Welcome to Ask the Coach Show #274 where we discuss Pressure.

Alois talks about how pressure can affect everyone

We take a look at the Quarter Final match of the 2005 World Championship in China between Michael Maze and Hao Shuai.

Jeff gives a quick recall about how pressure affected him differently when he was an Adult compared to when he was a Junior.

We discuss what a pre-point routine is and how you can develop one.

Third Ball Under Pressure

We're going all the way back to the start of August. :) This is when the ITTF released a new form of Table Tennis called TTX.

With the Olympics well under way we discuss the format of the Singles events in Rio.

Grenville: In a particular match when I was up 2-0 and on match point (10 -7), I actually lost the match 2-3 and I wanted to know what should be a players thoughts should be when they are approaching the win.

Marcin: After a long rally I lost the good feeling I had been having till that point and from being up in the match I ended up losing. How can I keep the good feeling alive?

Tushar: Do you think that showing our excitement after every point increases our chances of winning?

Yap: I have a problem when attacking a long pimple push because it is very low. Should I play a topspin against backspin stroke to attack the ball?

Sumit: How can I lift a heavy backspin ball that a defender with long pimples has hit to me? The ball comes back with so much backspin that it is very difficult to return.

Daniel: When I do a backhand loop, I find it hard to recover from the finish position. If I try to automatically transition from it my stroke doesn't turn out as efficient. How do I effectively transition?

We discuss some of the mail we received regarding Show #273 - Table Tennis at the Olympic Games.

Michael Maze vs Hao Shuai - Best Table Tennis Comeback EVER

The ITTF YouTube Channel

TTX World

PingSkills Sports Psychology Course

Live Results from Rio 2016

Men's Singles Draw at the Rio Olympics 2016

Women's Singles Draw at the Rio Olympics 2016

Jeff talks about his experiences from the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. He shows us some of the original team uniform and other memorabilia.

How to get off to a good start in matches.

Forehand anywhere in honour of Ryu Seung Min and his incredible footwork.

We go back to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens where Ryu Seung Min shocked the World and won the Olympic Gold Medal in the Men's Singles.

Praanesh: I am able to play the forehand rally separately when practicing but I cannot play it in a match. How can I rectify this?

Linh: I have a really good backhand and can utilise my wrist effectively on that side. How can I apply this to my forehand stroke?

Eugene: Is it necessary to rotate the waist when serving or is it enough to just use the arm and wrist?

Ryan: I have an amateur tournament tomorrow, and this is my first. I have done much practice but I am still nervous about tomorrow's results. May I know any tips to boost my mindset or maintain a sense of Zen and sanity before and during the competition. Thanks in advance!

Eugene: After hitting the ball where should I move so that I can position myself for the next ball?

Nasco: Is Ma Long participating in the London Olympics? I found that Xu Xin and Ma Lin are also not in those Olympic Games.

We discuss some of the mail we received regarding our last show Table Tennis for All #272.

Jeff Plumb's Olympic Results

Table Tennis at the Summer Olympics

Ryu Seung Min Reminiscing Winning 2004 Olympic Gold

Alois tells the story of World Champion Dot DeLow. He also talks about his experiences working in remote Pacific islands and working with the Paralympic team.

How to get the most out of your practice when training with players who are weaker than you.

The PingSkills drill with multiball

We take a look back a the first World Table Tennis Day where there were 158 registered events in 70 countries.

We discuss the Paralympics. We talk about the different events and classes, and how athletes are graded.

DK: What rules are applied to a mixed doubles pair when one player is in a wheelchair and the second one is a highly mobile player?

Tevia: I recently played a very easy match in the mixed doubles senior inter regionals. In the final game we were up 10-0 and 2-0 in games. I was receiving serve. The serves were quite high and had very little spin so if I wanted to I could kill the ball anywhere on the table, especially since they were serving to my forehand. My partner asked if we should give them 1 point just to be nice and not make them feel bad by losing 11-0 or not stuff about and take the match immediately. What would you guys do in this situation. In my family there are a lot of VERY competitive sportsmen and they would definitely not give them that point.

Joshua: Hi Alois and Jeff, what is/are your most embarrassing moment(s) in Table Tennis?  And what is/are your funniest moment(s) in table tennis?

Johnny: Hello. I've had this problem for quite while now, where I get very angry/frustrated when I'm losing to a player who I think of lowly. This cause me to play very badly and lose a lot of points. For example, I played a player who only started playing a month ago, had no proper coaching, and lost to him because of this issue. I am a beginner, but have done about 6 months of coaching. I felt like my work and money was being wasted as I'm losing to players who's done much less training than me. Any tips on this mental issue?

