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Table of Contents

• Sporting Thoughts

• World News

• Training

  • How to Increase the Power of Your Forehand Topspin …

    • Coaches View

  • What Separates Professional Elite Players from National-Level Players

    • Player Profile

  • Chen Meng

    • Drill Of The Week

    • 50 Training Drills

    • Video Of The Week

    • How Did We Do?

    • Subscribe

    • Free Mobile App

 World News 

Results and Events around the world

World Table Tennis

International Table Tennis Federation

European Table Tennis Union

Table Tennis England

 Training 

The forehand topspin loop is one of the most dynamic and powerful strokes in table tennis. Increasing its power can give you a significant advantage, allowing you to put your opponent under constant pressure and dictate the pace of the game. Here’s how to develop a more powerful forehand loop, focusing on technique, body mechanics, and training tips.

1. Perfect Your Technique

Power in a forehand loop starts with proper technique. Without a solid foundation, your efforts to add power may compromise consistency and accuracy. Focus on the following key aspects:

• Starting Position: Your body should be side-on to the table, with your weight slightly on your back foot. Your knees should be bent, and your body should be relaxed. This position helps you generate momentum and transfer weight effectively.

• Stroke Path: The swing should have a smooth, circular motion. Start low and finish high, with the racket moving upward and forward. A compact yet fluid motion helps maintain control while generating speed and spin.

• Contact Point: Strike the ball at its peak or just after it starts to descend. Aim to brush the ball on its upper surface to generate topspin while engaging enough of the ball’s surface to produce a penetrating shot.

• Follow Through: The follow-through should extend naturally forward and upward. A controlled yet full follow-through ensures that the energy generated is fully transferred to the ball.

2. Engage the Whole Body

A powerful forehand loop relies on more than just the arm—it involves the entire body working in harmony. Here's how to optimize your body mechanics:

• Use Your Legs: Power starts from the ground up. Bend your knees and push off with your back foot as you rotate your hips. This upward and forward drive from your legs is a significant source of power.

• Hip and Torso Rotation: Rotate your hips and torso as you swing. This rotation adds a whip-like effect to your stroke, amplifying the force applied to the ball.

• Weight Transfer: Shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot during the stroke. This transfer maximizes energy transfer and keeps your body balanced for recovery.

• Relaxation and Timing: Stay relaxed throughout the stroke. Tension slows your swing and reduces power. Focus on timing your strike to the precise moment when your body’s rotation and weight transfer align.

3. Refine Your Grip and Racket Angle

Your grip and racket angle significantly influence the power and spin of your loop. A slightly looser grip allows for better wrist action, which can add acceleration at the point of contact. Experiment with small adjustments in your grip and angle to find the optimal balance between power and control.

4. Increase Swing Speed

To make your forehand loop more powerful, work on increasing the speed of your swing. This doesn’t mean wild, uncontrolled strokes but rather deliberate acceleration through proper technique. Practice these drills to improve swing speed:

• Shadow Practice: Stand in front of a mirror or record yourself and practice the forehand loop motion without a ball. Focus on speeding up your arm movement while maintaining proper technique.

• Multiball Training: Have a partner feed balls to you at a consistent pace. Gradually increase your swing speed with each repetition while keeping your strokes controlled.

5. Focus on Timing

Power is not just about raw strength—it’s also about timing. Hitting the ball at the right moment, when it’s in the optimal position, ensures maximum energy transfer. Mis-timing the shot can lead to loss of power and control. Work on recognizing the ball’s trajectory and anticipating the ideal point of contact.

6. Strengthen Your Core and Legs

A strong core and legs are essential for generating power. Incorporate exercises such as squats, lunges, planks, and rotational medicine ball throws into your fitness routine. These exercises enhance the muscles used in your stroke, making your movements more explosive.

7. Fine-Tune Spin and Power Balance

Power and spin go hand in hand in a forehand loop. Too much focus on power can reduce spin, making the shot less effective against opponents with strong defensive skills. Practice finding the right balance by varying your contact point and racket angle during drills.

8. Use the Right Equipment

The right blade and rubbers can make a significant difference. Opt for a blade with good speed characteristics and rubbers that suit your playing style. Softer rubbers may provide more spin and control, while harder rubbers allow for more direct power.

9. Drills to Develop Power

Here are two drills to help increase the power of your forehand loop:

• Forehand Loop Against Backspin: Have a partner feed you heavy backspin balls. Focus on accelerating through the ball and driving it forward with power. Gradually increase the speed of your swing as you gain confidence.

