How to choosing tennis shoes ?

Tennis shoes must be able to support your feet with all the stops and starts you have to make, and it must give you good support at the sides of your feet. Each surface has differing requirements, and all of us have different types of feet, all of which places different demands on your tennis shoes.

The first consideration is what type of feet you have, because that will determine how much cushioning you will need, and what and where you will need lateral support.

There are three basic foot types:

1. SUPINATED – here your wear is on the outside of the shoes

2. PRONATED – here your wear is on the inside around the ball of the foot, and this type of foot suffers the most with injuries from overuse.

3. IDEAL – here the wear is even.

Either get a fellow player to walk behind you to determine whether you are walking with your foot tilting inwards, or outwards, or not at all. Better still find yourself a well-qualified sports shoe person. You could also test yourself by wetting your feet and standing on a square of cardboard.

1. If there is a large are where the arch of your feet didn’t touch you are SUPINATED

2. If the whole of your foot is marked, looking like a rectangle with slight curves then you are OVERPRONATED

3. If your feet leaves an imprint that is a balance between the others then your foot is IDEAL

Confirm this self-diagnosis with a third party watching you walk, and the wear test on your current shoes.

THE FIT OF THE TENNIS SHOE is vital, and points to pay particular attention to are as follows.

1. You need about half an inch of space between your longest toe and the end of the tennis shoe.

2. The foot should be a comfortable fit without any stretching

3. The heel should not slip, although some movement is wanted.

Just remember your feet are different sizes, so pick your size according to the larger foot, and use an insole to balance up your smaller foot.
The most important thing in a tennis shoe is LATERAL SUPPORT because much of your running on a court is side to side, and there are dangers of turning your ankle. Good lateral support is necessary if you are heavy and if you are pronated.

Your tennis shoes will need a degree of CUSHIONING and SHOCK ABSORPTION.
This is especially true if you are a baseliner, and you play most of your tennis on hard courts. Pronated feet jar most easily.

The two most common cushioning you read about are EVA, which is lightweight, but not very durable, or stable, and PU[polyurethane] which is denser, better stability, but it is a lot heavier.

FLEXIBILITY is important, and tennis shoes must bend easily at the ball of the foot, however too much flexibility makes for a shoe that won’t be comfortable.

At the end of the day, comfort is important, and tennis shoes are no different to anything else, you tend to get what you pay for, and I know very few things of quality that are cheap!!

How to Play Tennis - The Basics ?

This article is going to talk about a number of things that go into playing tennis. It will focus on equipment, the various shots involved in the game, and the scoring, but it won't go into specifics on any particular topic.

Equipment

There are three things you need to play tennis: a tennis racket, some tennis balls, and a tennis court. A tennis racket is, of course, specifically designed for the sport. All rackets have approximately the same design: a handle (sometimes called a "grip") and an oval-shaped head with strings. A tennis ball is about two and a half inches in diameter and covered in felt. Typically, the inside of a ball is pressurized so that it bounces relatively high. Finally, a tennis court is 78 feet across and 27 feet wide (for singles) with two-inch white lines dividing the various areas of the court.

The Strokes

There are several basic strokes in tennis: the forehand, the backhand, and the serve. The forehand is hit with your dominant hand on the dominant side of your body. For example, if you are right handed, you would use that hand to hit a forehand on the right side of your body. The backhand is on your non-dominant side and hit with either one (your dominant arm, reaching across your body) or two hands. The serve starts the point and must be hit behind the baseline into a service box.

The Scoring

The scoring of a tennis match is very unique. You need to win four points to win a game and six games to win a set. Matches are typically best-out-of-three sets, but for major tournaments they are best-out-of-five sets. Both players start at 0 - 0. Let's say the server wins the first point. He is now up 15 - 0. If he wins the next point he is up 30 - 0, and if he wins the one after that he is up 40 - 0. So the first point you win gives you 15, the second 30, and the third 40. If both players make it to 40 (so 40 - 40), this situation is called deuce. From this spot, a player must win two consecutive points to win the game. If one player wins the first point, but the other player wins the next, they are back to deuce.

Tennis Tips
The rare shortcuts in the tennis game


There are two major ways of improving your game: tennis tips and lots of repetition. A lot of practice grooves your strokes and establishes a solid foundation from where you can move on.

