Copying the pros can make you worse

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How much should you try and copy professional table tennis players? Their technique is so smooth. The footwork is brilliant. They can generate huge amounts of speed and spin. And they are incredibly accurate and consistent. Pro players make the game look so easy and so effortless. So if we want to improve, then surely it makes sense to just study and copy what the pro players do? Well yes and no. There are instances when copying the pros could make you much worse. Keep reading

Four simple ways to make a two point improvement

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A key focus of the training camp I organised in the summer was for players to make a two point improvement. Think about all the games you have lost 11-9. With a two point improvement, you win these games 11-9. Think about all the games you have lost 11-7. With a two point improvement, the score is 9-9 and you have a good chance of winning. A two point improvement may seem small, but it can make a big difference to how many matches you win or lose. Here are a few obvious ways you can make a two point improvement… Keep reading

How to replicate training form in league matches

How to replicate training form in league matches

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Why do some people play great in training and terrible in league matches? I have given this topic a lot of thought over the years. And I believe there is one thing you can do which can drastically change your match form. So if you want to replicate your training form in league matches, then read on… Keep reading

Parenthood and table tennis

Parenthood and table tennis

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It’s been a busy summer, but not for table tennis reasons. I actually took most of August off because of the birth of our 3rd child. He was born 17 August and quite a feeding machine. So whilst my head is completely wrapped up in the dramas of having a new-born baby in the house, I thought I’d write a blog post on the subject of parenthood and the difficulty of playing table tennis (or maintaining any hobby). Keep reading

Does being a table tennis coach help you become a better player?

Does being a table tennis coach help you become a better player?

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I often get asked whether being a coach helps me improve as a player. There is an assumption that when you start to coach, your own improvement stops. You spend too much time feeding, too much time instructing and too much time talking. You don’t have time to work on your own game. So you don’t improve. But is this true? Yes and no. Let me share my experience so far… Keep reading

How much should you block during matches?

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If you follow my blog and YouTube channel, you probably know that I really enjoy blocking. I love the feel of the block. Using early timing, soft hands, good ball placement and minimal physical energy to block the ball back. But how much should you block when you play matches? Can it be an effective playing style? How far can a good blocking game take you? At what level does too much blocking stop being effective? Keep reading

Review: JOOLA Flash, JOOLA Prime and JOOLA Magic table tennis balls

Review: JOOLA Flash, JOOLA Prime and JOOLA Magic table tennis balls

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Over the past few weeks I have been trying out three different JOOLA table tennis balls – JOOLA Flash, JOOLA Prime and JOOLA Magic. In this blog post I compare all three balls, examining hardness, bounce, speed, spin, durability and cost. I’ll let you know which ball is my favourite and where you can buy. Keep reading

The easiest way to instantly improve at table tennis

The easiest way to instantly improve at table tennis

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There is one skill which I work on with every player I coach. It doesn’t matter what standard or whether the player is an attacker or defender. I give every player the same advice. Focus on ball placement. This is the simplest and quickest way for every player to instantly improve. You don’t need to learn any new shots. You just need to improve where you put the ball. Keep reading

How to do a legal table tennis serve

How to do a legal table tennis serve

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One aspect of table tennis gets people more animated than any other. Serves. Or more precisely, illegal serves. I play local league table tennis and illegal serves are very common. I’ve seen full-grown men (it’s always men!) argue, swear, throw chairs and threaten physical violence because of the questionable legality of a player’s serve. So in this blog post, I will state very clearly what the service rules are and encourage you to play by these rules. Keep reading

Review: Bribar Pro Offensive Light table tennis bat

Review: Bribar Pro Offensive Light table tennis bat

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I have recently been trying out the Bribar Pro Offensive Light table tennis bat. This is a fast (and light!) bat aimed at players who are progressing from intermediate to advanced levels of play. I have been testing the bat in my coaching sessions – trying out loops, blocks, chops, smashes and serves. In this review, I share my experience of playing with the Bribar Pro Offensive Light table tennis bat, compare it with other bats and suggest who the bat is most suitable for. Keep reading