During the last 18 years, I have practiced at many table tennis training centers in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia.  In recent years, I have recognized four modern changes at the elite level.
 
Blocking with More Variation
In the past, one player would consistently block in a set pattern and the attacking player would attempt to loop 10-20 balls in a rally.  Now, the blockers have added more variation – sometimes harder, sometimes softer, sometimes flat, sometimes with a little topspin.
 
Multi-Location Blocking

In this blog, I’m going to outline the strategies in beating 2 types of choppers…
 
 
Choppers Who Strictly Defend (and don’t attack)
 
What he wants to do
The chopper wants to extend the rallies and win points from your mistakes.  He will often serve long (hoping that you will attack) and give low, deep pushes.  If you loop, he will go away from the table and give spinny chops.   He moves well side-to-side and reaching the wide balls fairly easily.
 
What you should do

 
 
Each year, you should take about 2 weeks and try to experiment with some new skills in your table tennis game.  During this time, instead of focusing on matches, focus on practice.  Try to play every day with a robot or training partner.  Here are some possible new things to try…
 
Distance. 
Instead of playing only 1 distance, try playing slightly closer to the table or slightly further back from the table.
 
Spin.
Instead of looping with the same spin, try to add slightly more or less spin to give your loops more variation.
 

 
Within the next few years, I plan to open a professional table tennis training center here in Akron, Ohio.  As I look into the possibility of hiring some elite coaches, I have written out some criteria.  Today, I want to share my thoughts with you as to what I feel would make an excellent coach.
 
He must first know the info.  He must know table tennis at an elite level. 
 

In table tennis, footwork is important for all levels.  Using the Newgy Robo-Pong 2050 is one of the best ways to improve footwork.  Most players try to improve their side-to-side footwork, which is important.  However, only a few players try to improve their in-and-out footwork.
 
In-and-out footwork is vitally important for the slow block, especially when you are away from the table.  Watch how Joo Se Hyuk demonstrates the stepping in on this video:

I have received hundreds of table tennis e-mails with questions regarding table tennis.  One of the most common questions is…
“Which skills should I be working on?”
 
That’s a good question.  My answer will vary because of…
1. The age of the player
2. The game-style of the player
3. The mental game of the player
4. The physical condition of the player
With that said, I’ll attempt to list some general items that should be learned at each level.
 
Novice
A. Rules of the game
B. Basic footwork (side-to-side)

Most table tennis players label topspin shots into several categories such as: loop, block or smash. However, modern attacking players have developed an offensive block called an active block. Active blocking is a combination between a block, loop and counter loop. It is best used off-the-bounce against a slow to medium speed loop.
Watch in this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwbcgOPxx8w&feature=fvsr as Kenta effectively uses active blocking to stop his opponents’ attack and take control of the table.

In table tennis, you can contact the ball on the rise, on the top of the bounce, or on the fall.  Sometimes beginners have difficulty controlling the spin, depth, and power because they don’t know when to hit the ball. 
 

When you serve, return serve, or hit any shot throughout a table tennis match, your opponent will have a variety of choices on how to return the ball.  You need to prepare yourself for the worst-case-scenario then adjust if he does something easier.
 

Next time that you are discussing ping pong with a recreational player, ask him the following question, “If the table tennis table is five feet wide, why is the Olympic-size court thirty-five feet wide?”   …he probably won’t have an answer.
 
Most recreational player hit the corners, but can’t hit the ball any wider.  By using spin and contacting the side of the ball on a push or loop, you can easily develop a wide shot.    If you add some sidespin to your shot, you can make it go even wider.