But before, during and after this learning process you can apply various tennis tips which help you find a more effective, effortless ways of improvement.

You can make various little mistakes when learning or competing and at first you don't even notice the problem.

It's like a ship that changes its course for 1 degree. It doesn't show immediately but after a couple of hours of sailing there is a big difference where you end up.

So tennis tips are actually those little but very important »course modifiers«. That's why they are called tips and not encyclopedias. ;)

But remember – there is a great value hidden in these tips especially if you apply them for a longer period of time until they become subconscious.

Another very important issue that needs mentioning is the learning process. MOST of the learning and improvement takes time, effort, commitment and many repetitions. Our brain and body need many recurring informational packets before they fluidly adapt.

But – there are other ways. In some specific situations repetitions are not needed. What is needed is just a slight change of course and you will sail to your desired treasure island. These are the tennis tips.

There are many different tips – physical, technical, tactical and mental. Since TennisMindGame.com is dedicated to everything related to mental aspect of tennis and everything related to making your mind your best ally, all the tips on this site will be mostly mental ones.

Tuesday 21 June 2016

Top 10 Best Tennis Shoes For Women In 2016 Reviews

If you love playing tennis, you need good quality tennis shoes, either for the match or training. Whether playing on hard courts, grass or clay, tennis shoes need a lot of stability and traction for the players. This normally helps to avoid any injuries and ensure that you move at a faster pace in order to be at per with the game play. They also help in ensuring that you are comfortable throughout the game.


How to Select the Best Tennis Shoes

Before purchasing your pair of tennis shoes, whether for friendly play, practice or competitive playing, there are certain aspects you need to look into. First, you need flexible and comfortable shoes that guarantee you maximum maneuverability with optimum comfort. Shoes with a meshed upper part enhance breathability, an aspect that guarantees you comfort even when playing under hot conditions. They should be durable shoes that are specially designed to absorb shock as you run around the tennis court. The shoes must also be made from tough and durable materials that guarantee you long term service.

A Look at ReviewsWith many tennis shoes currently on the market, finding the best shoes to use might be quite challenging. However, this task can be simplified by looking at product reviews on eCommerce sites like Amazon. Here customers have a chance to review and rate a product based on personal experiences. You will notice that most of the best quality products are top rated items with high numbers of positive reviews. If you want to purchase your tennis shoes, you can use such information to buy products that suit your needs. Below are the ten best women’s tennis shoes based on 2016 reviews:

10. ASICS Women’s Gel Game Point Tennis Shoes

These shoes feature the RearFoot GEL cushioning system, which attenuates shock for quick-paced running on any surface. This also allows for smooth transition for mid-stance. The shoes’ solid rubber outsoles feature lateral wraps, which provide higher levels of traction on different surfaces. Moreover, the shoes also boast of a high quality finish, which helps to ensure that you do not slip and fall while at the court.

9. KSwiss Women’s Ultrascendor-II Tennis Shoes

These outstanding shoes feature 1.5-inch heels, a rubber sole, the exposed EVA design and a skeletized 2-piece outsole. This not only makes the shoes lighter, but also offers great protection during play. The wave finish-base helps to reduce wear, so your shoes will not require frequent replacement. The synthetic leather upper part has perforation details to increase the shoes’ breathability and comfort. Moreover, the Dura-wrap technology normally provides an extra line of defense from excessive toe-dragging. They also have cushioned foot-beds which ensure lasting comfort while you are on the courts.

8. Nike Women’s Air-Vapor Advantage Tennis Shoes

These lightweight shoes make quick response times very possible. Their meshed upper-side allows for optimum breathability on different types of playing courts. Moreover, the padded collar-tongue ensures the best size fit and extra comfort. The mesh-lined insoles offer maximum shock absorption while playing on hard-court surfaces. The shoes also feature Nike XDR rubber outsoles for improved stability.

7. KSwiss Women’s Big-shot Light Tennis Shoes

These exceptional tennis shoes feature a perforated leather upper finish and a man made rubber outsole, which guarantees you durability and optimal comfort. Their heel-gripping lining normally make for extra shock absorption protection as well as ensure perfect fitting. In addition, their flow-cool system helps to keep your feet cool especially in hot conditions. The Dura-wrap technology on the toe-box normally provides an additional line of defense from excessive toe dragging. The shoes also have ballistic propulsion plates that help to keep player on the ball of the feet.

