Learning Tennis Q & A

Learning tennis?

So I am new to tennis, I just want to play for the fun of it and because its a good workout. My bf and I have decided to get some help learning, he wants to go to the local tennis club because every week they have a tennis night it cost $15 and you get 1 hour of coaching and then you get to play with other people. I dont feel comfortable doing this because Im crap right now and im kind of embarassed. Theres another option, I want to go to tennis lessons at uni, it goes for 5 weeks for 1 hour a week and it cost $67.

In your opinion what do you think we should do? The tennis lessons at uni, or go to the tennis club?

Best Answer – Chosen by Asker

depends on your goals, if you want to get better than take the lessons at uni you’ll learn way more faster. If you just want to have a social fun time then go to the tennis night but you wont learn much. I’ve worked as a tennis instructor and done group lessons like you would take at uni and tennis nights. Nights just end up being adult babysitting, you match up players give them tennis balls hit a few balls but you just don’t have the time to give much individual attention so players dont get better they just have fun and meet new people. In a group you go thru a lesson plan and will get the attention you need to improve.

Other Answers (3)

  • You should do the club. Even though you might not be good you’ll get better, and playing with people is really fun.
  • If you don’t have itunes…. Get it! Go to podcasts, and look up “tennis pro pod” videos.Download all of them. Then go to tennistips.net. Watch all of the videos. I’ve been playing for 1 month and already am at a level 3.5-4.0. Go practice. You and your bf. Have Alot Of Fun!!! Most important! If you go in front of a bunch of people and get self conscious you’re not gonna want to play. My gf is the same way. Watch those videos and practice them, I promise you’ll get better.
  • I took lessons at the local college, and it seems a better deal to do it at the club because you will have constant players and plus you can see better players play

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Our Top Choices for Tennis Shoes

1. Adidas Barricade V Men’s Shoes White/Black

Adidas continues to surprise with its fifth generation Barricade by raising the bar for performance tennis shoes. With more mesh utilized from heel to toe, the Barricade V offers improved ventilation and a lighter feel on court. This shoe also offers more flex than the Barricade IV, providing a quicker break-in and a more comfortable ride. An excellent level of lateral support and stability is retained thanks to the combination of Adidas’s Torsion System and Claw supports on the lateral side of the forefoot. Whereas the Barricade IV was considered the ultimate hard court shoe, it has now been eclipsed by this fifth version, which offers all the performance in a lighter, faster package. An ideal choice for the aggressive player who tends to put a lot of abuse on their tennis shoes.

The legend continues with the new Adidas Barricade V! Drawing inspiration from the previous generation Barricade models, the Barricade 5 retains a perfect blend of durability, cushioning, and support. The Barricade V is the lightest Barricade yet, with the same familiar snug, supportive fit.
6 MONTH OUTSOLE WARRANTY

Color: White/Black/Iron Silver/Red

Features:

Upper:
Synthetic leather upper for lightweight and durability.
Inlay:
Molded EVA insole for anatomical comfort.
Midsole
adiPRENE insert for comfort and shock absorption. adiPRENE maintains forefoot propulsion and efficiency.
EXTENDED TORSION for midfoot and forefoot integrity.
Feathered construction allowing for ultimate performance in multi-directional sports such as tennis.
Outsole:
adiWEAR 6 for the best durability in high-wear areas.
Average weight: 17.0 oz. (Size 10.5)

2. K-Swiss Approach Mens Tennis Shoes

Following in the footsteps of the Defier, the K-Swiss Approach is all-new for 2008 and offers a lighter takedown of the top-of-the-line Stabilor SLS. The Approach offers a high level of lateral stability at an economical price. Utilizes proven K-Swiss technologies such as Shock Spring Cushioning and durable Aosta 7.0 rubber.
Color: White/Black/Platinum

Durability is acheived with an AOSTA 7.0 rubber outsole and high-abrasion toe wrap.
Traction comes from a tennis-specific, multi-surface wavebone tread pattern.
Cushioning is provided by Shock Spring technology in the heel.
Lateral stability is achieved with a skeletal support cage and heel stabilizing clip.
Stability enhanced further with perforated synthetic leather upper.
Average weight: 15.2 oz. (Size 10.5)

3. K-Swiss Defier RS

I have always had fond respect for K-Swiss tennis shoes. Since its founding in 1966, K-Swiss has provided serious tennis players with high-quality, performance shoes.

The K-Swiss Defier RS is engineered to stand up to the most intense game. The TecTuff high-abrasion toe wrap creates a durable barrier between the court and the foot. The abrasion-resistant DragGuard is placed in the toe and the heel of the Aosta 7.0 rubber outsole. The Defier RS outsole features non-marking and a clay-friendly herringbone tread pattern for multi-surface traction .

