Site Products
Most players go through the following sequence during each shot of a rally:

Coaching Tip of the Week: Move Like a Pro

(By Larry Hodges)

Most players go through the following sequence during each shot of a rally:

  1. Opponent is about to strike ball.
  2. Opponent strikes ball.
  3. Player sees incoming ball.
  4. Player decides if he has to move.
  5. Player moves.
  6. He’s slow to get to the ball and complains he’s too slow.

Top players go through the following routine:

  1. As opponent is about to strike ball, player flexes knees and prepares to move.
  2. Player sees direction of opponent’s swing and sees where it’s going before contact.
  3. Player begins to move into position.
  4. Opponent strikes ball.
  5. Player finishes moving into position.
  6. Player is in position, with lots of time to spare.

As you can see, the second sequence is much quicker. The three key points to remember are these:

  • Before your opponent hits the ball, flex your knees. This prepares you to move quickly.
  • Watch the direction of opponent’s swing and learn to move as soon as he’s committed to a direction, before contact.
  • Assume you always have to move.

If you follow these three tips and the “top players routine,” you’ll be in position far more quickly than before. Foot speed helps, but the real secret is technique.

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.

Latest News

 Focus on the Left Stomach Muscle

October 8, 2025
(by Bowmar Sports) Serve, Short game and attack with Wait function: Jhon serves short backspin, robot plays short… Read More

Hong Lin – Reversed Penhold Backhand Flip

October 8, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In the Butterfly Training Tips, Hong Lin is executing the Reversed Penhold Backhand Flip from… Read More

Kou Lei – FH & BH Attacks Speedplay

October 7, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kou Lei is working with a young player on Forehand… Read More

Tip of the Week – Nullify Opponent’s Biggest Threat

October 6, 2025
By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame, www.tabletenniscoaching.com/blog What does your opponent do that… Read More

Taiwo Adeyinka – Atlanta Open

October 6, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips,  Taiwo Adeyinka is in action at the Atlanta Open https://youtu.be/GnVWdEKsAcw… Read More

MLTT Week 3 Recap: Portland Paddlers Shine at Home

October 5, 2025
(By Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) Major League Table Tennis brought its high-octane  format to the Pacific Northwest this… Read More

Bremen Takes Over First in the German League

October 5, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo TTBL) Five weeks in to the new season of the German Professional League (TTBL),… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Genesee Valley Table Tennis Club

October 5, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins) With their location just South of central Rochester along Hwy 390, the Genesee Valley Table Tennis… Read More
View All News

Get the latest from Butterfly

Stay “In The Loop” with Butterfly professional table tennis equipment, table tennis news, table tennis technology, tournament results, and We Are Butterfly players, coaches, clubs and more.