Jeff loves an analogy, and I'll let you be the judge of whether his one about typists is good or not. Either way I think you'll enjoy the show! Tournament Preparation Jasper - I have a school tournament that's coming up in 3 weeks time. Any suggestions on how to prepare for it or with any other tournament? My Backhand Always Goes Into the Net Mufasa - Hello PingSkills team. It's a pleasure to be talking with you. I always watch your videos. In social media (mostly on YouTube) and I'm getting difficulties making the backhand. My backhand is nowhere controllable. It's mostly under the net! When I try to aim at the end of the table. It sometimes jumps and flies. And also I can't do backhand in a normal match because I need it on a very specific high. And even I might get it and sometimes not. Which is very disappointing! Topspinning Long Pushes Kenneth - When I watch Youtube videos of top players, whenever there is a long but low ball with slight underspin, usually a push or serve, the player will try to execute a topspin attacking stroke on the ball. However, when I try this, it usually ends in the net. Should I continue to attempt this stroke, or just push the ball back, which is a safer stroke, but not really initiating any attacking rallies for me. Is there a progression to practice getting to how the top players get into the rallies by attacking the long pushes consistently? Is it just practice? Thanks. About the Premium Membership Ardak - I want to try premium membership for a month (maybe next month). I have some questions.  1) Do you analyze only strokes? I mean will you also watch a part of a game and give advices how to win a certain opponent? and say which mistakes am I doing vs a certain opponent? 2) Will you send analysis only in a PDF format? Won't you send videos? For example to say "you are doing THIS wrong movement, you are not doing THIS important movement" 3) How many videos can I send for analyze in a month? Thank you. Links in this Episode Ovtcharov's New Backhand Serve in Final Ovtcharov Serve Tutorial - for premium members 52 Week Training Plan - some free videos but mostly for premium members Backhand Counterhit Tutorial Forehand Topspin off Backspin Tutorial

Ask The Coach Show | Table Tennis

Show #356 - What Do Typists and Table Tennis Players Have in Common?

If you manage to listen until the end of the show then I wish to apologise now for Jeff's rant! Otherwise I believe it was a good show where as usual we answered some interesting table tennis questions, gave you our tip of the week, and even threw in a few funny jokes. 2 Sided Penhold Andy - Hi coach, at the professional level, why aren't there many 2-sided penhold players winning major tournaments i.e. world cup, olympics? Are there any inherent deficiencies to playing with a 2-sided penhold style? Non Hitting Arm I play right handed. Would the swinging/use of my left arm up help with greater rotational torque? I see some players (video) swing/move their non-hitting arm along with hitting the ball. Does Cold Weather Destroy My Rubbers? Kevin - I usually play at room temperature. I currently don’t have a table tennis table available (due to the pandemic) so I built one (why not?). I currently have no room inside the garage, so the only option for me is to play in a fairly large shed with lots of space. I live in northern Sweden, where the winters are cold, latley it has been -10 degrees c (14 degrees f), so I'm wondering if it is safe to play in cold weather without destroying my rubbers. Find Tutorial Sessions on PingSkills Harold - When you tell us to watch something from previous tutorials, such as session 6, how can we find it? Links in this Episode Pendulum Serve - for premium members The First Step to a Great Pendulum Serve Advanced Forehand Topspin Tutorial

Show #355 - Jeff's Rant

In this show we discuss lots of interesting table tennis questions from our listeners, and we ponder how long has the two colour rule been in place. I hope you enjoy the show! Penhold and Shakehand Vibeeshan - I'm a modern penholder but everyone says it is an old style. Is it still a viable grip to reach a high level? Do you think I can switch between penhold and shakehand? Service Rule Regarding Showing Your Bat Andy - When preparing for a serve, does the server have to show the blade in view (above table) of the opponent? Backhand in a Match Ardak - Last 2 weeks I am training with a club-mate who is in the same level as me. I mean in mini tournaments sometimes he wins, sometimes I win. In this 2 weeks my BH topspin is improved very much. I started to win some players which I was losing before. But my sparring partner doesn't see any improvement in his game. He used to play only with FH side of the blade. He always chops. If the ball is higher then he smashes very consistently. Recently he beat a pro girl who is ranked 31 in our country.  But he never plays with BH side. Instead he uses footwork. He practiced BH topspin with me, but he says he still can't use it in the game. He started to think that the training (with me) is meaningless, not useful. What do you suggest? Stance for Tall Players Kenneth - I have heard advice that for tall players, we should open our feet wider apart to stay lower to the table. Would this compromise the ability to do shuffle steps quickly? Also, will this make crossover steps more difficult to retrieve wide balls? Thanks. Links in this Episode Playing as a Tall Player  

Show #354 - How Old is the Two Colour Rule?