• Forehand Loop Against A Block: Have a partner block the ball back to you. Focus on a quick recovery, getting ready for the next return as all your speed will come back to you. Practice looping to both your partners forehand and backhand as a variation.

• Counter Looping: Practice counter-looping rallies with a partner. The goal is to exchange forehand loops at high speed, focusing on maintaining power and spin.

10. Monitor Your Progress

Keep track of your progress by incorporating video analysis into your training. Record your strokes during practice sessions and compare them over time. Look for improvements in swing speed, technique, and overall power.

Conclusion

Developing a powerful forehand topspin loop takes time, effort, and consistency. By focusing on technique, engaging your whole body, and incorporating specific drills into your practice routine, you can build a more powerful and reliable stroke. Remember, power without control won’t win matches—so strike a balance between speed, spin, and placement. Keep training, and watch your loop become a game-changer!

 Coaches View 

The leap from being a strong national-level player to becoming a professional elite player is vast. While both groups possess excellent skills, tactical understanding, and a high level of fitness, the elite players demonstrate unique qualities and nuances in their game that consistently set them apart. This article explores the key differences between these two levels of play and highlights what makes professional players truly exceptional.

1. Consistency Under Pressure

One of the most defining traits of professional-level players is their ability to maintain an extraordinary level of consistency, even under immense pressure. National-level players might perform brilliantly in bursts, but elite professionals can sustain their performance throughout entire matches and tournaments.

• Mental Resilience: Professionals excel at handling high-pressure situations, such as match points or playing against hostile crowds. Their ability to stay calm and execute their game plan is a hallmark of their success.

• Minimal Unforced Errors: Professionals make significantly fewer unforced errors, even when pushed to their limits. They maintain high accuracy in their shots while applying relentless pressure on their opponents.

2. Superiority in Shot Quality

While national-level players can hit powerful and spinny shots, professionals elevate their shot quality to another level:

• Spin and Power Balance: Professionals generate incredible spin and pace on their shots without sacrificing control. This combination makes their strokes harder to return.

• Variation and Deception: Elite players disguise their shots better, making it difficult for opponents to predict their intentions. For example, their backspin and topspin serves may look identical until the very last moment.

• Precision: Professionals place their shots with pinpoint accuracy, targeting the opponent’s weak zones or extreme angles to create openings.

3. Superior Footwork and Movement

Footwork is another area where professionals outshine national-level players. Elite players move with unmatched efficiency and speed, which allows them to cover the table with ease.

• Anticipation: Professionals read the game better and position themselves optimally before the ball even reaches them. This gives them an edge in reacting to fast-paced rallies.

• Balance and Recovery: After every stroke, professionals return to a neutral position faster, ready for the next ball. This quick recovery ensures they are always one step ahead in the rally.

4. Tactical Mastery

Elite players are not just technically skilled; they are tactical geniuses. Their ability to adapt and outthink opponents sets them apart.

• Match Adaptability: Professionals can change tactics mid-game to counter their opponent’s strengths. For instance, if an opponent is dominating with forehand loops, a professional might introduce short, low balls to the backhand to disrupt their rhythm.

• Strategic Serve and Receive: Professionals have a deeper understanding of how to use serves and receive tactics to gain an advantage. They think several steps ahead, planning their third and fifth shots during service sequences.

• Exploiting Weaknesses: Elite players quickly identify and exploit an opponent’s weaknesses, whether it’s poor footwork, a weak backhand, or an inability to handle spin-heavy shots.

5. Physical Conditioning

The physical demands of professional-level table tennis are immense. While national-level players are undoubtedly fit, elite professionals take their physical conditioning to a higher level.

• Endurance: Professionals can maintain their intensity throughout long rallies, matches, and tournaments. Their stamina ensures they perform at a peak level even after hours of play.

• Explosiveness: Professionals develop explosive power in their legs and core, allowing them to unleash powerful strokes and make lightning-fast movements around the table.

• Injury Prevention: Elite players follow strict fitness routines and recovery protocols to avoid injuries, ensuring they can sustain their training and competition schedules.

6. Mental Strength and Focus

The mental side of the game plays a huge role at the elite level. Professionals exhibit incredible mental strength and focus, which separates them from even the best national players.

• Emotional Control: Professionals rarely let emotions dictate their performance. They remain composed regardless of the scoreline, using setbacks as opportunities to regroup and refocus.

