When you were a kid you had at least two pair of shoes. One pair was your “good” one your mother referred to as your “dress shoes,” while the other pair was your “everyday” shoes, most probably of athletic nature. These shoes, specially designed for sporting activities, were given the generic name “athletic shoes,” which is still considered a category that consists of running, basketball and tennis footwear. Originally introduced as part of the sporting apparel, athletic shoes are now worn as part of a casual look. Going for a walk, running across the shore, or playing outdoor games, are examples of the instances that people of all ages select to wear them. But how did all begin and why do more and more different types of athletic shoes being produced?

It is much more than the supply and demand curve, but it all comes down to that. Modern sneakers have beginnings in various sports shoes. One ancestor is the expensive British upper-class footwear of the late 1800s, used for lawn tennis, cricket, croquet, and at the beach. While at the turn of the twentieth century, football and baseball players wore essentially the same shoe type as before, the leather high-topped lace-ups with leather soles and cleats, the need to have footwear that provided a good grip onto the ground was the reason why a variety of lightweight shoes were introduced. Special shoes that would allow runners to move and lead to positive results, like increasing their speed and thus, their competitiveness, were ordered. Thus, as the need for greater speed increased, so did the athletic shoes’ number and styles. By refining and improving the shoes’ traction, sportswear companies created a subcategory in sports apparel; the shoemaking industry that is now worth billions. The sneakers’ demand emerged as athletes drew spectators to games and scientists invented new ways to accelerate human limits and improve athletes’ scores.

The dictionary defines the athletic shoe or sneaker as “a sports shoe usually made of canvas and having soft rubber soles; also called tennis shoe.” As today, uppers can be of leather, nylon, canvas, plastic, or combinations of these, and the shoe bottom surface has come to include any type of natural or synthetic rubber soles, tennis shoes are not equivalent to any other type of athletic shoe types. Sure, the term “tennis shoes” has become a generic term for athletic shoes, but this should not give the wrong impression to people that all sports shoes are the same or that one should wear them interchangeably regardless of the game/sport played. Running shoes on a tennis court, for example, are a sprained or broken ankle waiting to happen. Running shoes are built with a thick, soft heel to maximize cushioning for straight-forward, heel-to-toe foot impacts. Playing tennis is all about sudden starts and stops, as well as moving quickly from side to side. The trouble is that, during extreme stopping, cornering, and pivoting, if the sneaker’s outsole is too rigid, the tennis player loses contact with the playing surface, which results in a loss of footing. In addition, since runners do not usually move sharply sideways, while “on the run,” the running shoe sole is totally unsuitable for the sideways movements a tennis player makes.

From Keds, which were the first tennis shoes in 1917, to today’s extraordinary designs and expensive advertising budgets, shoemakers continue to design shoes with an eye towards accommodating various types and shapes of feet. When one adds to this equation, the trendy variety of styles, the outcome speaks for itself. There is always an option available for our feet will feel comfortable while playing a friendly match of tennis.

Jonathon Hardcastle
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/tennis-shoes-67078.html

Technorati Tags: tennis shoes

Before even beginning the diversion of tennis, you want to make certain that you have the right stance. This will mean being arranged for the sphere to come your way. Most tennis players will have their feet hip width apart with a bend in the knees. The focus will necessary to be on the sphere and where it is about to go. By burden this, you will can get to the right place quicker. You will also want to have both of your hands on the grip of the tennis racquet, which will help you to command the sphere more, as well as switch sides for the racquet.

After you have this stance, there will be the beginning of the ready by ritual. A help will start on one flank from the back of the patio. After the globe is unnerved into the air, the server will be able to hit the sphere. banish tonsil stonesThey can running the way that the globe begins to be thrown by easily striking it in a different way. This may make the sphere spin, go to a different span, and move to a different corner of the square.

After the help has been made, it will be up to the opponent to gather the function with different strokes. The first is the forehand stroke where the tennis racquet moves from one periphery of your body to the other to hit the tennis ball. Forehand strokes will be various by the way that the tennis player holds the grip of their racquet. h miracleThe backhand stroked is the converse of this because it will begin on the left hand section of the body instead of the right and go all the way across your body backwards.

