In this video, top coach and service expert, Craig Bryant, explains how to cause utter confusion by using deceptive serves. Service deception is where your service action looks like topspin, but the spin is actually backspin. Or your service action looks like backspin, but the spin is actually topspin. If your opponent misreads the spin, then you can win a cheap point or get a very weak return for an easy 3rd ball attack.

In this video, pro player Paul Drinkhall, shows how to do a forehand counter-topspin. This is a shot played close to the table. Your opponent plays a looping attack. Instead of blocking, you play a short counter-topspin attack instead. The result? Usually a clean winner. The ball goes past your opponent before he or she even realises. In the video, Paul explains how to execute the shot, how to practice and when to use the shot in matches.

One aspect of table tennis gets people more animated than any other. Serves. Or more precisely, illegal serves. I play local league table tennis and illegal serves are very common. I’ve seen full-grown men (it’s always men!) argue, swear, throw chairs and threaten physical violence because of the questionable legality of a player’s serve. So in this blog post, I will state very clearly what the service rules are and encourage you to play by these rules.

I recently did my first YouTube Live Table Tennis Q&A!  I answered questions on beating defensive players, grip changes, attacking no spin balls, playing rocket speed forehand topspins, injury prevention and more! 

You can watch the full show or choose the segments you're interested in...

• 1:50 - What is more important in generating speed and spin: rubber or blade? 
• 4:00 - How can you beat defensive players? 
• 10:00 - How to prevent table tennis injuries 
• 14:50 - Are my serves any good if opponents can return them? 
• 18:36 - Is anti-spin and short pips a good combination? 
• 21:00 - How long does it take to get used to a grip change? 
• 24:00 - How to attack no spin balls 
• 26:30 - How to generate rocket speed forehand topspin 
• 28:00 - What should beginner players focus on? 
• 31:00 - What is the difference between long pimples and short pimples?

If you want to improve your table tennis skills this summer, you should consider one of the many training camps in the UK and across Europe. 

There’s usually a lot of group training drills, focusing on technique, movement, service, receive and match-play. Some training camps will also include 1-to-1 coaching, so you can really work on your own specific needs.

In this article, I list some of the best training camps in the UK and Europe.

I am organising three group coaching sessions with Craig Bryant during June and July. These sessions will take place at Cambride-Parkside Table Tennis Club (CB1 3RJ). If you are based near Cambridge and want to take part, please complete a booking form (links below).

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Skills & Drills

Craig Bryant will share some pro tips to take your game to the next level, including topspin technique, improving at irregular play, switching into different places on the table and producing power. If you want to learn from a table tennis master, then sign up!

Date: 25 June 2019
Time: 7pm-10pm
Venue: Cambridge-Parkside TTC (Coleridge school, CB1 3RJ)
Coaches: Craig Bryant, Tom Lodziak
Cost: £25
Book here: https://forms.gle/C6X22ebdteyGtW1DA (2 PLACES LEFT)

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Service masterclass

Learn how to serve like a pro. Craig Bryant will share his service secrets and teach you how to generate more spin, vary spin, how to disguise your serves and how to use your serve to put your opponent under serious pressure.

Date: 23 July 2019
Time: 7pm-10pm
Venue: Cambridge-Parkside TTC (Coleridge school, CB1 3RJ)
Coaches: Craig Bryant, Tom LodziakCost: £25
Book here: https://forms.gle/WE2md9zqdWiATrg98 (5 PLACES LEFT)
 
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Tactical awareness

In the this session, Craig Bryant will help you improve the tactical side of your game. Craig will share tips on serving systems, predicting play, developing tactics and picking up on your opponent's tactics.

Date: 30 July 2019
Time: 7pm-10pm
Venue: Cambridge-Parkside TTC (Coleridge school, CB1 3RJ)
Coaches: Craig Bryant, Tom Lodziak
Cost: £25
Book here: https://forms.gle/BxVKPAg5afsR5yad7 (6 PLACES LEFT)