• Single-Minded Dedication: Professional players often spend years fine-tuning their skills, sacrificing personal time to achieve mastery. Their unwavering focus on improvement drives them to outperform others.

• Visualization and Preparation: Professionals often use visualization techniques to mentally rehearse matches and scenarios. This preparation helps them feel confident and ready for any challenge.

7. Training Intensity and Quality

The difference in training intensity and quality is another factor that separates professionals from national-level players.

• Volume of Practice: Professionals often train for six to eight hours a day, focusing on every aspect of their game, from serves to footwork to mental preparation.

• Quality of Sparring: Elite players train with world-class sparring partners and coaches who push them beyond their limits. This exposure to high-level practice enhances their game significantly.

• Attention to Detail: Professionals meticulously analyze their own performance and that of their opponents. They work on the smallest details, such as the angle of their wrist on serves or the timing of their loops.

8. Experience in High-Stakes Matches

Playing and succeeding at the highest levels requires experience. Professionals have faced and learned from countless matches against the world’s best players.

• Tournament Exposure: Elite players have competed in more international events, which gives them a deeper understanding of how to handle various playing styles and conditions.

• Winning Mindset: Professionals develop a mindset focused on winning, learning to deal with setbacks and use every match as an opportunity to grow.

Conclusion

While national-level players are exceptionally skilled, professional elite players possess a unique combination of consistency, shot quality, footwork, tactical brilliance, physical conditioning, and mental strength. These differences are not accidental—they are the result of relentless effort, discipline, and a deep understanding of the game. For national-level players aspiring to reach the professional level, bridging this gap requires dedication to mastering every aspect of the game, both on and off the table.

 Player Profile 

Chen Meng, born on January 15, 1994, in Qingdao, Shandong, China, is one of the most accomplished table tennis players of her generation. Known by her nickname “Big Dream,” Chen has been a dominant force in international table tennis since her teenage years.

Standing out for her aggressive playing style, she is right-handed and uses a Stiga Carbonado 45 blade paired with Tenergy 05 rubbers. Her journey into table tennis began at the age of 5, inspired and supported by her mother, Pang Min, who was also a table tennis player. Her early talent was nurtured by coach Dong Xi and later further refined under the Chinese national team setup.

Early Career Chen Meng's rapid ascent in table tennis started when she joined the Chinese provincial team at the age of 9. By 13, she was a member of the Chinese national team. Her breakthrough came in 2007 when she claimed victories in women’s singles, doubles, and team events at the Australian Youth Competition. In 2011, she achieved major success at the World Junior Table Tennis Championships, winning multiple titles in singles, doubles, team, and mixed doubles categories.

Playing Style and Strengths
Chen Meng's game is defined by precision, speed, and tactical intelligence. Her ability to combine heavy topspin loops with sharp placement allows her to dominate rallies. Known for her mental toughness, she excels under pressure, as evidenced by her Olympic gold medal performances. Chen also has one of the most versatile forehands, blending power with finesse, making her a nightmare for opponents.

Significant Titles and Achievements Chen Meng has amassed an impressive collection of titles in her career, including:

• Olympic Games

  • 2024 Paris: Women’s Singles Gold Medalist, successfully defending her title from Tokyo 2020. She became the third woman in history to achieve back-to-back Olympic singles golds, defeating teammate Sun Yingsha 4-2 in the final​

  • 2020 Tokyo: Women’s Singles Gold Medalist and Team Gold Medalist.

• World Table Tennis Championships (ITTF World Championships)

  • 2019 Budapest: Team Champion

  • 2021 Houston: Women’s Singles Champion

• Asian Games

  • Multiple-time gold medalist across singles, doubles, and team events, including significant victories in 2018 and 2023.

• World Table Tennis (WTT) Finals and WTT Grand Smashes

  • 2024 WTT Finals Fukuoka: Winner in Women’s Doubles​

  • Multiple titles across WTT Grand Smashes and regular tours from 2021 to 2024, affirming her consistency at the highest level.

• World Cup

  • 2020 ITTF Women's World Cup Champion.

• China National Championships

  • Dominant performances in domestic championships, often seen as the world’s toughest due to the depth of talent in Chinese table tennis.

  Off the Table Chen Meng is related to the Chinese actor and singer Huang Xiaoming, as their grandmothers were sisters. Outside of table tennis, she enjoys playing badminton and seafood. She considers former table tennis star Zhang Jike her role model. Notably, she was featured in Forbes’ 30 Under 30, reflecting her influence beyond the sport. Her estimated net worth is around $1.5 million.

