From all-stars and basement-stars, many players have been enjoying the tournaments and clinics here in Ohio.  Please consider attending our upcoming events!
 
 
March 14th Footwork Clinic
Entry Form:  http://www.samsondubina.com/sites/default/files/RegistrationForms/clinic...

 
 
 
 
 
 
During my 19 years of playing, I have competed in nearly 400 tournaments.  When I look back at those events, I see probably…
100 good tournaments
250 average tournaments
50 absolutely terrible tournaments
 
By terrible, I mean that my performance was much worse than I had hoped for and that I didn’t perform even close to my full potential.  So, if I would have avoided playing those 50 tournaments, would my playing career have been better during the last 19 years?????? 
 
Absolutely not.
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
November 22 Junior Clinic and Tournament
Registration Form:  http://www.samsondubina.com/sites/default/files/RegistrationForms/clinic...
Current Player Listing:  http://omnipong.com/T-tourney.asp?t=100&r=202
 
 
 
January 23-24 Advanced Clinic

 
 
What is your ultimate goal in table tennis? 
To make the Olympic Team?
To become the club champion?
To someday break 2000?
To improve your fitness?
To beat your great-uncle Bob?
Most players’ goals involve some type of tournament performance.  As a coach, I must know the goals that my students have and help to guide them in the right direction to meet their goals. 
 
If someone wants to have a good serve, what should they do?  Hmmm…. Maybe practice their serves.

I was playing an event at the US Open. I already lost my first two matches. I knew regardless if I had won or lost that match I would not have advanced. This was in the under 2250. In this event, I was playing a match where I was down 2-0 and 8-0 in the 3rd game.  I gave up and lost.
 

I often ask my students to analyze their tournament matches.  Our conversations often sound like this...
 
Samson:    "William, why did you lose to Bob?"
William:     "Because Bob is a good player."
Samson:     "Could you be more specific?"
William:     "I lost because Bob has an amazing forehand."
Samson:     "Could you please be more specific?"
William:     "Everytime Bob hit a forehand, I couldn't return the ball.  Is that specific enough?"

 
Before the start of each point, you should encourage yourself with 1-2 things such as…
“After my serve, I need to keep attacking first and rally mainly to his backhand or middle.”
“I need to keep my feet moving and stay close.”
“I need to move into position and loop his long serve, if he serves short, then I need to be ready to receive to his backhand.”
 
After the point, you should step away from the table, and give yourself a quick recap of what just happened, such as…

 
Question:            Samson, how can I improve my mental game?
 
Answer:               Choose a level-headed, world-class player and copy him.
 
When studying this elite athlete there are several things that you should be looking for.
 
Attitude During Training

Wang Zhen just finished competing in the ITTF Grand Finals!  Ranked #65 in the world, he is wrapping up his world tour.  As he travels back to North America, he will stop in Ohio to compete in the Newgy Akron Open.  Please plan to attend!
 
If you have never attended one of our events....here is some info that you might want to know...
 

It is important to always keep a positive attitude even when you are losing.  In my short table tennis career, I have seen many players beat themselves as they gave up when losing or beat themselves up after playing a poor point.  Everybody makes mistakes in their strategy and/or technique during matches, even the most elite players in the world.  I have made comments to younger players that were losing to stay positive and heard back “Positive?  This guy is killing me!  I have no chance.”  I often say to myself, “This isn’t over yet.  I can do it.”