How to Play Badminton Like a Pro: 5 Badminton Tips to Improve Your Game

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

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Swimming Is a Great Sport for Kids

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

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Benefits of Martial Arts Training For Kids

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Laura_Saunders]Laura Saunders

Admit it. When the going gets tough at home, we've all plopped the kids in front of the television and breathed a sigh of relief. Finally, we can get started on dinner, maybe check email or sort that massive pile of laundry.




But when your five-year old yells at you "Mom, Kids Rule!" or your ten-year old horrifies you with language that would make a sailor blush, you realize there must be something amiss with what these "family programs" really teach our kids. And sadly, its happening all over the media today, from sports to cartoons, and our children are learning things that we, as parents, vowed we would never teach them. Old fashioned values like respect and self-discipline, seems to have been forgotten, replaced by the dreaded "bling bling" pop culture of today.

Just the thought of your angelic three-year old morphing into a designer-clad, smart-mouthed, money-worshipping, me-obsessed, lay-about is enough to make any parent consider that threatening military school brochure, but there is a solution out there to consider.

Martial Arts training.

From Ninja Turtles to The Karate Kid

You and your kids have all seen the flying kicks, battle cries and mighty chops of their favorite TV characters, as they beat the bad guys to submission - but, you may ask, how on earth can these acts of violence teach my child anything worthwhile?

First, know that what you see on television (save perhaps the Karate Kid) is a far cry from what real martial arts are all about. The fact is, martial arts training is based on non-violence.

Originating in Asia (mainly Japan, China and Korea, although Thailand and Vietnam have their own practices as well), martial arts range from a variety of types and styles, all of which are based on well-rounded, moral teachings. The beauty of learning martial arts is that it encompasses not just the physical aspect of the "sport", but mental and emotional lessons as well.

Comparing that to other kid's activities and sports, where fierce competitiveness and "winning at all costs" seems to be the order of the day, it's not surprising that many children grapple with issues of self-esteem and misplaced aggression.

Now imagine your child actually learning valuable life lessons, skills that he will take throughout life, laying the foundation for a happy, well-adjusted and fulfilled adult life. If only karate for kids was popular in the 70's, when I was growing up!

The Advantages



o Karate, and other martial arts for kids, builds confidence and self-esteem as well as self-discipline, respect, concentration and courtesy.

o Many martial arts schools also offer leadership courses for kids, in conjunction with their karate for kids programs, or similar lessons.

o Martial Arts is ideal for children who do not do well in team sports, giving them the ability to flourish this activity, while combining physical and mental practices.

o Many do not realize this, but it is a fact that martial arts training are safer than most school sports.

o Children with special needs, such as ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), learning difficulties and hyperactivity are often recommended to participate in martial arts for kids because of the clear benefits in its structured training techniques.


Kung-Fu Master or Ninja Warrior?

Before you sign up Junior for the first martial arts class you see, take some time to check out the different methods available, and match it with what you know would suit your child best. This is a good way to avoid any problems that may sprout from a conflict of your child's personality and the training techniques.

Is your little Zach a sensitive soul? Then maybe a class that doesn't center on sparring (full-on kicks and punches training) but rather, slower, defensive maneuvers would fare better for him. Kids with an aggressive streak, however, may prefer the more forceful moves and thrive in competitive sparring.

Here's a quick primer on the kid-friendly martial arts training you're likely to find:


Martial Arts From Japan


Karate

o Uses defensive and aggressive moves

o Centers on building strength and endurance

o Involves chops, punches, kicks, strikes, blocking and sparring

o May use weapons


Jujitsu

o Uses defensive and aggressive moves

o Involves lots of sparring

o Teaches a fair amount of weapons training


Aikido

o Uses a more "spiritual" and harmonious style in redirecting the aggression of the attacker as the form of defense, using throws, pins, rolls etc.

o Taught on the premise of disabling an aggressor without attacking, through your individual inner energy

o Does not involve sparring or competitions


Judo

o Uses gentle, "wrestling-like" movements

o Considered one of the safest methods of martial arts

o Emphasizes physical control as well as mental development

o Engages in competitions


Martial Arts From China


Kung-Fu

o The generic term referring to Chinese martial arts with a variety of styles

o Involves attack movements as well as defensive techniques

o Teaches kicks, punches, chops, throws, falls, grappling, katas, leg sweeps and blows among others.

o Engages in sparring competitions


Martial Arts From Korea





Taekwondo

o Competitive in nature, involves techniques using elaborate footwork and unique high kicks.

o Emphasizes strength, force and attack methods.

o Engages in lots of sparring and competitions.


Choosing The Right Instruction

If you have an idea of the type of martial arts class you'd like your child to participate in, the next step would be to find the right school. Finding the right class that not only matches your child's and your needs, in terms of teachers you feel comfortable with, the price, facilities and so on, are all important factors.

Say you've found a local place that specializes in Karate for Kids. What are the things you should look for?


1. Good Instructors

Check out their qualifications, teaching methods and watch carefully how they interact with the other children. It should be a fun learning experience!

2. Space and Safety

Obviously you would want to entrust your child in as establishment that is safe, well-maintained, and clean with ample space as well as decent facilities and equipment.

3. School Values


Different martial arts schools inevitably go by different values, for instance, one kid's karate class may handle aggression in one way, while a judo class would have a different approach. Take some time to observe which school's ideals match your family's principles.

4. Prices and Schedules

Prices for martial arts training can vary according to school and location, so make sure you the instruction you choose represents fair value. Finding the most effective way to fit martial arts training into your family's lifestyle is also essential, knowing what works best with your schedule and other activities.


Baby Blackbelts

Starting your child young in karate training is ideal (children as young as the age of four are usually accepted, as it is also a good way to hone fine motor skills), and lots of parents have found that in as little as a year, their children who were involved in martial arts had noticeably gained positive traits such as increased self-esteem, respect and overall physical fitness.

Many parents also opt to join a martial arts training program themselves, making it a great bonding experience for the entire family.

Laura Saunders is a successful freelance writer, mother of two, and a martial arts practitioner who has written articles for [http://www.best-karate-equipment.com]http://www.best-karate-equipment.com, your online guide to [http://www.best-karate-equipment.com/karate-uniforms.htm]karate uniforms and [http://www.best-karate-equipment.com/karate-training-equipment.htm]karate training equipment.

Copyright 2005 Best-Karate-Equipment.com


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Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Benefits-of-Martial-Arts-Training-For-Kids&id=52697] Benefits of Martial Arts Training For Kids

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