Table Tennis: Steps to Success

by Larry Hodges

Table Steps to Success is the first book to give you a self-paced program for learning the important skills and game strategies in table tennis. By following this unique step-by-step approach, you will improve the level of your game and learn to play like a champion. Written by master teacher, coach, and player Larry Hodges, this table tennis book is part of the Steps to Success Activity Series--the most extensively researched and carefully developed set of sport skills instruction books ever published. Each of the 15 steps featured in Table Steps to Success provides a solid foundation of basic skills and concepts. As you progress, you will learn how to adapt your game using the advanced strategies and playing techniques. Each step (chapter) - explains why the skill or concept is important,
- identifies the keys to correct technique,
- helps you correct common errors,
- explains how to practice each skill in realistic ways,
- lists specific performance goals for each drill,
- gives you a summary checklist for evaluating proper technique, and
- lets you proceed at your own pace. Drawing upon his vast coaching experience and his extensive involvement with the U.S. Table Tennis Association, Larry Hodges presents useful advice in game strategies and tactics. He also covers two areas of the game that are very important, yet often overlooked--footwork and mental preparation. In addition, you will learn how to - select serves and return shots that will give your opponents problems;
- add excitement to your game by putting topspin, backspin, or sidespin on the ball;
- choose the proper stroke to match your particular
needs--whether for quickness, power, deception, or just fun;
- select the grip that is best for you;
- improve your practices and games by starting out with an effective warm-up routine;
- find and enter tournaments; and
- prepare for tournament competition so that you'll perform your best. Table Steps to Success features over 120 drills and 140 illustrations and will help students get started, make steady progress, practice match-winning skills, and correct problems as they develop. The result--successful table tennis players who will enjoy the game for the rest of their lives. So learn how to play an effective game of table tennis; let your opponents play "Ping Pong"! See all the titles available in the Steps to Success Series.

Genres: Sports

Paperback

First published March 30, 1993

About the author

Larry Hodges, from Germantown, MD, was going to be a math professor (bachelor's in math), but science fiction writing and table tennis (yes, ping-pong) sidetracked him, and now he writes (and coaches the latter) for a living. He is an active member of Science Fiction Writers of America with over 80 short story sales. "Campaign 2100: Game of Scorpions" is his third novel, and combines three of his favorite things: science fiction, politics, and table tennis. He's a graduate of the six-week 2006 Odyssey Writers Workshop and the 2008 Taos Toolbox Writers Workshop, and is a member of Codexwriters.com. His story "The Awakening" was the unanimous grand prize winner at the 2010 Garden State Horror Writers Short Story Competition. He's a full-time writer with eleven books and over 1700 published articles in over 150 different publications. He also writes about and coaches the Olympic Sport of Table Tennis, is a member of the USA Table Tennis Hall of Fame (Google it!), and once beat someone using an ice cube as a racket. Visit him at www.larryhodges.org.

Reviews

[Sherry Yang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Basic introduction. Useful things I didn't know before
- The two-step footwork
- How long pips work

Reinforce what I already know
- Full stroke, relaxed arm