After you know these two main strokes, you can go to a brand of options for hitting the tennis ball. psoriasis free for lifeThe first possibility is a cascade. vision without glassesThis occurs when you hit the ball before it bounces into your incite. The half shower is also a decision, where you hit the ball after it has buffed vigorous for the first time in your patio. With both of these, they will settle earlier to the net. If you want to go spreading out into the square, you can use a lob to hit the ball elevated and advance out. hair again john kelbyYou can also use an overhead smash, which is a harder hit that comes from a higher ground and moves speedily to the attract. A drip shot could also be worn by patter the ball over the net so that it is closer to the trim.

If you are working on your tennis hits, then custody the basics in mind about the types of hits to make can help you challenge your opponent, and even win against them. There are a form of possibilities for you to use. All these can be used strategically for you to benefit from the way you play the diversion.

Jeffrey Seymour

http://www.articlesbase.com/cricket-articles/its-all-about-the-swing-in-tennis-711268.html

Technorati Tags: tennis

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 youy 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

Technorati Tags: tennis, tennis shoes

Imagine the following situation. Every time you step onto the tennis court whether it’s to play a regular tennis game, a practise match or a competitive match – you WIN!

No, this is not a tennis how to serve lesson because that alone will not win you matches.

No, this not some kind of tennis act where I tell you to watch the tennis ball better and you learn absolutely nothing.

No, you can’t get this advice from your local tennis shop, and there are no special tennis terms for what you are about to learn.

No, you can’t just pop a tennis video on and learn it either.

BUT…

Yes, it is possible and I am going to show you how to do it!

So here goes – The tennis information on how to win every time you play guide.

First things first, a true story (yes it really is true!)

The whole “tennis how to win every time you play” thing started a long time ago when I learnt how to do it and finished most recently with one of the ladies I have started to coach!

Now previously, like most people I coach and see, Karen mainly judged her weeks’ tennis on how many games and matches she had won. It also revolved around how she was still unable to beat this player or that player even though she was convinced she was the “better” tennis player with the “better” tennis shots (and the better tennis kit).

Everything was brought into sharp focus one day when I decided we would play doubles against one of the other local coaches and their pupil. We played and lost! But it was Karen’s inability to reproduce the form she had been showing just 10 minutes earlier in the warm up lesson (and she was playing well).

We talked about things and I outlined some of the strategies I have in my Tennis Matchplay System Report at www.beatallthetennisplayersyouwant.com which is written for and works for players of all tennis levels and after a bit of head shaking she began to see that winning tennis matches was not all about just hitting tennis balls.

The following week we played the same pair and drew, with Karen playing much better, saying she just tried to play and place her shots better. Even though we had drawn the match, in her eyes she had made serious progress and in some way even had the feelings of having won (I think you might be seeing where I am going with this).

This was bought up another level the week after when she told me she had played some mixed doubles with a guy during the week and had lost. But she said for the first time since she started playing she realised that although they had lost the doubles as a pair, she was really happy with how she had played.

“Even though WE lost” she told me, “I, felt like I had won!”

And that is exactly the right way to approach things!

And that is exactly the right way for YOU to approach things!

So, from TODAY stop focusing on the OUTCOME when you play i.e. Win or Lose and start focusing on the PROCESS when you play i.e. raising your 1st serve percentage, cutting down on unforced errors etc.

If you think about it, just improving on a couple of things like your 1st serve percentage and unforced errors will help you WIN more matches anyway.

But, if you improve on the 1 or 2 factors that you choose to focus on (and I recommend you only choose 1 or 2), and lose the match then your opponent was probably too good BUT you can look back at the match with a really positive outlook in the knowledge that if you continue to focus on and improve on separate facets of your game you will be improving your tennis rankings and improving your tennis game out of sight…….and THAT is the way to WIN every time you play!

Remember & start it today.

Paul Gold
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/tennis-how-to-win-every-time-you-play-677632.html

Technorati Tags: tennis

Strength training should be implemented into a tennis squad training program to assist the players in developing more power in their shots and thus improving their game. It is also essential as a precursor to starting plyometrics training. Too often we see inexperienced trainers and coaches making their young players perform these high-impact power training exercises that have more of a negative impact on the athlete than a positive one. Strength training before Power Training!

I have even seen tennis coaches continue to push their players through a plyometrics training session even while these young athletes complained that their knees were hurting. Lunges are one exercise that will cause major discomfort to a young and underdeveloped player.

