Ask The Coach Show | Table Tennis

1st of December 1997 - 1:09 The Planets Align Last #PQOTD - 1:45 Who is the most famous person that you share a birthday with? No that doesn't include yourself! Technique Tuesday - 4:28 Correcting Errors Rio Test Event - 8:50 Lucas Melo went and gave us his report #PQOTD - 11:22 What is the best colour combination for a Table Tennis Table, Flooring and the Ball? ITTF World Junior Championships - 11:53 Alois gives an update with the US doing well. Determining What Spin is on a Serve - 14:49 Viktor: Do you know a tip against a player with really good serves, the guy does a serve which goes down like backspin but goes up and side like a topspin sidespin. I can't see what's spin it's on the ball. when I try to attack it goes into the net. Help :) Languages - 16:11 Viktor: How many languages can you speak on? Can you speak Swedish? :D Best Players of all Time - 17:32 Viktor: How would you list the top 10 best/ greatest Table Tennis Players from the start to now? Disguising the Reverse Pendulum Topspin Serve - 18:10 Nishant: My best serve is the reverse pendulum with backspin. After a while my opponent starts lifting it on so I do the reverse pendulum topspin serve expecting them to hit it out. My action is different. When I try the same action it becomes too obvious. Fitness for Table Tennis - 22:00 Abhinav: I read that the top level international players are as fit as the top level soccer players. Is that true? I was also hearing an old interview of Timo Boll, he said that he trains for 2-3 hours a day playing and spends more time in the gym. Bench Press - 25:04 Viktor: Do you think TT players bench press? Time to Upgrade Rackets - 25:34 Austin: I am currently playing with Mark V that I have been using for a few years. I have started to become confident in my strokes, and I was wondering if there was a definite time when a player is consistent enough to be able to handle a better racket? Links in this Episode Correcting Errors itTV Patrick Franziska Interview Reverse Pendulum Serve- for premium members Choosing a Table Tennis Bat

Sweden v Denmark & Correction - 1:02 Alois talks about an interesting fact and corrects a small mistake in the last on this day in history. On This Day in History - 3:00 30th November 1874 - Winston Churchill Weekend Wrap - 3:33 ITTF World Junior Championships in Vendée, France. Last #PQOTD - 6:30 Premium members: What is the best part of the PingSkills Premium membership? Free members: What would entice you to become a premium member? #PQOTD - 8:00 Who is the most famous person that you share a birthday with? No that doesn't include yourself! Trajectory - 8:34 Ilia: How does the trajectory of the ball affect the amount of spin on a loop? If I want to do a really spinny stroke, should I take the ball as late as possible, when it is falling? Rain v Snow - 10:08 Brian: Why is it that rain drops but snow falls? Older Beginners - 10:52 Chris: How can older beginners overcome their lack of mobility and speed? Returning Aggressive Backhand - 14:31 Sathya: Hi coach can you show me how to return an aggressive backhand spin. Xu Xin’s Deceptive Serve - 16:46 Yap: How to do this serve done by Xu Xin, it looks like a pendulum serve but I think is not really a pendulum serve. Is this serve a good serve?  Generating Spin and Straight Throws - 19:31 Jean-Paul: How do you get lots of spin on your serve and how do you keep your palm flat for when you do your toss because I always either foul or have to search for the ball which is ideally avoided. Links in this Episode 195 Broadway Watch the World Junior Championships on itTV Slow Spinny Topspin Forehand Topspin Against Block Backhand Block Xu Xin Serve 1 Xu Xin Serve 2

Friday Funnies - 1:00 What better than a knock knock joke? Last #PQOTD - 2:45 What is your favourite Table Tennis photo? #PQOTD - 3:38 Premium members: What is the best part of the PingSkills Premium membership? Free members: What would entice you to become a premium member? Practice vs Matches - 4:20 Ilia: When playing drills I feel comfortably playing defence in open game, I can block and counterattack. But in matches, I feel extremely anxious being under attack, and can only block at best. How to deal with it? Activation Level - 8:18 Ilia: Some people say that during a match it is crucial to pump up yourself with positive thoughts even when things go really downhill. Do you think that it is possible to overdo it so it becomes detrimental? What was your most memorable comeback? Receiving Tomahawk into the Middle - 11:55 Abhinav: I have had trouble in receiving long tomahawk serves from right handed players into my body (me being a lefty). It's right into my body and a bit fast as well, I am unable to do the pivot footwork and do forehand topspin. What can I do? Positive Talk - 14:55 Ilia: Oops, I should have phrased differently :) By pumping up I meant lots of self-talk like "I can do it", "I have everything I need" and so on and avoiding negative thoughts at all. Do you think it is helpful? Honestly, I do not :) Follow Up Attack - 18:30 Vineeth: I am unable to attack balls after 1st drive...help me please Overcoming the Yips - 21:12 Robin: I was wondering if you have ever encountered a table tennis player suffering from the yips? I believe it is affecting me and it's obviously quite upsetting to lose a skill you once had in the blink of an eye. Do you have any relevant advice? Links in this Episode Bruce Sutter Saeed Anwar Sports Psychology Course Forehand Followup - for premium members Alois' Best Comeback Podcast about Free Throws - Surprisingly Awesome

