A few things can happen when you purchase a new racket that is very different than what you are used to. There’s the potential that it could be terrible. You might not like anything at all about it. There might be something surprising about your new purchase. It’s kind of like a blind date. Your …
What’s the Score???
I certainly am capable of losing track. If in doubt I tend to defer to my opponents recollection of how our points have played out. I’ve seen a couple of senior players nearly come to blows over a difference of opinion on what the score was. I get it. I frequently am already thinking about …
Table Tennis Analysis
Right Place …..Wrong Time Well, this is awkward. The pictures I’ve included are from local tournaments with players displaying some imperfect positioning. Hey; you never know what a camera might capture. My apologies for trying to display what to try to avoid doing. Truthfully, any of these players might be executing the perfect shot under …
Peace on Earth
Merry Christmas! I hope you are finding a good way to celebrate with family and friends. 2020 has been an interesting year. I feel like I’ve got a lot to be thankful for. I’ve never been so glad that I retired from UPS. I endured thirty eight Christmases at Big Brown, and most of them …
Don’t Forget Flexibility
Some people are just more flexible than others. I’m talking about anatomical flexibility. Flexibility or limberness refers to the range of movement in a joint or series of joints, and length in muscles that cross the joints to induce a bending movement or motion. Flexibility varies between individuals, particularly in terms of differences in muscle …
The Table Tennis Gambit
Gambit – a strategic move, where a player sacrifices something up front for future gain Some players are playing chess, and some are just playing checkers. That’s the way it seems, although I’m not very good at either game. What little I know about chess is that the best players are planning several moves ahead. …
Doubling Down With Short Pips
That’s right. It’s another post about pips. Just when you thought I could have said everything that there is to be said, I realize that there’s one burning question on everyone’s mind. Or perhaps you have better things to think about. No matter. At some point, every player that ever slapped on a sheet of …
Move Like a Table Tennis Player
Looks aren’t everything. I would never judge a man by the Butterfly on his shirt. It’s not wise to judge a player by their sex, size, nationality, or age either. You should never judge a player by their paddle. I’ve seen some really good players with pretty sad rackets. Even ratings can be misleading. You …
Making the Best of Being a Blocker
“You’re just blocking.” I’ve said it myself. When players first start learning, their first shots are typically blocks, especially on their backhands. It’s important that every player develop shots beyond basic blocks. But just because blocks are the most basic of table tennis shots, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t important. While some players need …
A WHOLE LOTTA LEAGUE
Is there a table tennis league near you? Are you able to compete on a regular basis? Have you considered starting a league? The advantage of leagues is that they can be run on a weekly basis. Most are relatively inexpensive, compared to playing in multiple tournaments. There’s slightly less pressure in league play. Did …