Feed: Techniques to Help You Master Tennis - AggScore: 9.5

The rules of tennis or tennis rules are pretty in depth, so we’re going to go over a simplified version of them.

Getting the right to serve is decided by the flip of a coin, and if the choice of service or receiver is chosen, the opponent chooses which side to start.

The official tennis rules state that the server gets 2 chances to serve correctly, and they always serve to their opponent diagonally. So if they serve the ball into the net or out of bounds on the first serve they still have another chance to get it in bounds.

Before serving, the server calls the score out, and they always says his score first. There is 4 points to win a round – love, 15, 30, and 40. Whoever gets to 40 first wins the round.

If the ball gets hit out of bounds, or into the net during play, the other person get the point. If the ball hit the line, it is fair, and play continues.

The tennis rules also state several penalties.

Touching opponents ground, the net or posts or any other person or official in the game will land you a penalty. Carrying the ball or catching it in the racket is also a penalty to stay away from. If you hit the ball twice before getting it over the net to your opponent, you are going to receive a penalty. The ball also cannot touch any part of the player other than their racket, so if it touches your arms or feet, you’re going to get a penalty. Throwing the racket to the ground or any kind of racket abuse is not allowed as well.

These are just a few of the rules – tennis has so many different “ticky-tacky” rules that it’s almost impossible to name them all. But these are enough to play with some friends.

By: Stephen Kiwanuka

About the Author:

For a good tennis player, the foot is quicker than his mind. It seems as if the foot has its own intelligence to act upon the bouncing needs. As Tennis needs a lot of side to side movement and forward and backwards movements on the court, it’s very essential that the tennis shoes you wear for your game keeps your feet comfortable. There are lots of shoe brands for tennis shoes that cluster the market for being noticed like Adidas, Fila, Lotto, Prince, Yonex, Babolat, Head, New Balance, Reebok….. the list goes on.

Here are three best pairs of shoes from three famous brands:

Nike Air Zoom Mystify III

Imagine shoes being designed just for the needs of a pro, then the Mystify line of Nike is the definite answer. Many top professionals wear Mystify III, including Maria Sharapova and Daniela Hantuchova. Like those pros, this shoe brings performance, glamour and high style to the courts.

Beauty of the Mystify is not just skin deep alone. Underneath the shining cosmetics is a powerful technology to bring players’ feet closer to the ground for optimum feel and maneuverability: Nike’s Zoom Air. The Momentum Control System keeps the shoe stable and offers optimum comfort and performance. To give an added performance feel, Nike’s Contour Speed Fit allows the shoe to conform to the foot, giving each player a glove like fit.

Adidas CC Feather 2 Remix

Once again, Adidas brings back the popular CC Feather II in this exciting Remix color. CC Feather is one of the best speed oriented shoe available for clay court besides having a glamorous look. The ClimaCool Feather II is a lightweight performance shoe which combines match day performance with the comfort and durability needed for long training sessions. Advanced chassis design promotes air flow to keep your feet cool when the action gets hot. This shoe is a popular choice on the pro tour during the clay court season. Pro players who used this shoe on clay included Marat Safin, Guillermo Coria and Tim Henman.

Prince OC-1 Men’s Shoes

Prince’s M-Series had a great last and has gained a huge reputation for it. And now built on the same last as the M-Series, the OC-I provides Optimum Cushioning offering more room for a more universal fit while improving on the Precision Tube Technology. The shape of the tubes has been slightly varied by Prince to round instead of oval for more effecient cushioning. Use of lighter gauge Precision Tubes for a softer, more cushioned ride is one of the killer feature of OC-I. An AirMesh tongue and breathable synthetic upper allows feet to breathe and combines with a DriLex lining for lasting comfort during long matches. Lastly, Prince’s Goodyear Max outsole features a 6-month durability guarantee!

By: Clara Havisham

About the Author:

Men have a huge selection of shoes to choose from nowadays it isn’t just a case of having the choice between trainers and dress shoes anymore there are thousands of brilliant designers and brands. The brand of shoes a man wears says a lot about the person. Here is a look at the top 8 brands of men’s shoes that are hot at the moment.

1. Adidas men’s Trainers – Adidas is one of the most popular brands of men’s trainers to date. They have a massive selection of trainers to choose from all incredibly stylish and funky. Not all Adidas trainers are extreme sporty looking some of the shoes are for general casual wear as well. No matter what shoe you choose from Adidas it is always going to be sharp and cool.

