Site Products
Seven Placements and the Wide Angles

Do You Hit to the Three Spots?

Posted on

(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame

Table tennis is chess at lightning speed. Imagine that split second as you are about to hit the ball. Do you hit wherever, or do you pick the placement like choosing a move in chess? There are three main spots to choose from (plus a huge number of other variables, i.e. speed, spin, depth, which stroke to use, etc.). Pick the best move! When attacking, most opponents don’t have all three spots well covered – wide forehand, wide backhand, middle (playing elbow). Most have the backhand covered, at least at the start of the rally, and maybe one of the other spots. Most players just go to the backhand, the place the opponent almost always has covered. Pick your spot, don’t telegraph it, and perhaps fake one way and go another at the last second.

 

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

Anav Gupta – Backhand Off the bounce Counterloop

September 22, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Anav Gupta is focusing on a deep serve return, followed… Read More

Are You a Tree or a Squirrel?

September 21, 2026
(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame) Squirrels run circles around trees, and there's… Read More

Rachid El Bou Bou – Attacking Half Long Serve

September 21, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Rachid El Bou Bou is attacking a half long serve… Read More

MLTT Week 2 Preview: Action heads to Willowbrook

September 20, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo MLTT) Major League Table Tennis moves to Compass Arena in Willowbrook, Illinois, this weekend,… Read More

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Boston Table Tennis Club

September 20, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The Boston Table Tennis Club is in Medford, just North of Cambridge and Somerville and only… Read More

USA Sweeps ITTF Americas U11 & U13 Championships

September 20, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTF) The United States ran the table at home as the ITTF Americas U11… Read More

Dang Qiu Ascends in Astana

September 20, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTFWorld) The top two seeds reached the Final at the WTT Star Contender series… Read More

Carlos Hernandez – Florida Open vs Daniel Gorak

September 20, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Bowmar Sports Tournament Highlights, Carlos Hernandez is in action again Daniel Gorak at… 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.

/* Constant Contact Universal Code */