Maximize your Newgy Robo-Pong: Learn how to best utilize all the features of your robot
Improve your table tennis game while having fun and getting fit all at the same time! This seminar will consist of both demonstrations and hands-on activity.
This seminar is available for FREE to any Newgy Robo-Pong (2050, 2040, 1050, 1040 or 540) owner. Sign up for 1, 2 or all 3 days!
Friday, March 18, 2011: 6-10 pm Saturday, March 19, 2011: 9 am-6 pm Sunday, March 20, 2011: 8 am-12 Noon
Up to 10 people in each session; First come, first serve basis; Men, women, all ages and all skill levels!
Newgy Table Tennis Training Center: 805 Teal Drive, Gallatin, Tennessee 37066 USA
Carl Hardin Bio
Carl Hardin is a USATT certified Assistant International Table Tennis Coach. Carl has coached Bob Powell- the previous six-time Ohio State Table Tennis Champion, Samson Dubina- six-time Ohio State Table Tennis Champion and 2009 United States Olympic Table Tennis Team Member, as well as Pierce Scott- the 2009 National AAU Junior Table Tennis Champion. Carl currently conducts Table Tennis clinics in the Ohio Tri-State area and demonstrates how to use the Newgy Robo-Pong table tennis robot for fun, fitness and training.
To reserve your spot, or for more information, call 1-800-556-3949 or email [email protected].
Having a strong mental game is one of the most overlooked aspects of table tennis, and one of the most important aspects of the game. When you have a strong mental game, it is just another key advantage for your game in a tough situation. But, when your mental game collapses, it is not only a disadvantage to you, but a HUGE advantage to your opponent because when they know you are frustrated, they will use that to their advantage. Another big thing when you lose your strong mental game is that it can discourage you, and make you play worse all day.
Here are some tips to help you:
After a bad point, take a step back from the ping-pong table, and take a deep breath. If you are upset from the last point, it will do no good wasting the next point because you are mad. Don’t get mad about the last point, you can not change what happened, so let it go!
If it is your serve, take your time to get back to a good mind set.
And finally, try not to let it get to you in the first place. I believe Joseph Redding said it the best when he said, “IT’S JUST PING-PONG”, winning isn’t everything, but character is.
Perry Wilson
The first thing you should know about table tennis tournaments is there are different kinds of tournaments. Each type of tournament means different things. Here are the most common tournaments:
Open = anyone in the world can play
Closed = only a specific group of people can play (ex. Ohio Closed is a tournament for only players who live in Ohio)
Invitational = you must be invited
US Nationals = the end of the year tournament that is the championship event for this country and decides who plays on the US National Teams
US Open = tournament organized by the USA but competition from all over the world
Teams = to play in this tournament you must have a certain team (the entry form will give more details)
Doubles = you will need a partner to enter the tournament with you
You also need to know how each tournament has a certain rating BASED ON ONLY THE AMOUNT OF MONEY BEING PAID OUT. Tournaments range from 0 stars – 5 stars. USATT (USA Table Tennis) only allows two 5 star tournaments a year and those are the US Nationals and US Open. The higher the star, the more money they give out.
When you first arrive at the tournament site (or sometimes called “hall”) you need to check-in with the tournament so you do not default any matches. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to get there, check-in, warm up, check out your draws and watch any opponents you might be playing. You also need to make sure you sign the waiver (if you’re under 18 get your mom or dad to sign). After this you need to know what table you play on and what time. This information is usually posted in the draw of your event(s). If you receive a player packet it also could be in there. Player packets are very useful. They will give you free things sometimes, a list of tournament players and sometimes other things that can help you out at the tournament.
If you are coming from out of the area for a tournament or two day tournament, and booking a hotel, make sure you have a hotel fairly close to the playing center. Most tournaments will provide a tournament hotel that is close and has reduced rates for players.
Pierce Scott
All top players and coaches agree that table tennis requires a variety of training techniques. Some examples of training include – drills, robot, multiball, serving practice, matches, plus a variety of physical training. Within those types of training, a multitude of variations are excellent. To be a complete player, one must be able to win against any playing style – looper, chopper, pips, lefty, etc…
While training with my Newgy Robo-Pong 2050, (click here for YouTube video), I now practice with more variety than ever before. For drills such as #28 and #59, I set the robot for topspin/sidespin. This is best performed by adjusting the robot head to the left or right 3 clicks. This variation has done 4 things for me:
1. Improved my concentration
2. Improved my ability to follow the ball closely with my eyes
3. Improved my ability to counterloop against lefty and right hook loops
4. Improved my ball placement on “weird” balls
One might argue that this is “unrealistic.” Actually there are several US players that play these types of unorthodox strokes: David Zhuang and Gao Jun with blocking and De Tran with forehand counterlooping.
Give it a try- it’s fun and challenging!!!
Samson Dubina
Mastering the Skill of Concentration
So, I am playing with Joey Newgarden. He is the son of that man who created Robo-Pong (I mentioned him in my last entry blog from November, 2010). In order for me to play with him I have to get to my highest level of concentration, OR ELSE…
Joey is a busy businessman, and does not give himself much time to play, but when he plays, it’s as if the world does not exist. He is extremely focused, solid in his game, and does not waste a second on the “past.” I, on the other hand, with every bad or even with a great shot of mine start the inner process of either self-criticism, or self-wonder: “Wow, I can’t believe I got that shot…” I would think, and WHAM the ball hits me back out of nowhere. Or: “Gosh, how can I be so stupid? I know better, I should hit the ball up and forward! What’s that definition of insanity? Doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results? Liliana, you’ve got to start practicing more!” And of course I pay the price, especially with Joey. I asked him once:
“Joey, you don’t seem to be affected by any of your bad shots. Do you ACT as if you are not affected, or you are really not affected?”
“I don’t even go there,” he said. “I just think of my next ball.”
That answer really made me think. I started working on it. Every time I miss the ball, and the bad feeling takes me to this process of self-analysis, I try to say to myself quickly and loudly: What can I do with this next ball!
I started noticing great improvements. When I stay concentrated like this, I actually win more games. I do admit that I can’t do it all the time, but I am working on it. Table tennis is the absolute best tool to improve my ability to concentrate. There is just simply no time to waste, the balls keep coming at me fast. Sometimes before I start playing games, I practice on my Robo-Pong at the high speed, changing the direction of the balls, not giving myself a second to think, and that keeps me going.
Joey just hit another great serve and I returned it perfectly for the first time. I wanted to throw my racket and jump out of joy, but no, I didn’t. “What are you going to do with your next ball?” is the only thought allowed, at least for now.
Liliana Kohann