Magic: Is there like some easy move that can beat an experienced player? I'm 15, been playing for around a year and regularly play with players much better than myself. I get on the table, score a few points, but generally get beaten and then have to wait in line again -.-. Got any tips for me? I want to at least beat ONE of them now and again LOL. 

How far exactly does the ball need to be from the table in order to perform an around the net shot and what kind of spin do you need to focus more on when doing it? Sidespin or topspin?

We discuss some of the mail we received regarding our last show Spin in Table Tennis #271.

Dot DeLow playing at 101 years of age

Paralympic Games

ITTF Para Table Tennis

Alois tells the story of World Champion Dot DeLow. He also talks about his experiences working in remote Pacific islands and working with the Paralympic team.

How to get the most out of your practice when training with players who are weaker than you.

The PingSkills drill with multiball

We take a look back a the first World Table Tennis Day where there were 158 registered events in 70 countries.

We discuss the Paralympics. We talk about the different events and classes, and how athletes are graded.

DK: What rules are applied to a mixed doubles pair when one player is in a wheelchair and the second one is a highly mobile player?

Tevia: I recently played a very easy match in the mixed doubles senior inter regionals. In the final game we were up 10-0 and 2-0 in games. I was receiving serve. The serves were quite high and had very little spin so if I wanted to I could kill the ball anywhere on the table, especially since they were serving to my forehand. My partner asked if we should give them 1 point just to be nice and not make them feel bad by losing 11-0 or not stuff about and take the match immediately. What would you guys do in this situation. In my family there are a lot of VERY competitive sportsmen and they would definitely not give them that point.

Joshua: Hi Alois and Jeff, what is/are your most embarrassing moment(s) in Table Tennis?  And what is/are your funniest moment(s) in table tennis?

Johnny: Hello. I've had this problem for quite while now, where I get very angry/frustrated when I'm losing to a player who I think of lowly. This cause me to play very badly and lose a lot of points. For example, I played a player who only started playing a month ago, had no proper coaching, and lost to him because of this issue. I am a beginner, but have done about 6 months of coaching. I felt like my work and money was being wasted as I'm losing to players who's done much less training than me. Any tips on this mental issue?

Magic: Is there like some easy move that can beat an experienced player? I'm 15, been playing for around a year and regularly play with players much better than myself. I get on the table, score a few points, but generally get beaten and then have to wait in line again -.-. Got any tips for me? I want to at least beat ONE of them now and again LOL. 

How far exactly does the ball need to be from the table in order to perform an around the net shot and what kind of spin do you need to focus more on when doing it? Sidespin or topspin?

We discuss some of the mail we received regarding our last show Spin in Table Tennis #271.

Dot DeLow playing at 101 years of age

Paralympic Games

ITTF Para Table Tennis

Welcome to Ask the Coach Show #271 where talk about the magical effect of spin in table tennis.

Alois talks about how spin makes table tennis a unique game.

Alois discusses the basics of spin and gives some advice on how to cope with different types..

No one can do the same serve to you 10 times in a row where you won't be able to get it back by the tenth time!

The Double Handed Catch!

We go back to the 1952 World Championships where Japan unleashed a new secret weapon to a little known player - Hiroji Satoh.

With only a couple of weeks to go we discuss the Olympic Games confirmed players ranking list.

Xavier: Every time i try and return a serve it's so spinny it jumps of my bat yet when i see good players they touch the same spinny serve but it just makes it back to the servers side. How do they do that?

Carlos: How do you return the Timo Boll serve?

Tushar: When some of my opponents do a sidespin serve with short length on my forehand or backhand, I try to receive it short (or we can say want to play a drop shot) on their respective courts but usually (almost all the time) either the ball goes out of the table or the came with height and it is very easy for them to finish it. So what can I do?

Joshnathan: Most of the players are using backhand sidespin flick in receiving serves. Is it effective against all kinds of spin?

Mars: Coach, I lost a very important match against my colleague because I can't properly return a no-spin serve. Usually, I return it high and then he will just smash the ball with ease. How do you effectively return or attack a no-spin ball?

Aaron: I always struggle with how to hit a chest high ball on the backhand side in particular the starting position for the backhand. The ball is not high enough to smash on the backhand side but I want to make an aggressive shot, any thoughts. Thanks Aaron 

We discuss some of the mail we received regarding Show #271 - From Garage to Club.

