Tom Lodziak I’m going to take my usual break from blogging during August. So no new articles for 4 weeks. I’ll still be busy coaching and I’ll also be working on my new online course “Service Secrets” If all goes to plan, I’ll releasing this in January 2019. I’ll be back again in September with some new … Keep reading
In this video lesson, I am joined by Craig Bryant – a former junior and international player. In this video, Craig explains and demonstrates how to do a chop block. You can use a chop block to change the speed and spin on the ball and cause a lot of confusion. And I take on Craig in a chop block challenge. Will I be able to return any of Craig’s chop blocks? Watch to find out how I get on… Keep reading
It’s summer time! My favourite time of the year. It’s also the time of the year when a lot of people have a break from playing table tennis. This is completely understandable. The weather is good. People want to be outdoors and do other activities. Often people are away for holidays. So if you really want to get an advantage over your clubmates and your opponents, now is the time to keep practising! Keep reading
I coach a player in his 80s (he wants to remain anonymous, so I’ll call him Harold). When he was younger Harold was a defensive player. But it’s not easy for Harold to play this way any more. So I have worked with him to change his playing style. This has not been easy. In fact it’s been very difficult. But Harold has made huge progress. And he has succeeded in changing many of of his defensive habits. In this blog post, I’ll explain how Harold has managed to change his habits and how you can change your table tennis habits too. Keep reading
I like to use a backhand flick to attack short serves. I have an ‘ok’ backhand flick, but I want it to be stronger. I want to get more speed and spin to really put my opponent’s under more pressure. To improve my backhand flick, I asked fellow coach Eli Baraty to help me. In this video, I’ll show you my existing backhand flick, Eli’s feedback on what I need to do better and my new improved backhand flick. Keep reading
How do you return a backspin serve, which lands short, in the middle of the table? You actually you have far more options than you think. You can be very creative in how you return a short backspin serve. I picked up some great tips in a group coaching session I attended this week, which was run by Craig Bryant. In this blog post I share some of the things I learnt from Craig about how to improve the variation of your service returns. Keep reading
This week, I want to share with you a very, very, very good coaching website, which is still relatively unknown. (Shhhh, let’s keep this as our secret!). A few months ago I noticed that Dan Ives – the mastermind behind the Table Tennis Daily website – had launched a new coaching website with professional player Tom Maynard. Interesting, I thought to myself. This could be good. Dan very kindly gave me access to Table Tennis Daily Academy. I’ve now been using the site for a few weeks and I want to share my views on whether it’s any good and if you should sign up… Keep reading
One of the challenges every table tennis player faces is choosing which rubbers and blade to use. One researcher worked out there are over 262 million possible combinations! With this much choice it is understandable why many table tennis players continually meddle with their equipment. But actually, too much time spent worrying and meddling with your equipment can really mess up your game. In this blog post I argue it is better to stick with what you have, than changing equipment too often. Keep reading
Some players struggle to return topspin serves. They either pop the ball up too high or overhit the return so it misses the end of the table. What is the best way to return a topspin serve? How can you return these serves and put your opponent under pressure? In this video I show you three different options you can try. Keep reading
Many players I coach come to me with the same issue. They have a pushing problem. In matches they will push, push, push, push, push – waiting and hoping the other player will make a mistake. Does this sound familiar? Is this something you also struggle with? In this blog post, I will explain how you can change your pushing mindset and become more attacking. Keep reading