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Phil , Founder, Planet Table Tennis

Table of Contents

• Sporting Thoughts

• World News

• Training

  • Improving Touch Play - Why Its Important

    • Coaches View

  • The 1% Theory

    • Player Profile

    • Drill Of The Week

    • Video Of The Week

    • How Did We Do?

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    • Free Mobile App

 World News 

Results and Events around the world

World Table Tennis

After a momentous event in Frankfurt the tour reaches its finale with the WTT Finals.

International Table Tennis Federation

Catch up on all the news from around the world.

European Table Tennis Union

Whats happening around the European table tennis circuit.

Table Tennis England

If you would like to have your country , association or event featured in this section please email [email protected]

 Training 

Improving your touch play in table tennis can elevate your game to a new level, helping you gain more control over rallies, make your opponent uncomfortable, and set up winning shots. Touch play is all about the finesse and subtlety of shots that disrupt your opponent’s rhythm and force them to adapt to your pace. Here’s how you can improve this essential aspect of your game:

1. Understanding Touch Play

Touch play refers to the ability to play soft, controlled shots that keep the ball low and make it difficult for your opponent to attack. This includes short pushes, delicate drops over the net, and precise, soft returns. Good touch play keeps your opponent guessing and prevents them from setting up their powerful shots.

2. Developing Soft Hands

One of the most important aspects of touch play is developing “soft hands.” This means loosening your grip on the handle so that the racket can absorb some of the ball’s energy. A firm, tight grip leads to a more rigid response and often sends the ball higher or faster than intended. Practice gripping your racket lightly, focusing on the feel of the ball as it makes contact.

Coaching Tip: Try practicing short rallies with a partner where the goal is to keep the ball as low and soft as possible. Pay attention to how your grip affects the ball’s trajectory.

3. Mastering the Short Push

The short push is a vital shot for controlling the pace of a rally. It’s especially effective against opponents who rely on attacking your long pushes or looped shots. To perform a short push effectively:

• Contact the ball at the peak or just before it starts descending. This helps you keep the ball low.

• Angle your racket slightly open and apply minimal force. Use a gentle brushing motion to keep the ball short and low over the net.

• Focus on placement. Direct the ball to areas that make it hard for your opponent to counterattack, such as wide angles or just off the middle line.

4. Improving Your Flick

A flick is a useful tool when your opponent tries to play short. Developing a reliable flick will make your touch play more unpredictable. Here’s how to refine it:

• Use your wrist and fingers. A good flick requires a quick snap of the wrist to generate the needed speed and spin.

• Stay balanced and ready to move. The flick is a quick motion that requires you to be well-positioned and balanced.

• Practice spin variation. Learn to flick with different amounts of topspin and sidespin to keep your opponent guessing.

Coaching Tip: Spend time practicing flicks against multi-ball feeds or with a partner serving short balls. This repetition helps build confidence and muscle memory.

5. Developing the Drop Shot

The drop shot is an underused yet powerful tool that can catch your opponent off-guard. It’s especially effective when your opponent is positioned far from the table.

• Keep your racket angle steady and use a gentle touch. You want to “drop” the ball over the net with minimal force.

• Deceive your opponent. Make your setup look like a push or drive, but at the last moment, use a soft touch to execute the drop.

• Control spin. Be mindful of the incoming spin when performing a drop shot; adjust your angle and touch accordingly to ensure it lands short.

6. Footwork and Anticipation

Good touch play isn’t just about the hands—it’s also about getting into position. Quick footwork allows you to reach the ball in time to execute precise, controlled shots. Practice footwork drills that incorporate short and quick steps, ensuring you can reach both short and long balls seamlessly.

7. Practicing with Purpose

Finally, include touch play drills in your practice routine. One effective drill is to engage in short push rallies where the objective is to keep the ball short over the net for as long as possible. You can also add variations like mixing in flicks and drop shots to simulate real match situations.

Coaching Tip: When practicing, maintain a “game mindset.” Imagine how your touch play fits into larger match strategies, such as forcing a weak return you can attack.

Final Thoughts

Improving your touch play requires consistent practice and attention to detail. By developing soft hands, mastering short pushes, refining your flick, and working on deceptive drop shots, you can become a more formidable and well-rounded player. Focus on these techniques in your next training session, and watch your ability to control the game skyrocket!

 Coaches View 

The "1% Theory" in sports performance, famously popularized by Sir Dave Brailsford and the British Cycling team, is a simple yet highly effective approach that helped revolutionize the sport of cycling. Brailsford’s concept focused on the idea that if you improve every element related to cycling by just 1%, those small gains would accumulate to remarkable overall improvement. This theory turned British Cycling into a dominant force, propelling them to an unprecedented haul of Olympic golds and Tour de France victories. But how exactly does this theory work, and how can we apply it to table tennis?

The Concept of Marginal Gains

Brailsford’s philosophy was based on the aggregation of marginal gains. The idea is that by making tiny, incremental improvements in various aspects of performance, the cumulative effect would lead to significant progress. This meant dissecting every component of training, competition, and recovery to find opportunities for enhancement—even in the most unexpected areas.

