qualified coaches opinion needed

The answer is usually no, because table tennis begins at the table and you usually build backhand timing fundamentals into the counterhit.  That sad, the strokes are distinct enough that it can be done with benefits for overall backhand strength, though the end goal is puzzling given all the other things in between.

I wouldn't consider 1400 a beginner (which is why I said all the other things in between that need to be worked on make the goal puzzling). Because of my personal experience building my backhand, I have found exercises that develop the stroke with a large motion to start with sometimes more helpful than short motion exercises. When the student has the full power motion, they can transport the source of that power into their shorter strokes. If one starts with the smaller motion, it can feel unnatural because of the size of the smaller stroke. But coaching, at its trickiest, is all about creating successful students so taking a one size fits all approach only helps if you aren't trying to find ways to solve your student's problems and would rather label them and leave them alone.

I wouldn't consider 1400 a beginner either. I think under 1100 or 1200 is beginner. 

Loops or counter loops? When you say "loops" I think of looping underspin. Which I rarely if ever do from mid or far distance. I would consider myself high level intermediate/advanced. In my opinion, above 2000 is expert.  So, I would say that there's no need to teach this to a beginner. However, I wouldn't say that it would do any harm learning to loop at this stage.

So, counter looping from mid distance? Sure why not? Each player is different though and may benefit from different types of drilling depending upon their learning style and playing style. I think you have to keep beginners interested and mix things up from time to time also. I don't see why a beginner wouldn't get some benefit from counter looping mid distance. 

Edited by ericd937 - 10/10/2015 at 9:01am

It is good from a relatively early stage to learn to play both sides from close and mid-distance. It teaches people to track the ball with their eyes and to move in and out as well as side to side. I am not sure, though, at what level it would qualify from early.  Maybe around 1500 or so although don't want to get tied into a specific rating number (since people of the same rating can have very different strengths and weaknesses).  Certainly, it would have to be past the time when they are struggling to hit 20 counters in a row because before that it is kind of hard to imagine you are not wasting time if they can't do that.  It's kind of a strange question.  Do you see a coach doing that? 

I am not in any particular way qualified.  Just speaking from having played a long time.

I think your question has more to deal with whether the student is thinking of playing table tennis somewhat seriously. If he/she will never enter tournaments, then just have him play as many different types of moves as possible, to keep interest. If the student is aiming to play in tournaments, then counterhitting 100 times is a must, and should be combined with footwork drills. 

Edited by MLfan - 10/10/2015 at 10:35am

In China, no one considers 2000 beginner level. The amount of time required to get to 2000 is significant no matter how talented you are. Most people who think this way acquired most of their skills as kids and have no clue what the general population does. Even in China, 2000 is well above average unless you restrict yourself to table tennis schools and training centers.

Being qualified as a coach is to have the paper (ITTF level1  or similar or higher etc) sometimes well trained players young or old could give as good a answer as they have been trough the process of being trained and will often be better at training others, as the systems they have learnt are transferred on, I have had my ITTF cert for nearly 10 years, I still play more than coach , In fact just won my first gold medal for  at our Nationals for 45 Doubles, I would consider myself as a club coach as I prefer to get students on the road than try and take them to the top

You can't teach this stroke effectively until the footwork is good enough at mid distance, because unlike the f/hand which can be played at varying arm reach, the b/hand loop drive requires the exponent to be in position behind the ball at contact. Even when adequate footwork is in place, it requires pretty advanced game reading qualities to be effective through consistency.