2. Dune Shoes – Dune shoes are very classy and chic. They are very good quality and are great if you are looking for dress shoes and formal wear. This brand is more geared towards the over 25 age range.

3. Ben Sherman men’s Shoes – Ben Sherman is a very popular brand of men’s shoes because they are funky and cool. They have a great varied collection of simple classy dress shoes and funky, retro out there designs as well. Brilliant designs and well made.

4. CAT – CAT is short for Caterpillar which is a famous brand for industrial wear. CAT shoes are no messing boots, hard wearing, and tough. They are popular among walkers and laborers but they are very fashionable as well and look great with jeans.

5. Firetrap – Firetrap is a brand of men’s shoes geared more for the younger generation. They are hip and cool without being over the top. They have many simple and cool designs but are always funked up in some way so never appear boring.

6. Fred Perry Shoes – Fred Perry shoes have a very distinctive look about them. They are plain but bright and the Fred Perry emblem is a main part of the shoe design.

7. K-Swiss – K Swiss is a big name in the sporting world providing specifically designed trainers for runners, tennis, training, marathons etc. K Swiss trainers are also worn for casual wear because they look so stylish and clean. The plain white K Swiss trainer is a popular choice.

8. Lacoste – Lacoste has the infamous crocodile emblem on the side of their shoes and trainers. A wide choice to choose from such as simple and plain styled trainers to brightly coloured and patterned dress shoes.

By: Joe Denver

About the Author:

The biceps muscle is located in the front of the upper arm and is attached to the shoulder and lower arm bone. The muscle helps to control movements of the lower arm and is involved in throwing movements like those associated with football or baseball. Tendons attach the biceps muscle to points in the shoulder and forearm. If the tendons are overused and become inflamed or irritated, the condition is called tendonitis.

Repetitive overhead movement and activities like throwing a baseball or swinging a tennis racquet are common causes of biceps tendonitis. Symptoms may include:
# pain when the arm is overhead or bent
# localized tenderness as the tendon passes over the groove in the upper arm bone
# occasional popping sound or feeling in the shoulder area

How can I prevent biceps tendonitis?

The simplest way to avoid another episode of biceps tendonitis is to avoid the activity that caused it; of course, this may be impossible for the serious athlete. For these people, frequent breaks from the causative activity should become routine. It’s also wise to reduce or stop the activity at first sign of pain and to ice the bicep and shoulder following each training session or game.
You can help prevent biceps tendonitis by following these simple recommendations:
# Rest your body regularly by stopping to stretch.
# Increase the frequency and intensity of exercise gradually.
# Apply ice when necessary.

Diagnosis

To properly diagnose biceps, your physician will check your shoulder for any tenderness or joint looseness. You may be asked to extend, raise, or rotate your arm to determine any range-of-motion limits. If necessary, your physician will order x-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan for a more detailed look at the injury.

Conservative treatment for biceps tendonitis can include:

# Rest
Avoid activity during the acute phase.
# Ice
Apply ice or a cold pack to the injury for 15 to 20 minutes, 4 times a day for several days to keep swelling down.
# Medication
Take ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) to help reduce inflammation and pain.
# Stretching
When the acute pain is gone, start gentle stretching exercises as recommended by your doctor.
# Strengthening
Begin strengthening exercises for your biceps, shoulder, and arm muscles as recommended by your doctor.

If conservative measures are not effective, arthroscopic surgery may be necessary. During arthroscopic surgery, an orthopaedic surgeon makes a few small incisions and inserts extremely small instruments to exam the tendons. If necessary, the surgeon can then make any necessary repairs.

Improving Sports Performance
The key to improving sports performance after recovering from biceps tendonitis is a proper a rehabilitation program, and adhering to some of those same principles after the injury is gone.
The single most important aspect of improving performance is stretching before and after you step onto the field, court, ice, or golf course.