World Championship of Ping Pong - the sandpaper bat competition.

World champs of Ping Pong 2015: final Baggaley(ENG) - Flemming(GER)

Hiroji Satoh and the first sponge rubber 1952

PingSkills Receiving Secrets Course

Backhand Sidespin Flick Tutorial

Welcome to Ask the Coach Show #271 where talk about the magical effect of spin in table tennis.

Alois talks about how spin makes table tennis a unique game.

Alois discusses the basics of spin and gives some advice on how to cope with different types..

No one can do the same serve to you 10 times in a row where you won't be able to get it back by the tenth time!

The Double Handed Catch!

We go back to the 1952 World Championships where Japan unleashed a new secret weapon to a little known player - Hiroji Satoh.

With only a couple of weeks to go we discuss the Olympic Games confirmed players ranking list.

Xavier: Every time i try and return a serve it's so spinny it jumps of my bat yet when i see good players they touch the same spinny serve but it just makes it back to the servers side. How do they do that?

Carlos: How do you return the Timo Boll serve?

Tushar: When some of my opponents do a sidespin serve with short length on my forehand or backhand, I try to receive it short (or we can say want to play a drop shot) on their respective courts but usually (almost all the time) either the ball goes out of the table or the came with height and it is very easy for them to finish it. So what can I do?

Joshnathan: Most of the players are using backhand sidespin flick in receiving serves. Is it effective against all kinds of spin?

Mars: Coach, I lost a very important match against my colleague because I can't properly return a no-spin serve. Usually, I return it high and then he will just smash the ball with ease. How do you effectively return or attack a no-spin ball?

Aaron: I always struggle with how to hit a chest high ball on the backhand side in particular the starting position for the backhand. The ball is not high enough to smash on the backhand side but I want to make an aggressive shot, any thoughts. Thanks Aaron 

We discuss some of the mail we received regarding Show #271 - From Garage to Club.

World Championship of Ping Pong - the sandpaper bat competition.

World champs of Ping Pong 2015: final Baggaley(ENG) - Flemming(GER)

Hiroji Satoh and the first sponge rubber 1952

PingSkills Receiving Secrets Course

Backhand Sidespin Flick Tutorial

Welcome to the Ask the Coach Show #270 where we talk about how to progress from a garage, office, or basement, to playing at a table tennis club.

Jeff talks about starting playing in a garage and how some people perceive table tennis.

We discuss common concerns people have about joining a club and give you some tips to be confident and take this important step.

This week we talk about some easy ways to find a table tennis club. If you can find your National or State association then get in contact with them. Otherwise Google is your friend and there are a number of good websites that will help you find a club in your area.

Brazilian All Stars vs Olympic Legends

We take a look back to 1988, the year table tennis first appeared in the Olympic Games.

This week we ask you to look differently at your on table warm up. Instead of always warming up with forehand to forehand followed by backhand to backhand, why not try hitting the ball anywhere?

Nikhil: I've been playing mainly in an office and now want to improve. I think getting a new bat will play a big part in this. Do you have any recommendations?

Andy: I've just visited a club for the first time and had a great experience. I'm now really keen to improve. What suggestions do you have to help me?

Sujith - Can we reuse the paddle from a premade bat to make a custom bat? If yes, what should be the things to care about while making such a custom bat?

Daniel - In the videos, what does the letter M and P stand for?  Who could view the M and P videos?  Are these videos available to the general public?

Il: Is it illegal to stamp your foot while serving?

PingSkills Multiball Course

Choosing a Table Tennis Bat

Olympic Legends vs Brazil Stars

2016 Olympic Legends vs Brazil Stars CALDERANO, Hugo BRA vs SAIVE, Jean Michel BEL

Table Tennis at the 1988 Olympics

Table Tennis Robots Blog

Welcome to the Ask the Coach Show #270 where we talk about how to progress from a garage, office, or basement, to playing at a table tennis club.

Jeff talks about starting playing in a garage and how some people perceive table tennis.

We discuss common concerns people have about joining a club and give you some tips to be confident and take this important step.

This week we talk about some easy ways to find a table tennis club. If you can find your National or State association then get in contact with them. Otherwise Google is your friend and there are a number of good websites that will help you find a club in your area.

Brazilian All Stars vs Olympic Legends

We take a look back to 1988, the year table tennis first appeared in the Olympic Games.

This week we ask you to look differently at your on table warm up. Instead of always warming up with forehand to forehand followed by backhand to backhand, why not try hitting the ball anywhere?