Although, its an older model, I find the Defier still a tennis shoe to reckon with.
A top pick with the editors at Tennis magazine, the K-Swiss Defier RS is a shoe you can pull out of the box and take right onto the court. Comfortable, lightweight and durable – featuring abrasion-resistant DragGuard in the toe and heel, TecTuff toe-wrap and Aosta 7.0 rubber outsoles – the Defier RS has a herringbone tread that works well on clay, grass or hard courts, which makes these shoes a versatile must-have for the multi-surface player. Awarded TENNIS Magazine’s Editor’s Choice in the 2005 Spring Gear Guide, the Defier RS is engineered to stand up to the most intense level of play. With a TecTuff high-abrasion toe wrap, this one is ideal for players who log a lot of hard court hours. Abrasion-resistant DragGuard is placed in the toe and the heel of the Aosta 7.0 rubber outsole for increased durability. The Defier RS outsole is non-marking and features a clay-friendly herringbone tread pattern for traction on all surfaces.

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Factors To Consider When Choosing a Pair of Tennis Shoes

This is a typical question most tennis players would ask.  In fact, tennis shoes is one of most important equipment a player should have (apart from the racket of course).  So, what characteristics should one be looking for when buying a pair of tennis shoes?  As an amatuer player, I would normally based my review on the following criteria:

1. Flexibility – I prefer a shoe which has good arcH support but yet flexible and not rigid. I enjoy a shoe which is able to fit snugly to my foot and yet lends the necessary ankle support.  Test flexibility by bending the shoe. 

2. Durability of the sole – this is the area of the shoe which wears off the fastest.  Try to go for one which has a better quality and durable sole.  There are different kinds of new man-made materials all the time to enhance the durability of the sole of the shoe.  Do try to ask the names of such new materials.  I am no chemist but do keep abreast of new and revolutionary materials.

3. Stable and fitting – I like a tennis shoe which is overall stable and yet fitting.  A good tennis shoe needs to be firm in order to protect your ankle and the sole of your feet.  It has to be fitting so that it will not feel clumsy.

4. Light weight – Do try to get a pair of tennis shoes which is fairly light.  As tennis requires mobility, you do not wish to be weighed down by your shoes!  Having said this, tennis shoes should be still firmer in order to protect the feet, especially the ankles.

5. “Airiness” – I call this the ability to allow your foot to breathe and not to be cooped up.  Make sure the shoe you select has some kind of openings in its design to allow air flow.

6. Comfort – Overall, you will know if the pair of shoe suits by just sensing your overall comfort level when you wear it.  Make sure you have a pair of socks on as well and do move around and jump around when trying the shoe out.  You must have that feeling of being able to move swiftly and being nimble.  The pair of tennis shoes which allows you to feel this way would be the one for you!

7. Check out the shoes the top 10 players are using.  Although, there could be a sense of biasness as the players are sponsored, I am sure there is also a level of quality exuded by these shoes that the players endorse.

Author: Aaron Allen

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Tennis accessories make great gifts

I was wanting to get a present for a tennis buddy as his birthday was getting near. After thinking a bit, it dawned on me to get him a tennis gift. These are some of the items which one can buy as decent birthday or Christmas presents:

Gamma Hi-Rise Gold 75 Tennis Ball Hopper (around $30) - One of the better ball hoppers.  Light and durable.  Click on picture for more!

Tennis Score Keeper (around $27) - useful to keep scores to ensure no disputes arise.  The tennis score keeper clamps easily to any size tennis post. The unit is steel and comes with a swivel base allowing the scores to rotate. Game numbers are 4in. x 7in. HD durable plastic.

Gamma First Set BallTube 15 Tennis Ball Pick-Up – BFSBT (around $28) – picks up 15 balls easily, light weight and durable.  Easily kept and stored away.  Ideal for kids.

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Wilson nCode Ntour 95 Tennis Racquet

The nCode nTour 95 is a racket for slightly better players. It gives a nice solid and warm feel when you hit it sweetly. It is evenly balanced and therefore better suited to more advanced players. The smaller frame also accords better control for someone who can generate their own power. All in all, definitely a racket not for the beginners.

Hope you will like it. Click the picture above to get one!

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Welcome to my tennis world!

Thank you for visiting my blog.  As an avid tennis player and student, I wish to share my experiences, both good and bad when it comes to learning and playing tennis.  Most of all, I believe tennis is to be enjoyed by all, kids and adults.  So, sit back and hit an ace for me!

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