Paddle Palace Akron Open
USATT Santioned 2-Star Tournament
Dec 11-12, 2015
Title Sponsor: Paddle Palace
Food Sponsor: Subway
Table Sponsor: Butterfly
Facility: The House of the Lord
We would like to thank the 71 players who participated in our weekend tournament playing over 400 matches on 13 tables. We would also like to thank our workers - Blake Cottrell, Ron Arcaro, Sam Dubina, Samson Dubina, Chen Cottrell, Scott Cottrell, and our wonderful photographer Chris Jordan. Tournament photos will be available soon. Check back for updates!
For the last nine years, I have been a 2400 level player. This year, I have been consistently playing 2500-2550 level for the last 8 months and winning most tournaments. Ok, so what is my secret?
No, no, no it isn’t booster or steroids or a flashy serve or a powerful smash…
So, what is it?
It is something very, subtle.
It is something that most players, most spectators, most coaches, and most of my opponents have not noticed.
When playing a much, much higher rated opponent, it is critical to challenge him early in the match. If you are a 1500-rated player competing against a 2000-rated player, you will likely lose. If you play your normal game (statistically speaking), you don’t have a huge chance of winning. This is the reason that you need to take some risk and CHALLENGE your opponent.
Assuming that you are a 1500 looper and your opponent is a 2000 looper, here are some possible ways of taking slightly more risk and challenging him…
Dear Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy Students...
This Christmas season, really consider the fact that what you eat has a huge impact on your feel for the day, on your immune system, on your overall health, on your tt game, and on your performance at the US Nationals in 2 weeks. Here is an article that I want all of you to think about.
Coach Samson
Written by Health Freedom
Sugar's Effect on Your Immune System and How Fresh Foods Can Help
Many of my previous coaching articles have been about equipment, strokes, footwork, etc…
Today, I would like to share with you some thoughts about recent tournament matches and what I was thinking before, during, and after the matches. I hope that you can learn from these four lessons.
I might not be the best player in the US, but I have the best supporters! You! Thank you for believing in me and supporting my Olympic Training through www.gofundme.com/samsondubina. I will work very very hard mentally, physically, strategically, and tactically - together, we can do it. I will continue to post updates as I hire professional practice partners to train with me here in Ohio, travel the country for training, and complete regularly in tournaments all to prepare for the Olympic Trials.
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