Site Products
Coaching Tip of the Week: Relax Your Arm During Backswing

Coaching Tip of the Week: Use It or Lose It!

(By Larry Hodges)

When a player finds a part of his game is not working as well as he’d like (because he hasn’t been practicing it, is getting older or slower, or because it simply wasn’t a strong shot to start with), the tendency is to use that technique less and less. Result? The technique gets even weaker!

The classic case is an aging player who finds his footwork is not as fast as before, or his loop not as strong. He begins to play a more passive game, with less footwork and less looping, and thinks it will help his game. However, all this does is start a downward spiral. By moving and looping less, the player’s footwork and loop get worse – and so the player uses them even less! And so the player’s level spirals downward. (Side problem: the game becomes less physical, and so the player gets less of a physical workout, and so the game is less a health benefit.)

Instead, it might be better to continuing using these techniques, at least in many practice matches, so you don’t lose them. Then, in more important matches (and sometimes in practice, to develop this “alternate” game), use them less as you focus more on winning.

The moral is: Use It or Lose It!

Latest News

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

China Smash: Chuqin Triples Up

October 5, 2025
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) The China Smash 2025 Presented by Beijing Shijingshan Culture & Tourism Group finished… Read More

Rogelio Castro – WTT Smash Swedish Highlights

October 5, 2025
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Rogelio Castro is in action at the WTT Smash Sweden… 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.