Volleyball and Yodeling

I Can't Return that smash

How should you approach training sessions to get the most benefit?

How do you block out distractions when you are playing?

Mike: Back in the day (mid 80's to early 90's) I played with rubber which had 2.5 thickness. Nowadays, the sponges go up to 2.2 or max. If thicker sponges means more speed and spin then why did the sponges get thinner?

Viktor: Do you know how I can grow taller? I am 177 cm tall, my mother is 166 cm, my big brother is 179 cm and Dad is 182 cm. Can I increase my height by 5 cm if possible? I turn 16 in march and I want to be taller.Does GH help? But I am not allowed by my Mom.

Mark: I've decided to try short pips on the forehand. However effective service requires my inverted BH side, and my most practiced serves (tomahawk backspin) are forehand. Is it better to learn and practice backhand serves or add a twiddle to my serves?

TomRajMC: What is the best PingSkill?

Yap: My opponent always leave their hand up till the last minute when the ball comes down then they move away their hand so I have only a little time to watch the contact of the ball. He did not break the rules as he moved his hand away at the last minute.

Fabio: I struggle keeping the right crouched stance. I start being a bit "jumpy", coming up somehow and stopping to have the more efficient and correct compact stance. Is there any specific physical conditioning that you would suggest?

Viktor: Does bar hanging make me taller?

I Can't Return That Smash

52 Week Training Plan - for premium members

Training Plan Template PDF

Training Drills PDF

The Most Important Skill in Table Tennis

Simplified Rules

ITTF Rules

The AP Belt for teaching you to stay low

Volleyball and Yodeling

I Can't Return that smash

How should you approach training sessions to get the most benefit?

How do you block out distractions when you are playing?

Mike: Back in the day (mid 80's to early 90's) I played with rubber which had 2.5 thickness. Nowadays, the sponges go up to 2.2 or max. If thicker sponges means more speed and spin then why did the sponges get thinner?

Viktor: Do you know how I can grow taller? I am 177 cm tall, my mother is 166 cm, my big brother is 179 cm and Dad is 182 cm. Can I increase my height by 5 cm if possible? I turn 16 in march and I want to be taller.Does GH help? But I am not allowed by my Mom.

Mark: I've decided to try short pips on the forehand. However effective service requires my inverted BH side, and my most practiced serves (tomahawk backspin) are forehand. Is it better to learn and practice backhand serves or add a twiddle to my serves?

TomRajMC: What is the best PingSkill?

Yap: My opponent always leave their hand up till the last minute when the ball comes down then they move away their hand so I have only a little time to watch the contact of the ball. He did not break the rules as he moved his hand away at the last minute.

Fabio: I struggle keeping the right crouched stance. I start being a bit "jumpy", coming up somehow and stopping to have the more efficient and correct compact stance. Is there any specific physical conditioning that you would suggest?

Viktor: Does bar hanging make me taller?

I Can't Return That Smash

52 Week Training Plan - for premium members

Training Plan Template PDF

Training Drills PDF

The Most Important Skill in Table Tennis

Simplified Rules

ITTF Rules

The AP Belt for teaching you to stay low

Walt Disney

What is the one piece of Table Tennis advice you always remember?

How should you approach training sessions to get the most benefit?

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup & Latin American Championships

Spamm20: Often when i play with someone whos better than me, they seem to be really bored.I feel really bad whenever that happens, because i really appreciate it when they play with me, but i dont want to be a burden.Is it just me, or is there an explanation?

Ilia: When I have an opportunity to practice with better players one thing I notice is when they block for me they add a lot of pace. The result is that even when I make a soft topspin, their block is faster than my loop. It is especially common with kids.

Dorian: Does the sponge thickness affects the amount of spin you can put in the ball,or does it just make it go faster ?

Eugene: When long pushing, should I push the ball early off the bounce or late and on top of the ball?

Europe Top 16 Tournament

Backhand Push

The Push in Detail

Walt Disney

What is the one piece of Table Tennis advice you always remember?

How should you approach training sessions to get the most benefit?

