September 3, 2015

Smart Phones and Smart Coaching

Well, I've finally done it. I've bought a smart phone. I've fought the temptation and peer pressure long enough, knowing that once I got one, there'd be no going back. I'm now entering the 24-hour online world, where coaches can check email while students are chasing after balls and perhaps watch a Disney movie on their phone while feeding multiball. 

I'm used to the idea of checking email when I get home from coaching; now I'll be able to do so at any time. I'm not sure this is a good thing. But there's no going back. I've fallen to the dark side - they have cookies. 

I've used smart phones in my coaching. Just a few days ago I had one of my students use his cell phone to video his forehand loop so he could see how he wasn't rotating his hips into the shot. I'll likely be doing this more often. I plan to get a tripod to make this easier. Isn't there an app for coaches to make it easier to video students? (Who'll be the first to find me that link? Email me!) 

I was going to get a Verizon cell phone, since I've been using one of theirs for many years - yes, a flip phone, like the ones used by these two celebrities. Their service has been great, and their cell phone was highly successful in making phone calls. But I received an emergency email from John Olsen, who warned me that I'd be wasting my money. He recommended a Moto E from Republic Wireless, an inexpensive ($129) cell phone that would fulfill all my needs for only about $30/month. (I was currently paying $60/month.) I ordered it on Monday morning, and it arrived Wednesday afternoon. 

I've been too busy on other things to play around with it yet, and haven't yet transferred my phone number to it (my number won't change), but will likely do so this weekend. (However, Coach Cheng Yinghua and one of my students, 14-year-old Matt, have already explored it, and between them and John, I'll get expert advice when needed.) And then, like all reputable coaches, my students will just have to wait on me during their paid lessons while I take regular breaks to check email, surf the web, watch videos, take a selfie, and maybe play a game. Right?

With practice, I will defeat Wally Green and Matt Hetherington and become the World Smart Phone Table Tennis Champion. I can't be beat, I won't be beat!

80 MPH forehand: Learn to put yourself in a difficult situation

Here's the new coaching article from Samson Dubina.

Could Ma Long Be the Favorite in Rio?

Here's the article (with link to video) by Matt Hetherington. 

Heartrate-Based Table Tennis

Here's the new video (5:39) from Brian Pace. Note the pulse rate indicator on the right. "Have you ever wondered how high intensity table tennis training affects the heartrate? Watch this video that displays Heartrate in real-time during multi-ball training with Coach Nelson Navarro."

The Story of Jimmy Butler

Here's the USATT video (3:57). 

Ding Ning Tribute

Here's the new video (3:04) on the reigning and two-time World Women's Singles Champion.

Ma Long Tribute

Here's the new video (7:38) on the reigning World Men's Singles Champion.

Happy 27^th Birthday Dimitrij Ovtcharov

Here's his birthday picture, with birthday hat, presents, and cake.

Super Serious Pong

Here's the picture of kids on a makeshift table – let's join them!

"Tiger" Cartoon

Here's the table tennis cartoon from April 16, 1995.

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