Playing against a very tall player might seem scary, but if you implement the right strategies, you can do it. First, I'm going to outline what he probably does well. Next, I'm going to outline your game-plan.
 
Keep in mind that very tall players have a wide wingspan. With a little leaning and reaching, he can often cover about 7 feet without taking any steps at all. Very tall players usually smash well and can power through most lobs.
 

 
 
When watching a professional player, what you are looking at?  Are you looking at the bright color of his shoes, the weird design on his shirt, his massive leg muscles, or the funny expression that he makes when serving?  If so, you aren’t studying the right things.
 
When watching a professional player, there are several things that you should be looking at…
 
#1 Preparation
Watch how he goes through his pre-point routine before stepping up to the table. 
 
#2 Serve and receive

 
 
 
 
 
When playing tournaments, you will often be up against illegal serves.  With the right actions and attitude, you can easily diffuse the problem and play a fair match.  Here are the steps of action that I would recommend…
 
#1 Observe the problem.  Preferably in a match prior to your match, try to watch your opponent for possible illegal serves.
 

 
 
 
When serving, many players focus on height, deception, speed, spin, and placement.  These elements are very important.  However, the main reason that you need to practice serving is to develop precision.  If you have control over your serve, it is easy to control the rally when you are serving.  Here are a few consequences of having poor precision…
 

Fighters win and winners fight!  At the US Open last month, a girl was losing 10-0 in the final game and won 12 straight points!  When you are playing well, when everything is going your way, when the shots are easy, then of course you can win!  However, if you want to reach your peak potential, then you must learn to fight even when you aren’t having a good day, even when your opponent gets tons of nets and edges, and even when you are down 10-0 and you feel like it is over!

 
 
The students that I’m currently coaching range from about 100-2200 USATT rating.  For each of these students they are at a different learning stage.  In this blog posting, I will be giving the progressive order of the strokes and the order in which they should be learned.  If you are having trouble with one of the strokes listed below, see if you have perfected these items in order of priority.  Note: You might have missed one of the important aspects! J
 
Serve
1. Ball control
2. Spin
3. Height
4. Depth
5. Placement

 
 
 
 
Table Tennis is changing.  And as it is changing with new rules, new ball, etc...  the players must change with new techniques, better fitness, and other aspects of the game.  I realize that I also need to continue to change and continue to improve my coaching skills.  In this short article, I would like to share with you on some of the positive changes that I plan to implement in my coaching during the next year.
 

 
 
 
Sometimes, beating your regular training partners, fellow club members, and best friends in table tennis can be very difficult because it seems that they know your every move.  They can predict that your forehand flip will go crosscourt, they can predict that backhand serve will go long to the middle, and they can predict that you will block to the corners.  They know your every move because they have played against you hundreds of times.  There are 2 solutions to overcome these problems: