I just finished playing in my first poly ball tournament.  There were a few differences that I would like to comment on…
 
 
Shorter Serves

 
 
 
 
 
In this article, I’m going to classify all table tennis rubbers into one of three basic categories.
 
 
Grippy Inverted Rubbers
What you see is what you get.  If your opponent strokes the ball with a topspin stroke, the ball will be topspin to some degree or another.  Same principle applies to backspin or sidespin.
 
 
Recreational Rubbers, Short Pips, and Long Pips with Grip

 
 
You are playing in a tournament against a very high-rated opponent.  After a series of great points, the match is now 2-2 and you are down 9-6 in the final game.  With 4 more great points, you have gain the lead 10-9 MATCH POINT.  What should you do?
Should you play your biggest, wildest, fastest forehand possible?
Or, should you just push and block hoping not to make a mistake?

 
 
 
 
 
 
When playing against an overweight opponent, there are a few things that you must remember.
#1 Don’t underestimate him based on his size
#2 Realize that he probably stays very close to the table
#3 Realize that he will likely have difficulty moving in-and-out
#4 Realize that he probably uses his wrist well and can be very deceptive with his shots
 

 
 
 
In matches, it is critical to adjust your in-between-point-speed based on several factors.  If you have lost several consecutive points, take your time before serving or receiving.  If you are feeling fatigued near the end of the match, take your time.  If you are unsure of the proper strategy to use next, take your time.  If you feel in control of the match and physically feel good, then it is a great strategy to play fast between points and finish the match asap.
 

Within the last year, there have been over 200 posted coaching articles at www.samsondubina.com.  I realize that sometimes it can seem overwhelming to try to figure out which articles to read and which tips that you should be applying to your game.  For this reason, I have written this summary article which will summarize many of the articles within 1 sentence. 
 
When developing a good loop, focus on spin rather than speed.
 
When developing a good push, contact the ball early and keeping the ball low with spin.

 
 
I Can’t!!!
 
On a daily basis, many of my students say the words, “I can’t” as it relates to learning a new stroke,  learning a new serve, enduring through physical training, and many other table tennis related activities.
 
As a coach, when I hear a player say these words, here is what I’m hearing…
I
Certainly
Am
Not
Trying
 

To all the coaches reading my articles, I have some advice.  Try to avoid using the word “but.”  This word seems very harmless, yet it can ruin your complements.  For example…
 
My student asks, “So Coach Samson, what did you think about my performance at the last tournament.”
 
I reply, “Your looping was very powerful; your footwork was fast; you had good strategy; BUT you missed every smash.”
 

 
I receive hundreds of table tennis questions.  Here is a very common question that you might be asking as well...
 
Hi Samson.  Great clinic, thanks again.  If you don't mind, I've got one follow up question.
Since the clinic I've played 3 times so far at local clubs.  I've been focusing on attacking just about everything with loops and flips, and throwing in some punch blocks from time to time.  It's worked pretty well, and I'm winning against players who i normally lose to.

 
 
 
You probably have various levels that you can play at depending on the day and depending on your opponent.  You probably also have various game styles that you can play depending on your competition.  I recommend bringing out your best game during practice matches.  In this article, I’m going to give you 4 examples to prove my point…
 
Example #1