For instance, the British Cycling team improved the aerodynamics of their bikes, but they didn’t stop there. They also analyzed the riders’ sleep quality, nutrition, hand-washing techniques to prevent illness, and even used personalized pillows for better sleep during travel. Each adjustment might have seemed negligible alone, but together, they made a monumental difference.

Applying the 1% Theory to Table Tennis

The sport of table tennis, with its fast-paced rallies and precision-dependent skills, is an ideal candidate for the 1% theory. Marginal gains can help players and coaches fine-tune their approach to training and competition. Let’s break down some practical applications for table tennis:

1. Equipment Optimization

Small adjustments in equipment can offer noticeable advantages. For instance, customizing the grip on a racket for comfort and control can be a game-changer for a player’s confidence during long rallies. Using different rubbers with specific spin and speed properties tailored to an individual’s playing style can enhance shot execution by that extra 1%.

2. Refining Technique

Technique can often be polished in marginal ways. Analyzing footwork patterns and making small tweaks to step quicker into position can be the difference between getting caught out and delivering a powerful counter-attack. Regular video analysis to spot inefficiencies in movement and stroke execution can provide the feedback needed for those small, vital improvements.

3. Improving Mental Preparation

Mental resilience is essential in table tennis. Implementing brief mindfulness exercises before matches to sharpen focus or integrating a structured pre-match routine that includes visualization can provide a mental edge. This might only improve a player’s mental state by 1%, but during tense match points, that slight advantage can be crucial.

4. Training Enhancements

Marginal gains can be incorporated into everyday training. For example, practicing serves with a focus on adding just a touch more spin or deception each session can build up over weeks to create a much more formidable service game. Similarly, dedicating 10 minutes of each practice session solely to ‘micro-skill’ drills like wrist flicks or angle variation can collectively enhance overall performance.

5. Optimizing Recovery and Physical Conditioning

Recovery is another area ripe for marginal gains. Tailoring recovery practices, such as stretching routines specific to table tennis movement, using cold therapy or massage for quicker muscle repair, and even ensuring optimal hydration during and after training sessions, can make significant differences over time.

Examples of Marginal Gains in Practice

Imagine a player working on their backhand loop—a powerful shot in modern table tennis. Applying the 1% theory, the player could:

• Make a small adjustment to their grip pressure to increase control.

• Adjust their ready position slightly for faster recovery between strokes.

• Practice foot placement drills that enhance balance and positioning by a marginal but important amount.

Each of these changes might only result in tiny individual improvements, but when combined, they create a significant enhancement in performance. A player who adopts this approach will likely find that their backhand loop becomes more consistent and powerful over time.

The Ripple Effect

The beauty of the 1% theory is that it’s adaptable and sustainable. Small, manageable changes are less overwhelming than large overhauls and can be integrated into daily training without disrupting existing routines. As each gain compounds, players often find themselves more motivated by the progress and willing to continue seeking out further improvements.

Final Thoughts

The 1% theory is a reminder that excellence in any sport—including table tennis—is not solely about groundbreaking innovations but also about the cumulative impact of small, continuous improvements. By applying this mindset, whether it’s refining technique, optimizing training, or enhancing recovery routines, players can build a stronger, more complete game. Just as Sir Dave Brailsford’s team found cycling glory through a series of small gains, table tennis players can use the same philosophy to reach new heights in their performance.

 Player Profile 

Desmond Douglas is a legendary figure in the world of table tennis, widely regarded as one of the greatest British players in the sport’s history. Known for his lightning-fast reactions and a unique playing style that dazzled opponents, Douglas’s career spanned several decades and saw him achieve numerous accolades both domestically and internationally.

Early Life and Introduction to Table Tennis

Desmond Douglas was born on July 20, 1955, in Kingston, Jamaica, and moved to England with his family as a young child. He grew up in Birmingham, where his passion for table tennis was ignited. His first experiences with the sport came at a local youth club, where his natural talent quickly became apparent. He soon joined the Birmingham Athletic Institute, where he honed his skills and developed the remarkable playing style that would become his trademark.

Playing Style

Douglas was famed for his unorthodox close-to-the-table approach and his remarkable speed. His agile footwork and quick reflexes allowed him to play at an incredible pace, catching opponents off guard with rapid blocks and counters. Unlike many players who focused on powerful, mid-distance looping rallies, Douglas preferred to stay close to the table, utilizing his exceptional hand-eye coordination to dominate rallies.

Significant Achievements

Desmond Douglas’s career was marked by numerous significant titles and achievements that solidified his status as a top competitor on the international stage:

1. 11-Time English National Champion:

   • One of the most decorated players in English table tennis history, Douglas won the English National Championships an incredible 11 times. His first title came in 1976, and he continued to dominate the event throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s.

