3-2-1-2-3 Training Drill

In this video, I share a training drill to help you improve your rallying skills. You play 3 backhands, 3 forehands, 2 backhands, 2 forehands, 1 backhand, 1 forehand, 2 backhands, 2 forehands, 3 backhands, 3 forehands and then you work back down to 1 and back up to 3 again. Keep reading

How to do wicked chops

In this video I explain how to do chops with lots and lots of backspin. A chop is a defensive stroke which you usually play further back from the table. The aim is to gets lots of backspin on the ball to make it hard for your opponent to attack again. The demonstration from this video comes from Ferenc Horvath from Paragon Table Tennis. Keep reading

How to progress from drive to topspin

In this video, I explain how you can progress from playing a forehand drive to a more advanced forehand topspin. The video features Stephen, a player in his 80s. Stephen has been playing for a few years but wants to improve his forehand. Up to now, he has mostly been using drives, but recently I have been teaching Stephen how to topspin.

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How to return fast, long serves

Fast, long serves are quite common in amateur table tennis and can cause all kinds of problems. To return these serves, you should give yourself a bit more space back from the table and shorten your strokes. This gives you more time and makes it easier to time your shot. In the video I show how to return fast, long backspin serves and fast, long topspin serves. Keep reading

Tactics for defenders to beat attackers

In this video, I share three classic tactics which defensive players can use to beat attacking players. These tactics are timeless and should form the general tactical approach of any defender. If you get good at using all three tactics, you can really disrupt the attacking rhythm of your opponent and win lots of cheap points. Keep reading

Reaching a wide ball

In this video, I explain how to reach balls which are played to the wide forehand position. This is something I actually find difficult to do. I often find myself unable to reach these balls or if I do, I struggle to make a strong shot. So to help me improve I got some help from fellow coach Ferenc Horvath, who gave me some very good tips on how to reach these wide balls. Keep reading

How to dominate with 3rd ball attacks

In this video I explain how to dominate with 3rd ball attacks. This is where you serve, your opponent returns and you strongly attack the next ball, aiming to finish the point or become the dominant player in the rally. There are two main categories of 3rd ball attack I discuss in the video – ‘power’ 3rd ball attacks and ‘spin’ 3rd ball attacks. Both are useful, but require a slightly different approach. Keep reading

How to teach young kids to play table tennis

In this video I explain how to teach young kids to play table tennis. My special guest is a 6-year-old named Beatrix. She has the misfortune to be my daughter. We have recently started playing table tennis together. In the video I show the exercises I do with Beatrix to help her learn to play. And Beatrix shows off her skills! Keep reading

How to do a slow + spinny forehand loop

In this video I explain how to do a slow and spinny forehand loop. This is a shot you can use to attack a backspin ball. But instead of playing with speed or power, instead you focus on a very spinny contact and a higher arc over the net. Keep reading