Last #PQOTD - 2:34 In which decade was Table Tennis most watchable... 1950s, 1970s, 1990s or now? #PQOTD - 5:45 What is your favourite Table Tennis photo? Throwback Thursday - 6:15 Ready Position after the Pendulum serve https://www.pingskills.com/table-tennis-forum/ready-position-after-pendulum-serve/ The U.S. Nationals - 9:18 They have 94 events! A huge tournament being held soon in Las Vegas. Practice Balls - 12:00 Abhinav: I am looking to buy balls for training with my robot. The 3 star balls are quite expensive to buy in bulk. Is it ok to train with lower quality balls? Patrick Franziska’s Interview - 14:10 Table Tennis Daily recently released a great podcast where they interview Patrick Franziska. Returning Franziska’s Serve - 17:10 John: What type of technique should I use when playing against someone using Patrick's serve? Thanks! Playing Defenders - 21:41 Matt: I'm hoping you can give me advice with a match I have coming up, 2 of the players are defenders who will only chop and push but I struggle against this, especially as one of them plays with a kind of hard bat and one plays with regular inverted. Links in this Episode The Ready Position After the Pendulum Serve The U.S. Nationals Patrick Franziska's Serve Into a Shoe Patrick Franziska's Serve Into a Shoe - How To by PingSkills Match Strategy When Playing Against a Defensive Chopper - for premium members

This Day in History - 3:36 Carl Benz Drill of the Week - 4:50 Backhand, Backhand Footwork Footwork for Banana Flick - 6:33 Marcin: For the Backhand Sidespin flick I noticed that straightening up my body, instead of staying low works better. I get better results in consistency. Should I experiment with it more or leave it and keep staying low during this stroke? Last #PQOTD - 9:58 What is the hardest shot in Table Tennis? #PQOTD - 12:40 In which decade was Table Tennis more watchable... 1950s, 1970s, 1990s or now? Difficult Shot - 13:20 Mike: Hi guys! Thanks for the side under return info, I will try it. Here is another, my opponent attempts a slower loop, he hits the net a lot, I have time to hit the ball but with all that spin, it causes an error. How can I return that freakish shot? :) ITTF Star Awards - 16:13 Get Your Vote In! Changing Tactics Mid-Game - 18:33 Ilia: Suppose that I find a plan that works greatly against the opponent and win a game with it. But in the middle of the next game, he adjusts, and I feel lost and anxious & don't know what to do. How to handle this from the mental point of view? Rubber Check - 21:34 Eugene: An umpire will check your bat before a match. If there is some damage they will ask you to change it. Why is this in the rules? Do you think the rule should be changed? Varying Grip - 24:25 Martinand: is it possible to post photos of different grip? Adding Spin to Counterhit - 28:30 Ittipat: Is it true that every time I do forehand or backhand counter hit, I should add some top spin into it? My coach said my backhand counter hit lacks power and control. Please help Links in this Episode Dr Michael Car-Gregg Training Drills PDF Backhand Sidespin Flick ITTF Star Awards Sports Psychology Course How To Hold a Table Tennis Bat Forehand Counterhit Backhand Counterhit

Technique Tuesday - 2:31 Slow Spiny Topspin On This Day - 5:53 See the introduction to hear about Monica Seles breaking records for prize money, and here Alois talks about Cricket legend Ian Botham Last #PQOTD - 6:42 Have you ever played in a tournament? If you have, what was the last tournament you played in? #PQOTD - 9:10 What is the hardest shot in Table Tennis? Free Hand Position - 9:49 Sasi: Is there a perfect/professional position for the non-playing hand? I am a right-hander who keeps the left hand fully open (at chest level), and that looks a bit odd when I recorded a video for the first time. I have never seen 'myself' play before! Show #200 Soon - 12:56 Viktor E: Did you see my expectations for your #200 show? :D Choosing a Table to Buy - 14:08 Abhinav: I am thinking to buy a table tennis table for my home. I am not sure what to look for in them. I don't want a really high end table, just something which is not far off a standard table, so that I am not in a surprise when I play elsewhere. Does the Grip Matter - 18:20 George: I was wondering for general knowledge does using a certain grip enhance your play? Or can you be just as good with any grip? Options for Returning a Short Serve - 20:49 Viktor E: Do you have a tip, My opponent do a really spinny short and low serve and when I push it back even shorter he does a flick or a sidespin flick. If I try to attack he smash or topspin sidespin loop fast back and I'm not able to block in time. Help. Links in this Episode Jordan 191 Slow Spinny Topspin The Standard Grips Keeping the Ball Low