6. NIKE Zoom Vapor-9.5 Tour Ladies Tennis Shoes

This is another superior quality and lightweight shoe type, with dynamic side wraps to ensure the shoes fit well and do not come loose during the quick-paced matches. Moreover, the lateral mid-foot offers optimum flexibility, allowing for fast paced action and mobility. The phylon midsole provide additional protection and absorb extra weight during the game. They also have a Nike Zoom unit located in the heels to provide low-profile and responsive cushioning.

5. Women’s Gel Solution Speed-2 Tennis Shoes, by ASICS

These excellent shoes feature rubber soles, mesh and the synthetic upper finish. They also have a padded collar and tongue to ensure a very comfortable fit. Their Solyte midsoles help to provide excellent cushioning. They are very flexible shoes made with the PGuard Toe Protector, which helps to enhance durability, making the shoes to last longer. The fact that these shoes are top rated in the Tennis magazine as one of the top ladies play shoes, makes them the best option for all players.

4. Women’s Gel Game-4 Tennis Shoes, from ASICS

Equipped with padded collar and tongue, these shoes are specially designed to ensure optimum comfort and flexibility. The shoes feature removable EVA insoles and a comfortable textile lining, which helps to cushion against shock. The traditional lacing system helps to ensure a comfortable fit, while the ForeFoot GELA cushioning system helps in reducing shock during impact. Moreover, the model also features the Midfoot Trusstic System, which helps in reducing the sole unit’s weight but still retain the structural integrity of your shoe.

3. The New Balance Women’s WC-696 Lightweight Tennis Shoes

Offering a new performance value, these shoes feature the ABZORB technology, which ensures optimum breathability and excellent cushioning. They are the best shoes for casual as well as intermediate players, who want to experience optimum comfort while playing. The lightweight molded EVA midsoles help to ensure durable cushioning. In addition, the NDurance rubber compound used to make the outsoles helps to ensure maximum performance and durability.

2. The Adidas Performance Women’s C.C- Rally Comp-W Tennis Shoes

This is another high-performance shoe type that is specially designed to enhance the player’s maneuverability. These shoes are made of lightweight material, hence feel very light when worn. The upper part features the climacool mesh, while the internal web skeleton construction provides optimal breathability, stability and abrasion resistance. Moreover, the shoes have ultra-soft insoles which help to ensure maximum comfort. On the other hand, the outsole features ADIWEAR, which ensures maximum durability.

1. Women’s GEL Resolution-5 Tennis Shoe, by ASICS

These are the best of the women’s tennis shoes as per the 2016reviews. The footwear features ASICS’ high-abrasion rubber soles and the ForeFoot gel, which adds extra comfort. Moreover, the interior padding helps to absorb shock both on the knees and feet. The shoes also feature an upper mesh finish for optimal breathability, especially in hot conditions. The interior lining ensures that your feet remain in place and eliminate shock when playing.
Conclusion: Apart from helping to eliminate shock and offer optimal protection, the right type of tennis shoes provide perfect insoles that will enable you to move quickly, without sliding over during the match. Regardless of whether you are an amateur or experienced player, there are various shoe options to suit your needs. The above reviews for women’s tennis shoes can help you choose the best shoes to purchase.

Thursday 25 October 2012

Choosing the Best Workout Shoe: 5 Biggest Mistakes

Maybe you shouldn't reach for those comfy old sneakers, after all.
By Gina Shaw
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Laura J. Martin, MD
What’s the one piece of workout gear you can’t live without? Your Ipod Nano? A good water bottle? A truly supportive sports bra?
Wrong, wrong, and wrong. The single most important piece of equipment to virtually any kind of exercise program -- running, aerobics, hiking, tennis, basketball -- is the right pair of shoes.
A good pair of shoes can make or break your workout -- but it’s easy to go wrong.

1. Grabbing Whatever’s Handy

"The biggest mistake people make when they start running, jogging, or doing any exercise program, is just reaching into the closet and pulling out an old pair of sneakers,” says Tracie Rodgers, PhD, an exercise psychologist and spokeswoman for the American Council on Exercise.
But how do you choose the right shoe for your workout?
A recent search of a popular shoe-buying web site yielded more than 4,500 different pairs under the category “sneakers,” including more than 1,000 running shoes, 199 “cross-trainers,” 133 pairs of basketball shoes, 110 pairs for tennis, and more than 1,500 in a nebulous category dubbed “athleisure.” Supposedly, you can wear these to the office andfor a workout -- but you probably shouldn’t.

