(By Larry Hodges)  Many think that, at the end of a close game, they should change their tactics because of the score. I remember one player assuring me that, “When it’s close, everyone knows you should play safe.” When I asked him why that would be the right tactic, he said, “If you play safe, […]

(By Larry Hodges)  If you can’t do it in your sleep, you can’t do it consistently in a match. Practice everything in your game, but focus on your strengths and weaknesses. Remove the weaknesses and turn the strengths into overpowering ones. At the higher levels, if you can see it, loop it; if you can’t […]

(By Larry Hodges) One of the toughest things to make a habit of in a match is attacking the middle. (That’s the midpoint between backhand and forehand, roughly the playing elbow.) There are two primary reasons for this. First, it’s a smaller and moving target than the corners, which are easier to attack. But there’s […]

Tip of the week: Proper Forehand Technique – Circling and From Side By (Larry Hodges) Here’s a video (3:56) of all-time great Ma Long looping forehand, including slow motion. (It starts with one backhand loop – which you should also study! – and then goes to forehands.) Note in the video how he basically rotates his […]