Table Tennis: Steps to Success (Steps to Success Activity Series) (Paperback)

by Larry Hodges (Author) "It's the most popular racket sport in the world and the second most popular participation sport..." (more)
Key Phrases: backspin serve, inverted sponge, penhold grip, Preparation Phase, Follow-Through Phase, Execution Phase Backswing (more...)

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


Product Description
You have taken your first step to success in learning table tennis with the purchase of this book. Table Tennis: Steps to Success combines the knowledge and experience of master teacher Larry Hodges with the latest developments in learning how to become a proficient player.

Table Tennis: Steps to Success is a unique guide designed to maximize your table tennis progress. It is a breakthrough in sport skill instruction through its development of complete learning progressions—the steps to success. You will climb 15 steps on your way to table tennis success. Each step (chapter)

• explains why the concept or skill 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.

Each of the steps you will take is an easy transition from the one before. Your first few steps provide a solid foundation of basic skills and concepts. As you progress you will learn how to choose the proper stroke to match your various table tennis needs—whether for quickness, power, deception, or just fun. As you approach the top of your climb to success you will have gained confidence in your table tennis ability and experienced the satisfaction of becoming an accomplished player.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Human Kinetics Publishers (April 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.com Sales Rank: #337,635 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #2 in	Books > Sports > Racket Sports > Table Tennis
  #26 in	Books > Sports > Coaching > Tennis
  #82 in	Books > Sports > Individual Sports > Tennis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars recommended, April 7, 1998

By A Customer

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.

18 of 19 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)

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.

12 of 12 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 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.