Are J-Pen players disappearing? We answer this and more in today's ask the coach show. Jeff tells a joke that he finds amusing and Alois provides us with a tip of the week that many people may not have thought about. Enjoy the show! Training 4-5 Year Old Kids Vinod - Firstly thank you for bringing an excellent training portal for table tennis. It is useful to train my 9 year old daughter and for myself to enhance my skills. Can I request you to provide few basic videos how to start training my 4 year old son. Just to get feeling of ball. Staying Down Andy - Are there any exercises or contraption that help me staying down until the point is over? Sweat on Ball During Rally A player mishits the ball because of sweat present on the ball and claims a Let. Should the Umpire call a Let or award a point to the opponent because it was noticed after the rally? J-Pen Limitations Why is j-pen never used anymore in this modern era of table tennis? Links in this Episode Training 101 Video Tutorials Who Am I - Episode 3

Show #353 - Are J-Pen Players Disappearing?

In this episode we discuss the benefits of playing against a wide range of styles to help improve your table tennis. We also tell a few jokes, answer your questions, run the who am I competition, and read out some OMG facts! Having Table Tennis After School Jasper - I was wondering does long hours of school sort of affect how you play table tennis? On Tuesday, school timing is around 8am to 3pm and then I have table tennis sessions in school from 3pm to 6:30pm. I noticed I normally miss a lot, I tend to rush my shots, I lose more points, I get frustrated very easily and I tried a lot of things to fix it but nothing works. On Friday, school timing is around 8 to 12:30am. And my training starts from 1pm to 3pm and I noticed that I would always do better on Fridays compared with Tuesdays. Most of my shots go in, I win much more points than usual, I am very calm, I get the timing of my shots right. On Sundays, I don't have school so I start training at 10:30 to 1:30. And this is where my shots are most consistent. Very clear mind, very relaxed and my highest quality table tennis. Topspin Serves Ryan - What is the best way to return a top-spin serve against your opponent? Playing When the Ball is on Elbow Ryan - How to play against a fast backspin, similar to Chop Smash, comes at your elbow? I have been a lot of point as it cannot be pushed neither can be looped. Any solution? Is blocking a Bad Shot Ryan - Recently at our club, our coach was criticizing that Block in a Rally is really bad because it gives a no spin ball which the opponent can accelerate. But, when the ball is fast, blocking with precision had won points for me. As you said, keeping a track of the ball and changing your wrist can be lethal to give an upper hand in the rally if the opponent hits hard. So, I guess it is good but with precision. Links in this Episode Attacking Plain Topspin Serves Tutorial  

Show #352 - Play Different Players

In this episode we answer some great questions, talk about the importance of a pre-point routine, and throw in a few jokes! About Defensive Mode Ardak - If only some of my topspins fails then I continue to play in an offensive mode. I noticed that if my 3-4 topspins in a row fail (go off the table, to the net)  then I start to play in a defensive mode. Although I choose only good moments to do topspin. Especially vs players with pimples. I start to play only with chops like old days (10 years ago) when I didn't know what is topspin. Against some players this strategy worked good. But sometimes I lose badly even to those I usually win.  Is it a bad habit? What do you suggest? Proper Progression To Get Better With Serving John - Thanks for answering my previous question about bats.  I wound up getting a Yinhe Earth 3 with Palio Hadou rubber and its working out nicely so far.   I have a question regarding how to get better at serves from a progression standpoint.  I have been working on my pendulum serve and have started to feel pretty good with the basic sidespin with a bit of underspin.  I can do an underspin only - but I whiff more than I should and I think Im starting to hit the topspin sidespin occasionally but since Im basically a basement player Im not 100% sure what Im doing wrong and haven't had any lessons - so Im trying to teach myself from YouTube videos (I do aspire to someday join the local club when Im better and won't be embarrassed).  I have a decent backhand serve and am working on topspin sidespin and backspin sidespin.  I have goofed around with the tomahawk and reverse pendulum for fun - but Im not ready yet.  Anyways - my question is, is there a proper progression to get better on serving.  I practice fairly often since I can do this by myself.  Should I master one thing first - say pendulum sidespin working on spin then placement? or is it good to spend a bit on all the variations of pendulum service.  Just looking for some guidance.  Thanks! Hitting the Ball With Racket Not Held Yuva - In a situation where I'm in the left corner my opponent hit a smash on to the right of the table where I clearly cannot reach it, so I tossed the racket onto right of the table so that it hit the ball and ball returned to the opponents table and he left it!!! So finally is it my point or my opponent's point? Can the Ball Hit the Net Twice? Hare - Can you hit the net with the ball twice e.g the ball hits the net clamp and hits the net and goes to the opponent's side what happens after? Links in this Episode The Most Important Skill in Table Tennis Rolling the Ball from One Side to the Other Pre-Point Routine: Tournament Preparation Training Plans - for premium members Sports Psychology Tutorials Alois vs Italy - watch for the fist bump Rules Videos