Rio Test Event - 0:50 We discuss the results and the green floor This Day in History - 4:15 Doctor Who? Last #PQOTD - 5:12 How many years have you been playing Table Tennis? Have you ever taken a few years break? #PQOTD - 7:17 Have you ever played in a tournament? If you have, what was the last tournament you played in? Improving Your Short Wide Return - 7:45 Mike: Hi Alois and Jeff! Lately, I have been getting side under which goes out wide, and very short to my forehand. Sometimes I return it to my right or left with backspin. My opponent loops it to my backhand as I pull back. How do I improve that return? Learning Lag Time - 10:57 Pasquale: When i practice technique in my session and then I play, is it normal that when i do that technique soon after I make many mistakes. But after a day or 2 without playing, I have improved the technique without doing anything? Is this normal? Switching Strokes - 13:47 Bob: Hi! I seem to have challenges, going quickly from back to forehand and forehand to backhand. I tend to get stuck and am not back fast enough. Any ways to improve this? Serving with Disguise - 16:55 Jakhongir: How to serve no spin but make the serve look like a spin serve? Links in this Episode Rio Test Event Results Improvement is a long term activity Improving Your Reflexes No Spin Serve Serving Secrets - for premium members Switching between backhand and forehand - for premium members Random & Competitive Drills - for premium members Training Drills PDF

On This Day - 1:15 Brazilian Soccer Legend Pele Achieves a Milestone Last #PQOTD - 2:48 What will take you further, Talent or Technique? #PQOTD - 6:10 How many years have you been playing Table Tennis? Have you ever taken a few years break? Friday Funnies - 6:40 Service Tactics - 7:10 Ilia: What is the best serve & receive tactics against a player who tries to cover everything with forehand? Encouraging People to use Multiball - 9:30 Ilia: I think that multiball is a ridiculously effective tool. But it is so hard to convince people to do it. Moreover, some people get very irritated when they see others doing multiball! Why it is like that? Receiving Forehand Serve - 11:25 Abhinav: Whenever a tomahawk serve by a right handed player or a pendulum serve by left handed player comes from his side (my backhand) to my forehand, I try to keep it low but it jumps high and if I try to attack, then it goes to net or out. Backhand Flick and Banana Flick - 13:56 Tushar: I want to ask what is the difference between Backhand Flick and Backhand Sidespin Flick (Banana Flick)? What are their advantages. Backhand from Forehand Side - 16:20 Tam: Can touching with your backhand from forehand side be used as a substitute for forehand touch as I have seen many young players use it. Is it because you can achieve a better angle? Links in this Episode Bounce - by Matt Syed The Talent Code - by Daniel Coyle Outliers - by Malcolm Gladwell Introduction to Multiball Receiving Secrets Course - for premium members Backhand Flick Backhand Sidespin Flick (Banana Flick)

On This Day - 1:53 Baby Rabbits? Last #PQOTD - 2:15 Who or what is your favourite training partner? #PQOTD - 4:40 What will take you further, Talent or Technique? Throwback Thursday - 5:02 Physical Warm Up Drills to Improve Reactions - 8:08 Chris: From your video anticipation, it seems that the only way to improve ones reaction times is experience. I was thinking: are there simply drills that improve reaction times? Head Movement for Loop - 12:06 Tim: I have always had a bit of a problem when I loop, with my head going up/back, more on my forehand. I know that it is bad but I really struggle to break the habit. As a result I miss the ball quite a bit, and I also think it costs me power. Any tips? Moving Early for Return of Serve - 18:20 Tam: Hi Alois, I notice against a lot of his opponents Koki Niwa moves to do a backflick from short forehand before the opponent has even contacted the ball, how does he know that the opponent won't play a fast topspin serve long to his forehand? Links in this Episode Test Event for Rio 2016 Olympic Games Physical Warm-up Anticipation Introduction to Multiball Basic Stance Koki Niwa vs Ma Long Backhand Sidespin Flick

