Tennis Beginner - 4 Winning Steps

If you are just started playing tennis, you might realize that tennis is not just simply hitting ball back to the opponent court. There are a lot of things you need to learn as a tennis beginner. Start from your swing pose to the strategies. Even though there are a lot of things we need to learn as a tennis beginner, nonetheless we still keep playing tennis as it is a fast paced game with a lot of challenge that can satisfy our competition spirit. Here I will share with you some steps to take you, a tennis beginner, to win most of your game.

1. Get the correct form from the start

Some people try playing tennis on their own. They see then they follow without confirming the right form. Eventually it will become a bad habit which will be hard to be changed. So from the start you should consider seriously to get training lesson from a pro in tennis if you want to play tennis better, especially if you want to go to a tournament. As a tennis beginner you still can learn on your own as nowadays there are a lot of videos and photos on tennis stroke. But just take note that it is obviously harder to learn on your own.

2. Focus on consistency in game

As a tennis beginner, if you are playing against a beginner also, most of the time you do not need to hit a winner. It is not necessarily to hit the ball with full power, because as a tennis beginner it will most likely fly outside the court. This also applies to your opponent. So the key is keep hitting back with accuracy. Focus on your aim and hit deep to the back of the court. Sometimes it might take a long time, but only those who have the patience to keep hitting properly will win.

3. Follow the ball movement

The best advice for a tennis beginner if the swings keep missing the ball, either missing the sweet spot or the swing hit the air, is by predicting where the ball will bounce. Not necessarily that you need to predict it 100% accurate, but at least you need an idea where the ball will bounce so you can prepare early. Most tennis beginner forgot about this and as a result most of them will hit with improper form or swing, because they hit the ball in a hurry.

4. Point your off arm to the ball

Pointing the ball with your free arm will also help in hitting the ball. It will give you a better feel of where you need to hit the ball. Since in tennis the timing and position of where you hit the ball is important, as a tennis beginner you must not hit too early or too late to get a good shot.

So in the end most important thing is play to win and never give up in playing tennis. There are a lot of things you might know, but if your mental state is against you, it will be hard to win. As a tennis beginner do not forget to practice hard and have fun!

If you are interested in more detail on playing tennis and other things related to tennis, visit http://www.besttennistips.com/ There are videos and lessons to improve your game.

Tennis Game - Street Tennis - The Summer My Backyard Became a Tennis Court

My son has a group of friends who are always doing something with a ball. They love baseball, basketball , football, golf and tennis and will go out of their way to be sure that every day involves one of these sports, if not more. I was on a trip to Las Vegas earlier this year attending the National Sporting Goods Manufacturers Convention when I saw a game I knew they would love. It turned out I was right and the summer of 2008 will always be remembered at our house as the year that Street Tennis invaded our backyard and never left.

Street Tennis is a tennis game that involves a lightweight racket, a simple net and a very special ball. The rackets that come with the game are lightweight, smaller than conventional rackets and perfect for hitting the special durable foam ball. The net stands about 2 feet high off the ground, which is perfect for being able to play the game in a small area but also high enough that a net is involved to factor into the play of the game. The net is held in place by a couple of large plastic bases that can be filled with water to add weight and stability. The net is setup within minutes of opening the box the game comes in, allowing play to begin very quickly as the excitement mounts. 

 

The rackets that come with the game are a cross between a junior racket and a regular racket. They have strings and are at a decent tension level and they are a little thinner than a traditional racket which makes it easier to hit a ball within a confined space by providing the player with more mobility in the swing. The rackets are durable enough to hold up to a group of high school kids playing with them for a couple of months so I am confident that they are well made. 

 

What makes the game unique in my opinion is the ball. The ball is made of a heavy foam rubber that has the feel of a thick and hard sponge that is strong and durable enough to withstand great efforts of topspin and backspin from the rackets. The ball is heavy enough to hit winners from all angles and to react to topspin to keep the ball in the court and light enough to not hurt at all if you get hit in the face with it at close range.

 

My kids setup the Street Tennis game in our backyard and dragged the net across the basketball court. We have just enough room to shoot three point shots (about 40 feet across) so the distance is perfect for them to whack the ball and to have it stay in the court. The games played have been fast and furious, lasting well into the darkness of night aided by the basketball court overhead light. My boys are now considering taking up tennis as a sport to play for the school, which is fascinating given their love of baseball. My oldest son has told me that his actual tennis game is much improved after having a racket in his hand for most of the summer.

 

I am thrilled that the Street Tennis game was such a nice diversion from video games and other indoor games that many kids play these days. Whenever I hear a parent talking about inactivity or a lack of exercise for their family this summer I always tell them about what fun my kids had this summer playing Street Tennis.

Chuck R Stewart operates a tennis web site offering a new tennis game [http://www.street-tennis.net] which is great for playing backyard tennis or beach tennis [http://www.street-tennis.net] Street Tennis is an affordable and fun way for the whole family to enjoy the great game of tennis. Chuck has enjoyed playing the game of tennis for the last 30 years enjoys sharing the love of the game of tennis with players of all skill levels.

The Basics of Tennis -- A Guide for the Clueless!

To properly learn how to play tennis, it is best to go out to the tennis courts with an instructor or a friend that already knows how to play and who can give you some pointers. Of course, if you want to get a good idea as to how to play tennis before you hit the courts, here are some pointers:

· The main pieces of equipment needed when learning how to play tennis are tennis racquets, tennis balls, and a tennis court.

· A regulation tennis court as a few different lines on it - the tennis net goes across the very middle of the court. The closest parallel lines to the net (on either side of the net) are called the service lines. The parallel line furthest from the net is called the baseline. The two long strips on both sides of the court, perpendicular to the net are called the alleys.

· In singles tennis, the alleys are considered "out" - if the ball bounces in them, it does not count. In doubles tennis (tennis with two teams of two, one team on each side of the net), the alleys are "in."

· A game starts with a serve. The serving player starts behind the baseline on the right-hand side of the court (his right-hand side) and hits the ball into the service box on the other side.

· The service box is the box on the opposite side of the court - both over the net, and on the server's left-hand side (the returner's right-hand side). The service box is between the alley and the middle of the court, between the service line and the net. The ball must bounce once in this box for it to be considered a good serve.

· If the server misses the box, he gets one more chance to get it in. A server always gets two tries. If he misses, it is the opponent's point.

· If the serve goes in, the person returning must hit the serve either before it bounces (if he knows that the ball would be in) or after it bounces once - if it bounces more than once, then it is the server's point. The person returning must hit the ball over the net, and it can bounce anywhere on the opponent's side of the court (remember that the alleys are out, though).

· The two players hit the ball back and forth until one person misses - either by missing the ball when it bounces on his side, or by hitting the ball out of bounds onto the opponent's side. The person who did not miss gets a point.

· The server switches sides for every serve - the second serve will be served on his left-hand side of the court and into the opposite side service box (on the opponent's left-hand side).

· This article on how to play tennis will not get into scoring (love, fifteen, thirty, forty, deuce, etc.) except to say that a player wins a game after scoring at least four points and wins by two.

· The next game, the other person serves and they continue to switch off, game after game, until someone wins the set. Generally, to win a set, a player must win at least six games, and two more than his opponent.

· A match is made up of a number of sets (often 5 or so), and the player that wins the most sets wins the match.

These are only the basics on how to play tennis. Again, if you really want to learn how to play tennis, it is best to go out and play with someone who already knows how. Although, it can be very fun to simply go out and hit a few balls back and forth with a friend, regardless of whether or not you know how to play tennis properly.

Anne Clarke writes numerous articles for websites on gardening, parenting, fashion, and sports. Her background includes teaching and gardening. For more of her articles on tennis, please visit E-Tennis.

Tennis Shoes - The Importance of Choosing a Good Pair

As the game of tennis grows more popular with each passing year, an increasing number of people all over the world take up the sport and indulge many hours each day pursuing the game and improving their own level of play on different types of tennis courts. While these tennis fans and players learn to love the sport in its various styles, they also subject their bodies to long hours of stress through the workouts they have training with a coach or playing games against friends.

What many of these tennis fans fail to recognize is this stress that they subject their bodies through each time they step out on a tennis court. With the game moving towards a more power-based focus due to the influence from the professional tennis players' circuit, players now use more strength and power in their game compared to those who played it in the past. As a result, the momentum and force that is concentrated on their bodies grow as they improve in the sport.

What this translates to is a lot of stress that is placed on a tennis player's feet, as they serve out each game and also when they move around the tennis court. In many sports, the foundation of a person's stability and strength comes from how well grounded their lower body is. And to support that, a person's lower body strength is an important factor in providing the force and power his or her upper body needs in carrying out an action. And with that comes an equal and opposite reaction on the feet. The stronger and more powerful a tennis player becomes, the heavier is the stress his feet is subjected to.

Therefore, in order to protect one's feet in tennis, a good and stable pair of tennis shoes is of utmost importance in achieving that. The shoes must have cushioned soles that can not only absorb the impact of running around the court on different types of surfaces, but they must be able to shield the player's feet from the stress that is placed on them when carrying out serves or returning shots from opposing players. A good pair of tennis shoes will also provide advanced sole technology that can give a player an advantage when exchanging forehands and backhands through the course of a game.