Show #351 - How To Improve Your Serves

You are in for a treat with some tremendous jokes this episode! Plus we answer your table tennis questions on returning serves, being smooth, and encouraging people to take up the sport. Alois also has a great tip on choosing equipment. Enjoy the show! How to Receive Short Low Spinny Topspin Serves Ardak - How to receive short, very low and spinny serve which bounces to my forehand side and very close to the net? Encouraging People to Join Table Tennis Jasper - In 2 days time there will be a CCA Open House where the secondary 1 students can check out any CCA. How can I get more people to join table tennis? Choice of Backhand or Forehand on Short Game Musaab - I watch a lot of videos and I know for sure after applying that to my own game, there is a preferred blade side to serve return depending on the incoming serve. A popular example is the forehand short push return to the regular pendulum serve. Even when it is side/topspin that return will make the ball go a little high but there is still vicious underspin on it that some opponents put it directly into the net. No coach ever told me that and I can't find anything about it on the web either, just pattern recognition while watching pros videos. I wonder whats your input on this , I even feel there is more layers to it, I'm talking about the third,fourth and fifth ball on the short-to-short game that there is a preferred side (forehand or backhand) return. N.B. In all this I'm assuming two right-handed players and balls are on the middle of the table Smooth Players Bob - I would like your recommendations (if you would) of table tennis players (even old school) who play smooth and relaxed. I am trying to go the long distance in this game and am developing a game with less stress on the body. Oh Sang Eun is one that I have been watching lately. Samsanov has been around.  Any others for me to emulate? Also any drills or recommendations on playing more smooth and relaxed? Thanks.  Links in this Episode Returning Short Topspin Serves - for premium members Investigating the Relative Age Effect Choosing a Table Tennis Bat

Show #350 - Happy New Year Jokeathon

Today we have the pleasure of interviewing Tom Lodziak about his new book "SPIN: Tips and tactics to win at table tennis". You can win a free copy of his book by watching the video and answering the question we pose! In the interview Tom discusses his journey into table tennis and how it helps him now as a coach. Tom believes that age is no barrier to improvement and with work and effort most people can improve. His experience helps him relate to adults who have started to take the sport more seriously and wish to become better. You can find out more about Tom by visiting his website and here is a link to more information about his exciting new book. For your chance to win a free copy of Tom's new book you can enter our competition.

Show #349 - SPIN: Tips and tactics to win at table tennis

Thank you to everyone for your support of the podcast in 2020. In this episode we announce the winner of our first ever "Who am I" segment and answer a couple of table tennis questions. We also have two fun OMG facts relating to the holiday season. It's been an incredibly tough year for many people around the World and we hope 2021 will be the year the pandemic is brought under control. Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Shoulder Pain Loren - I am 46 years old and having a hard time keeping up with the younger guys. My biggest problem is my shoulder pain. Is there any exercises I can do to strengthen my muscles? Am I using bad form? I don’t want to quit. I love the game so much. Thanks for the videos. Chop Block Against Topspin Garth - Is it worth pursuing a chop block? I seem to have invented a new shot that appears to me to be effective, but my robot can't tell me if it is! Links in this Episode Long Pimple Chop Block

