Out-of-Sync
 
After not playing for a few weeks, you might feel a bit sluggish or out-of-sync with your game.  In this article, I want to explain why and give a few helpful tips that you can use to quickly restore and build your playing-level!  When you don’t play at all, these are the first three things that you usually lose…    timing, footwork, and serve return.
 
Timing

 
 
 
 
Pay-Per-Time vs Pre-Pay
NEW Samson Dubina TT Academy
 
For both private lessons and group classes, we offer both Pay-Per-Time and Pre-Pay options.  So which should you choose?
 
 
Pay-Per-Time

 
 
 
 
More Spin
 
What is the main difference between ping pong and table tennis?
 
The main difference is the amount of spin produced.  With the right strokes and modern equipment, an elite table tennis player can produce 8000 rpms.  With a purple ping pong paddle from Wal-Mart, your Uncle Bill probably can’t produce any spin.
 
The Benefits

 
 
 
 
 
 
     Just like any other table tennis skills, developing a tactical mindset takes discipline.  As I work through the various styles over the coming weeks and teach you how to play against various opponents, I want you to understand that you too can think of your own tactics.  I’m not very smart, I’m just an average guy.  However, I do spend quality time thinking.  You too can develop this same discipline.

It Ain’t Piano
By Samson Dubina
 
If you ever took piano lessons, you probably know that there is a very systematic approach for beginners.  Often there is a 30 or 60 min lesson each week.  The student is given a couple songs to perfect during the week.  When he/she goes for the lesson the following week, they will likely get those songs checked off and given new songs to play the following week.  Once you have mastered a song, then you typically don’t go back 3 years later and keep working on the same one because you have moved on…
 

 
 
 
Six Types of Learners
 

Two Bad Words…
 
MORE PRACTICE!
Why are they bad words? 
These 2 words seems so harmless. 
Doesn’t everyone in the US need to practice more? 
 
No, US players don’t need to ONLY practice more.  They need to have a plan of what to practice, they need details on what to focus on during practice, they need a structure to understand how their games should progress, and they need more practice in the right environment practicing the right aspects.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Talent Trap
By Jim Thompson
 
Carol Dweck of Stanford University, Author of Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, has identified 2 distinctly different mindsets of most coaches – the fixed mindset and the growth mindset.
 
 
Fixed

Recognition

In table tennis, recognition is very important...  regardless if you are a beginner 7-year-old, senior citizen trying to make progress, or Olympic gold medalist.  Last year, I was racking my brain trying to figure out a way to feature the beginners at our weekly league.  How can I put them in the spotlight for 5 min?  How can I feature a 1500-rated play or a 500 rated player can make him the champion for the night?

Thinking...  thinking... thinking...