There are various factors to take into account in deciding on when to perform weight training in relation to on-court tennis training. Some of these factors include: Time of day, the duration of the tennis training session, how much time is required on the court, how much time can be devoted to strength training, the age of the athletes, the equipment available and do the athletes know how to use the gym.

I have spoken to a number of tennis coaches over the years who have used a light-weight training session using dumbbells before they head out onto the courts. They feel that this fifteen minute session prepares their athletes better and also assists in preventing injuries as their muscles, tendons and ligaments are ready for the explosive movements that they will face while on the tennis court.

There is some evidence suggesting that a light warm-up using weights prior to a tennis session can help in better preparing athletes physically and thus preventing soft-tissue injuries.

As far as conducting a weight session specifically devoted to strength training; I feel that it should be conducted separate from the tennis session. That is not back to back. For example, if you are coaching a college tennis team where you have more flexibility with their training schedules, your athletes could complete a gym session in the morning before the team tennis session in the afternoon which is when most tennis squads train. Allow for the athlete to recover in between their gym session and their tennis session with adequate rest and proper nutrition to boost energy levels for their next session.

Of course, if you are looking for one simple answer as to when they should do a weight session you are not going to get one. By that i mean some athletes prefer to do weights in the morning and some at night. The key is to have several hours rest between the two sessions.

It is often easier to say when you shouldn’t do one. Don’t try to conduct a weight training session immediately before or after a tennis session, don’t complete a session in the gym on the day of a match, don’t add new exercises into a routine the day before a match as it will likely cause muscle soreness and finally; create an individualised weight training program for each athlete. One program does not fit all!

You should plan ahead and know what type of tennis session you will conduct that day and whether or not you are in the pre-season, in-season or off-season. These factors must all be taken into account before deciding on how and when to conduct your strength training sessions.

During the post season is when you will want to rest, recover, refresh and deal with any possible injuries. During the pre-season you will want to begin with a progressive strength training session that builds up to a power training program that leads into the competitive season.

If your off season is quite long then you can structure your program to allow for those weaker athletes to spend more time in the gym building their basic strength before starting some plyometrics training. Those already advanced can be introduced into a plyometric training program earlier where possible.

The structure of an in-season training session on-court would depend on when your next game would be. This also applies to individuals and not just squads. You obviously don’t want to be introducing any new exercises or power training sessions the day before or the day of a match. It is important to maintain a regular strength training program with at least two to three sessions a week. During the competitive season you will want to reduce the volume by decreasing the number of sets and repetitions and maintain the current weight with a slight increase if needed.

The reason is that during the in-season the intensity of match play will take a toll on the body both mentally and physically. Also, during the on-court sessions you will naturally be performing plyometric exercises when you lunge for a ball, performing the split-step or performing the continuous bounding and jumping movements that are required in setting up for a shot.

Conduct a needs analysis. What is this you may ask? Well, basically exercise physiologists will conduct a needs analysis for an athlete prior to designing a specific program for them. This needs analysis will test the athlete for their: current flexibility, strength, power, speed, agility, assess current injuries, assess potential barriers for the athlete, equipment they use, their nutrition, what phase of training they are in (in-season, off season), their goals and more.

After a needs analysis they will: Design a program with specific goals for the weight the athlete should use; the number of repetitions and sets; the rest between sets; which muscles to use and in what order; whether or not to include super sets, etc. When they should start adding plyometric exercises to their sessions.

Create a stretching and warm-up program specific for tennis. Develop a program based on the equipment available. Set goals with reviews to analyse the success of the program and implement changes if required. Communicate with the coach as to what stage each athlete is at with their strength development

When I trained professional players we had to work with a whole new set of rules due to their travel commitments and the fact that they were always recovering and preparing for their next tournament. Strength training sessions would involve using a gym at the hotel or tennis centre following the guidelines of maintaining their strength without any new and radical changes that cause injury or soreness. If the player went out or lost earlier in the tournament then we would increase the emphasis on their physical conditioning as we had more time before their next match.

One favourite piece of equipment to use on the road was the stretch or elastic bands. You can create a full body program that can be conducted in a hotel room or on the court.

As stated at the start of this article strength training is essential for all advanced tennis players and will improve a player’s game. You will often notice that young players under twelve will win matches based on consistency and if these players do not grow then they will be gradually swamped and over powered by the players who do grow and increase their strength.

