September 22, 2025

Tip of the Week
Reverse Adverse Results With Reverse Serves.

Weekend Coaching and Capclave Table Tennis
Due to being a panelist for the Capclave Science Fiction Convention (half an hour away in Rockville, MD), I only coached one junior group session this weekend, on Saturday morning. I had a rotating group of four to work with. I did both multiball and live practice with one player, one did ball pickup, and the other two practiced on an adjacent table, with the players rotating both in the group, and with other groups. There was a big focus on footwork, but of course in every session the focus on footwork is either big, Big, or BIG. Two players had a tendency let their non-playing arms just hang there like a dead snake, which can lead to poor balance. So, whenever they did that, I yelled out, “Dead snake!”, and they knew what to do.

I’ve been a panelist for many years at the Capclave Science Fiction Convention, but this year, for me, it might as well have been the Capclave Table Tennis Convention. It seems everyone in the SF world knows about my TT world. I was questioned about it a lot between panels. Two people at the convention had relatives that were current or past USATT members. (One bought one of my table tennis books as a gift for them.) Several times I demonstrated my ping-pong ball-blowing trick. (Link should take you to 38:45 of this interview I did in 2020.) Several authors and fans mentioned they have tables in their houses. I also discussed with some the idea of a table tennis demonstration/exhibition at the 2026 World Science Fiction Convention in Anaheim, CA, Aug. 27-31. (For perspective, the last World SF Convention, last month in Seattle, had over 8,000 attendees.) 

I was on five panels, moderating two of them, plus part of the big two-hour book signing on Saturday night. In two of the panels where I wasn’t moderating, we were asked how we started writing science fiction and fantasy. So, twice I told my table tennis story. I’ve been reading science fiction & fantasy since I was a kid, and had occasionally written a few short stories. I was hired as assistant manager for table tennis at the Olympic Training Center in late 1985, and during my 4.5 years there progressed to manager, and to director and one of the coaches. But there were long breaks between training sessions, plus I was free at night, which was when I had used to play and train at table tennis. So, in my free time I began writing SF for a few years. I sold a few, then took a 14-year break as I focused completely on table tennis writing, as well as twelve years as editor of USA Table Tennis Magazine. Then, in 2005, I started up again, and I haven’t stopped since. I’m basically 50-50 between TT and SF.

Underspin by E. Y. Zhao
“Underspin,” 252 pages, by E. Y. Zhao, comes out on Sept. 23 (tomorrow, but you can pre-order today) in hardcover, kindle, and audiobook versions. The author, Emily Zhao, is a former junior star who played in US tournaments from 2006-2013, achieving a high rating of 1873. She holds an MFA in prose from the University of Michigan and a BA in history from Harvard College. (I received an advanced copy.)

The novel is the story of the rise and fall of champion player Ryan Lo under a ruthless and tyrannical coach, Kristian. It’s a deep, cautionary tale, with adult themes, exhibiting Ryan’s short career and tragic end, highlighting both the heroics and the warts. Much of it takes place off the table, showcasing both the training aspect and the shenanigans outside. To quote the official description, “the tragedy and triumphs of Ryan’s life are narrated by those caught in his orbit.”

The story is told in 13 chapters with 13 stories from 13 points of view, all associates of Ryan. They are vividly portrayed, ranging from practice partners and rivals, coaches, officials, doctors, and others. Sometimes Ryan is in the middle of the action; other times he’s in the background as we learn about his exploits off-screen. However, in the end, it all revolves around Ryan, his table tennis, and his relationships. Some of the stories feature those who helped Ryan, while others are from jealous players or coaches, or his off-again, on-again girlfriend, Anabel, and, of course, Coach Kristian, whose presence is like a dark shadow over every chapter.

The above is the first three paragraphs of my review. Here’s the rest!

How Sport Can Rewire Recovery
Here’s the video (10:21) with the presentation by junior stars Tanvi (14) & Aarav Desai (12). (In case you’re wondering, Tanvi is rated 2112 - formerly an even 2200, Aarav 2182. But they do science at 2800!)

Major League Table Tennis

Butterfly Training Tips and Highlights

Hook Service Tutorial: Full Beginner Guide
Here’s the video (10:04) from Andreas Levenko.

When They Push Deep to Your Backhand
Here’s the video (3:24) with Cheyanne Chen from PongSpace.

Winter is coming … Time to change your playing style?
Here’s the article by Tom Lodziak.

STOP Missing Serves in Table Tennis!
Here’s the video (6:49) from Ti Long.

New From Table Tennis Central

How These 10 Players Changed Table Tennis Forever
Here’s the video (7:07) from Beyond the Podium.

The Biggest “What if” in Table Tennis History
Here’s the video (3:05) about Zhou Qihao, from Taco Backhand.

New from PingSkills
Ask the Coach

New from Steve Hopkins/Butterfly

New from ITTF

Animals Playing Ping Pong
Here’s the AI video (20 sec) from pingbrotherstv.

Creative Returns
Here’s the video (9 sec)!

Serving Target Practice
Here’s the video (68 sec)!

Bring Annette
Here’s the video (25 sec)!

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