On This Day - 1:44 There's a mouse in the house. Last #PQOTD - 2:28 Have you tried Boosting? #PQOTD - 5:34 Do you think Zhang Jike is finished? Will he play in Rio Olympics? Technique Tuesday - 5:55 Forehand Topspin Variations Help with Judging Length - 9:17 Viktor: I have a problem with my loops / FH and BH topspins, everytime my opponents do a short serve I try to topspin the ball automatically so I miss the ball but when it's long I miss the ball or do a lob if I dont have time for a loop but that can be trouble. Experience v Talent - 13:00 Esteban: Say maybe in a game. Is it possible for one with almost no experience to beat someone with a bit more experience because of talent? Are Robots Worth It? - 16:20 Jeff: is it worth the money to buy a ping pong robot? Getting the Timing Right - 19:23 Anish: Please suggest me something to hit all the counter balls on the maximum height with a slightly closed angle and adjust to all types of balls received on my side improving overall timing. Links in this Episode Forehand Topspin Variations Geelong Cats Destroy the Melbourne Demons by 186 Points Footwork for a Short Ball  

Summary In the show we're going to talk about all the interesting results from the Swedish Open. And we'll be answering lots of your questions about anticipation, footwork, variation, having an attacking mindset and more. Yes it is a big show. On This Day - 1:30 A Soccer legend makes his debut Swedish Open Wrap - 2:03 We discuss the interesting results and Zhang Jike's future Last #PQOTD - 7:05 Who is the most famous player you have met in person? #PQOTD - 9:15 Have you tried Boosting? Anticipation and Moving Early - 9:40 Ilia: When do you judge the placement of your opponent's stroke and start moving into position? When he swings? Or when the ball leaves the racket? What do you think about guessing placement from previous experience with this player and start moving very early? Moving Out Wide - 11:48 Ilia: Hi! I often notice that when moving into position for a relatively large distance, I make a few small side steps, instead of a single big one. How to make myself use a large step and is it worth doing? How Much Time Do You Play Table Tennis? - 14:10 Rodrigo: Im probably out of context, but how much time do you play table tennis? Observation About Dogs - 15:23 Brian: Brian: Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out of the window? Varying Your Pushing - 15:53 Mike: Hi guys! I hope you enjoyed your weekend :) Sometimes I get into a chopping rally, normally I look for a ball to attack, but I can't attack every single chop shot. How do you vary spin during a chop rally in order to keep your opponent off balance? Aggressive Mind Set - 18:05 Abhinav: For 2 months I have become more aggressive. I attack every possible chance I get. But sometimes I make mistakes and attack throng ball and lose the point. So what to do to correct this? And should I continue to be aggressive? Head Tilt for Push - 19:47 Anup: My head tilts towards the side spin while returning, this makes me lose my sense of orientation if the rally continues. Is there any correlation? Overcoming Spin for 3rd Ball - 21:10 Sam: I have recently mastered my service return, by hitting the same side of the ball that the server strikes to get a good return. My new problem is when I serve a sidespin serve, the 3rd ball is sometimes tricky. Should i hit the same side as the serve? Links in this Episode Improv Comedy - Game 185 Swedish Open Anticipation Improving Your Reflexes The Push in Detail Moving Out Wide Master Class - for premium members Third Ball Tips Master Class - for premium members Effective Third Ball Master Class - for premium members

Last #PQOTD - 1:20 Adam Bobrow (Table Tennis Commentator for the ITTF) - Do you like his style? #PQOTD - 2:56 Who is the most famous player you have met in person? On This Day - 3:20 Alois reveals an exciting fact about this day in history Friday Funnies - 4:15 We tell some really really funny jokes that PingSkillers have told on our Facebook page. Table Lighting - 6:08 Homero: My current lighting scheme in my pingpong table room is very poor, it is a regular 2 light bulb scheme. I want to improve my current situation: I want to know about the ideal number of light bulbs, its position relative to themselves and the table. Serves for Shorties - 8:06 Eihaa: Hello I am ten years old and I found it difficult to do most of the serves because I am to small. What type of service do you think is the best for me. I am an all round player. What Spin Should I Learn First? - 9:53 Dorian: I just started to play ping pong what type of spin should I try to learn first? Topspin, underspin, or side spin? Thanks. Backhand Hook Shot - 11:35 Manfred: I still practise the hooking forehand topspin - works fine occasionally. I wonder whether the same is possible with the backhand or is there any technique to make the ball curve more sidewards? Links in this Episode Strokes & Techniques Section Forehand Counterhit Backhand Counterhit Sidespin Backhand Topspin - for premium members Robert Louis Stevenson  

