Ben Larcombe

This is Episode 057 of the Ask a Table Tennis Coach podcast. Today’s question comes from Jonathan and is about serving with corkscrew spin.

Jonathan asks…

“I’ve played some guys lately who have a really strong break bounce on their serve. I can achieve something similar but by no means as sharp of a turn as these fellows. How can I increase the amount my serve is breaking? And where is the most effective spot on the table to place a sidespin ball when serving?”

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This is Episode 056 of the Ask a Table Tennis Coach podcast. Today’s question comes from Glen and is about how to stop changing grip between shots.

Glen asks…

“As a former tennis player I’m used to using my left hand, I’m right handed, to rotate and reposition the paddle face from a forehand to a backhand and a backhand to a forehand. I actually just realized I was doing it because it’s so ingrained in me from the tennis. I’m sure that works when hitting back and forth with your wife but I’m now trying to upgrade my game and play better in competition. So the question is, what is the best way to reposition your paddle face especially when going from counter-hitting heavy top spin forehand to heavy top spin backhand? Is it that easy to just rotate your wrist? Even when I try to exclude my left hand I tend to want to slide the handle in my hand into the proper hitting position.”

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This is Episode 055 of the Ask a Table Tennis Coach podcast. Today’s question comes from Alberto and is about how to play as well in matches as in training.

Alberto asks…

“Hi Ben! I’ve been practicing drills for the coach robot practice partner for a couple of weeks now. During my practice I seem to be able to play proper forehand drives and loops. However, when I’m playing at my local club I’m not able to play with the same quality of strokes and I can barely find a proper time to play a forehand loop. Have you got any advice I can use so that my performance during the actual games will look the same as when I’m doing drills? It feels like I’m always running out of time to hit the ball and react with whatever I can do. Thanks!”

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This is Episode 054 of the Ask a Table Tennis Coach podcast. Today’s question comes from Steve and is about getting backspin on a reverse pendulum serve.

Steve asks…

“For years the reverse pendulum serve with backspin has alluded me. I can achieve a very strong reverse pendulum side and top spin serve but as far as I can tell as long as my paddle is swinging sideways, even if the paddle face is open, there’s no way to apply actual back spin to the ball. Rather, it’ll be pure side and after two bounces over the net side slightly top spin. My training partners now know that if they ever see the serve they’re free to loop away on it. I’ve watched Zhang Jike’s reverse pendulum serve in slow motion and as far I can tell he never seems to apply side and back spin either. Rather it’s mainly pure side spin. Am I missing something? How does the lack of variation not get him into trouble? If you or anyone you know has success with this serve I’d appreciate the insights.”

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This is Episode 053 of the Ask a Table Tennis Coach podcast. Today’s question comes from Jano and is about how to start coaching beginners.

Jano asks…

“Let’s say you’re a halfway decent player yourself and you’re getting your feet wet at coaching or giving advice to beginner players. What tips would you give for an aspiring coach? Where should I start and how should I structure training sessions?”

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