The coach student relationship is vital for a player’s improvement. The main reason why a player should have a main coach is so that they can work together to improve. Here are some keys to having a good student-coach relationship. 
 
Build the trust. It is important that as a student, you trust your coach and are open to advice that he/she gives you. As a person with an outside or third person perspective on your game, your coach can help you identify problems which you can’t see on your own. 
 

 
 
 
 
 
I estimate that over 50% of upsets could have been avoided!
Let me explain...
 
 
 
 
As soon as the upset happens, there is usually a whirlwind of excusing flying all across the gym.  Some of them are non-sense.  Some of them are legit.
I have often heard excuses like…
“I didn’t warm-up before the match.”
“I thought he was easy; I won 3-0 last time we played.”
“I was just so hungry, that I couldn’t concentrate.”
“I started off the first game just trying out some new fancy shots.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
To reach your highest potential, you and your coach must communicate on a detailed level realizing that communication is a two-way street.  In this article, I’m going to outline the 5 levels of communication, then briefly discuss how you can reach your peak potential.
 
Level 1 – Hallway Talk
“Hey, what’s up man.  How you doing?” 

 
 
 
 
 
In competitive sports, there are always athletes who want to win so badly, that they will do absolutely anything to accomplish that goal.  Yes, there are cheaters in table tennis too.  Instead of giving you dozens of examples of how cheaters get away with it, I’m going to give you a more general perspective on how you can properly handle any situation that arises.
 

 
 
 
 
 
Weak Points
 
In matches, should you use specific patterns or should you just hit anywhere?  Well, you always want to keep your opponent off-balance while realizing that there are specific shots and locations that commonly cause errors from your opponent.  Today, I’m going to outline a six basic patterns.
(Note:  There are actually hundreds of these patterns.  I’m just listing six as a starting point)
 
 
Example #1

 
 
 
 
Distractions are all around us.
Some are preventable, others are not.
 
 
When competing in table tennis, you must do everything possible to avoid the avoidable.
You also must do everything possible to everything possible to block out the unavoidable.
 
 
 

Hi Friends,

The Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy would like to send a huge CONGRATS to 16-year-old Sarah Jalli for having the upset of the year!