Benefits derived from stretching include:
# increased physical efficiency and performance
# decreased risk of injury
# increased blood supply and nutrients to joint structures
# increased coordination
# improved muscular balance and postural awareness
# reduced stress
# enhanced enjoyment

REHABILITATION FOR BICEPS TENDONITIS
As an athlete, your number one concern is getting back to full strength as soon as possible so that you can return to training and competition. That is why appropriate rehabilitation is extremely important. The most common rehabilitation for biceps tendonitis often includes the following:

# Rest
Avoid activity during the acute phase.
# Ice
Apply ice or a cold pack to the injury for 15 to 20 minutes, 4 times a day for several days to keep swelling down. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin.
# Medication
Take ibuprofen to help reduce inflammation and pain.
# Stretching
When the acute pain is gone, start gentle stretching exercises as recommended by your doctor. Stay within pain limits. Hold each stretch for about 10 seconds and repeat 6 times.
# Strengthening
Begin strengthening exercises for your biceps, shoulder, and arm muscles as recommended by your doctor.
# Gradual Return to Your Sport
Begin arm motions of your sport or activity as recommended by your doctor. (For example: passing a football, throwing a baseball, tennis strokes, golf swings).
# Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery may be necessary if the pain results from shoulder instability or from pressure on the tendon from the shoulder bones.

The major objectives of rehabilitation from biceps tendonitis are to improve the elasticity of the biceps tendon and to gradually increase pain-free range of motion. The following exercises should be performed once or twice daily:

# Saws
Reach out and place the unaffected side hand on a corner of a table. Bend at the waist. Flex the injured side arm at the elbow and pull the injured side arm backward and upward as if sawing wood. Slowly bring the shoulder blades as close together as pain will permit. Slowly bring the injured side arm down to its beginning position. Repeat this sequence 10 times, at least three times daily.

# Pendulum swings
Stand with the hand of the unaffected arm resting on the corner of a table and supporting some of the body weight. Slightly bend the knee on the unaffected side and extend the other leg sideways. Allow the injured arm to hang loosely over the unaffected side foot. By shifting the body weight, cause the relaxed injured arm to swing in circles to the fullest extent possible as limited by pain. Perform 25 swings in a clockwise direction. Allow the injured arm to cease swinging. Perform 25 swings of the injured arm in a counterclockwise direction. Repeat this sequence at least three times daily.

# Shoulder rotation
Stand in a doorway with affected side arm bent at the elbow and the palm of the hand against the doorframe. Turn the body away from the injured side hand until a stretching sensation is experience in the injured shoulder. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Return to the starting position. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times at least 3 times a day.

# Shoulder flexion
Stand erect close to a wall. With the palm of the injured side arm turned so as to face you, slowly slide the forearm and then the upper arm up the wall by moving closer to the wall. Slide the arm upward to the point of initial significant pain. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Return to the starting position and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times, at least 3 times daily.

# Towel stretch
Roll a towel lengthwise. While standing erect, dangle the rolled towel down the back, holding it with the unaffected side hand. Reach behind the back with the hand of the injured side and grasp the rolled towel. Gently pull upward on the towel, raising the injured side arm until first significant pain in the injured shoulder appears. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Relax the arms while maintaining the grasp on the rolled towel for 10 seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times at least three times daily.

# Flexed elbow pull
Bend and raise the injured side elbow to shoulder height. Grasp the injured side elbow with the uninjured side hand. Gently pull the injured side elbow toward the opposite shoulder until limited by first significant pain. Hold this position for 10 seconds. Relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times at least three times daily.

# Bicep stretch
Stand erect with arms raised to shoulder height and palms up. Press arms backward until stretch is felt. Hold this position for three to five seconds, then relax for 3 to 5 seconds. Perform this exercise 10 times. The bicep as well as the muscles of the shoulder and upper chest are stretched by this exercise.

# Tricep stretch
Stand erect with feet at about shoulder width. Raise injured arm at the shoulder with elbow bent and place the forearm behind the head. Grasp the injured elbow with opposite hand and draw it toward the center of the body until stretch is felt. Hold this position for 3 to 5 seconds, then relax for 3 to 5 seconds. Perform this exercise 10 times.

# Bicep curls
Stand with arms fully extended at sides while grasping 2- to 5-pound weights in each hand, held palm forward. Flex the arms at the elbow to approximately 100 degrees, or to the point of pain, whichever comes first. Hold this position for 5 to 10 seconds. Return to the start position. Rest for 5 seconds. Repeat this exercise 10 times. You can increase the weight as pain allows and strength develops.

# Triceps curls
Stand with elbows directed upward over the shoulders and with arms relaxed. Extend arms at the elbow so that the hands proceed upward to the point of pain. Hold this position for five seconds. Return to the starting position and relax for five seconds. Perform this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily. As pain permits, add weight by using hand-held dumbbells.

