(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame
You want to play like the best? Here are eleven points to follow. (Feel free to make adjustments for your own style.) You can, of course, make tactical exceptions against certain players.
- Develop serves that focus on setting up your attack, with a few “trick” serves to keep opponent guessing and to get an occasional free point.
- Serve and attack unless the receiver does something to stop it.
- Attack the deep serve.
- Against short serves tactically mix up flipping and short & long pushes.
- Forehand and backhand looping should be central to your game.
- Attack the opponent’s middle every chance (the midpoint between their forehand and backhand).
- Learn to defend against opponent’s attacks, whether by blocking or counterlooping.
- Develop your footwork. All drills are footwork drills.
- Train all parts of your game regularly.
- Do physical training as high-level table tennis is highly physical. (Examples include weight training, running, jumping rope, and shadow practice.)
- Use modern rackets and sponges. They are costly but necessary.
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