USA Table Tennis

Tip of the Day - Backhand Serve Deception

Larry Hodges Dec. 07, 2013

The key to deception on the backhand serve is the elbow. 

Tip of the Day - Get the Back Foot Around when Stepping Around

Larry Hodges Dec. 06, 2013

When stepping around the backhand corner to play a forehand (usually a loop or smash), many players don’t get their back foot around enough.

Tip of the Day - General Rules of Ball Placement When Attacking

Larry Hodges Dec. 05, 2013

Key places to land the ball to win your next match!

Tip of the Day - Should You Stick With Your Best Shot If It Is Missing?

Larry Hodges Dec. 04, 2013

The situation: Your best shot is missing, and you are losing because of this. Should you keep using it, or abandon it?

Tip of the Day - Returning Serves Short

Larry Hodges Dec. 03, 2013

At the highest levels, the most common return of a short serve is a short push, even against a sidespin serve. At the lower levels, most players just push them deep, giving opponents the chance to loop.

Tip of the Day - Playing Against Seemiller Style Players

Larry Hodges Dec. 02, 2013

No two players play alike, and this applies to those with the Seemiller grip as well.

Tip of the Day - Tournament Experience vs. Practice

Larry Hodges Dec. 01, 2013

Many players practice for many months, not playing in any tournaments until they feel they are completely ready. They then enter a tournament … and flop.

Tip of the Day - Power Player Control Shots

Larry Hodges Nov. 30, 2013

There’s nothing an experienced and tactical player likes better than facing a player with big shots but little else. On the other hand, there’s little more scary than an opponent with big shots and ball control to set the big shots up and withstand opponent’s attacks.

Tip of the Day - In a Lopsided Match, What Should the Higher-Rated Player Do?

Larry Hodges Nov. 29, 2013

Many players have difficulty generating great speed on their regular smashes (i.e. off a relatively low ball, not a lob, which uses a different stroke).

Tip of the Day - Increase Forearm Snap to Increase Smashing Speed

Larry Hodges Nov. 28, 2013

Many players have difficulty generating great speed on their regular smashes (i.e. off a relatively low ball, not a lob, which uses a different stroke).