Show #348 - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We introduce another new and exciting segment to the podcast today! It's called "Who am I". We will be giving you a clue as to who the mystery table tennis player is and if you correctly guess you will go into the draw to win either a one month PingSkills premium membership or 1 hour of online coaching. We also answer the following table tennis questions: Backhand Block Pedro - I have trouble in blocking a strong top spin loop into my backhand corner. I find it more difficult against spinny slow and high loop than with fast, less spinny strokes. In fact, what I find is more challenging is all the body to ball coordination, and the timings, but also finding the right moment when to meet the the ball after the bounce. Sometimes I try to turn and counter with a FH topspin, which is effective when it works but risky. I feel that I prefer this risk though, than to try the BH block, which I feel is just a passive stroke from my side, and often the ball goes over the table. Forehand Counterhit Atharva - Sir I cant really get better in Forehand Counterhit. Either the ball stuck in net or get off table. Sir please suggest some drill or practise to master it. Blade Question John - Im a recreational player (although I think Id like to join a club).  Anyway I recently bought a Palio Legend 3.0 and I love it.  I know its technically a premade racquet but I figured it was part way to getting my first custom racquet.  Anyways as I said I really like the speed and control I have with it and Im getting much more spin etc.  Eventually I think id like to move up to a better custom racquet but there's almost no information on specs for the blade that is used in the Palio Legend 3.0 other than its a 5 ply wooden blade so its hard to compare.  Ive looked at Yinhe Earth 3 which is supposed to be much like the Stiga Offensive Classic. Both are All + to Off - 5 ply blades with some flex.  Do you think they would be a nice upgrade with similar specs? The Best Robert - I'm sure you've been asked this before, however in a serious match (best of 7) with Jeff, who comes out on top? Links in this Episode Who Am I Competition Forehand Counterhit Tutorial PingSkills Touch with Mark V Little Bat vs Big Bat

Show #347 - Who am I?

In another astounding OMG fact, we learnt that 4 year olds ask an average of 437 questions a day. Should we be asking more questions as we get older? We discuss this and some table tennis as we laugh our way through the show. Here are some of your questions that we answer: Dropshot off High Chop DK - How can I play a dropshot off a high chop? Correcting Technique Flaws Gruia - I have already identified several flaws in my FH counterhit technique: 1) Not holding the paddle loose between hits 2) Not tracking the ball enough with my eyes 3) After salute, too slow to retract/lower the arm to the Ready Position Right now I am practicing with a robot, but soon can have a partner. My first question is: do I correct these flaws one at a time or should I try all? And how soon, in hours trained with robot, before I can try to see if my technique improved vs a practice partner? Thank you Bat Falls on the Table During Rally Ujjal - While playing (right handed player), the bat slips and falls on the table. Can he pick up the bat with his left hand and continue playing? Returning a Low No Spin Serve Rohan - Hi guys.  I haven't needed to ask a question for a while but now have a new experience to explore. A guy I play regularly at work is introducing a new serve.  He is attempting to be deceptive with his bat angle to switch between topspin and backspin serves but hasn't quite got it yet.  They are difficult to read despite me watching the contact closely, because his intention is clear but the execution doesn't deliver the intent. As a result he is very inconsistent and ends up delivering a lot of low/no spin serves that look like they are spinny. They are usually quite low and mainly mid-long but sometimes very short. When I do get it right, a simple fast BH counter hit down the line or a FH cross court flick beats him every time, but I inevitably end up pushing when I should flick or topspin and visa versa so consequently net the ball or put it over the table.  I think the main issue is I'm treating a no spin ball as if it had spin. So, what return should I try next to deal with a no-spin or low BS/TS, mid-long low ball? Cheers, Rohan. Links in this Episode Dropshot off Chop Tutorial Rules Tutorials

Show #346 - Ask More Questions

We have a big show for you today where we discuss many topics including World Table Tennis and getting older! There's all the usual segments and of course we answer your table tennis questions! How to Hit the Ball with Power Vic -  I am a penholder. How can I hit the ball with power? It seems when I play with friends I found that my strokes are not powerful enough. Attacking a Low Backspin Serve Ryan - Is it possible to attack a low backspin serve which is on the table? I can Flick the ball backhand when it bounces a little bit over the net. But, I tend to lift it or push it when I get a low backspin serve. Winning the Toss Jasper - Normally when winning the toss, I heard the player normally would choose to receive first but why? Backhand Smash Jasper - My friend says that he think he can do backhand smashes but he missed pretty much every backhand smash then i told him that it isn't reliable but he still wants to try backhand smashes. What should I say to him? Links in this Episode Basic Strokes Tutorials Advanced Forehand Topspin Advanced Backhand Topspin Banana Flick Backhand Sidespin Flick Backhand Smash Tutorial

