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

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New USATT Article and Video!

Read the Article and Watch the Video to Learn the Details of Serve Return!

One of the most commonly asked questions in table tennis is…  “How can I best return no-spin serves?”  No-spin serves appear to be very easy but can be very difficult to return.
 
If you want to loop your opponent’s backspin serve, you will probably be very focused, position your body very low, use lots of spin, and loop the ball onto the table successfully.  Do you have this same  approach when looping a no-spin serve?  Many players do not have the same level of concentration and many players do not use enough spin when returning a no-spin serve.
 

Ratings and Skills

Learn How Ratings Can Mentally Fool You!

Often times, tt players will wrongly associate ratings with skills.  Just because an opponent has a certain ratings doesn’t necessarily mean that your opponent can do this or can’t do this.  For example…
 
I asked my 1800-rated student why he wasn’t attacking his (2100-rated) opponent’s half-long serve.  My student responded by saying that because his opponent was rated 2100, he assumed that all his serves were short.
 

This Will Hurt

Learn About the #1 Most-Detrimental Shot in Your Game!

There is 1 shot in table tennis that will really hurt you.  But before I tell you what the shot is, I’ll first make a couple of observations about your body positioning.
 
If you attack with your forehand from your forehand side, it doesn’t really matter where you attack.  You should mix up your placement – wide forehand, wide backhand, and middle transition.  Because your body is centrally located in relation to the table, you will likely be able to recover quickly for the next ball.
 

You Can't Stop Him!

Learn how to deal with an aggressive opponent

 
Your opponent is attacking your short serve and you are frustrated that you can’t stop him from attacking your serve.
 
What should you do?
 
Well, you must realize that with modern equipment and modern strokes, he will likely be able to attack all of your serves, regardless of how spinny, how low, and how short you serve. 
 

Concentration

Learn How to Give Your Best!

I have a little homework assignment for you.  Stand 2 feet away from a 5-gallon bucket and toss a penny into the bucket.  Easy right?  Now stand 2 feet away from a gallon of milk (with the lid off) and toss a penny into the milk container.  This requires more aiming and more focus, right?
 

Tournament @ Walsh University

Update on the September Newgy Akron Open!

Our September tournament will be staged at Walsh University's main gymnasium.  This state-of-the-art facility was built in 2011 and has 800 lux lighting, very high ceilings, and an amazing wood floor that can accomodate 30 tables.
 
We are now accepting more entries.  Enter today to reserve your spot!!
 
 
Entry Form and Details:
http://samsondubina.com/node/289

Samson Dubina Table Tennis Academy

Read about some new coaching policies

There are a few updates that I would like to share...
 
Update #1 Credit card, debit card, paypal, cash, check, and money orders are now all accepted with no additional fees for private lessons, group lessons, robot sales, clinics, and tournaments.  You can now pay online, over the phone, or in person.
 
Update #2 For those students who are paying monthly, they will receive $10 discount per session on group lessons.  For a Friday-Saturday group lesson (3 sessions) each monthy paying student receives a $30 discount if participating in all the sessions.
 

PongTrac

Automatic Scoreboard - NOW AVAILABLE

The Pongtrac is now available http://samsondubina.com/products
 

Notice the Trends

Learn to Maximize Your Tournament Performance

 
In tournaments, do you notice any trends to your wins and losses?  You must be like a detective and figure out why.  Figure out if there is anything that you can possibly do to fix these losses. 
 

FAQs - Part I

Learn about the contact point

 
 
 
Samson, I have a question.  Where should I contact most of the balls – when the ball is rising, when the ball has reached the peak in the trajectory, or as the ball is falling?
 
 
 
Good question.  I’ll give a separate answer for each stroke.
 
When blocking, it is important to contact the ball on the rise; this will help you to keep your block low and give your opponent less time to react.
 

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