Site Products
Larry Hodges

Wait a split second longer when looping a push, then change directions

Posted on

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

Most blockers develop timing to react to your normal loop. At the instant they think you will contact the ball, they commit to blocking either forehand or backhand. So set up to loop crosscourt, and make no attempt to hide this. At the instant you normally would contact the ball, watch the opponent move to cover the apparent crosscourt loop. Wait a split second longer than normal, letting the ball travel perhaps an six inches to a foot, and then go down the line. (This is especially effective when looping from the wide forehand.)

You can do this the other way, faking down the line and then going crosscourt, but it’s not usually as effective, for two reasons. First, since most players tend to loop crosscourt far more often than down the line, blockers tend to move to cover the crosscourt angle. Second, down the line is a shorter distance, and so the opponent has less time to recover for that shot.

 

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

WAB CLUB FEATURE: Song Jeho Table Tennis Club

May 11, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins) The Song Jeho Table Tennis Club ("SJHTTC") is centrally located in Los Angeles.  The club is… Read More

China Sweeps Team Table Tennis Championships

May 10, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) On Sunday, both Chinese teams issued strong performances with each winning their Final. … Read More

Team Championship Finals: China and Japan (and China and Japan)

May 9, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo ITTF) On the penultimate day of competition at the ITTF World Team Table Tennis… Read More

Taiwo Adeyinka – Backhand Counterdrive

May 8, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips,  Taiwo Adeyinka is working with a Beginner player on the… Read More

A Conversation Between Ultimate Table Tennis and Butterfly: Expanding the Future of Table Tennis in India

May 7, 2026
(Butterfly Global) On April 6, 2026, Vita Dani, Co-Promoter of Ultimate Table Tennis, visited Butterfly’s headquarters in Tokyo… Read More

🎥 Episode 9: Ask The Expert Live With Logan Rietz | Take care of your paddle!

May 7, 2026
(by Bowmar Sports) Taking care of your table tennis paddle is one of the easiest ways to improve… Read More

Team Championships Update: Solid Results for TeamUSA

May 6, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo USATT) TeamUSA fell today to Ukraine in a tight Round of 16 battle.  Ukraine's… Read More

“Aim for the top of the net”

May 6, 2026
Robot plays very high balls to very long Forehand. ( 20-25 balls per minute) FETHOMANIA 27: Drill 1… 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.