2. Choosing the Right Shoe -- for the Wrong Workout

First, you need to choose the right type of shoe for the kind of workout you’ll be doing. And yes, it does matter.
A shoe made for running is very different from a shoe made for basketball or tennis, in a number of ways.
“Running shoes have no lateral stability built into them, because you don’t move your feet laterally when you run,” says Joe Puleo, the author of Running Anatomy and the head men's and women's cross-country and track and field coach at Rutgers University in Camden, N.J.
“You’re only going forward, and a running shoe is built to give you support and stability as you move your foot through the running gait cycle," Puleo says. "Basketball and tennis shoes both have to be stabilized laterally, because you move your feet side to side a lot when playing these sports. You can’t build a running shoe that has lateral stability, and you can’t build a shoe for basketball or tennis that doesn’t have it.”
Even walking shoes differ from running shoes.
“Runners land more on their forefoot, while when walking you have a heavier heel strike,” says Catherine Cheung, DPM, a podiatrist and foot surgeon with the Post Street Surgery Center in San Francisco. “So for running, you want a shoe that has more cushioning on the forefoot, while walking shoes should have stiffer rubber to support the heel.”
Can’t you just get a good cross-trainer and use it for everything? Probably not.
“Cross-trainer" shoes never existed before Bo Jackson, who played professional baseball and football (remember the “Bo Knows” ad campaign?).

2. Choosing the Right Shoe -- for the Wrong Workout continued...

“Before Jackson, we just called them sneakers,” Puleo says. “Then, Nike came up with an ad campaign and now we have cross-trainers. But there’s no specificity to them: you can’t do any one thing well. They have some lateral stability, so you can play a game of basketball with your kids occasionally. You can run a mile or two. But most of them are not very good shoes for any particular activity.”
Then again, some people aren’t heavily into running, hiking, tennis, or any one sport. They go to the gym occasionally, maybe play tennis with a work buddy once in a while, or shoot a few baskets with the kids.
For them, a cross-trainer might be the best choice.
“A good cross-trainer will allow you to do the treadmill, some walking on asphalt or on a track, and light jogging,” says Kathleen Stone, DPM, president of the American Podiatric Medical Association. “Not mileage, of course. But I like them for people who are doing a variety of athletic endeavors casually.”
To choose a good cross-trainer, Stone suggests you look for:
  • A firm heel
  • Good support (you shouldn’t be able to bend the shoe too easily)
  • Light weight (you don’t want to add a lot of pounds to your feet)
But the APMA recommends that if you’re going to participate in a particular sport on a regular basis (2-3 times a week or more), you should choose a sport-specific shoe.

3. Loving Them Too Much

“Your workout shoes should be your workout shoes, and not your running-around-town shoes,” Rodgers says. “You’ll break down a pair of shoes standing in them or wearing them to the mall and running errands much faster than when you’re running or exercising.”
So buy yourself a pair of casual tennies for running around town, and stow your good workout shoes in the closet as soon as you get home from your run or your tennis game.
“That’s where I buy the shoes I think look nice, but aren’t good for me to work out in,” Rodgers says. “Certain brands, I can’t work out in because they hurt my feet, but I love the way they look, so I wear them with my jeans for just hanging around.”

4. Loving Them Too Long

Another big mistake many people make when buying athletic shoes is not replacing them often enough.
“They think they should replace their workout shoes when they start looking bad,” Rodgers says. “But shoes start to break down while they’re still looking good. The support -- the reason you buy the shoe in the first place -- is gone, and you’ll start feeling strange aches and pains in your knees, hip, and back.”