2. European Top 12 Tournament:

   • Douglas made history by winning the prestigious European Top 12 tournament in 1983, becoming the first and only English player to achieve this feat. The victory was a testament to his skill and determination, as the tournament featured the top-ranked players from across Europe.

3. Commonwealth Games Success:

   • Douglas represented England with distinction at the Commonwealth Games, earning a collection of medals that included golds in both team and individual events. His performances helped elevate the profile of table tennis in the UK and inspired a new generation of players.

4. World Championships Appearances:

   • Desmond Douglas competed in several World Table Tennis Championships, where he frequently reached the later rounds. His best performance came in 1977 when he reached the quarterfinals, showcasing his ability to compete with the world’s elite.

5. Olympic Games Competitor:

   • Although table tennis was introduced to the Olympics relatively late in Douglas’s career, he represented Great Britain in the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Competing at the age of 33, he was one of the most experienced players in the tournament and brought invaluable expertise to the team.

Career Highlights and Legacy

Desmond Douglas’s career was not just defined by the titles he won but also by the impact he had on the sport. His presence on the international circuit during the 1970s and 1980s brought attention to British table tennis at a time when the sport was dominated by Asian and European powerhouses. Douglas’s victory in the 1983 European Top 12 was particularly significant, as it demonstrated that a British player could not only compete with but also defeat the best Europe had to offer.

Off the table, Douglas was known for his humble and approachable personality. He frequently gave back to the sport by coaching and mentoring young players. His work with youth development programs and table tennis clubs across the UK helped to ensure that his legacy would extend beyond his playing years.

Recognition and Awards

Throughout his illustrious career, Desmond Douglas received numerous honors and accolades:

• MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire): In recognition of his contributions to table tennis and his services to British sport, Douglas was awarded an MBE in 1987.

• Induction into the Table Tennis England Hall of Fame: His remarkable achievements were further celebrated with his induction into the Hall of Fame, where he joined other greats who have made significant contributions to the sport.

Post-Retirement Contributions

After retiring from competitive play, Desmond Douglas remained active in the table tennis community as a coach and ambassador. He has worked with various clubs and national programs, sharing his vast experience and passion for the game. His coaching emphasized the same quick-footed, close-to-the-table techniques that defined his own play, inspiring a new wave of players to think outside the box and refine their tactical approaches.

Conclusion

Desmond Douglas’s career is a shining example of excellence, resilience, and dedication. From his record-breaking 11 English National titles to his pioneering victory at the European Top 12, Douglas carved out a legacy that remains unmatched in British table tennis. His influence as both a player and a mentor continues to inspire generations, ensuring that his name will always be synonymous with the best of the sport.

 Training Drill Of The Week 

This training drill is all about improving your FH and footwork skills to enable you to use your FH from different parts of the table.

Goal : To improve sideways movement and positioning for playing effective FH from from any position on the table.

Coaching points :

1. Balance and Footwork: Start each forehand topspin with a stable, balanced stance. When moving from your backhand side to the middle of the table and beyond, focus on smooth, efficient footwork. Make sure your steps are quick but controlled to maintain stability and readiness for the next shot.

2. Core Engagement: Engage your core muscles as you play each forehand topspin to generate power and maintain balance. This helps in transferring energy effectively from your lower body to your upper body, improving the quality of your shot. A strong core will also assist in quick direction changes as you move back and forth.

3. Consistency Over Power: During this drill, prioritize consistency over power to develop precision and rhythm. Aim for a solid spin and placement rather than attempting the hardest shot possible. This approach will help build muscle memory and maintain your form across multiple repetitions.

4. Racket Angle and Spin Control: Pay attention to your racket angle to control the spin and keep the ball on the table. Slightly close the racket face for forehand topspins to ensure the ball dips after crossing the net. Adjust your angle based on the spin from the controller’s backhand and the position of your shots.

5. Recovery Position: After each forehand shot, make a conscious effort to return your racket to a neutral ready position. This will prepare you for the next shot and help with timing as you transition across the table. Avoid lingering in an extended position, which can delay your movement and disrupt your rhythm.

6. Timing and Contact Point: Focus on contacting the ball at the peak or just after the peak of its bounce. This timing ensures that you can generate the maximum spin and speed with your forehand topspin. Practicing this will also improve your ability to judge and adjust to various ball trajectories during matches.

7. Eye on the Ball: Always keep your eyes on the ball, from the moment it leaves the controller’s racket to when you make contact. This helps you read the spin and placement better, allowing for more accurate and effective shots. Good visual tracking will also enhance your anticipation and quicken your response time.

8. Breathing and Relaxation: Breathe consistently throughout the drill to stay relaxed and maintain endurance. Tension can lead to stiff movements and slower reactions, so focus on exhaling as you strike the ball. This practice supports fluidity in your strokes and helps you maintain energy through longer practice sessions.

By incorporating these coaching points, you will enhance your movement, consistency, and shot quality while working on this dynamic drill. Stay patient and give yourself time to adapt and perfect each aspect, and you’ll see noticeable improvements in your game.

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