ITTF Europe Top 16 Cup & Latin American Championships

Spamm20: Often when i play with someone whos better than me, they seem to be really bored.I feel really bad whenever that happens, because i really appreciate it when they play with me, but i dont want to be a burden.Is it just me, or is there an explanation?

Ilia: When I have an opportunity to practice with better players one thing I notice is when they block for me they add a lot of pace. The result is that even when I make a soft topspin, their block is faster than my loop. It is especially common with kids.

Dorian: Does the sponge thickness affects the amount of spin you can put in the ball,or does it just make it go faster ?

Eugene: When long pushing, should I push the ball early off the bounce or late and on top of the ball?

Europe Top 16 Tournament

Backhand Push

The Push in Detail

If a man speaks in the woods and his wife isn't there to hear it, is he still WRONG?

Deng Yaping was born

Do you respond better to praise or criticism?

What is the one piece of Table Tennis advice you always remember?

Ammar: I want to train my little brother but i don't know how to train him. Can you give me some tips?

Spamm20: What is the best way to help my friend improve at table tennis (for examlpe, what is good for training for someone inexperienced or what should i say so that he understands how the technique is done right)?

Carlos: I teach my students to loop with a straight path, but I read many players use curving paths, including some top players. For example, against backspin many players loop with a stroke where the racket curves upward during the swing. What is right?

Marv: When serving, do I need to contact the ball between the sides of the table, or can I hit from outside them, as long as I am in back of the end line.

Deng Yaping

Strokes & Techniques Course - for teaching players

Service Rules Video

Samsonov vs Boll 2016 German Open - Samsonov uses the fast serve down the line very effectively

If a man speaks in the woods and his wife isn't there to hear it, is he still WRONG?

Deng Yaping was born

Do you respond better to praise or criticism?

What is the one piece of Table Tennis advice you always remember?

Ammar: I want to train my little brother but i don't know how to train him. Can you give me some tips?

Spamm20: What is the best way to help my friend improve at table tennis (for examlpe, what is good for training for someone inexperienced or what should i say so that he understands how the technique is done right)?

Carlos: I teach my students to loop with a straight path, but I read many players use curving paths, including some top players. For example, against backspin many players loop with a stroke where the racket curves upward during the swing. What is right?

Marv: When serving, do I need to contact the ball between the sides of the table, or can I hit from outside them, as long as I am in back of the end line.

Deng Yaping

Strokes & Techniques Course - for teaching players

Service Rules Video

Samsonov vs Boll 2016 German Open - Samsonov uses the fast serve down the line very effectively

Facebook was founded

Who is better Forrest Gump or Bruce Lee?

Do you respond better to praise or criticism?

Keeping the ball low

Viktor: What do you think about I send 5 Swedish words that you should exercise at 3 weeks? Then come five new words and then 5 new after 3 weeks. I can send Swedish words that you can practice this year. what do you think? Think about and send a private message

Christian: I wonder when is the right time to upgrade equipment. I was wondering if Stiga Clipper CC with Stiga Royal would be good or too advanced for me. and also I want an RPB rubber . Do you have some recommendation?

Keagan: I am lacking quality practice and when I do play I struggle a lot in consistency in all strokes and I sometimes I get frustrated. Is there anything that you can suggest that I can do by myself to help and if slowing down might help?

Valerie: I am a beginner and I was wondering how to track the ball during serve. Should I track the ball until I hit it with the bat? When I track it I feel like I am in the wrong position, I need to watch the net and the opponent to have reference points.

Viktor: Is there a robot that I can play matches against? If so, can I choose a level that fits mine?

Spamm20: If i want to train my serve, how many balls should i get so that i can train seriously?

Keeping the Ball Low Video

Bruce Lee Ping Pong

Forrest Gump Playing Ping Pong

Choosing a Table Tennis Bat

Practicing Alone

Alois' Blog on Table Tennis Robots

Tracking the Ball and Anticipation

Multiball or Robot Drill - One short push where you push it back and then one long push where you make a topspin.

How do you overcome bad form?

Who would win in a game of table tennis? Forrest Gump or Bruce Lee?

Thanks to PingSkiller Johan for today's question.