4. Loving Them Too Long continued...

Most experts recommend that runners replace their shoes every 300-500 miles. If you don’t run enough to have a mile count, or running’s not your sport, you should replace your athletic shoes at least once a year.
“If you’re exercising on a casual basis, you can make your shoes last a year, but if you’re working out every day, six months is pretty much your limit,” Stone says.
You should also have your shoe size rechecked every year, Cheung says. “Foot size doesn’t stay the same; our feet tend to grow bigger as we age.”
Do you need orthotics -- the specialized, custom-built inserts designed for people with specific gait problems? For most people, the answer is probably no, Puleo says.
“There are certain foot types and injuries that can be corrected with orthotics, but my opinion is they’re dramatically overprescribed. They work well for some patients, but I’ve been wearing the same brand of over-the-counter generic insoles for years, and they’ve worked great as well, and are much cheaper," Puleo says.

5. Doing It Yourself

Unless you’ve been playing your sport for a long time and have learned exactly what shoe is right for you, it’s a bad idea to just walk into a sporting goods store, try on a few pairs of shoes, and walk out with what you think is best.
Instead, go to an athletic shoe specialty store to get an expert insight on the right shoe and the best fit.
“The staff there will do a real fitting, evaluate your foot, and take a history of your athletic activities and what shoes may have worked for you before,” Puleo says. “They’ll watch you walk or run on a treadmill or outside.”
And they’ll take three measurements -- not just one -- on the metal plate we’ve all seen in shoe stores, known as a Brannock device.
“You need to know not just length, but also width and arch length,” Puleo says. “All three of those numbers together determine what size you should wear. And each shoe can be cut a little differently -- a 10.5 isn’t a universal 10.5 in all shoes -- so they’ll start with that number and work from there.”
A good athletic shoe specialty store will also have a liberal return policy -- so ask. Others may permit you to return shoes if you’ve only worn them indoors, but not outdoors.
The New Jersey running store Puleo founded allowed customers to return a shoe at any time, for any reason. “You don’t like ‘em, you bring ‘em back,” he says. “It was on me to make sure you were satisfied before you left. We had a very low rate of return because we spent so much time with every customer, we knew they’d be happy with them. You should never be stuck with a shoe that doesn’t work for you.”



Friday 11 May 2012

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer Nike French Open 2012 footwear and apparel availability

May 1, 2012

With a busy summer of tennis on deck for the best players on Tour, the innovative and trendy people at Nike have revealed the apparel and footwear for Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer during the upcoming 2012 French Open in Paris.

Going for a record-breaking seventh title at Roland Garros, Nadal will begin his journey in the all-new Rafa Finals Clay Tennis Crew in Scarlet fire/Anthracite/White, to go along with the Rafa Finals Tennis Short in White/Anthracite/Anthracite. Nadal’s shoe of choice in France will be the Nike Air Courtballistec 4.3 in Scarlet Fire/Anthracite/White, and his warm-up jacket for the event will be the Rafa Finals N98 Jacket in Anthracite w/Cool Grey.
Former winner Federer will also be looking for his best level as he enters the red dirt in Europe. Opting for a more serious look in Paris, Federer will sport the Summer RF Smash Clay Polo in Anthracite w/Cyber and the Summer Match Woven Short in Anthracite w/Cyber. Federer’s dark outfit will be complimented by the Vapor 9 Tour SL Anthracite/Cyber Men’s Shoe, and finally the Summer RF Smash Jacket in Anthracite w/Black & Cyber.
Nadal and Federer will be joined in Paris by other Nike athletes which will include: Tomas Berdcyh, Juan Martin del Potro, Bernard Tomic, Donald Young, Ryan Harrison and Grigor Dimitrov.
Nike’s all new French Open collection is currently available and can be purchased by clicking the TennisWarehouse banner to your right.
For our European reader looking to get their hands on the latest French Open Nike products, kindly head to the following TennisWarehouse-Europe link.

Friday 20 January 2012

Trends In Tennis Shoes

Gone are the days when tennis shoes were designed for the sole purpose of meeting the requirements of those who played the sport. The lightweight nature and comfortable design of tennis shoes have made them the casual sports footwear of choice. Today, trends in tennis shoes are not just about comfort and performance, but also looks, as a younger audience seeks to broaden their style. From the white color and simplistic designs a decade ago, tennis shoes are now available in a variety of colors and bold designs to cater to the fashion-conscious.

Tennis shoe manufacturers incorporate cutting edge technology into today's shoes and this technology is always evolving just as shoe designs and fashions keep changing. Trends in tennis shoes will keep you updated on the latest so that you're always looking and feeling good, whether you're a tennis player or just someone in the market for a pair of stylish, comfortable tennis shoes.