Last #PQOTD - 1:03 What is the furthest you have travelled to play Table Tennis? #PQOTD - 2:59 Adam Bobrow (Table Tennis Commentator for the ITTF) - Do you like his style? On This Day - 3:35 Alois talks about interesting topics that happened on this day in history. Throwback Thursday - 4:35 Trick Serves Video Older Players Switching to Funny Rubber - 6:45 Mike: Hi guys! I noticed since my return to table tennis last year, that some older players have switched to long or short pips, when they been playing with smooth rubber most of their lives. Why do you think that sort of switch occurs with older players? Stop with the Banana Flick - 8:03 Ilia: I can effectively use the banana flip against weaker playerst. But against stronger ones I lose more points than I win with the flip. Moreover, a coach told me that this shot "is not my level" and I should forget about it. So should I really give up on it? Receiving Serves Curving Into Forehand - 10:12 Eugene: I'm a right hander and I have a problem receiving left spin serves like tomahawk, reverse pendulum serve backhand serve etc that comes to my forehand. When left spin comes to my forehand my wrist becomes uncomfortable because I have to lay it back. Returning Low Serves - 14:12 Venk: Some of my opponents are doing side spin service nearly at net height almost touching the net. If I return with a chop or push they can smash it easily. Can you please tell me what would be the best way to return this type of service? Common Grips - 16:57 Randal: So is it completely wrong to use a grip that isn't the 2 most common grips? I play with my four fingers in the handle and my thumb pointed up on the backside. Is it still better to go against all my muscle memory and go with a more standard grip? Two Finger Grip - 21:08 Krishna: Its normal that most of the players keep 1 finger at the backhand but I keep 2 fingers is there any side-effect or disadvantage can you help me out plzzz? Links in this Episode PingSkills Trick Serve Video Get a Grip ITtv Keeping the Ball Low Playing Against Long Pimples Playing Against Short Pimples Backhand Sidespin Flick Receiving Principles The Push in Detail

Where have we been? 0:45 Alois has been in Belgium! This Day in History - 2:02 We talk about an American President Performing Well in Competition - 2:35 Jeff's Rubik's Cube tournament and discussion on what it takes to perform at your best Last #PQOTD - 6:45 Is serving too big a factor in Table Tennis? Should the serving rules be changed to make it easier for receivers? #PQOTD - 11:04 What is the furthest you have travelled to play Table Tennis? Tournament Wrap - 11:33 Women's World Cup Losing to Kids - 13:46 Ilia: Something really related to table tennis :) Jeff, when you lose to kids in Rubik's cube competition, how do you feel? Table Tennis Tables - 16:35 Osse02: Do you guys sell table tennis tables? Watching the Ball - 17:08 Utkarsh: I generally rely on my peripheral vision during a rally. I lose many points because I'm not good at keeping a track on the ball. I tried watching the ball all the way but then I can't concentrate on placement and watching opponent's position. Is The Short Push Overrated - 19:27 Ilia: I notice that short push is almost useless or even detrimental because for the short push to be effective it has to be tight otherwise it gives an opportunity for a lights-out attack. And to make it tight, one has to read the spin 100% correctly. Best Way To Develop Strokes - 23:07 BWilson808: As a beginning player, I'm still trying to develop my strokes. Would you consider it more important to slowly progress in multiple strokes at once or direct all attention to learning one specific stroke at a time? Links in this Episode Alois in Belgium The Push in Detail PingPod #42 - Change the Service Rule Jeff's Official Rubik's Cube Results

Drill of the Week - 1:05 2B 1F then moving it up to random. Last #PQOTD - 4:26 How do you interact with us. Do you have a free PingSkills account, are you a premium member, do you watch on YouTube, Facebook, or Twitter? Let us know. #PQOTD - 6:36 Is serving too big a factor in Table Tennis?  Should the saving rules be changed to make it easier for receivers? On This Day - 7:08 Social Celebrity Anton Kallberg’s Serve - 9:00 Tam: What serve does Anton Källberg do and what makes it so effective? Stefan Fegerl’s Serve - 10:48 Eugene: What serve is Stefan Fegerl doing. He swings his bat behind his body after the serve and look like a pendulum serve but the spin goes to Fegerl's forehand. What is the advantage of this serve? Is It Time To Change Partners? - 15:23 Romeo: I decided to use the BH flick to receive the ball but I hit my bat and it broke. I glued it but it broke again. Can I still use it? Links in this Episode Training Drills PDF Anton Kallberg’s Serve Stefan Fegerl's Serve How To Tell If Your Bat is Broken