Table Tennis: Steps to Success [Paperback]

Larry Hodges (Author), US Table Tennis Association (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 30, 1993 | Series: Steps to Success

Table Tennis: Steps to Success is the first book to give you a self-paced program for learning the important skills and game strategies in table tennis. By following this unique step-by-step approach, you will improve the level of your game and learn to play like a champion.

Written by master teacher, coach, and player Larry Hodges, this table tennis book is part of the Steps to Success Activity Series--the most extensively researched and carefully developed set of sport skills instruction books ever published.

Each of the 15 steps featured in Table Tennis: Steps to Success provides a solid foundation of basic skills and concepts. As you progress, you will learn how to adapt your game using the advanced strategies and playing techniques. Each step (chapter)

- explains why the skill or concept is important,
- identifies the keys to correct technique,
- helps you correct common errors,
- explains how to practice each skill in realistic ways,
- lists specific performance goals for each drill,
- gives you a summary checklist for evaluating proper technique, and
- lets you proceed at your own pace.

Drawing upon his vast coaching experience and his extensive involvement with the U.S. Table Tennis Association, Larry Hodges presents useful advice in game strategies and tactics. He also covers two areas of the game that are very important, yet often overlooked--footwork and mental preparation.

In addition, you will learn how to

- select serves and return shots that will give your opponents problems;
- add excitement to your game by putting topspin, backspin, or sidespin on the ball;
- choose the proper stroke to match your particular
needs--whether for quickness, power, deception, or just fun;
- select the grip that is best for you;
- improve your practices and games by starting out with an effective warm-up routine;
- find and enter tournaments; and
- prepare for tournament competition so that you'll perform your best.

Table Tennis: Steps to Success features over 120 drills and 140 illustrations and will help students get started, make steady progress, practice match-winning skills, and correct problems as they develop. The result--successful table tennis players who will enjoy the game for the rest of their lives. So learn how to play an effective game of table tennis; let your opponents play "Ping Pong"!

See all the titles available in the Steps to Success Series.

Editorial Reviews

Review

""The best presentation of table tennis techniques and strategies ever written. At last! A book that really covers the sport.""
Todd Sweeris
U.S. World Team member
""Written by one of the most knowledgeable and experienced coaches in the U.S., this book gives away the secrets of China and Sweden.""
Diana Gee
1988 & 1992 U.S. Olympic Team member

Review

"The best presentation of table tennis techniques and strategies ever written. At last! A book that really covers the sport."
Todd Sweeris
U.S. World Team member

"Written by one of the most knowledgeable and experienced coaches in the U.S., this book gives away the secrets of China and Sweden."
Diana Gee
1988 & 1992 U.S. Olympic Team member

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics (March 30, 1993)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0873224035
• ISBN-13: 978-0873224031
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #356,543 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Coaching > Tennis

More About the Author

USA Table Tennis Hall of Famer Larry Hodges (www.larrytt.com) has spent much of the past two decades coaching at the Maryland Table Tennis Center in Gaithersburg, MD. He was editor of USA Table Tennis Magazine (cir. 8000) for 12 years. He is certified by USA Table Tennis as a National Coach, the highest level of coaching certification in table tennis. (He is also certified as a coach by the International Table Tennis Federation, one of the first two coaches from the U.S. to receive such certification.) From 1991-1995 he chaired the USATT Coaching Committee. In 2002 he was named Developmental Coach of the Year for Table Tennis by USATT and the U.S. Olympic Committee. He has worked with many of the best players in the country, both in Maryland and as manager and later a director and coach at the Olympic Training Center from 1985-1989. For many years he coached the U.S. National Junior Team at major tournaments in the U.S. and around the world. He has taught table tennis classes in colleges, schools and clubs all over the United States. He is also the head coach at TableTennisCoaching.com

He is author of over 1200 published articles in over 100 different publications, including over 1100 on table tennis. He has three books on table tennis:

-Table Tennis Tales & Techniques (2009)

-Table Tennis: Steps to Success (1993, revised in 2006); over 28,000 copies sold, in six languages

-Instructor's Guide to Table Tennis (1989, revised in 2000)

Larry has been playing serious table tennis since 1976. He has been ranked among the top 20 players in the U.S. and has won state championships in Maryland, Colorado and North Carolina. He was U.S. National Collegiate Doubles and Team Champion for University of Maryland, where he received a bachelor's degree in Math and a master's degree in Journalism. He also has 20 national titles in hardbat table tennis, including U.S. National and Open Singles Champion (although he normally uses sponge).

Larry's also a science fiction and fantasy writer, and is an active member of Science Fiction Writers of America. He's sold over 40 short stories, with the thirty best compiled in "Pings & Pongs: The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy of Larry Hodges" (on sale at AnthologyBuilder.com). His SF novel ("Campaign 2100: Rise of the Moderates"), finalized in September, 2010, is now making the rounds of agents and editors on its way to great glory or utter obscurity. His science fiction & fantasy page is www.larryhodges.org.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars recommended, April 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Table Tennis: Steps to Success (Paperback)

Terrific book. Many step by step pictures. Much more modern book than you can find anywhere else. Much better than Scott Preiss' book (don't get that one!!) I don't have Seemiller's book so I can't compare them. Written at a beginner to intermediate level and has a nice section on strategies against different styles of players. I definitely recommend this book for somebody who wants to learn table tennis seriously: it's cheaper than an hour of coaching, and really cheap compared to equipment.

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent slient coach!, April 25, 2001

By 

Hsu Mon Chu (Taipei, Taiwan) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Table Tennis: Steps to Success (Paperback)

I highly recommend this book as a supplementary material for references as technique guidelines and theory support. In fact, I dont' think anyone can actually learn any sport from any book, however well-written the book may be. Table-tennis is no exception. As is indicated in the book, to learn to play the game, you need to practice. With this book, however, you can correct your weakness, look up for any question you gathered during the practice. The book covers almost all the basic drills in the modern table-tennis game.

The book is divided into chapters. For beginners, I suggest you follow the steps and do the excersies in the end of every chapter. For those who already have some basic knowledge, just check the parts you're confused with. You can easily find your part because the index is very clarified.

This is a book for beginners and intermediate-level players. If you are an advanced player who already developed a mature playing style, I don't think this book will help you. In this case, you should check out other tactic books or tourement vedios.

As to the new 40mm ball games, the new rule doesn't change the basic techniques. Therefore, the book still works. What is changed by the new ball is mostly the equipement and tactics, which is not the main concern of the book.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Table Tennis Book For Beginners-Intermediates, February 20, 2004

By 

SK (PDX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Table Tennis: Steps to Success (Paperback)

This book is one of the best book on table tennis that I have ever read. The clear and concise text makes this book very readable. While you may not turn into a table tennis champion overnight, following the instructions by Mr. Hodges by disciplined practice, a newcomer to the sport can learn the game, but it can also be used as a reference for intermediate players to correct their stroke or to improve it.
This book is useful not only because it explains the different strokes but it also contains sections on physical training and tactics against different style of play.
Table Tennis: Steps to Success is a must-have in any table tennis player's library.