Thursday, November 15, 2012


By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Gerard_Goh]Gerard Goh

Many people who don't get coaching miss out on the opportunity to learn the correct techniques.

The badminton tips below will help you play like a pro. Here's how to make it seem like you received professional coaching. Are you ready to step up your game and impress others?

1. Correct Forehand Strokes

The badminton forehand stroke is used most often during a badminton game. In order to play like a professional, perform the correct forehand stroke technique.

After you master this stroke, you can perform many types of shots, such as the badminton clear, drop shot, and smash.

After those shots, you can learn more complex shots, such as the badminton jump smash, attacking clear, and badminton drives.

2. Maximizing Wrist Action

You might have heard people mention that badminton is ALL ABOUT THE WRIST. Well this is true, but it's only HALF true.

The power comes from your wrist action AND your swing (badminton stroke).

The KEY to maximise your badminton wrist action is to not grip your racket too tightly. When you are holding your racket too tightly, you are basically tensing your hand muscles, which restrict the movements of your wrist. Therefore you won't be able to perform a quick flicking wrist action if you hold your racket too tightly.

3. Body Balance

When you don't have good balance, it makes it harder to produce more power in your badminton strokes.

When you perform a powerful swing, you will most likely lose balance. Therefore, subconsciously you won't perform a strong swing since you know you'll lose balance after your strong swing.

Experienced or good badminton players will always know how to make use of their NON-RACKET ARM (arm that is not holding the racket) to maintain balance at all times.

Stretch out your non-racket arm to counter the weight of your badminton racket and the force of your swing.

4. Do Not Tense Your Muscles

Badminton is a game of speed rather than power. Powerful badminton shots such as the badminton jump smash comes from the speed of the player's swing and wrist action.

Therefore focus on fast motions (fast swings).

In order to do this, be flexible.

In order to be flexible, don't tense your body muscles! The key is to RELAX your body muscles to play better.

5. Master the Basics

How far can you go with your badminton skills? That depends on how well you know the basics.

First, grip your badminton racket correctly. If you're not gripping your racket correctly, it's hard to generate maximum power for your shots.

Second, know the difference stances to adopt for different situations.

Finally, good movement on the court is important. Badminton footwork helps you improve your defending as well as allowing you to strike quickly.

Badminton is fun if you learn how to play it correctly. Learn more on how to apply these badminton tips in your games, visit [http://www.how-to-play-badminton.com]www.how-to-play-badminton.com to see step by step tutorial on how to perform various [http://www.how-to-play-badminton.com/badminton-techniques.html]badminton techniques.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?How-to-Play-Badminton-Like-a-Pro:-5-Badminton-Tips-to-Improve-Your-Game&id=6538054] How to Play Badminton Like a Pro: 5 Badminton Tips to Improve Your Game

Wednesday, November 14, 2012


By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Sandra_Chaser]Sandra Chaser

Swimming not only is a sport, but it is also an exercise for kids to help them be fit and healthy. A parent can teach his or her child to swim to ensure that in the future the child can get into the habit of doing sports rather than just sitting down and watching TV all day. Swimming is another social activity that your kids can enjoy. He or she can play with other children in the pool or on the beach. A parent who enjoys swimming could actually teach his or her children how to swim but if a parent doesn't know how to swim and wants his or her kid to experience swimming the right way, the parents could enroll the kid to a swimming program. The program teaches the kids how to swim properly. You should never worry since these kinds of programs will make sure that no harm will come to your child.

Teaching your kid how to swim will prevent any phobias in the future. When your child knows how to swim, the kid can handle himself or herself in the water. It would be so much better that your child knows how to swim since that could greatly affect him emotionally if he or she can't swim. That is what most kids don't want to experience - being made fun because they can't swim. You should consider giving him or her swimming lessons.

Another important thing that you should know is that when your kid starts swimming. If you were a swimmer when you were young and your kid manages to beat your record then that would mean that your child is really good in this sport. This would entirely mean that he or she would be able to join competitions and he or she would have a higher chance of winning. To a family, when their kid wins something or loses but tried his or her best, the family can be proud and lucky to have such an athletic child.

Another good thing when your child is good in swimming is that when summer comes, the kids could use their swimming skills. Kids can socialize with others and show others their swimming prowess. When they know how to swim, they would be able to play freely with other kids. Parents who know that their kids know how to swim can watch freely. They just have to make sure that their kids are safe. The parent could even join the kids in their fun time in the water.

These are some of the things why swimming is best for kids. Kids have to learn the ways of the sport. Sports can be used for fitness, competitive, and recreational activity for a child. So, show your love to your kid and introduce swimming as a best sport that you can think of.

Sandra Chaser has helped a lot of people over the years with everything from [http://www.kidshelmet.co.uk/]bike helmets for kids, to [http://www.kidshelmet.co.uk/childs_bike_helmet.html]Childs Bike Helmet, and other baby, kids and teens topics.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Swimming-Is-a-Great-Sport-for-Kids&id=4806301] Swimming Is a Great Sport for Kids