Technique & Tactics
Volleyball Systems Explained: 5-1 vs 6-2 vs 4-2
What 5-1, 6-2 and 4-2 mean, how each system uses setters and hitters through six rotations, and which one suits beginners, clubs and elite teams.
Claire Holloway
Claire Holloway is the pen name of the small independent editorial team behind Matchpoint Daily.
History
The History of Table Tennis: From Parlour Game to Olympic Sport
How a Victorian after-dinner game became an Olympic sport: the ping-pong trademark, the ITTF, sponge rubber, ping-pong diplomacy and modern reforms.
History
The History of Badminton: From Battledore and Shuttlecock to Olympic Sport
From an old shuttlecock pastime and British India to the All England, the IBF, Olympic status in 1992 and the scoring reforms of 2006 and 2027.
History
The History of Volleyball: From Mintonette in 1895 to a Global Sport
How a YMCA instructor's indoor game from 1895 became a global Olympic sport, from the name change and the spike to the FIVB, rally scoring and the libero.
Competitions
How World Table Tennis Works: Grand Smashes, Champions and Contenders
What WTT is, how its Grand Smash, Champions, Star Contender, Contender and Feeder tiers fit together, and how it connects to rankings and the Worlds.
Competitions
How the BWF World Tour Works: Super 1000 to Super 100 and the Finals
A plain guide to badminton's elite circuit: the Super 1000 to Super 100 tiers, ranking points, player commitments and the season-ending Finals.
Competitions
Volleyball at the Olympics: Indoor and Beach Formats Explained
How Olympic indoor and beach volleyball tournaments work: team numbers, qualification routes, pools and knockouts, plus debut years and the most successful nations.
Gear & Guides
How to Choose a Table Tennis Paddle: Pre-Made vs Custom Bats
How table tennis blades are built, what speed ratings and handle shapes mean, pre-made vs custom bats, the ITTF racket rules and a sensible upgrade path.
Gear & Guides
How to Choose a Badminton Racket: Weight, Balance, Stiffness and Grip
How to read a badminton racket's spec label: U weight codes, G grip sizes, head-heavy vs head-light balance, shaft flex and string tension, by player type.
Rules Explained
Legal Serves in Table Tennis: The Service Rules Explained
Every requirement of a legal table tennis serve explained: open palm, 16 cm toss, behind the end line, no hiding the ball, umpire warnings and doubles serving.