SUMMER'S HERE, SO PREPARE YOURSELF {2010}
By Vince Chiarelli, PTR, MRT and Owner of String Along With Vince in Largo
After such a cool winter, you may have forgotten how the hot, muggy Florida weather can knock you out. Prepare yourself for the heat from head to toe, inside and out. Refresh yourself on how to be a "good neigbor" tennis player.
Drink water before, during, and after you play. Sports drinks work, too, but avoid soda, caffeine, milk, high-sugar juice drinks, and alcohol.
Skin cancer happens, so take precautions seriously. Apply sunblock 20 minutes before you go out and remember to cover your ears. Wear a hat or sun visor. Protect your eyes with sunglasses.
Wick away the sweat with clothing made from “high-tech” fabrics that stay light and dry fast. Look for apparel that has sun protection built in. Use a moist shammy-type cloth around your neck to cool the blood going to your head. Wear wristbands. Change your overgrip often. Try grip aids such as products that keep your hands dry or others that provide extra tackiness. Towel off your grip when you switch sides. Wear socks with moisture wicking such as CoolMax rather than cotton. Rotate your tennis shoes so one pair can dry thoroughly before next use.
Okay, that takes care of the physical preparations.
Now, think about being a “good neighbor” tennis player. Show up on time and ALWAYS bring a fresh can of balls. Playing with dead balls is no fun for anyone and is much harder on your body.
If you have to wait for your court, stay quiet so the other players can finish without distraction. If others are waiting for your court, leave at the end of the set you are playing. If you have to cross a court to get to yours, wait until the end of a game, then walk across BY THE NET, not behind the players. Wait until players on the next court finish a point before retrieving or returning a stray ball. Dispose of trash properly. If you play on public clay courts, sweep and line the courts before you leave.
TURN OFF your cell phone.
CALL THE SCORE clearly before every serve. Play tennis; save your stalling, sulking, tantrums, complaints, trash talking, and other gamesmanship for somewhere else. Finally, when you have any doubt about a close line shot, CALL THE BALL IN! Cheating is NEVER okay. Fair play is a big part of what makes tennis a great sport. Do your part.
You are now prepared, so go have some fun in the sun!
COPYRIGHT 2010
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Editor's note pertaining to all articles presented.
All articles are presented as they were written and published. Some information contained in these articles may have changed over the years. Please be cognizant of this as you read. Additionally, since these articles go back as far as 1994, some of the technology may have changed, and new methods and advancements may have come about. Please contact us if you have any questions.
