Receiving Heavy Spin Serves in Table Tennis

Received a great request to discuss in a little more detail the topic of returning serves with heavy spin. Of course I will try and focus on as many different examples as possible to give a broad overview of the various scenarios you may have to face.

Fan Zhendong Serving
Courtesy of ITTFWorld

What Are Your Options When You Are Out of Position in a Point

Positioning is a vital part of table tennis, fast footwork and anticipation - getting to where we need to be in the blink of an eye to stay in the game. Coaches are constantly pushing their students to get in position, balance and use weight transfer - but what about the contingencies? What should a player do when they are caught out of position?

Hugo Calderano out of position
Photo Courtesy of ITTFWorld

It's Time to Recognize that Ma Long is the Greatest Table Tennis Player of All Time

I'm never too far from controversy, but this is a topic that has come up time and time again over the past decade now. The age old battle of whether Ma Long or Jan-Ove Waldner should be considered the greatest table tennis player in history. For many years I was staunchly in Waldner's corner, but I believe the tides have changed, and there is finally plenty enough evidence to support the valid opinion that Ma Long is the king pin in the history of table tennis. Before you set your laptop on fire and never look at my blog again, remember this is a discussion topic, so please read my thoughts first and then feel free to comment with your own.

Ma Long the greatest of all time?
photo courtesy of ITTF.com

Weikert's Vision and Leadership Continues to Carry ITTF Forward Towards a Brighter Horizon

I haven't conducted any interviews in over a year, but was fortunate enough to have an opportunity to connect with ITTF President Thomas Weikert and speak more about the ITTF; where it has been since his election and where it is heading. I also took an opportunity, and I appreciate Thomas being open in his response, to address the ongoing rumors about the relationship with his predecessor Adham Sharara, the former ITTF President. Thank you Thomas and well done on all your continued progress with the global growth of table tennis.

ITTF President Thomas Weikert continues to push the
organization and world table tennis to new heights

Athlete Transformation: The 10 Day Challenge

My last post was back in May and focused on the steps I was taking to try and build better habits to be more of an athlete. Since then I have worked on a few things, though being in Las Vegas for 3 weeks was fairly disruptive to my training schedule.

I decided upon returning to take on the 10 Day Transformation Challenge from my sponsor Touchstone Essentials. I wanted to clean the slate and detox my body and also give myself some kind of idea of how to create a sustainable plan around my diet moving forward.

Taking on the Touchstone Essentials 10 Day Transformation Challenge