Making the world better, at times, seems like an impossible feat.
Everyday we hear of misfortunes that affect either our friends,
families, a local community, the country, or, indeed, the entire
human race. Confusion, frustration and a feelings of being
overwhelmed by 'troubles' often leads us to inaction. However,
inaction is neither satisfying nor useful. Is there another way?
I believe that while we can't make the entire world better, we can make the world better for some (even if it is just one
individual). And that for me is a good guide. Do what strikes you
right, and help even at the level of reaching just one individual (or
cause). Think of the compounding effect of this simple idea.
The Laurel Center was founded in 1983 on the premise that no one
should live with violence or the fear of violence. The center
empowers and supports victims of domestic violence by providing
emergency housing, advocacy, support services, and education. Today,
over 200 women and children stay in their shelter each year and
almost 3,000 people receive their help and support.
To raise awareness and funds, the center is hosting a tennis
tournament next month ( April 6th 2013). This will be the
2nd Annual Tennis Open for the center, and will take place
at Winchester Country Club (Winchester, VA ). So if you live in the
area, or will be nearby, drop in and join the tournament (don't
forget to bring your racket!). All proceeds from the tournament are
for the center and its programs.
The Ace bag made a small donation for the event. We wish luck to
all the participants!
Recently, after watching the Australian
Open, I thought about my own game. Seeing so many great players, and
their almost complete control of their strokes made me wonder if
there are any simple and practical ways of improving my own skills
currently lacking in my game (of which there are many). No, I don't
expect to become as fierce as Novak Djokovic,
but a little improvement in any area will be welcomed.
While
searching for practical tips for improving my game performance, I
stumbled upon The Total Serve. The Total Serve is a simple gadget that was invented by Lisa Dodson, a former WTA player
who held world rankings in both singles and doubles. Lisa, who also
has over 35 years in the tennis industry, designed The Total Server
to specifically improve a player's serve (and who doesn't want
that?). The great advantage of the The Total Serve is that it
teaches players what the serve should feel like.
I contacted Lisa, and asked her to
share a few more tips of the elusive serve (for most of us). Here is her write up
about getting more power on your serve:
Concentrate on your toss arm and hand
to gain more power on the serve. Combining forces of the toss arm
and the hitting arm are keys to a powerful serve. Raising your toss
arm and hand at the same tempo with racket preparation ensures:
a more accurate toss
proper shoulder angle for upward drive and,
strong position for pulling action with the toss arm creating a whip like action with the racket arm.
Good toss arm
technique directly translates to a more powerful hit.
Now that something most of us can use!
Good luck improving your game.
Recently bought a new racquet? Looking to upgrade your comfort and style? Consider investing in a good tennis
bag. While your new racquet most likely came with a plastic cover, that is not enough! A good tennis bag can enhance your overall game experience. Why, you ask? Because when heading out for the court the average player takes a surprisingly large amount of gear. A great bag provides space for all your gear, and makes that trip a little less burdensome . Of course, the type of player you are: pro, semi-pro, or recreational will affect your needs.
However, look first for a comfortable and functional bag.
A good bag is among your most important accessories. At the minimum the bag should be able to hold your tennis
racket(s), balls and all other tennis gear. But, you also want to look for compartments for your water bottle, phone, wallet, personal items,
bandages, etc. While many of the 'big names' companies offer trendy
bags, most are aimed for the professional players. These bags
are large (very large) and are designed to hold three,
six or even twelve racquets. They aren't suitable for the
recreational player.
Before
making any purchase there are a few important factors you should be aware
of. First, decide how much room you will need. If you generally go to
the court with one or two racquets then the professional bags are not
for you. They are big, bulky and heavy. Second, if you typically take
some 'extras' to the court (water bottle, energy bars, newspaper,
extra can of ball), then the simple cover that came with your racquet
is of no help. You'll need to get
another pack and schlep it to the court. And finally, if you like
your gear to be organized in dedicated pockets, then a
backpack are also not for you. They have a one 'sack' fits
it all compartment.
The
Ace tennis bag was conceived to seal the 'bag gap' for the
recreational
or semi-pro player.
The bag has dedicated pockets for what one would typically walk out
of the house with. A wallet, cell phone, keys and a few personal
items; and when playing tennis: Racquet, balls and and a bottle of
drink. In addition, we think it looks great, and it is made from
strong durable material.
Whatever type of player you are and whatever your budget is, you are faced with some good
choices. Shop around and check out what's out there. We believe that for the recreational player who visits the court on regular basis, you'll find that the Ace bag is
the best choice. We invite you to send us your bag 'hunting'
experience, and tell us if the Ace is indeed the best. Now, go play!