Show #345 - Getting On

In another exciting yet normal episode, we discuss how being born later in the year may be a big advantage in your sporting career. Of course we answer your table tennis questions and have some fun along the way. Playing Leftie's Pendulum Sidespin Ryan - How should I return a Left-Hander's Pendulum side Spin or Side-Top Spin Long Serve. I have been struggling to return it during Doubles. Any idea? Kindly suggest any idea. I have been returning them using a weird backhand flick which is not so consistent. This make me concede cheap points. Lobbing Playing Style Jason - I’ve watched Adam Bobrow play table tennis, his style is quite more different. His style is more defensive,  a lobbing playing style. Is this an really style you could play, or a risky one? You almost never see his style anywhere. Thick or Thin Phil - Can you say when purchasing new rubbers which way do you go as a moderate newbie i look at the different thicknesses & a" MIST " arises, is the choices too much or do they all have a purpose? Clipping the Net Kwokching - I was left frustrated since if I had win that point I might have won but their argument was that it clipped the net and it shouldn't be my point  and I know that as long as it's cross the net it's fine with two bouncesand lucky a qualified sport teacher came across later to point out to students that if it clips the net it a point or that they just got lucky but as long as it cross the net it's fine. So what's your view on that should the rules be changed or kept the way they should as the rule book says. Frustrated when I lose playing by the rules... It's also very frustrating that most of my friends don't throw the ball high enough and with a close palm and I lose when they do that.  Links in this Episode The Relative Age Effect Investigating the Relative Age Effect Table Tennis Rules Videos

Show #344 - Be Born Earlier in the Year

This week in the podcast we discuss an ask the coach question about playing your best table tennis when the score is 10 all. We also discuss other interesting questions, give a tip of the week, and have some fun discussing random stuff. I hope you enjoy the show! My Most Recent 10 - 10 Experience Jasper - I played a best of 5 game in school just now with a friend. I won the first set and then my opponent won the next set. However since the time was almost up, the coach told us to play at 10 - 10 and the loser would have to do 15 push ups and 15 burpees. I took your advice to focus in the present, managed to save a match point and then won 14 - 12.  Pretty happy that I was able to control the pressure. Liu Shiwen Peter - I often watch Liu Shiwen's playing style on youtube and I often ask myself what is the secret of her success. Is it her quick reaction, her short swing or taking the ball always on the rise.  Probably all of that. It seems to me it looks like she is punching the ball forward with no loop and topspin, she is just hitting the ball but very fast. As far as blocking is concerned she is sometimes using a Tomahawk block a term I never heard before. Color Choices for Ping Pong Room Robert - I’m repainting our ping pong room. What color(s) do you recommend for seeing the ball best? Racket Which Way Round Phil - Hi, can you tell me i always assumed that the offensive strike from the rubber is the RED side but a friend of mine says it is the backhand side which is BLACK who is right? Links in this Episode Sports Psychology Tutorials Becoming Roger Federer

Show #343 - Focus at 10 all

If bacteria doubles every 20 minutes, how many will there be after 8 hours? Find out at the end of the show as Jeff reads out his OMG facts. Of course we discuss some table tennis and in particular how many skills you should be working on at once. Attack with Antispin Rubber Abdul - Can you attack with antispin rubber especially when the opponent gives a backspin on ur backhand or forehand? Block Topspin Serve Steven - My brother serves his topspin serve, and it is getting on my nerves. How do I return a topspin serve properly without losing the point? Steps to Strokes Rudraansh - I and my friends are beginners at table tennis. I told them about your coaching tips and how can we increase our consistency using different practices but they don't agree, they think that we can play better only by practicing fast and spinny shots. What should I do? Forehand Counterhit Rudraansh - How can I practice forehand counterhit against the wall as my friends are not very supportive? Links in this Episode 52 Week Training Plan Building Blocks of Table Tennis PingSkills Consistency Chart

Show #342 - 16 Million

Do you want to know more about how to improve your table tennis game? Then this is the show for you. We take questions from players of all levels and discuss them so we can all learn how to become better.