Dusseldorf Masters IV: Video Highlights

Posted on June 27, 2020

(by Steve Hopkins) The fourth installment of the Dusseldorf Masters concluded on the 17th.  The top seed was Kanak Jha, but he was upset by the eventual winner, Bastian Steger in the Quarterfinals. The Semifinals matched Benedikt Duda and Bastian Steger and also Dang Qiu against Steffen Mengel.  Ultimately, Steger and Qiu prevailed in the […]

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PongNow: Interview with Richard McAfee

Posted on June 27, 2020

(by Steve Hopkins) The PongNow interview series discusses table tennis with some of the best players and personalities in the sport. In this edition we have USATT Hall of Fame Member Richard McAfee.  Richard had an impressive career as a player before becoming one of the best known coaches in the United States.  __________________________ […]

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Dusseldorf Masters IV: Steger Surprises the Field

Posted on June 26, 2020

(by Steve Hopkins) The Fourth Dusseldorf Masters event was held this week in Germany.  This week’s winner, German team veteran, Bastian Steger. The Dusseldorf Masters events have been held in consecutive weeks of June.  The first Dusseldorf Masters event was won by Timo Boll – with highlights including Dang Qiu upsetting Dimitrij Ovtcharov early, and […]

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Dignics 80 Review: Wenting Zha

Posted on June 25, 2020

(by Wenting Zha) DIGNICS 80 brings together speed, power, and spin in a seamless integration of the best parts of DIGNICS 05 and DIGNICS 64, while improving upon the drawbacks of DIGNICS 64 as the inherent elasticity of the sponge is enhanced by an additional toughness. This is an incredible rubber, well worth the price, […]

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Ask The Experts: Jishan Liang, No. 349

Posted on June 24, 2020

Butterfly Table Tennis Question and Answer Question: Hello sir, madame, Could you share with me how well the Dignics 09c is compatible with my zhang jike ALC blade? Thank you, Regards, Roeland Answer:                      Your Ask the Experts question was answered by Jishan Liang. Coach Liang is […]

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BUTTERFLY FAVORITES: How to Ghost Serve Like Patrick Franziska

Posted on June 24, 2020

This instructional video appears with perfect timing, as Patrick Franziska has just lead his Bundesliga team to its first ever TTBL Championship.  The video is titled “How to Ghost Serve Like Patrick Franziska”.  In the video, Patrick explains his contact points, and body position and how he implements the serve in a match.  Patrick is […]

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ITTF COVID-19 Donations: #TableTennisUnited Campaign

Posted on June 23, 2020

(by Steve Hopkins) With the table tennis community suffering across the whole world, the ITTF Foundation has launched an initiative they are calling the Table Tennis United Donation Campaign.  The goal is to support athletes, coaches, umpires, associations, and field projects that need help as they emerge from the COVID-19 crisis. The Donation Campaign is […]

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Coaching Tip Off The Week: Do You Really Have Control of Your Shots?

Posted on June 22, 2020

(By Larry Hodges) Most players below the higher levels do not really control their shots, both in terms of direction and depth. One reason for this is they don’t really get much feedback on it, and so don’t realize just how little they are really controlling the ball. Another is that they aren’t really aiming […]

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Butterfly Training Tips: Half-Long Loop from Forehand Corner

Posted on June 22, 2020

This instructional video is by Butterfly Coach Jinxin Wang.  The technique that is explained in detail is how best to execute the half-long loop from the forehand corner. For More Power: Move over to the right with both legs and drop the right leg lower. Your body should be slightly leaned forward and make sure […]

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ITTF Tour Calendar Still Paused through September 6

Posted on June 22, 2020

(by Steve Hopkins) While many countries are beginning to allow sanctioned events (the US is open to sanctioned tournaments starting in July), the ITTF Tour remains paused.  Last week, the ITTF announced that the Czech Open and the Bulgaria Open are both cancelled from the tour schedule.  The significance of the decision is that the […]

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