Nikhil: I've been playing mainly in an office and now want to improve. I think getting a new bat will play a big part in this. Do you have any recommendations?

Andy: I've just visited a club for the first time and had a great experience. I'm now really keen to improve. What suggestions do you have to help me?

Sujith - Can we reuse the paddle from a premade bat to make a custom bat? If yes, what should be the things to care about while making such a custom bat?

Daniel - In the videos, what does the letter M and P stand for?  Who could view the M and P videos?  Are these videos available to the general public?

Il: Is it illegal to stamp your foot while serving?

PingSkills Multiball Course

Choosing a Table Tennis Bat

Olympic Legends vs Brazil Stars

2016 Olympic Legends vs Brazil Stars CALDERANO, Hugo BRA vs SAIVE, Jean Michel BEL

Table Tennis at the 1988 Olympics

Table Tennis Robots Blog

Alois and Jeff discuss how they started out in table tennis.

This week we discuss the most important skill in table tennis, especially for beginners.

The Physical Warmup has changed a lot in the last 20 years. We discuss the latest methods and share how you should be warming up before playing table tennis.

We discuss the Pyongyang Open, and the upcoming Olympic Games.

Today we take a look back at a 4 year old Timo Boll playing table tennis.

Frendy: I just want to ask which grip is better and give me your reason with your own opinion. I'm a shakehand player but after thinking a lot about the grip between shakehand and penhold (i just like both of these grips) i think that penhold grip is better.

Duncan: The quality of my practice at the moment isn't the best - age old scenario of players wanting matchplay, or clubs being too busy to get a reasonable density of practice.

Musaab - Since I'm a fan of ZJK I bought a ZJK ALC and attached to DHS NEO 3 as FH and Tenergy 64 to it. it was a lot better and  I progressed a little, but now the main problem arises, this blade is extremely fast as a result the NEO 3 FH is became so sensitive to incoming spin, and T64 BH was good overall but blocking heavy topspins is next to impossible. I noticed how control was important for me because now I have no control at all.

Eugene: Table Tennis is a very fast sport as you know and we usually don't have a lot of time to do big strokes. Especially  on the backhand side. Is it a good idea to just use a counterhit or drive to hit balls on the backhand side and just rely on good control and good placement to win points? I think this way it's faster to recover. Then having a big backhand topspin.

Luka - How do you keep your eyes on the ball?

Hector: What I should look for in a table tennis table? Hardness, weight, color, material, brand? I want it for indoor use, in my own training, and an occasional game with friends.

Timo Boll Video

Most Important Skill in Table Tennis

Pyongyang Open

2016 Olympic Games Qualified Players

Choosing a Table Tennis Bat

Advanced Backhand Topspin

Table Tennis Robots

Alois and Jeff discuss how they started out in table tennis.

This week we discuss the most important skill in table tennis, especially for beginners.

The Physical Warmup has changed a lot in the last 20 years. We discuss the latest methods and share how you should be warming up before playing table tennis.

We discuss the Pyongyang Open, and the upcoming Olympic Games.

Today we take a look back at a 4 year old Timo Boll playing table tennis.

Frendy: I just want to ask which grip is better and give me your reason with your own opinion. I'm a shakehand player but after thinking a lot about the grip between shakehand and penhold (i just like both of these grips) i think that penhold grip is better.

Duncan: The quality of my practice at the moment isn't the best - age old scenario of players wanting matchplay, or clubs being too busy to get a reasonable density of practice.

Musaab - Since I'm a fan of ZJK I bought a ZJK ALC and attached to DHS NEO 3 as FH and Tenergy 64 to it. it was a lot better and  I progressed a little, but now the main problem arises, this blade is extremely fast as a result the NEO 3 FH is became so sensitive to incoming spin, and T64 BH was good overall but blocking heavy topspins is next to impossible. I noticed how control was important for me because now I have no control at all.

Eugene: Table Tennis is a very fast sport as you know and we usually don't have a lot of time to do big strokes. Especially  on the backhand side. Is it a good idea to just use a counterhit or drive to hit balls on the backhand side and just rely on good control and good placement to win points? I think this way it's faster to recover. Then having a big backhand topspin.

Luka - How do you keep your eyes on the ball?

Hector: What I should look for in a table tennis table? Hardness, weight, color, material, brand? I want it for indoor use, in my own training, and an occasional game with friends.

Timo Boll Video

Most Important Skill in Table Tennis

Pyongyang Open

2016 Olympic Games Qualified Players

Choosing a Table Tennis Bat

Advanced Backhand Topspin

Table Tennis Robots