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

Calderano Headlines Final Four in Brazil

July 26, 2026
(by Steve Hopkins, photo WTT) Its the final day of the WTT Star Contender Sao Jose dos Campos,… Read More

Rachid El Bou Bou – Backhand Loop & Forehand Pivot

July 26, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Rachid El Bou Bou is executing a Stroke Chemistry drill… Read More

Jessica Reyes Lai – Forehand Loop & Footwork

July 25, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Jessica Reyes Lai is focusing on her Forehand Loop, and… Read More

Carlos Hernandez – All Table Counterloop

July 24, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Carlos Hernandez is focusing on Counterlooping while cover the entire… Read More

Lingshaui Meng – Forehand Loop Pivot & Wide Forehand

July 23, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Lingshaui Meng is working with a student on the Forehand… Read More

Fifteen Important Deep Serves

July 22, 2026
(By Larry Hodges, Member of US Table Tennis Hall of Fame) When you serve fast & deep, you… Read More

Arantxa Cossio Aceves – Opening Attack & Random Play

July 22, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips,  Arantxa Cossio Aceves is focucing on setting up an opening… Read More

Yu Di – Backhand Loop Crosscourt & Down the line

July 21, 2026
(by: Bowmar Sports) In this Butterfly Training Tips, Yu Di is executing the Backhand Loop from underspin, followed… 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.