USA Table Tennis

Tip of the Day - Playing Lobbers

Larry Hodges Dec. 17, 2013

Players lose way too many points against lobbers. Here are a few tips.

Tip of the Day - When Playing Table Tennis, Take Few "Risks" - and Letting an Opponent Control Play is a Risk!

Larry Hodges Dec. 16, 2013

The next time you are in a close match, and are worried about making mistakes, and so play safe to avoid any risky shots, consider this.

Tip of the Day - Carry Equipment With You When Flying

Larry Hodges Dec. 15, 2013

When flying to a tournament, carry your "irreplaceable" equipment with you – especially your racket and shoes, and perhaps your playing clothes.

Tip of the Day - Forehand Attackers Should Sometimes Serve & Backhand Attack

Larry Hodges Dec. 14, 2013

If you are primarily a forehand attacker, many of your opponents will get used to you serving and looping from your backhand corner.

Tip of the Day - Playing Dead Blockers

Larry Hodges Dec. 13, 2013

Dead blockers slow the ball down (throwing off your timing), and keep it shorter than you are used to.

Tip of the Day - Practice Service Spin on a Rug!

Larry Hodges Dec. 12, 2013

It’s often difficult to judge how much spin you are putting on the ball when you practice serves. Without this feedback, it’s not easy to improve your serves. So try this find a large, carpeted room, and practice serving there! 

Tip of the Day - Think Strategy, Then Let the Shots Happen

Larry Hodges Dec. 11, 2013

Between points, think about what you want to do, especially at the start of the rally what serve to use, what type of receives.

Tip of the Day - Shoe Grippiness "El Dente"

Larry Hodges Dec. 10, 2013

If your shoes aren’t grippy enough, you slide when you play, and so can’t move properly.

Tip of the Day - Inside-Out Forehand Serve

Larry Hodges Dec. 09, 2013

Many players use the forehand "pendulum" serve. It’s the most popular serve in table tennis. 

Tip of the Day - Getting Run Off the Table

Carl Danner Dec. 08, 2013

Whoops, you're down a game and this one's going badly, too. How do you stop the bleeding in time -- assuming this is an opponent you might expect to beat?