Strength and power equals bigger and more penetrating shots. Consistency combined with strength will allow for a player to tactically beat an inferior player on a physical level. This can be discouraging to players who once relied on their consistency to win. It is therefore your role as a coach to advise the player on when they should start strength training and explain to them how this will help them to better compete against these stronger opponents.

An athlete’s progression and longevity in sport will depend on whether or not they enjoy playing and competing. Losing will obviously discourage a young athlete so show them ways to improve their game not only on the court bust also off the court with strength training, power training, improving their speed, agility, flexibility, nutrition, mental toughness and every other facet of tennis.

David Horne
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/why-strength-training-will-take-your-tennis-game-to-the-next-level-593817.html

Taking care of your body, for the most part, is common sense. Avoiding chronic knee pain is no exception. Follow the suggestions below and you’ll be well on your way to a lifetime of healthy knees.

Control your weight: Remember, your knees support almost all of your weight. Every extra cupcake and order of fries may seem to go to your belly or thighs, but in reality, the weight goes to your knees. Eat right and try to stay as close to your ideal weight as possible and keep the strain off of your joints, ligiments and tendons. Obesity can even lead to the development of osteoarthritis.

Get in shape: As a compliment to the previous suggestion, keeping your muscles strong and flexible is a great way to stave off the effects of chronic knee pain. Weak muscles are the leading cause of knee injuries, so instead of lounging in front of the TV, head to the gym for a workout or go for a brisk walk, your knees will thank you in the end. Also, try to incorporate flexibility into your workout regimen. Make sure you stretch before any workout, no matter how benign it might seem.

Exercise the right way: If you already have chronic knee pain or arthritis in your knees, you need to tailor your exercise regimen around your current situation. Remember, even if you have chronic knee pain, it’s not an excuse to not be active, you just have to be active in a way that will help your situation, not hurt it. Things like swimming or water aerobics can be just as helpful and are low-impact compared to jogging, or playing a game of basketball. If you love a game of hoops, try playing less often and doing other low-impact activities more frequently. The most important thing is to stay active.

Know your shoe size: This one seems like a no-brainer, but a startling large amount of people don’t wear the correct size shoes. Or they chose the wrong type of shoes for the activity they are participating in. Shoes designed for running aren’t made for the sharp pivots and turns that are common in basketball, while shoes designed for tennis are. They say the shoes make the man, and in this case, the shoes can make or break the health of your knees.

Kneepads and braces: Make sure you utilize these joint-saving pads when you need them. If you’re playing a sport that causes a lot of trauma to the knee, like basketball or volleyball, wear a knee brace. If you’re on your knees hooking up a computer or laying carpet, wear knee-pads. And believe it or not, most shattered kneecap injuries happen in auto accidents, so wear a seatbelt, and protect your knees as well as your life.

Your body knows all: Plain and simple, if your knees hurt, relax and read a book. The likelihood of injuries to your whole body, knees included, rise dramatically when you’re tired or if your joints are fatigued.

Remember, your knees can take a beating but you only get two. Treat them right and they will be there to treat you right.

James Hughes
http://www.articlesbase.com/medicine-articles/preventing-knee-pain-97943.html

