USA Table Tennis

Tip of the Day - Hit Twice to the Same Spot

Larry Hodges Sept. 08, 2013

In table tennis, it’s good to keep moving the ball around to make an opponent move. However, sometimes you want to go to the same place twice. Here are a few good examples.

Tip of the Day - Tactics Early in a Match

Larry Hodges Sept. 07, 2013

There are basically two ways to play tactically early in a match. You can either feel your opponent out to see what he can do and then adjust your tactics based on this ("The Explorer"); or you can force your game on the opponent right from the start, making tactical adjustments as you go on ("The Dominator").

Tip of the Day - The Difference Between Practice and Warm-up

Larry Hodges Sept. 06, 2013

Practice is to improve, maintain or calibrate a technique. Few players improve unless they do lots of this. However, the focus of this tip is on warming up.

Tip of the Day - Fast, Down the Line Serve

Larry Hodges Sept. 05, 2013

Having trouble keeping that tricky sidespin serve short? Against most players, you probably can get away with it, but then there's always __________ (fill in the blank), who always loops your serve. What should you do?

Tip of the Day - When and How to Push

Larry Hodges Sept. 04, 2013

Probably the most over-used and under-used shot in table tennis is the push. This may sound contradictory, but it really isn't. Most players either push too much or too little.

Tip of the Day - Bring Proper Equipment!

Larry Hodges Sept. 03, 2013

You've practiced, you've worked with a coach, you've done physical training, you've done mental training... you're ready for the tournament. What could go wrong?

Tip of the Day - Ball Placement

Larry Hodges Sept. 02, 2013

Whenever you're practicing, always place the ball where you would in a tournament match. What you do in practice you will do in a match. But where should you place the ball?

Tip of the Day - Flex Those Knees, and Assume You Have To Move!

Larry Hodges Sept. 01, 2013

If you follow these two tips, you'll find you'll be in position for far more shots than before.

Tip of the Day - How High Should You Toss When You Serve?

Larry Hodges Aug. 31, 2013

Should you use a high toss serve? It all depends on what you are trying to do with the serve.

Tip of the Day - Getting Up or Down for a Match

Larry Hodges Aug. 30, 2013

When you play a match, do you get nervous or too hyped up, and end up making more mistakes than usual? Or do you have trouble getting psyched up for the match, and so don’t play physically enough?