The day the music died

Mike: Hi guys! When I'm looping with my forehand (I'm a lefty), I try to relax my arm for a better swing but sometimes, I loose my form along the way either my elbow or wrist goes out of whack. How do I find the correct medium so I don't loose form?

Viktor: Who would win? Ma Long v Jan Ove Waldner in early 20's ?

Viktor: Is it possible that you could start study Swedish? If so that would be cool :D I know you've passed school a long long long time a go but you please study and learn speak Swedish? PLEASE ALOIS AND JEFF :D

Tam: Hi Alois, when I do a sidespin backspin serve to my opponent's forehand they push long into my backhand (im a lefty) and I always spin with my backhand into the net is the pivot better in this situation? and how do you know when to play a pivot?

Arjan: Lately it seems as if my service return gets significantly worse when playing in doubles. I completely miss the ball off to the side or constantly feed them into the net and I ask myself why, why do I stumble even against easy serves?

Abhinav: I think Samsonov troubled Timo with his fast long serve into Timo's backhand throughout the match. What would you do if someone continues to trouble you in one particular spot?

Viktor: You spoke well Alois, Keep practise and next time I want to hear Jeff ;)

Viktor: How is it going with the cubes? Or is it too difficult ;)

Training Drills PDF

The Day the Music Died

Forehand Topspin

Multiball or Robot Drill - One short push where you push it back and then one long push where you make a topspin.

How do you overcome bad form?

Who would win in a game of table tennis? Forrest Gump or Bruce Lee?

Thanks to PingSkiller Johan for today's question.

The day the music died

Mike: Hi guys! When I'm looping with my forehand (I'm a lefty), I try to relax my arm for a better swing but sometimes, I loose my form along the way either my elbow or wrist goes out of whack. How do I find the correct medium so I don't loose form?

Viktor: Who would win? Ma Long v Jan Ove Waldner in early 20's ?

Viktor: Is it possible that you could start study Swedish? If so that would be cool :D I know you've passed school a long long long time a go but you please study and learn speak Swedish? PLEASE ALOIS AND JEFF :D

Tam: Hi Alois, when I do a sidespin backspin serve to my opponent's forehand they push long into my backhand (im a lefty) and I always spin with my backhand into the net is the pivot better in this situation? and how do you know when to play a pivot?

Arjan: Lately it seems as if my service return gets significantly worse when playing in doubles. I completely miss the ball off to the side or constantly feed them into the net and I ask myself why, why do I stumble even against easy serves?

Abhinav: I think Samsonov troubled Timo with his fast long serve into Timo's backhand throughout the match. What would you do if someone continues to trouble you in one particular spot?

Viktor: You spoke well Alois, Keep practise and next time I want to hear Jeff ;)

Viktor: How is it going with the cubes? Or is it too difficult ;)

Training Drills PDF

The Day the Music Died

Forehand Topspin

Groundhog Day

Should there be an International "Liha" Table Tennis league.

How do you overcome bad form?

Basic Stance 

Ilia: When I practice 3rd ball attack from my forehand, I can loop the ball with good pace. But when I play 3rd ball attack from anywhere, I cannot "force the pace". I can consistently open-up softly, but feel extremely awkward when I try to add power. Any help?

Viktor: I just watched the ''Omonoiadam Hadjivasiliou.'' video and it's hilarious :D You should re-watch it.

Tam: Hi Alois should I always flick a sidespin backspin serve with my forehand/backhand and only touch pure backspin serves? Because when I try to touch a sidespin backspin serve it is hard to control most of the time goes high.

Matthew: am having difficulty with my defence, my offence is good. I can't seem to get better at blocking because my partner doesn't hit fast top spins so I don't block anything. What should I do? If it is possible how do I block a slower hit?

Viktor: How do I block a power loop into my BH area? I have weak backhand and I can return the ball, help.

Gaurav: I am planning to buy a table for playing outside but under the canopy and can store it indoors. I have 2 options, one is indoor with regular wood top of 25 mm and the other is outdoor with 12 mm compress wood top. I am confused. Pls advise.

Basic Stance in Table Tennis

Is Laughter Infectious?

How To Counter a Slow Spinny Topspin

Backhand Block

Third Ball Tips - for premium members

Receiving Options - for premium members