Technorati Tags: tennis

If you are in the market to buy a new tennis racquet, it is no longer as simple as choosing a brand name and a look you like. You need to understand the type of racquet you need, the technology that will best improve your game and you should have a comprehensive understanding of the parts of a tennis racquet and what they mean to overall performance on the tennis court. For instance, you should understand features like:
· Racquet Weight
· Balance
· Head size
· String Pattern
In this article, we will discuss these features and others that impact you tennis racquet selection. We’ll also talk about a few types of tennis rackets including Control Racquets, “Tweener” Racquets and Power Racquets and which are appropriate for what level of player.
We’ll begin with tennis racquet head size. There are three main options in Head Size which include:
· Mid-Size Head: 90-95 square inches
· Mid-Plus Head : 95-105 square inches
· Oversize Head : 105 square inches and up
The head size is a very noticeable characteristic of a website and has a huge impact on tennis racquet behavior. The head size has a huge impact because the larger the surface area, the more power you can get from your racquet. Many people feel this is analogous to a trampoline where the smaller trampoline is firmer and offers minor bounce and the larger trampoline, with the same force applied will propel you much further. Therefore, the larger the head size, the more strings can yield and bend and the more power you can get from the frame.
The next aspect of a tennis racquet would be the length. Tennis Racquets offer a variety of lengths including:
· Standard length tennis racquet- 27 inches
· Extended length tennis racquet – 27.25 inches
· Extended length tennis racquet – 27.5 inches
· Extended length tennis racquet – 27.5 + inches
The length of a tennis racquet also has a profound effect on its power. While the standard tennis racquet length offers good control and power, the longer racquet will allow more force and a longer reach.
You also need to consider the weight of your racquet. Standard unstrung* tennis racquet weights include:
· Light Weight- < 9 ounces
· Medium Light Weight – 9.1 to 9.6 ounces
· Medium Weight- 9.7 to 10.3 ounces
· Medium Heavy Weight – 10.4 to 10.8 ounces
· Heavy Weight – 10.9 ounces and above
*Strung vs. Unstrung weight is something to consider when reviewing racquet weight.
The weight of your tennis racquet is obviously going to play a critical role in your game play. The heavier the racquet, the more potential momentum you can build up with your swing but if you get a tennis racquet that is too heavy, you may impede your game play rather than augmenting it. Generally, it is accepted that the heavier the racquet frame the more control and stability the tennis racquet will offer but in turn the lighter the frame, the more that same power and maneuverability that can be utilized.
Balance:
The balance of the racquet related to the overall weight distribution. For instance, in some racquets, the weight may be more in the head of the racquet while in others it may rest in the frame. In many cases, lighter head weight racquets are easier to maneuver and position while those heavier in the head can provide additional stability and power. Everything is a trade-off on some level, so you need to assess your own strengths as a player and purchase accordingly.
String Pattern:
The string pattern of a racquet related to the number of horizontal* and vertical* strings a racquet uses.
· Dense String Pattern (Closed) : 18 vertical strings x 20 horizontal strings
· In The Middle (Medium): 16 vertical strings x 19 horizontal strings
· Less Dense String Pattern (Open): 16 vertical strings x 18 horizontal strings
*Vertical strings are also sometimes called mains while horizontal strings are sometimes called crosses.
Generally, a more dense string pattern will yield a firmer more controlled response from your tennis racquet, while a more open string pattern will give you more power. The more give and bend offered by the string pattern, the more power you get.
Getting a good “spin” on the ball is also affected by the string pattern. A more open string pattern offers more opportunity for the strings to catch on the ball and create desirable spin on a return shot.
Finally, its important to understand how all of these factors can come together to create the perfect tennis racquet for you. We’ll talk about just a few main categories of tennis racquets here.
tennis Racquet Categories:
Power Racquets Characteristics:
· Lighter in weight (8 to 9.5 ounces)
· Larger head size (105 sq inches and above)
· Open (less dense) string pattern
· Wider frame width
This tennis racquet is made for power. This is for the player who does not use a fast or full length swing but instead one who takes more limited and relaxed swings and wants the racquet to yield the power boost they need.
“Tweener” Racquets Characteristics:
· Medium in weight (9.6 to 11 ounces)
· Medium in head size (100 to 105 sq. inches)
· String pattern varies
· Medium frame width
“Tweener” racquets are for people who want something “in between” power and control – or rather some of both characteristics. These racquets are great for tennis players with medium to long swing speeds and who tend to take medium to long cuts at the ball. Many players who are making the transition from junior to full length tennis racquet have success with this category.
Control Racquets Characteristics:
· Heavier in weight (11.1 ounces and above)
· Smaller in head size (90 to 98 sq. inches)
· String pattern varies
· Thinner frame width
The control racquet category is really meant for players who like to take long and fast swings at the ball – they don’t need the power from the racquet since they generate that on their own – they need control to ensure their power places the ball correctly.

Blair Stephens
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/choosing-a-tennis-racquet-87985.html

Technorati Tags: tennis, tennis racket

As play which is completely appreciated by people of all the ages, tennis is also appreciated by people everywhere in the world. A very competing play and quickly involved, tennis requires good qualifications of coordination and the capacity to run after a ball of tennis for any duration. This marvellous game can be played by two people but suitable good with the matches of doubles which will include two teams for a total of four people.

