How many different serves should you use?

How many different serves should you use?

I have been experimenting with my serves for the past few months. During the summer I only used my pendulum serve in matches. Then I switched to using multiple service actions when playing matches. Which approach is best? One service action or multiple service actions? Here’s my latest thinking… Keep reading

Are you a drifter? Here’s the big benefit of playing closer to the table

Are you a drifter? Here’s the big benefit of playing closer to the table

Some players I coach like to drift back from the table. They may start closer but after one or two shots, they will start moving further and further away from the table. Whilst this approach does give you more time to play your shots, it also has significant drawbacks. In this article I challenge you to hold your ground and dominate playing closer to the table Keep reading

Can I win with my left hand?

Can I win with my left hand?

I am right handed. I write with my right hand. I throw with my right hand. I play table tennis and all racket sports with my right hand. But in a couple of weeks I am going to make my table tennis league debut playing with my weaker left hand. Why would I do such a silly thing? And will I be able to win? Keep reading

Review: A Late Return by William Rees

Here’s a review of a wonderful short book A Late Return: Table Tennis à la carte by Bill Rees. Bill shares his experience of restarting his table tennis passion as an adult in France. Along with his team-mates Alain and David, he enters a veteran tournament, with the aim of qualifying for the national finals. What follows is a wonderful, often humorous, account of the trio’s exploits. Keep reading

Adapting your table tennis game as you get older

Adapting your table tennis game as you get older

Getting older, doesn’t mean we have to be any less competitive. And it certainly doesn’t mean we can’t keep on improving. But we may have to adapt the way we play table tennis, so we can reduce the physical stress on our bodies, and still kick some butt! In this article, I share three ways you can adapt your game as you get older – to be less physical, but still very competitive – and possibly get a lot better. Keep reading

Tips on reading service spin

Tips on reading service spin

To return serves well, you need to read the spin. It sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But you’d be amazed how many players don’t really focus on reading the spin on the serve. If you have no idea what the spin is, then you have to guess. You might guess right. You might guess wrong. Either way it will be a guess, and guessing doesn’t usually end well. So, reading service spin is essential. In this article I explain a simple approach to reading service spin. Keep reading

7 tips to get back into your table tennis groove

7 tips to get back into your table tennis groove

Table tennis clubs in England can reopen again from 17 May. Hooray! I have been coaching for the past three weeks, so I have a bit of a head start. The players I coach are delighted to be playing again. Yes, we are all a little slower and a little softer around the stomachs, but most players have retained their skills. In this article, I share my 7 top tips to help you return to play and quickly get back into your table tennis groove. Keep reading