In table tennis, there is so much comparison – this coach is better than that coach – this program is better than that program.  Sometimes, comparison is good and sometimes it is bad.  In this short article, I would like to say some good things about players/coaches in the US and say what we can learn from them…
 
Rejoice Like Sameh Awadalla
When I watch Sameh coach in New York, he genuinely gets excited when his students hit an amazing shots or improve a specific skills or have good results.  I see so much happiness from his students seeing the satisfaction from their coach.
 
Share Like Larry Hodges
Larry Hodges has so much table tennis knowledge; through his website www.tabletenniscoaching.com and other online resources, he willingly shares his knowledge with others.  I have been reading his articles regularly since I was 12.  If table tennis is going to improve in the US, we need to share our knowledge.
 
Invite like Paul Dipadova
Over the course of 2 months, Paul has invited at least 10-15 co-workers, family members, and friends to participate in our weekly league.  If every member of USATT would be like Paul, we could easily triple our membership within a few months.  This is the best way to grow the sport – invite others.
 
Commit Like Dan Seemiller
Dan Seemiller chose table tennis over major league baseball.  Most of us don’t have to make this type of decision, but we do need to make other decisions in regards to table tennis.  The point is that if we are going to achieve anything in table tennis, we need to commit.  Instead of signing our kids up for 6 afterschool activities, maybe we need to sign them up for 2.  Instead of going to college at age 18, maybe we go pro for a few years.  If table tennis is going to grow, we need committed players who are thinking big and looking for long-term results.
 
Volunteer Like Joe Ciarrochi
Each week, Joe Ciarrochi is the first one to arrive at the league and help setup tables, he is also the last one to leave.  Without any hesitation, he is willing to help with exhibitions, tournaments, coaching, you name it…..the list goes on and on.  If table tennis is going to succeed, players need to be willing to help.
 
Professional Like Blake Cottrell
As a retired CPA, Blake now runs our USATT tournaments here in Ohio.  From setting up the event, to dealing with players, to submitting results, Blake runs a first class operation.  Table tennis needs professionals who do things right and run the clubs, leagues, tournaments and everything else in a professional way.
 
House Like Lily Yip
The Lily Yip TTC is the only training center in the US that can easily house 20-25 players.  If table tennis is going to grow in the US, then we need to have places to house players for extended training camps.  I hope that in the near future, all training centers across the US will offer housing to out-of-town players.
 
 
As we start off 2017, instead of focusing on the bad, let’s come together, learn from each other, and see if we can grow the sport.