  Legacy and Influence
  Chen Meng has not only solidified her place as one of the greatest table tennis players but also as a role model for younger athletes. Her consistency at major events, combined with her humility and sportsmanship, has made her a beloved figure in the sport. As of 2024, she remains a key figure in the Chinese team, mentoring younger stars like Sun Yingsha and Wang Manyu.

  Chen Meng's journey underscores the value of perseverance, adaptability, and mental resilience, ensuring her status as a modern legend in table tennis.

 Training Drill Of The Week 

The Falkenberg Drill: Mastering Footwork and Precision

The Falkenberg drill, also known as the "two-wing attack drill," is a classic table tennis exercise designed to improve footwork, consistency, and shot execution. It is named after a training center in Sweden where it became popular among elite players.

This drill is essential for players aiming to strengthen their ability to transition between forehand and backhand strokes, especially under match conditions. Below is an in-depth breakdown of the drill, including its goals, benefits, and detailed coaching points.

Structure of the Drill

The Falkenberg drill follows this sequence:

1. Play a backhand topspin to your opponent's backhand.

2. Step around and play a forehand topspin from your backhand corner to your opponent's backhand.

3. Play a forehand topspin from your forehand corner to your opponent's backhand.

This three-shot pattern repeats continuously, challenging your movement, coordination, and stroke consistency.

Goals of the Falkenberg Drill

1. Develop Rapid Footwork: Improve your ability to move efficiently between the backhand and forehand positions.

2. Improve Stamina and Endurance: The constant movement pushes players to build physical endurance.

3. Reinforce Forehand Dominance: Encourage using the forehand from both corners, a common strategy among advanced players.

4. Simulate Match Play Scenarios: Prepare for situations where quick transitions between strokes are necessary.

5. Boost Mental Focus: The repetitive nature of the drill requires concentration and mental discipline.

Benefits of the Falkenberg Drill

1. Improves Footwork Patterns: Players learn to pivot effectively when stepping around for forehands and recover quickly for the next shot.

2. Builds Forehand Versatility: The drill develops the ability to execute forehands from both the backhand and forehand sides.

3. Enhances Consistency: Repeating the stroke sequence improves stroke reliability under pressure.

4. Increases Agility: Continuous movement sharpens reflexes and agility.

5. Boosts Match Preparedness: The drill mirrors patterns commonly encountered during rallies, making it an excellent match preparation tool.

8 Coaching Points for the Falkenberg Drill

1. Maintain a Low Stance

   • Stay in an athletic, low stance with knees bent to allow for quick movement. A stable base is crucial for efficient transitions.

2. Efficient Footwork

   • Use small, precise steps to move between positions. When stepping around for the forehand, ensure you pivot on your non-dominant foot.

3. Recover Quickly

   • After executing the forehand from the backhand corner, immediately return to a balanced position to prepare for the forehand from the forehand corner.

4. Focus on Timing

   • Hit the ball at the peak of the bounce to maintain control and power. Proper timing is critical for executing consistent topspin shots.

5. Controlled Backhand Strokes

   • Play a consistent backhand topspin to set up your forehand stroke. Keep the backhand stroke compact and avoid overhitting.

6. Forehand Technique

   • When playing forehands from both corners, emphasize a forward motion to generate power and spin.

7. Maintain Rhythm

   • Establish a steady pace to improve consistency and flow. Avoid rushing through the sequence, as accuracy and completing as many sequences as possible is more important than speed initially.

Progressions and Variations

To maximize the effectiveness of the Falkenberg drill, players can incorporate these variations:

1. Add Speed: Increase the pace of the rally as you become more comfortable with the pattern.

2. Incorporate Multiball Training: Use a coach or training partner to feed balls in the Falkenberg sequence to maintain a faster tempo.

Conclusion

The Falkenberg drill is a staple for players at all levels, providing an excellent platform to develop key aspects of table tennis such as footwork, consistency, and stroke execution. By focusing on the coaching points and incorporating progressions, players can leverage this drill to elevate their game.

Whether you’re preparing for competition or sharpening your technical skills, the Falkenberg drill is a must-have in your training arsenal.

Video Of The Week 

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I hope you have enjoyed this weeks edition

Have a great week of table tennis!

See you next week

To your continuous improvement

Phil