On behalf of the Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy, we would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and just thank you for your support throughout 2020.  It has been a tough year, yet you have continued to send us encouraging e-mails, continued with regular donations, and continued attending our events!  Without you, we could not continue.  As a Christmas gift from us, we decided to share a portion of our new book with you.  Check it out below and consider purchasing your own copy (It would make a great stocking stuffer)!
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Twiddling
-By Samson Dubina
 
In table tennis, spinning the racket in the hand is called twiddling.  For certain playing styles, this skill is an absolute necessity.  In this article, I’m going to briefly describe who should twiddle, when to twiddle, technique for twiddling, twiddling equipment, twiddle training, and twiddle tricks.
 
Who Should Twiddle

 
 
What is the perfect stroke anyway?

I recently gave one of my online students an assignment to write down a listing of ways he can improve his mental game during a training session.  Many players think that tournament play is when they become "tournament tough" but this student is learning that some of the foundational principles and routines can (and should) be applied to practice sessions as well!!!
 
Hi Coach Samson,
 
Here are some things I came up with for “becoming mentally tough during practice”:
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Targeting the Transition
 
 
“You need to attack his middle.”
“I recommend that you play 80% of your hits to his transition point.”
“Hunt the elbow – play the elbow – your opponent gets jammed easily!”
 

 
 
 
 
Playing the right tactics is one of the vital keys to winning your next match.  In order to know which tactics to play, it is often helpful to label your opponent as a looper, chopper, lobber, blocker, etc.  Once you have placed him in a category, then you can begin making a game-plan.  (please realize that many playing styles overlap)
 
Check out these tactics articles on playing specific opponents:
 

Safety Update from Samson Dubina

The Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy is still open. Is it safe? Will there be an outbreak of the virus? Will we continue to be open? Will you still be having tournaments? Yes, my friends, there are many questions being submitted from my followers worldwide. Today, I would like to answer 6 of the common questions...

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#1 Who can go to the academy?

One of the best Christmas gifts anyone can get is an official team shirt of the Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy.  These high quality Nittaku shirts are available in dark blue, pink, and light blue.  We have most Japanese sizes XO, O, L, M, S with some limitations.  E-mail tt@SamsonDubina.com or call Samson 330-949-9230 to order over the phone.  Samson will give you the sizes and availabilites.
 
 
Cost is $39 for 1 or $65 for 2
 
 
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