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"If the serve, after bouncing on the receiver's court, bounces backwards, it shall be a let serve." This would make it very difficult (not necessarily impossible) to serve so shorter players can't reach it. I've seen players use these serves against younger players and it's sickening. I once...

I actually got a lot of help at the OOAK Forum on this - I just ordered ABS 3 1.7mm. Isn't Yasaka Anti Power a regular antispin rubber? I'm looking for frictionless to try out. -Larry Hodges

Hi Everyone, Due to age and injuries that have slowed my footwork, I can no longer effectively play my normal inverted forehand attack game, where I’m always stepping around. So, I’ve been experimenting with blocking with long pips or frictionless antispin on the backhand. With inverted, I have...

I don't need a final word, I've had my say. I'm fine with a podcast. I've posted to a number of videos/podcasts from Table Tennis Daily in my weekly blog. -Larry Hodges

Just one note, regarding my "frequent advertising interjections." Since I first posted here eight years ago in 2018, I've only posted five times about my books, and the last time was almost two years ago. It's not that frequent. I have 27 books, 15 of them on table tennis (13 currently in print)...

I would argue there was no point to his argument except superficially. Consider this. There are literally thousands of table tennis rackets, sponges, and other equipment. But table tennis books only come out a few times a year. Suppose Ma Long, a national coach, or some other knowledgeable table...

There are times when you hit a shot, but as you return to ready position, you see where the opponent is hitting and what shot you'll be doing next, so you go directly to that shot. But in general, as soon as you finish your follow through you should be smoothly moving to your ready position...

Sure - I'll need his name and contact info. Perhaps message me privately. Did you want the latest book, or any of the 27? Take your pick! If anyone else here will be at the Nationals and wants a free book, message me! www.larryhodgesbooks.com -Larry Hodges, a really bad book peddler

The kindle version is up! That was fast. Both the print and kindle versions are there. -Larry Hodges

Yes - quick, close-to-table loops at wide angles (as well as to middle), along with consistency. Japan's Harimoto, currently #3 in the world, does this well on both wings. The top players all want to force him to back up and counterloop, and when he does, they usually win. Instead, he mostly...

Will you be at the US Nationals? -Larry Hodges

I absolutely do not enjoy dealing with trolling people like NetProphet. You said he was pushing my buttons; that's pretty much the definition of a troll. I'm sure he's proud of himself for wasting my time. Since he did it on a public forum read by the table tennis community, I felt I had to...

While I don't post much anymore, I've been a lurker here and on other TT forums for years. I will go to the link above and put NetProphet on ignore. And then I can go back to my next table tennis project in peace. I'm tempted to just give copies of my books away to people here to show how much I...

Let's see, you found a humorous thread from seven years ago titled, "the definitive compilation of the Rules for Table Tennis as delivered by the Table Tennis Gods," where someone humorously wrote, "You must acknowledge that Larry Hodges is not part of the table tennis "Deep State". It is not...

That was top secret! The correct title is, "Harry Chopper and the Long Pips Ox," co-written by me and Pipsi Longblocking. It comes out Apr. 1, 2027. -Larry Hodges

Appreciated! And after about three hours of wrestling with various formatting issues, I just uploaded the kindle version. There's a note that it takes up to 72 hours for it to be approved and go online, but it generally does it within a day. I'll post here when it's up. I also write science...

I've had a busy few days and was planning to take today off and visit Harpers Ferry National Park, which is an hour away, but haven't visited in decades. But you inspired me to get going on this, and so I'm working on the kindle version now. I should finish it this afternoon, and typically it'll...

Okay, since you agree that I’m “free to post,” I’ll post my response as an appropriately “Top Eleven” list. Thanks for the continued sarcasm, i.e., the made-up “It's a long-standing joke in the TT community that Larry Hodges wants you to buy his book!” Can you give us links to the many others...

Yikes! I sort of told myself that if just one person asked about the kindle version, I'd have it done, as I did with the previous four in the series. Since you asked . . . yes, there will be one at some point, probably in May. Thanks a bunch! :) -Larry Hodges

I'd say the four biggest changes in the sport in the last few decades, and how they influence decisions (tactical or strategic), would be: Backhand banana flip. So opponents can't loop the serve, most serves are short or half-long (so second bounce of serve is right at the edge of the table)...