I started playing local league table tennis in 2007. I have worked my way up from the bottom of the bottom division to the top of the top division (nearly). During this time I have developed a number of easy ways of winning points. There are hundreds of tactics which can potentially be used. Any tactic could work, in any given scenario, but I have found there are a few which consistently work far more often than not. Keep reading
I don’t mind admitting that I am completely fascinated with Truls Moregardh. He has had a sensational Olympics in Paris, reaching the singles final and helping Sweden to the team final. Is there anything we mere mortals can do to play more like Truls, other than buy a STIGA Cybershape blade? Keep reading
Here’s a simple tactic you can use when returning serves in doubles matches. Try to aim your receive very wide on the side the server has just served from… The width is important. You want the ball to come off the side of the table. This makes it very difficult for player B to get … Keep reading
In a recent video, I asked viewers to give me some suggestions of tactics I should try against Jarek – a player who goes back from the table and returns all my hard attacks. I had a fantastic response with over 100 suggestions of tactics to try. Now, I am left with another problem. I have a long list of tactics, but which ones should I choose? Keep reading
A player I coach, Paul, had a frustrating experience in his league matches last week. Paul is in his early 60s and is very competitive – maybe a little too competitive – and this can often result in him rushing his shots, playing too aggressively and making too many errors. He is so eager to win, he often defeats himself. And this is what happened last week. Keep reading
Modern table tennis is all about attack. Topspin, flick, smash. Attack this. Attack that. Don’t push! Attack, attack attack. When players train, they almost always focus on their attacking shots. A pushing drill? Nah, that’s for wimps. A blocking drill? Pfft, waste of time. Is defence important any more? Is there any benefit in practising our pushes, blocks, chops and lobs? Well, yes, I believe there is a huge benefit. Let me explain why… Keep reading
Imagine you had played 35 matches and lost all of them. What would you do? Most people would quit table tennis and find another activity to do. But not Uma. Here’s a inspirational tale of a player I coach who keeps picking herself up after defeats and has finally achieved her first ever league win. Keep reading
A player I coach often complains about her poor footwork. The funny thing is that this player actually moves very well. She is fast. She has good balance. She can cover a lot of the table with her forehand. Her footwork is a lot better than mine! So why does she think her footwork is so bad? The answer is less to do with her feet and more to do with her eyes. Keep reading
During a pre-match warm-up your opponent’s forehand looks solid. He keeps the rally going for a long time and he plays with confidence. But when playing backhand to backhand, he makes several mistakes. The timing of the shot is off. The swing is inconsistent. He seems tense. The backhand appears to be an obvious weakness. What should we do with this observation? Keep reading
I had my latest humbling experience yesterday during a county veterans match. I was outclassed and defeated by a pusher. Yes, that’s right. I lost 3-0 to a player who stands close to the table and likes to push, push, push. He is also able to play decent topspin lobs away from the table. But it wasn’t the lobs which I found difficult. It was the pushes. Keep reading