Serving More Deceptively Table Tennis Coaching by Han Xiao Our topic today comes from Tae Hun Moon on the ButterflyOnline forums. The question is how you can make your serve more deceptive by creating a more confusing contact point and trick the opponent. This is a very common question among players since many players know […]
Getting More Spin on Your Serves
Posted onGetting More Spin on Your Serves by Han Xiao This question comes from Fabio Pellerin on the butterflyonline.com forums. Fabio wants to know how you develop a spinnier serve. For example, how you can increase the amount of backspin you put on your pendulum serves. This is a very common problem for many players, since […]
Table Tennis Topic Requests
Posted onTable Tennis Topic Requests for Han Xiao Let us know if you want to learn more about a specific table tennis topic? Or perhaps you just have a question about your technique or about playing against a certain type of player? Butterfly writer Han Xiao has shared table tennis coaching articles with us, such as “Playing […]
The Spin-Nospin Serve
Posted onThe Spin-Nospin Serve by Han Xiao Today, we’re going to discuss one of the most classically successful serve combinations of the past couple of decades: the spin-nospin serve. This is actually a two-serve combination: a heavy backspin serve along with a nospin serve with the exact same motion. It is often extremely simple looking yet […]
Pushing
Posted onPushing by Han Xiao Pushing is an underrated skill among many players, especially intermediate players who feel that they have a good grasp on how to push. We spend a lot of time on more glamorous shots such as our attacking shots, or other necessities such as footwork and blocking. Meanwhile, pushing is often a […]
Using Misdirection
Posted onUsing Misdirection by Han Xiao At all levels of play, misdirection is a good way to win points, especially when you don’t want to play an extremely risky shot. It can be effective on the attack, on the counterattack, as well as on the serve and service receive. Here are some tips to make using […]
Backhand to Backhand Exchanges
Posted onBackhand to Backhand Exchanges by Han Xiao Backhand to backhand exchanges are a very common occurrence in the modern game, especially at the beginning of points. By this I do not mean that players are exchanging backhands for five or ten shots, but rather a quicker exchange of two or three backhands each before one […]
Playing a Quick Attacking Game
Posted onPlaying a Quick Attacking Game by Han Xiao Playing a fast attacking game is one of the best ways to apply a high degree of pressure to an opponent. This style requires some very specific skills in order to be successful, and can also be risky and inconsistent when executed poorly. To give an example […]
Control vs. Leverage
Posted onControl vs. Leverage by Han Xiao A lot of times coaches cannot mold every last detail of our strokes, since different people move differently, have different body types, have vastly different playing styles, etc. Furthermore, many of us do not receive consistent coaching and are left to our own devices. Therefore, when it comes to […]
Adjusting to Unfamiliar Playing Conditions
Posted onAdjusting to Unfamiliar Playing Conditions by Han Xiao This week, many players assembled in Las Vegas, Nevada to play the 2015 US Open. Many players had trouble adapting to the playing conditions there, and indeed a great number of players often have difficulty adapting to new playing conditions in an unfamiliar venue. Here are some […]
How to Perform a ‘Hack’ or ‘Swipe’
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Robot plays one topspin ball to long Backhand, Logan Backhand chop block (HACK) close to the table off… Read More
When Champions Fall: Mental Strategies for Preventing and Managing Injuries
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by Dr. Alan Chu, PhD, CMPC The table tennis world watched in dismay last when both World #1… Read More
Smell the Ball?!?
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Robot plays one long backspin ball to Backhand, Logan Backhand push to Backhand, robot plays one long backspin… Read More
Every Shot Sets Up the Next Shot By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame,
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(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame, www.tabletenniscoaching.com/blog) Unless it’s a put-away shot,… Read More
WAB CLUB FEATURE: North Texas Table Tennis
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(by Steve Hopkins) North Texas Table Tennis is a premier table tennis club operating three locations in Plano,… Read More
Amy Wang Chooses Butterfly
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(by Steve Hopkins) Butterfly America would like to announce the signing of elite American table tennis star, Amy… Read More
A Final Day of Surprises in Doha
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(by Steve Hopkins) The first WTT Champions series event of the year ended in a flurry Sunday in… Read More
Final Four in Doha
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(by Steve Hopkins) The first WTT Champions series event of 2026 is down to its final day in… Read More
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