People engage in a set of tennis by employing a particularly coated court which has a net stretched through him in the center. Players are charged to be used a ball as tennis out of rubber all while being held on the line maidservant on their side of the net. The ball of tennis must enter above the net and in the sector of the court of opponent which is diagonally located through the net. The service must remakes if the ball contacts the net during the service or does not unload suitable side of the court of adversaries.

The service of tennis is probably most difficult to make and will require of the player to develop the great force in their arm of portion. It will also require of the player of tennis to develop fast reflexes because the adversary will be ready to react just like rapid and will quickly return the ball of tennis behind above the net to their adversary. To make the services and the returns, the players of tennis employ racquets of tennis to strike each service.

While the play progresses, this competing sport is marked on the number of balls turned over during the play. Each ball which is missed will mean that point is allotted to the team of opposition. The numbers of marking are low in tennis and only four points are necessary to gain a play, but these four points will be good if the other team is two points ahead. If not, the set of tennis will continue until a team is two points in front of the other.

Populate the tennis of play to have the recreation and to be able to slacken one moment but tennis is also a sport which is very competing and is played by people everywhere in the world. tennis is a sport which is enough competing to be included like event of Olympic Games and much of people made a life successful from playing the game of tennis. Throughout the year there are various championships of tennis and most popular is those played the large tournaments of slapping or at Wimbledon.

Jennifer Seaton
http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/tennis-outside-the-states-438808.html

So you have decided to take up tennis? Or maybe you are content to be a spectator but you would like to expand your knowledge of the game. There are a lot of variables to tennis, from the proper clothes to the equipment, from the rules to the players, but there are some constants in the game too.

At seventy-eight feet long from baseline to baseline, and twenty-seven feet wide – thirty-six feet for doubles matches – the size of the tennis court is one of those constants, and one can learn a lot about the game simply by understanding this field of play.

While the size of a tennis court never changes, the surface of the court can vary from location to location. There are three basic types of surfaces on which tennis is played, and each surface dictates a particular style of play.

Clay courts are made of crushed stone, brick, or shale, and are usually reddish orange in color, although they can be green as well. Clay courts are considered slow courts where balls tend to bounce higher and more slowly than on other surfaces. Consequently, points often last longer on clay courts as players tend to stay near the baseline – the line farthest from the net – and play defensively because it is so difficult to simply blast one by their opponent.

Clay courts are more prevalent in Europe and South America than they are in the United States. Of the professional Grand Slam tournaments only the French Open – or the Tournoi de Roland-Garros as it is officially known – is played on a clay surface.

The second kind of playing surface that one would find on a tennis court is grass. Rarely seen because of their high maintenance costs, grass courts are grown on firmly packed soil, much like a golf green. Of all the playing surfaces, grass presents the most variables to players.

Wear and tear, moisture, firmness of soil, and the length of time the grass has grown since being mowed all play a role in the playing characteristics of a grass court. Despite these variables, grass court players can usually expect the ball to bounce low forcing the players to get to the ball faster if they are to have a chance at a return; hence, grass courts are fast courts.

Successful grass court players typically play a serve and volley style of game where they quickly rush to the net after serving in hopes of forcing their opponent to hit a fast and perfect return; not easy on a fast, grass court. The most famous grass court is most certainly Centre Court at Wimbledon, home of The Championships, Wimbledon, a Grand Slam event and the oldest event in championship tennis.

Faster than clay courts yet slower than grass courts, hard courts are the most common type of tennis court. Constructed of cement or synthetic materials, hard courts vary in speed and bounce, but generally fall in the middle of the spectrum on both fronts. Hard courts are also the most conducive to all styles of play and, unlike grass or clay, they do not provide significant advantage or disadvantage to players with different styles.

Consequently, hard courts are often considered to provide the fairest test of all around skill. The United States Open and Australian Open are both played on hard courts, although the US Open uses an acrylic surface while the Australian Open utilizes a synthetic surface. Indoor courts are a variable of hard courts that are usually made of cement, wood, or even artificial turf. They typically have similar playing characteristics that are similar to other variations of hard courts.

Now that you understand the different surfaces that can be found in tennis you can use that knowledge to enhance your strategies on the court, or your appreciation for the game as a spectator. Either way, you must understand the tennis court in order to fully understand tennis.

J. Lloyd
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/understand-the-tennis-court-in-order-to-understand-tennis-127422.html

Technorati Tags: tennis