Trends in tennis shoes are all about that perfect blend of style and performance. The Nike Air Zoom Vapor VI Tour tennis shoe worn by Roger Federer, the greatest tennis player of this generation, is available in three striking color combinations ' Black/Red, White/Gold, and White/Silver. Endorsements don't come any better than that! This tennis shoe incorporates Flywire technology and LunarLite cushioning to give you an ultra-lightweight shoe that offers unparalleled comfort and support. The Vapor VI Tour is the ultimate high performance tennis shoe, but it's also versatile off the court as casual wear thanks to its comfortable fit and attractive design.

From one world class tennis pro to another, the Adidas CC Genius Novak, as the name suggests, is a high performance tennis shoe developed with inputs from tennis pro Novak Djokovic. Sporting an aggressive urban design and available in a range of vibrant colors, the CC Genius Novak provides performance with style. Climacool technology ensures maximum ventilation and cooling for the entire foot, while adiPRENE provides better grip, performance and cushioning. If you demand high durability from your tennis shoe, the adiWEAR 6 non-marking rubber outsole has you covered. Dominate your opponents on the court, and turn heads with the Adidas CC Genius Novak tennis shoe.

If you like versatility in your tennis shoes, you'll find few better fits than the K-Swiss Defier-miSOUL Tech. This tennis shoe features an interchangeable modular sole system designed to provide customization options to help optimize performance. The rubber outsole offers long-lasting durability, while on the inside a DualWrap mould provides your toes with the best protection possible. Cut out vents on either side don't just lend the Defier-miSOUL Tech an edgy look, but also greatly improves breathability to keep you going for longer. A flexible leather mesh construction further combines with a herringbone tread pattern to deliver maximum traction and performance over any court surface.

The right gear is a must to keep pace with the high-intensity world of tennis. And as technology evolves, so do the latest trends in tennis shoes, helping you push the limits of the human body and take performance and comfort to the next level.

Saturday 22 May 2010

Choosing Tennis Shoes

Saturday 6 February 2010

How to Choose the Right Tennis Shoe

By: Guy Starbuck

Tennis is a game which requires your complete concentration. A small deviance from your focus can throw the game completely out of gear. Ignorable distractions like a pinched toe or even an aching heel or ill-fitting shoes become the decisive factor in you making through the game. Such issues are completely avoidable if you just take a bit of time off and study what type of shoes is best for playing a good and comfortable game of tennis.

They say when you give peanuts, you get monkeys. When it is a question of buying tennis shoes, it is no different. There are a lot of average shoe manufacturers in the country who offer reasonably good tennis shoes at discounted price, but serious players usually would buy peace of mind by going for shoes made by some of the top sports shoe manufacturers. These top-end brands are not only comfortable and easy on the foot, but lasts long too. So you get full value for money spent. In case you are thinking of buying tennis shoes online, ensure that you get the very bet piece available or else, you might have to replace them after a few months and end up paying more money than was necessary in the first place!

If you are under the impression that styles and colors of tennis shoes have remained the same over the last 50 years, think again. Look around and you will find changing styles hitting the shoe stand nearly every day. For children there are bright colors; for women there are pink and white with purple shine and for boys and men, there is no end to colors and style. Tennis shoes are today made sleek, trim and stylish. Color combinations are made up of blue, green, black and many more. What you are going to buy would of course depend on your personal preference as well as your budget.

Tennis shoes are now being made with both choices and preferences of men and women. Every season, well-researched and improved designs, styles and colors are coming in to the market which enhances both style and ease of use.

In case you need specially-designed custom-made pair of tennis shoes that can also be done. There are plenty of shoe designers and artists who can help you make a unique pair which is meant just for you.

Comfort in wearing a pair is the main criteria for selecting a pair of tennis shoes. The shoe should neither be too loose or too tight and the design should be such that your feel has scope of free movement. Snug fit, is what you should be looking for when you select a particular design.

The truth of the matter however is that the style, color or design of your tennis shoes are not going to affect your game in the court, no matter what you choose, the ordinary pair of canvas tennis shoes or one of those designer labels which look glamorous. Though the sports gear never changes any game but it is also true that the right kind of tools can make you comfortable on court, which in turn makes you play hard and helps you remain on court for a longer period of time.