Six Quick Tips
Jackie Lee
7/20/2005

1. Always be ready for another shot. It doesn’t matter if you make the most powerful or beautiful smash if your opponent gets it back and you miss the next one. Make sure that after hitting a shot, any shot, always return to neutral position and be ready for the ball to come back.
2. When returning serves, here is the order in which you should choose your return: Your first choice should be to try to attack the serve if it is long (by looping). If the serve is too short, your second choice should be to try to flip it. Your last choice should be to push short or long. If for some strategic reason, it is more effective to push than to flip the short serve, then do so accordingly.
3. I’ve always been an advocate of stretching before and after practices. This past year, I’ve discovered that yoga helps my physical state for table tennis. After going to yoga classes, I find that I don’t become sore as easily and that I am much more flexible. This is two pluses for table tennis.
4. Use your flip more. Many people are so accustomed to pushing that they forget to flip. And since many people do so, most players are only used to reacting to pushes, either pushing back or looping. By flipping more, not only will you be aggressive in the offense, but also it will surprise your opponent that a flip is coming.
5. Aside from flipping more, pushing short more than once is also very effective. When faced with a short push, the majority of players will push back long. However, if you push short instead, you are more likely to catch your opponent off-guard and rushing towards the table just to reach the short push.
6. If you play at a club where you are the highest-level player there, don’t give up because there is no one of your level to practice with. When practicing or playing against a lower-level player, instead of using your strength to play against their weakness, switch it around. Use your weakness against the lower-level player’s strength. That way, you can improve your weakness and still get a good practice.

Jackie Lee’s Equipment

[Playing Tips.]