Site Products
Tip of the week: Top Sixteen Reasons Players Don’t Improve

Tip of the week: Top Sixteen Reasons Players Don’t Improve

Posted on

(By Larry Hodges)
Tip of the week: Top Sixteen Reasons Players Don’t Improve
I really tried narrowing this down, but this could just as easily have been a Top 50 list. As with past lists, these are not necessarily in order of importance.

  1. Bad technique.
  2. Deep down they don’t believe they can play at a higher level and so continue to only play shots at their current level.
  3. They keep practicing the same things rather than work on what’s keeping them from improving.
  4. They don’t use Saturation Training to fix weaknesses.
  5. They don’t know The Book on Your Game.
  6. They don’t develop good third-ball attack serves to improve their attack.
  7. They don’t make it a habit to serve and attack.
  8. They don’t work with a coach and practice partner regularly.
  9. They focus on power instead of consistency and placement.
  10. They don’t develop their game tactically (what to do in a given match) and strategically (developing your game for the future).
  11. They don’t develop an overpowering strength that opponents will fear.
  12. They don’t make moving their feet a habit.
  13. They don’t analyze their wins and losses to see what works and what doesn’t.
  14. They don’t follow the Seven Habits of Highly Effective Table Tennis Players.
  15. They aren’t perfectionists.
  16. They don’t know How to Move Up a Level.

Latest News

Looking Back (and Ahead): Olympic Table Tennis Anniversary

September 23, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo Butterfly) Table tennis made its Olympic debut in Seoul back in 1988, and it's… Read More

Kou Lei – Banana Flip & Backhand Loop Combo

September 23, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Kou Lei is working Butterfly Sponsored Player Kef Noorani. He… Read More

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
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 */