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

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Nov/Dec USATT Magazine Article

by Samson Dubina on Wed, 2013-11-27 16:54
Tournament Article From Our Last Event Here in Akron

Newgy September Giant Round Robin
 
 
     Eighty-one players from 7 different states competed in the Newgy September Giant Round Robin played on 12 tables with excellent conditions, free meals, and over $2000 in cash and prizes.

Timeout!!!

by Samson Dubina on Mon, 2013-11-25 21:47
Find Out the 4 Secrets About When to Call It

Picture this: You are playing the most important table tennis match of your life in the final round, crowds have gathered, big money is at stake, you are preparing to serve, the score is 9-9… should you call timeout?
The question above could be answered “YES” or “NO” depending on the circumstance. In the above situation, you should possibly call timeout if:
1. You need to consult your coach. If you are unsure on what to serve or what strategy to use, ask your coach.

Attacking First

by Samson Dubina on Mon, 2013-11-25 21:38
Failure vs. Success For the Offensive Player

You have practiced your attack for months…
 
Hired a physical trainer…
 
Perfected your favorite table tennis robot drills…
 
Purchased the newest equipment…
 
Watched every table tennis video on the market…
 
Held tight to your diet…
 
Prepared mentally for your first tournament…
 
BUT failed to win a single match! What went wrong? As an offensive player, your experienced opponents were probably able to attack first.
 

That's a Good Bible Question!

by Samson Dubina on Sat, 2013-11-23 17:30
Bible Question
how much work is TOO much?

“So, Samson, how many days per week should I practice?”  -That’s a good question.

Choosing a Beginner Racket

by Samson Dubina on Fri, 2013-11-22 21:02
5 Things to Look For

Choosing a Beginner Racket
 
When choosing a beginner racket, there are several key elements to look for.
1. Surface
Choose a racket that has inverted rubber.  It should have sponge that is about 1.5 mm with a pips-in topsheet that is slightly grippy.
 
2. Speed
The speed should be medium-low to allow for best ball control and stroke development.
 
3. Weight
The weight should be fairly light, especially for juniors.
 
4. Approved
For tournament use, the rubber must say “ITTF Approved”. 
 
5. Type

Mastering the Professional Serve

by Samson Dubina on Fri, 2013-11-22 20:59
Watch These Video Clips!

Most players want to improve their serves, but many of them don’t know where to start.  Here is what I would recommend…
 
#1 Decide what serves best match your game
 
#2 Find a top player who serves those exact serves
Here are some sample videos…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbrmRarOysk&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miIX2BxpQ4E

Advice To Coaches

by Samson Dubina on Sun, 2013-11-17 15:22
Coaching Tips
12 Tips About Coaching Table Tennis!

 
     Since the beginning of 2008, I have been coaching table tennis for a living.  Right now, I have eighteen students ranging from 600 level to 2200 level.  In this article, I’m going to give twelve practical ways that I use to maximize my students’ potential.
 
Tip #1 - Goals

Tournament Food

by Samson Dubina on Tue, 2013-11-12 10:43
Learn about eating, drinking, and snacking at tournaments!

Tournament Foods
 
 
 
I have several tips about eating at tournaments that I would like to share with you.  Apply these principles and you will be better energized for your next event.
 
Rule #1
Eat a good breakfast.

Mental Strategies - Part 8

by Samson Dubina on Tue, 2013-11-12 10:21
The Dangers of Successes and Failures!

The Dangers of Success and Failures
 
You are a 1800-rated player competing at the 2014 North American Teams.  So far, you have had a great tournament with several good wins.  Your goal is to break 2000, and you need one more good win.  You are playing in the last team match of the tournament against three 2100-rated players.  Your goal is to win one match.  That’s all you need, one win.  Surely you can beat one of them.
 

Mental Strategies - Part 7

by Samson Dubina on Mon, 2013-11-11 12:07
Find You Best State of Mind For Every Tournament!

Find Your Best State of Mind
 
Most club players across the US give about 70% effort during club matches while socializing, playing relaxed, and hitting great shots throughout the night.  The average club players try much much harder in tournaments and often play a much different style in tournaments.
 
Sometime, when I see a player at the club hit a very good shot, I will pose the question,
“Could you do that in a tournament?”
 
The answer nearly always come back with, “No.”
 
I respond with, “Why not?”
 

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