While providing a player's feet with comfort is critical, one should also ensure that the tennis shoes are durable. If they can be used for a prolonged period of time and yet have an optimum level of performance throughout, the tennis player would have chosen well. With the sometimes smooth surfaces that a tennis grass court might have, tennis shoes for such a playing surface should also provide sufficient grip to prevent unwanted slips during a game. No one would want to experience a fall which can lead to unnecessary injuries that might even be career threatening. Good tennis shoes should provide these qualities that not only enhance a player's experience, but also indirectly contributes to the health and longevity of his career.

Greg Howard enjoys the game of tennis and wears discount New Balance tennis shoes as his choice of footwear. He also provides consultation on New Balance women's tennis shoes, and believes in quality tennis apparel such as New Balance tennis shoes.

Tennis Tips: Want To Play Better Tennis? Train Like A Boxer

If you are serious about wanting to play better tennis, you may want to train like a boxer.

I have counseled many tennis players, boxers and martial artists. In addition, am an avid tennis player. I was involved with boxing and the martial arts as a child and have recently resumed training in what fight fans call "the sweet science."

Here are thirteen reasons why boxing will make you a better tennis player:

1. Boxing, like tennis, is all about balance and good footwork. Any boxer will tell you that you can not do anything if you give up your balance. The same holds true for tennis. Great players have great feet.

2. Tennis requires great stamina. Once you can spar three or four three minute rounds, you will discover that you have excellent stamina for long points and long matches.

3. The speed bag is a good way to improve your timing, focus and your hand-eye coordination. In boxing, you need to know where your hands are all the time. In tennis, the ball travels in the direction of your hands. The speed bag can help you to improve focus, timing and awareness of your hands. Mastering the speed bag can be quite helpful in improving your volley and your reactions at the net.

4. Great boxers have great rhythm. Just watch their hands and their feet. Boxing gyms always have music with a beat playing in the background for a reason. Similarly, a tennis players require a great sense of timing and rhythm so they can strike the ball at the optimal time.

5. Jumping rope is a favorite exercise amongst fighters. Tennis players who jump rope can improve their footwork and their balance. Being light on your feet is particularly useful when returning serve and when running down balls.

6. Some years ago, I played a tennis player who was a black belt in Karate. I noticed that he was particularly good at reading where I was going to hit the ball. When I asked him if his martial arts training, which is similar to boxing, was helpful, he said it definitely was. He remarked, "When we spar, we have to read our opponent's body language to determine what they will do next. This kind of anticipation is vital in tennis as well.

7. Boxers have a mantra. "Make him miss and make him pay." This same mantra is useful for tennis players.

8. Boxers, like tennis players, need to exploit openings and weakness when they see them.

9. A slugger in boxing is analogous to a big hitter or a big server in tennis. A player who retrieves and returns every ball is much like a counter puncher is the sport of boxing. Tennis players can benefit from deciding what kind of player they would like to be. Some players, who have all court games, can be both sluggers and counter-punchers.

10. Power in boxing comes from leverage, using your legs and transferring your weight. Power in striking a tennis ball is generated in much the same way and many of the same muscles which are utilized in boxing are utilized on a tennis court.

11. A defensive tennis player who retrieves every ball is much like a counter puncher in the fight game.

12. If you get anxious before a tennis match, the anxiety you are likely to experience before getting into the ring with someone who wants to tear your head off, will make a tennis match seem like a walk in the park.

13. Boxing can help you to develop more mental toughness and physical toughness on the tennis court. If you can manage the threat of a physical beating, you most certainly can handle the stress of a tight tennis match.

Jay P. Granat, Ph.D. is a Psychotherapist and the Founder of http://www.StayInTheZone.com. Dr. Granat coaches top athletes from around the world on the mental aspects of competing in sports. Golf Digest named him one of America's Top Mental Gurus. He is the author of many books and programs including Zone Tennis and How To Get Into The Zone With Sport Psychology and Self-Hypnosis. Dr. Granat has appeared in many major media outlets including Tennis Magazine, ESPN, Good Morning America, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He is available for coaching and seminars and can be reached at info@stayinthezone.com or at 888 580-ZONE.

Tennis String Gauge - Tips

Tennis string gauge is an aspect of tennis that is sometimes misunderstood. Players generally spend lots of time researching rackets, reading reviews, and even testing out a racket to make sure they get the best tennis racket they can afford. But few rarely spend the same kind of time in determining what kind of strings to put in their racket. However, tennis racket string is just as important as the racket is to playing good. Gauge is just one aspect that needs to be considered when choosing your string.

Gauge refers to the thickness of the string. Currently the most common gauges are 15, 16, 17 and 18. The higher the number, the thinner the string. For each gauge there is a also a "half size" which is referred to as "L", meaning light gauge. So a 16L gauge tennis string is thinner than a 16 gauge but thicker than a 17 gauge.

