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

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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.
 

The Best Coach

by Samson Dubina on Sun, 2013-12-22 21:03
Read About My Criteria For Selecting an Assistant Coach

 
Within the next few years, I plan to open a professional table tennis training center here in Akron, Ohio.  As I look into the possibility of hiring some elite coaches, I have written out some criteria.  Today, I want to share my thoughts with you as to what I feel would make an excellent coach.
 
He must first know the info.  He must know table tennis at an elite level. 
 

Tournament Results

by Samson Dubina on Mon, 2013-12-16 14:47
December 14th Elite Tournament

Open
1st Samson Dubina
2nd Yahao Zhang
3rd-4th Keith Pech and Seth Pech
5th-8th Hesam Hamrahian, Ali Khatami, Alex Averin, Don Hamilton
 
Open Consolation
1st Ricky Vesel
2nd Harsh Khandelwal
3rd Shreyans Bafna
4th Sidd Khandelwal
 
Thanks to all the players who attended our event.  We hope you can join us for the January 3-4 clinic as well as the March 21-22 tournament here in Akron, Ohio!

The Bible is a Lamp and a Light

by Samson Dubina on Fri, 2013-12-13 15:42
The Psalm of the week and my prayer

Psalm 119:105 Your Word (the Bible) is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.
 
Here is my prayer today:

Fitness!

by Samson Dubina on Wed, 2013-12-11 23:55
What is the best way to get fit?

Question:    Can I get fit playing ping pong/ table tennis?
 
Answer:        Yes you can.  Here are the stats:
 
Recreation ping pong  - 200 calories/hour
Professional table tennis athlete (moderate drills) – 800 calories/hour
Professional table tennis athlete (highest intensity) – 1000 calories/hour
-Compared to-
Running 7mph – 800 calories
 

Stepping Forward

by Samson Dubina on Tue, 2013-12-10 15:36
Learn from watching this short video clip!

In table tennis, footwork is important for all levels.  Using the Newgy Robo-Pong 2050 is one of the best ways to improve footwork.  Most players try to improve their side-to-side footwork, which is important.  However, only a few players try to improve their in-and-out footwork.
 
In-and-out footwork is vitally important for the slow block, especially when you are away from the table.  Watch how Joo Se Hyuk demonstrates the stepping in on this video:

Psalm 19

by Samson Dubina on Tue, 2013-12-10 15:24
Bible Passage of the Week

Psalm 19
The heavens declare the glory of God;
And the firmament shows His handiwork.
2 Day unto day utters speech,
And night unto night reveals knowledge.
3 There is no speech nor language
Where their voice is not heard.
4 Their line[a] has gone out through all the earth,
And their words to the end of the world.

Scouting Your Opponent

by Samson Dubina on Sat, 2013-12-07 14:17
Learn a new method on how to improve your game!

Whether you want to make the US Olympic Team, win the senior games, or beat your Uncle Bob; it is always a great idea to scout out your competition.  In this article, I’m going to describe two separate methods of scouting your table tennis opponent.  The first is the long-term method.  This is best accomplished by video analysis.  The second is short term; this is a more common situation.  You enter a tournament and are watching your opponent play the round robin group ten minutes before your match against him.  You have never seen him before, and you need to quickly make a game plan.

Practicing the right things!

by Samson Dubina on Fri, 2013-12-06 20:12
Find out which strokes are the most IMPORTANT

I have received hundreds of table tennis e-mails with questions regarding table tennis.  One of the most common questions is…
“Which skills should I be working on?”
 
That’s a good question.  My answer will vary because of…
1. The age of the player
2. The game-style of the player
3. The mental game of the player
4. The physical condition of the player
With that said, I’ll attempt to list some general items that should be learned at each level.
 
Novice
A. Rules of the game
B. Basic footwork (side-to-side)

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