Tom Lodziak ![[Video] 5 backhand push tactics to beat your opponent](https://www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/BHpushtactics600-350x197.jpg)
In this video, I show 5 different ways you can use your backhand push to beat your opponent. Don’t think of a backhand push as a passive shot which just keeps the ball in play. You can use your backhand push in a variety of ways to put your opponent under pressure, play weak shots or make mistakes. Keep reading
![[Video] How to do devious TRICK SERVES – with Craig Bryant](https://www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Trickserves-350x197.jpg)
In this video, top coach and service expert, Craig Bryant, explains how to do trick serves to baffle your opponent and win cheap points. Trick serves can be good fun to practice. But it is possible to use trick serves in matches and completely catch out your opponent. Craig discusses whether you should use trick serves and demonstrates three different trick serves he uses when he plays. Keep reading
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
![[Video] Common ball-watching error – and how to fix it](https://www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Ballwatching-350x197.jpg)
In this video, I demonstrate a very common ball-watching error and how explain how you can stop doing it. Many players, including myself, are very guilty if this. We play a really good shot, then we pause and keep watching the ball. We’re so busy admiring our own shot, that we don’t recover properly and if the ball comes back, we either play a weak shot or make a mistake. So in his video, I explain how you can use your eyes better when playing – focusing on your opponent, rather than on your own shot. Keep reading
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
![[Video] Service variation and disguise – tips from Paul Drinkhall](https://www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Service-variations-600px-350x197.jpg)
In this video, pro player Paul Drinkhall, shows a few of his best service variations. Paul shows how he switches between backspin, no spin and topspin serves. He tries to use a similar action, but using different contact points and last moment movements, he is able to generate different spins. Paul uses this disguise to get weak responses from his opponents, so he can follow up with strong 3rd ball attacks. Keep reading
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
![[Video] Service combinations to confuse your opponents (with Craig Bryant)](https://www.tabletenniscoach.me.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Service-combinations-350x197.jpg)
You have two serves. What serves should you do to put your opponent under maximum pressure? There are so many options. But are there any combinations which work particularly well together? Yes! Most definitely. In this video, top coach and service expert, Craig Bryant, explains how to do effective service combinations. Keep reading
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
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