More
Random Balls to the Forehand & Backhand!?
August 4, 2025
Half random rhythm exercises 1 or 2 Backhand topspin to Backhand and 1 or 2 Forehand topspin to… Read More
The Thumb on the Backhand
August 4, 2025
(By Larry Hodges) The thumb is a key part of the backhand. It gives the shot the backing… Read More
Stuti Kashyap – Backhand Transition Looping
August 4, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Stuti Kashyap is working on her Backhand Loop Transition from… Read More
WTT Series Comes to Spokane
August 4, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) Spokane is set to become the epicenter of international table tennis this week. … Read More
WAB Club Feature: Citius Club
August 3, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins) The Citius Club at the Richmond Olympic Oval is just South of the Vancouver Airport… Read More
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