Newgy’s Blog

By Samson Dubina

As a table tennis coach, I think it is very important to praise and encourage your students when they have played well. If a coach compliments their student and then follows it with the word “but”, it basically discounts the positive that was just said and can be discouraging to the student.

For example:

My student asks, “So Coach Samson, what do you think about my performance at the last table tennis tournament?”

I reply, “Your looping was very powerful, your footwork was fast, you had good strategy, BUT you missed every smash.”

By using the word “but” it puts the focus on what my table tennis student didn’t do. In light of all the good things that I said, he will remember that I was focusing on his one weak point. Instead, here is how I should have worded that sentence.

I reply, “Your looping was very powerful, your footwork was fast, you had a good strategy, AND we need to continue to work on perfecting your smash.”

By using the word “AND” I have not degraded him but instead I show that we have areas to continue improving while building his confidence.

When watching a professional table tennis player, what you are looking at? Are you looking at the bright color of his shoes, the weird design on his shirt, his massive leg muscles, or the funny expression that he makes when serving? If so, you aren’t paying attention to the most important things if you want to learn how to improve your table tennis game.

Here are the key components of a table tennis game to look for if you want to learn from observing.

1. Preparation

Watch how he goes through his pre-point routine before stepping up to the ping-pong table.

2. Serve and receive

Watch how he stands to receive a serve – his distance from the table, his racket position, his racket height, his foot positioning, his balance. Watch when he serves – his positioning, his backswing, his contact point, his follow through, and his return-to-the-ready position.

3. Footwork

Watch how he moves for each ball, watch how he anticipates for the next ball, watch how he continues to adjust and re-adjust for each ball with large leaps as well as micro steps.

4. Shot Selection

Watch how he chooses when to loop, when to block, when to counter-loop, when to stay close, when to back up – watch his shot selection.

5. Time Between Points

Watch how he takes his time between points. Watch as he walks back to pick up the ball, how his body language is showing his thoughtfulness as he mentally gears up for the next point.

Instead of trying to watch all of these elements at once, I would recommend watching a short YouTube video five times. Each time, watch a different aspect of the table tennis game as outlined above. By training yourself to watch each aspect separately, you will better be able to learn the details of the sport of the table tennis.

Samson Dubina

I have a little homework assignment for you. Stand two feet away from a 5-gallon bucket and toss a penny into the bucket. Easy, right? Now stand two 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?

The same is true in regards to your table tennis game. The amount of concentration that most table tennis players use is directly related to the task at hand. A very spinny push to your middle might require some fancy footwork and some good concentration to successfully loop. A sidespin counter loop wide to your forehand might require perfect timing and good concentration to counter loop back around the net. Everyone puts good concentration on these difficult shots. HOWEVER, many players lose focus on “easy balls” like a short high-ball that could easily be smashed for a winner. As soon as they lose 5% of their focus then these players usually don’t move well, become sloppy, lose their spin, miss the “easy ball”, and then become frustrated. Approach these “easy balls” as being difficult balls. Approach these balls with 100% concentration.

The same mental flaw is true in regards to playing lower level table tennis opponents. The amount of concentration that most players use is directly related to the task at hand. Even when playing lower-rated opponents, bring out your best game with 100% focus and you will have no regrets in your table tennis matches.

Samson Dubina