# Chest raises
Lie on belly with hands extended along sides of the body. Raise the upper chest from the floor to the point of pain and hold this position for 5 seconds. Return to the start position and relax for 10 seconds. Repeat this sequence 10 times, 3 times daily.

Alternative exercises
During the period when normal training should be avoided, alternative exercises may be used. These activities should not require any actions that create or intensify pain at the site of injury. They include:

# swimming (if pain allows)
# jogging
# stationary bicycle

REHABILITATION AFTER SURGERY
Your biceps tendonitis may require arthroscopic surgery to properly anchor the biceps tendon. Keep in mind that the soft tissue needs time to heal before exercise can begin.

A physical therapy program usually begins with range-of-motion and resistive exercises, then incorporates power, aerobic and muscular endurance, flexibility, and coordination drills.

Finally, patients develop speed and agility through sport-specific exercise routines.

The ultimate goal of surgery is to provide dynamic stability while maintaining full range of motion, so that athletes can return to competitive or recreational sports. Progress is assessed by the patient’s perception of how stable the biceps/shoulder feels and by comparing the strength and stability of the injured and uninjured arms.

How long will the effects of my injury last?
With proper rehabilitation, a first occurrence of biceps tendonitis diagnosed and treated in its early stages usually lasts two weeks. If the injury has recurred several times, or if surgery is necessary, full recovery may take as long as two months.

When can I return to my sport or activity?
The goal of rehabilitation is to return you to your sport or activity as soon as is safely possible. If you return too soon you may worsen your injury, which could lead to permanent damage. Everyone recovers from injury at a different rate. Return to your activity is determined by how soon your biceps tendon area recovers, not by how many days or weeks it has been since your injury occurred.

You may safely return to your sport or activity when:

# You have full range of motion in the injured arm compared to the uninjured arm.
# You have full strength of the injured arm compared to the uninjured arm.

By: Mareza De Villiers

About the Author:

It was in the year 1916 when Keds was first made known in the U.S. It used to be named as Peds, which means foot in Latin. It was owned by the U.S Rubber until the Stride Rite Corporation was able to acquire the ownership rights for Keds. Keds tennis shoes or sneakers are the original footwear products of Keds. Keds is the first one to manufacture canvas shoes that they called sneakers due to the rubber soles that the shoes have which do not make any noise.

Sneakers are also called gym shoes and sometimes, tennis shoes. Since Keds is the first one to successfully have the sneaker-mass production, it is no question that its sneakers have evolved into much better shoes. So even if Keds has other stylish shoes in the market, it will remain to be the one that originally manufactured sneakers.

Keds was given the honor in 1916 to be introduced in the public as the first national brand in line with athletic footwear. As of the present, there are now various Keds tennis shoes in the market and even people outside the U.S can buy their Keds pair of tennis shoes via online. Below are some of the tennis shoes created by Keds that you will absolutely have fun wearing with.

• The cool color of Hampton Sport Casual Tennis Shoes for women have classic design and are great to be worn in summer due to its net lining material which is breathable. You can play with ease and comfort because of its light-weight feature and padded collar. You can have as many games as you want wearing these shoes because of their durability.

• Let your spirit brings you to more energetic games and allow your feet in guiding you to win. Wear this Women’s Keds Spirit Leather which displays a sportier look, thanks to the technology used by Microstretch. This pair of sneakers is very much comfortable to wear, letting you express your sporty feeling as freely as you can.

• Tennis shoes are commonly white but Keds has this Women’s Champion Rainbow CVO tennis shoes. Add life to your game as you wear these colorful shoes with a rounded toe. You feel comfy due to its cushioned insole and feel secure as you actively play a game due to the rubber outsole that brings durability and better traction.

• Men would also love playing tennis as they proudly wear Pro Keds Court King tennis shoes. They could show off their masculine feature and their macho-moves while playing a tennis game. It has a rubber outsole, a nice design, and its logo is embroidered on one of the shoe’ sides.

• Allow also your little one to have his or her first step with the Champion Toe-Cap White Canvas. Your future tennis player will be motivated to walk with the soft cotton materials used in creating these shoes. Its toe is made of rubber for added protection. It also has breathable materials that could make your toddler’s feet feel comfy.

There are more Keds tennis shoes available in the market and even the whole family can wear their very own Keds together.

By: Ruth S. Lanham

About the Author: