by Samson Dubina on Mon, 2023-09-11 09:22
Check out the NEW Coaching Article
Winning Table Tennis
NEW Coaching Article
By Coach Samson Dubina
A missing key in table tennis is a proper understanding of between-game analysis and between-point analysis. In this article, I’m going to mention the three keys – understanding the problem, finding a solution, and encouraging yourself with the benefit of implementing the solution.
#1 The Problem
by Samson Dubina on Wed, 2023-09-06 23:29
Between pitches in baseball, the batter steps out of the batter’s box to re-focus.
The same thing is true in table tennis; the pros often call this the “think circle.”
Between points, step back about 4-6 feet away from the table and draw an imaginary circle around yourself and collect your thoughts in your think circle. Every pro athlete has a different method of processing the points, relaxing, and gearing up for the next point, but I’m going to give you the method that I personally use.
by Samson Dubina on Tue, 2021-08-10 22:08
Read an Excerpt From the ITTF Advanced Coaching Manual
It is very difficult for the players to imagine a motor action that is only described with words. Nothing can replace the image. It is therefore strongly recommended to put the proposed exercises into an image either by letting the players or the coach demonstrate it or by showing a video of a high level player.
Questioning is an important part of the pedagogy employed because it allows to rephrase what has been said and to get a better idea of the player’s understanding of the instructions they are meant to follow.
by Samson Dubina on Mon, 2019-01-14 11:32
Players often strategize on how to beat their rivals. They spend endless hours studying video clips of the strategies that their opponents will be using against them. Instead of focusing merely on your opponent, try to get into your rival’s head and think what he is thinking…
Write up a detailed game plan on how to beat yourself!
1. What are your main strengths and weaknesses?
2. What are some common game patterns that you use?
3. What kinds of serves do you commonly use?
4. What is your preferred way to return serves?
by Samson Dubina on Fri, 2014-12-26 22:15
...Thinking toward the future...
Last week at the local table tennis club, there were about 10 players rated 1800 and 1 player rated 2100 who was a controlled looper. I asked the 2100-rated player what he could possibly do to improve to the next level… After a bit of discussion, we agreed that he needed to learn to play more aggressively and develop his power shots.
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