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Tactics to beat a left-handed player

Tactics to beat a left-handed player

In this video top coach, Lois Peake, shares some tactics for right-handed players to beat left-handed players. Playing a lefty can be tricky. The angles are different. The patterns of play are different. And they usually have very strong forehands! Lois explains some tactics which often work against left-handed players. These include attacking the wide forehand, using short pendulum serves and also serving sidespin to the backhand to set up your own forehand attack. Keep reading

Forehand counter topspin – Tips from pro player Charlotte Bardsley

In this video, England international player Charlotte Bardsley explains how to play a forehand counter topspin. Here’s a scenario. You push. Your opponent attacks first – looping the ball towards your forehand. What should you do? Up to a certain level, a lot of players will block. But instead of blocking, you could play a counter topspin instead. In the video, Charlotte explains and demonstrates her technique. She makes it look very easy. Think of it as a “mini-topspin” – a shorter version of your usual topspin stroke. Get the timing right and the shot is hugely effective. Keep reading

Backhand topspin vs backspin – Amateur vs Pro technique

In this video I compare the backhand topspin vs backspin technique of an amateur player (myself) with the forehand topspin vs backspin technique of a professional player (England No.1 Liam Pitchford). This is a tricky shot, but Liam makes it look ridiculously easy. Liam is able to play an incredibly fast and aggressive backhand topspin shot, but how is he able to do this? Keep reading

Why your serves are rubbish

In this video I explain a few reasons why your serves are easy to return and how to make your serves stronger. I take on the role of the player with weak serves (Ha! No change there. Stop sniggering please). And coach Ferenc Horvath shows us how to serve properly. If you follow my suggestions, your serves will become much stronger. You will win more points from your serve or force your opponent to play weaker returns.  Keep reading

BACKHAND CHOP – top tips from a defensive expert

In this video you will learn how to do a backhand chop with lots and lots of backspin. This is a crucial shot for all defensive players. But even if you are an attacker, this is a shot you can learn to add a little more variety to your game. The tips in this video come from Orsi Petocz. She has represented Hungary at an international level and is currently coaching in Cambridge, UK. Keep reading

3 pro secrets you can use in YOUR table tennis game

In this video I share 3 pro secrets that you can implement into your table tennis game. Trying to replicate the skills of a professional table tennis player is not easy. They are so fast and aggressive. They train incredibly hard. They are phenomenal athletes. They are completely dedicated to their profession.But there are always things we can learn from the pros and try to incorporate into our own game. Keep reading

Make fewer unforced errors (real coaching session with Tim)

In this video I explain how you can make fewer unforced errors when playing table tennis. The footage in this video is taken from a real coaching session with a player called Tim. The focus of the session is to improve Tim’s reading skills. We work on his ability to read the difference between heavy backspin and light backspin and then play the appropriate attacking shot. Keep reading

Super reliable forehand loop technique

In this video, you will learn the technique for a super reliable forehand loop technique vs a backspin ball. This shot can be easy to mess up. Many players put the ball into the net. Others over hit and miss the table completely. But with the technique shown in this video, you can hit make your forehand topspin shots every time. Keep reading

Forehand Flick – Amateur vs Pro technique

In this video I compare the forehand flick technique of an amateur player (myself) with the forehand flick technique of a professional player (England No.1 Liam Pitchford). Liam has a much more consistent and aggressive forehand flick technique, but how is he able to do this? To help us work it out, I use some side-by-side slow motion analysis. Keep reading