Thicker strings have more durability but have less resiliency. Players often say the 15 gauge string has a stiffer board-like feel. Some players like that. But combine a stiff racket with a stiff 15 gauge string, and you might feel like you are playing with a brick. Thicker strings are great for players who frequently break strings or want that stiffer feel. If you are a string breaker and tired of spending money on frequently stringing your racket, try a thicker string. However, don't jump from an 18 gauge  to a 15 gauge string. Try just one step down to a 17 gauge string and see how that does. You might find that your strings last longer and you have not lost that much playability.

Thinner tennis racket strings tend to have a better feel or playability. Thinner strings bite the ball better which helps if you like to hit  spin. Therefore, if you are not breaking strings, you might want to try playing with thinner ones just to see if it feels better and helps your game. Just like I mentioned above, ease into it. If you are playing with a 15 gauge tennis string, try a 15L  or even a 16 gauge string. Testing out the different thicknesses of tennis string will help you find that perfect one that gives you optimum playability with minimum breakage.

The choice is yours. There is a racket string for just about every type of player out there. Choosing a string for a tennis racket can be overwhelming. There is string for players who love to hit hard, for players you love to hit spin, and string for the all around player. There is even some  that is recommended for players who have tennis elbow. But the important point here is to please take the time and do a little research to pick it out. Please do not just put in cheap tennis string.

While string gauge was the focus of this article, gauge is just one aspect of tennis racket string that you should be researching. Tension and material are two other very important considerations you should look into when researching tennis racket strings. Next time you are shopping for tennis string or a tennis racket, think about researching your string as well. After all, the string is the heart of your tennis racket.

Chris is an advid tennis player with over 25 years experience in stringing tennis rackets. For more information on tennis racket strings or where to find tennis strings at a discount, please check out the blog dedicated to tennis racket strings. Don't miss out on all the great information there!

Tennis Shoes Purchase and Feet Anatomy

While you are a talented tennis player and you doing well on any type of court, your tennis shoes might play an equally critical role in winning you crucial matches. Many professional tennis players will tell you that tennis is all about maintaining your balance while you swing.

A good pair of tennis shoes will help you strike a perfect balance between the control of your shots and power. Hence, you should buy tennis footwear that perfectly matches not only with the anatomy of your feet but also with the surface you play on. That is why professional players use different tennis shoes on different tennis court surfaces such as hard, clay, grass and carpet.

Buying the right tennis footwear is crucial to your winning games. Ill-fitting shoes can result in blisters and even ankle & knee pain. Worst of all, they will fail you in your game. Hence, follow these tips on how to buy your tennis footwear which will be in sync of your feet and help you play your best tennis.

Know Your Foot Type:

You can visit a podiatrist to know your feet type or figure it out yourself at home too. For instance, if the impression of wet feet shows a crescent-shaped foot print with little of no footmark made by your arch, you have a supinated foot. Usually, your shoes tend to wear down faster on the lateral side than your big toe. Moreover, supinated feet are wider and require tennis shoes that offer additional room in the forefoot and toe box. Additionally, you should look for tennis footwear that can provide extra cushioning to compensate for the high arches.

You have pronated feet if your foot impression shows that it`s completely filled in. Due to your flat foot, your shoes tend to wear out before the lateral part. You tennis footwear should give you extra support. Find a pair that has additional stability on the medial side or go for shoes with a mid-cut model.

You have neutral feet if your footprint impression shows a moderate amount or arch. This is most versatile and ergonomically efficient toot type. This being the most coveted foot type, you can play tennis in almost any shoes.

Understand The Shoes Anatomy:

After knowing your foot type, try to understand the footwear`s anatomy. Try different pairs to see that you feel comfortable at the upper against the top of your foot. Also, make sure your shoes have a durable toecap especially if you tend to drag your toe while you serve. Moreover, you should put special emphasis on extra material along the medial portion of the upper if you have a habit of hitting your forehand from an open stance.

While checking the insole of your tennis shoes, make sure it provides extra cushioning as it is the part where foot rests on. If you are one of those players who are fiercely aggressive on court and give their shoes a good pounding, the midsole of your tennis shoes will wear down faster and you will soon feel the need chuck out those pair and go for a new pair of tennis shoes.

The outsole affects the traction especially when you play on the clay or hard court. Those who play mostly on the hard court should look for tennis shoes with outsoles with a wide variation in the design to get the best traction.

Weigh You Options:

Ideally, you would like your tennis shoes to be as light as possible. However, tennis footwear is usually heavier than other running shoes for the simple reason that tennis shoes have extra cushions and durable outsoles that add to the weight of tennis footwear. Buy two different pairs - one with a lighter weight and the other with a heaver weight. Practice with the heavier weight so that when you play real matches with the lighter tennis shoes, you will feel more comfortable to zip around the court.

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for PoloMercantil