Coach Samson Dubina US National Team Coach 4x USATT Coach of the Year
 

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My Mistake

by Samson Dubina on Thu, 2014-01-02 21:25
Read about my worst loss this year

This year, I had one of my most devastating losses…
 
     I was playing at the 2013 US National Team Trials against 2x Olympian Khoa Nguyen.  I won the first 11-6.  I won the second 11-5.  I was winning 10-4 in the third game (best 4 out of 7 match) and lost that game and the match.  What went wrong…

Samson's Table Tennis Drinks!

by Samson Dubina on Thu, 2014-01-02 19:41
Learn 3 great smoothie recipes that Samson uses on a daily basis to fuel his workouts

On a daily basis, I drink homemade fruit smoothies before my table tennis practice sessions.  After trying many combinations, here are my best recipes…
 
Magnificent Mango Smoothie
1 cup of orange juice
2 fresh peaches
1 cup of frozen mango
5 tablespoons of vanilla yogurt
 
Tart Strawberry-Banana
½ cup of orange juice
½ cup of milk
2 fresh bananas
1 cup of fresh strawberries
1 cup of ice
 
Berry-Pomegranate
½ cup of milk
½ cup of apple juice
1 pomegranate

A Year of Living for God

by Samson Dubina on Wed, 2014-01-01 23:35
Written by Matthew Henry

 
(written by Matthew Henry)
“My times are in Your hand!” Psalm 31:15
Firmly believing that my times are in God’s hand, I here submit myself and all my affairs for the ensuing year, to the wise and gracious disposal of God’s divine providence. Whether God appoints for me . . . .
health or sickness,
peace or trouble,
comforts or crosses,
life or death–
may His holy will be done!

Asian and European Training Centers

by Samson Dubina on Wed, 2014-01-01 14:35
Learn about 4 recent changes!

During the last 18 years, I have practiced at many table tennis training centers in the US, Canada, Europe, and Asia.  In recent years, I have recognized four modern changes at the elite level.
 
Blocking with More Variation
In the past, one player would consistently block in a set pattern and the attacking player would attempt to loop 10-20 balls in a rally.  Now, the blockers have added more variation – sometimes harder, sometimes softer, sometimes flat, sometimes with a little topspin.
 
Multi-Location Blocking

Tournament Photos Now Online!

by Samson Dubina on Sun, 2013-12-29 18:08
Photos From the Dec 14th Elite Tournament

http://cljstudiosphotography.com/table-tennis-tournaments.html
 
I want to give a special thanks to Chris from CLJ Studios!

The Good News of Jesus Christ - Part 9

by Samson Dubina on Sun, 2013-12-29 17:13
Read some of my Christmas reflections...

As I reflect on Christmas, I think back 2000 years ago to Jesus, who was born humbly in Bethlehem.  Before the birth of Jesus, there were over 100 prophecies in the Old Testament telling about his coming.  All of these prophecies were 100% fulfilled in Jesus.  Below, I would like to share with you some Old Testament prophecies that told about the coming messiah and share with you some New Testament Bible passages on how Jesus was the fulfillment of those prophecies.
 
 
PROPHECY
The Messiah will be the Heir to the throne of David.
 

Beat the Chopper

by Samson Dubina on Fri, 2013-12-27 17:54
Learn How to Beat 2 Different Types on Choppers...

In this blog, I’m going to outline the strategies in beating 2 types of choppers…
 
 
Choppers Who Strictly Defend (and don’t attack)
 
What he wants to do
The chopper wants to extend the rallies and win points from your mistakes.  He will often serve long (hoping that you will attack) and give low, deep pushes.  If you loop, he will go away from the table and give spinny chops.   He moves well side-to-side and reaching the wide balls fairly easily.
 
What you should do

Tournaments

by Samson Dubina on Thu, 2013-12-26 21:06
Preparing for Success

 
When playing at a local table tennis club, a player generally needs his racket and shoes.  However, there are some other items that he might want to include when traveling to a tournament.  Below is the list of items that I generally bring:
 
Racket
Shoes
Spare racket – identical and assembled
Extra rubber
Balls
Video camera
Tripod
Hand towel
Floor towel
Glue
Glue sponge applicator
Scissors
Snacks
Drinks
Money
USATT Membership Card
USATT Rule Book

A Daring Challenge

by Samson Dubina on Tue, 2013-12-24 12:45
Try this out for 2 weeks each year...

 
 
Each year, you should take about 2 weeks and try to experiment with some new skills in your table tennis game.  During this time, instead of focusing on matches, focus on practice.  Try to play every day with a robot or training partner.  Here are some possible new things to try…
 
Distance. 
Instead of playing only 1 distance, try playing slightly closer to the table or slightly further back from the table.
 
Spin.
Instead of looping with the same spin, try to add slightly more or less spin to give your loops more variation.
 

Serving in a New Dimension

by Samson Dubina on Sun, 2013-12-22 21:45
Learn How Zhang Jike and Other Top Players Have Changed Our Sport

Throughout the last 20 years, when returning serves, most of the world’s best players have looped the long serves and pushed short on the short serves.  In order to attack first, about 90% of the elite serves have been short.  This information has trickled down to even the lowest of the club level players.  I heard many many many club players repeating, “Com’on, serve short!”
 
SERVING SHORT has been the theme of coaches and players in an attempt to stop the receiver from looping the serve.
 

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