used by European table tennis players and many tennis players because it gives greater reach . She explained that the side-to-side footwork is similar and easy to apply to pickleball . “ The big difference between table tennis and pickleball strokes is the lob and overhead . Table tennis players don ’ t lob because a high ball offers up a kill shot , so they do not develop either a lob or an overhead . Crossing over from table tennis to pickleball requires learning how to lob and how to hit a strong overhead ,” she says . Pickleball players can learn a lot about touch and spin from table tennis players . Lily quickly acquired a drop volley because of her ability to block in table tennis . She has a natural reset shot . Dinking in pickleball requires quick footwork — similar to the footwork in table tennis . The two sports are complementary and cross-training benefits players of both sports . When Lily teaches beginners , she teaches consistency first . “ Students must get the feel of the ball . Then they must learn to get strength from the legs and body . Next comes using the wrist for spin . Timing is important . Your muscles must be relaxed . If you are nervous , you are tight . You must learn to go quick and still relax ,” she explains . She emphasizes that table tennis needs a good feel in your hand . “ The use of the shoulder is elementary school . The use of the forearm is college . The use of the wrist and finger is the pro level ” is her description of the progression a student must make in table tennis . As higher level pickleball players hit more and more rolling topspin shots , a strong wrist becomes a greater and greater asset in a player ’ s arsenal .
According to Lily , “ The most important quality needed to be good in table tennis and pickleball is a passion for the sport . You gotta love it .” She won the USA
Lily believes that there are many crossover skills between table tennis and pickleball . One of the things she can introduce to pickleball players is hand exercises . The hands are important for touch shots and players need to stretch properly .
Table Tennis national championship with her daughter , and the mixed with her son . “ Encouragement — no criticism . Only criticize the technical skills ,” she advises . “ Now my daughter teaches table tennis at the Lily Yip Training Center eight hours a day and my son is playing pickleball .”
Lily has been promoting table tennis in the United States for 30 years . “ Table tennis requires a great deal of skill to handle the various spins . Pickleball is fun to play and makes a good cross-training sport . I want to become a pickleball professional to help both sports ,” she explains .
In two months , Lily has become an exceptional pickleball player . She is interested in promoting pickleball in China and will be a wonderful international ambassador for the sport . The combination of her world-class competition experience ( two Olympics , three Pan American Games , and 10-time national team member ), coaching experience ( three-time Olympic team coach ), and teaching experience ( developing and training many U . S . national champions including her son , Adam Hugh , and her daughter , Judy Hugh , at the Lily Yip Table Tennis Center ) brings a wonderful new group of people on board the pickleball express . •
LILY YIP ’ S AWARDS & HONORS
Member of Chinese National Youth Team 12x Member U . S . National Team 4x U . S . National Doubles Champion 4x U . S . National Singles Finalist 2x U . S . Olympian 2x U . S . Olympic Coach 4x U . S . National Coach of the Year
Inducted into the USA Table Tennis Hall of Fame in 2004
MAY / JUNE 2023 | MAGAZINE 55