MANSOUR BAHRAMI - Tennis' Greatest Entertainer

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How to Choose a great Tennis Instructor - Top 10 Important Considerations

By Jeff Spin

1. A Difficult Process

Finding good tennis instructors and tennis coaches is difficult. The vast majority are former college or high school players who look reasonably good hitting a ball, but have little actual teaching experience.

Indeed, they've seldom studied basic principles of education, read books about proper technique, taken courses in the basic principles of teaching progressions and tennis coaching, or attained certification by either the PTR (Pro Tennis Registry) or USPTA (US Pro Tennis Association).

Always ask your potential Tennis Instructors their NTRP rating, if they are nationally certified (which association and level: low, medium, or high), whether they have ever been ranked highly in the USTA, the number of years they have been teaching professionally, the ages and levels of the students they have taught, the types of locations at which they have taught (year-round indoor centers vs. part-time outdoor summer camps), and which notable authors they have read.

And, while you're talking to your potential Tennis Coaches, try to gain an understanding of their level of professionalism, dedication, level of maturity, type of personality (personable; gregarious), and their ability to communicate clearly and effectively.

2. Expect RAPID Results

You're paying good money to take tennis lessons, and you've got a right to expect good results soon. If you have difficulty understanding your Tennis Teachers during your tennis lessons and have been progressing slowly, stop crossing your fingers hoping you'll one day have a magical epiphany and suddenly improve.

Instead, demand results NOW while you're on-court, and not at some later time. If your Tennis Teachers are truly worth their grain of salt, you'll start improving with your very first tennis lesson, and will continue to improve with each successive tennis lesson.

A good Tennis Teacher is absolutely worth the price. A poor Tennis Teacher simply waists your time and money.

3. National Certification

While certification does not guarantee a GREAT Tennis Coach, it certainly guarantees a reasonable minimum level of expertise. It's unfortunate, but the vast majority of Tennis Coaches are unable to measure up to this requirement.

Always ask your potential Tennis Instructors and Tennis Coaches if they are nationally certified, and to which level.

The PTR and the USPTA are the only two well-respected, USTA-sanctioned, certifying bodies in the USA, and both have been certifying Tennis Coaches for almost 35 years. They certify Tennis Instructors to essentially three ascending tennis coaching levels (low; medium; high).

Good Tennis Coaches always work and study hard to periodically retest and elevate their certification to the highest level.

4. NTRP Level

It's simply impossible for a Tennis Teacher to teach you to do something he/she can not already do him/herself, regardless of what he/she might think or claim.

So, if a Tennis Teacher only has an NTRP of 4.0, he/she can not teach you to play at NTRP 4.5 or higher. If you happen to improve beyond your Tennis Teachers NTRP level, it is solely due to your own abilities, not your Tennis Teacher's.

Always ask your potential Tennis Teachers their NTRP level. It is ill-advised to settle for a lower NTRP level for the sake of a lower price. You will only get what you paid for, with little or no lasting improvement. Instead, demand a high NTRP level to better assure yourself of more rapid improvement.

5. Ranking in the USTA

While a higher USTA (United States Tennis Association) player ranking is no guarantee of getting good tennis lessons, it certainly does help. Tennis Instructors who have never been ranked, or have never even competed for a USTA ranking, should be avoided.

Always ask your potential Tennis Instructors about their current and/or past rankings: The higher, the better.

6. Years and Kind of Experience

There's no substitute for experience. But, tennis teaching experience can be gained in a variety of settings. These include year-round indoor and outdoor facilities, as well as outdoor summer-only institutions such as adult and junior camps, recreation department programs, and country clubs. The tennis teaching experience a Tennis Instructor gains at a summer kids' camp is greatly inferior to that gained at a year-round club. This impacts directly on the quality of your tennis lessons.

Always ask your potential Tennis Instructors exactly where they have gained their experience.

7. Experience Teaching Different

Ages, Levels, and Groups: Different ages and levels require different approaches and techniques when it comes to tennis instruction.

If your potential Tennis Instructor has spent the bulk of his/her time teaching children, he/she will be hard-pressed to provide proper tennis instruction to you as an adult. The skills required to teach privately to a single person are very different and more demanding than teaching a group.

Always ask your potential Tennis Instructors how much time they have spent teaching people of your own age and level, as well as whether they have taught group and private lessons.

8. Expert Knowledge of Proper Technique

Knowledge is critical, and a great Tennis Instructor gains it only from the great effort he/she has made to educate himself/herself. He/she needs to have read a large quantity and variety of tennis instruction books, viewed a sufficient number of instructional videos, and attended many salient courses and workshops on proper stroke technique. There are no short-cuts.

Always ask your potential Tennis Instructor how he/she has gained his/her knowledge.

9. Communication Ability

Regardless of the depth of your Tennis Coach's knowledge of proper technique, this information is useless if he/she is unable to communicate it to you clearly and concisely.

When you speak with your potential Tennis Instructor, always listen to the manner in which he/she expresses him/herself. If you are unable to clearly understand him/her during your initial discovery process, chances are you will be just as bewildered while on court.

10. Personality

Although Personality is presented here last, it is by no means less important than the other considerations. Indeed, a personable, gregarious, punctual, reliable, mature professional who is also upbeat, encouraging, enthusiastic, and animated makes for a fun time on the court.

When you have your initial conversation to discuss tennis lessons, always remember to look for these inviting traits.

For more information, visit the Tennis Lessons Boston website at http://tennislessonsboston.tripod.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Spin

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Cost of Table Tennis Table: Get Top Value for Your Money With the Right Model and Brand!

Official competition table tennis tables come in regulation sizes of 9ft long by 5 feet wide. Other tables are smaller in sizes like some leisure tables and the mini tables. These are constructed from various types of materials such as solid wood, particle fiberboard, reinforced fiberglass, aluminum, galvanized steel, etc. Many features such as quality of the materials used, the way the table is folded and stored, its weight, the thickness, design of the table , the kind of coating and finish of the surface top, the mechanism of the undercarriage, the wheels and brake mechanism and brand name determine the cost of table tennis tables. Many popular brands have been in the market for many years and have created world champions. This kind of brand will definitely be more expensive than the other brands.

Millions of people all over the world are buying ping pong tables and its accessories to enjoy playing this phenomenally popular sport. There are many types and designs of ping pong tables which are ideal for youth clubs, schools, institutions and homes. Many manufacturers have classified their products into leisure, outdoor, indoor, competition, ping pong conversion tops and mini types and have different price ranges. Some manufacturers and retailers have used table tennis equipments being sold at 50-60% discount off the brand new price.

On the average, you can safely buy a reasonably priced ping pong table and conversion table top from a low of $ 100 up to more than $ 2,000, depending on the brand name, features and the unique characteristics of the table. If you want the get a top branded table, you can search the retail stores and websites of Stiga, Butterfly, Joopla, Prince, Sportscraft, Kettler, and other popular brands to view their products and prices.

Take a look at the Optimum 30 model from Stiga which sells for $1399. How come it is priced at this amount? Evaluate the features: It has a 30mm thick top instead of just 25 mm. The steadiness and regularity of the ball bounce is unmatched. Its surface top undergoes a multi-layer treatment and has a unique finish coating to provide appropriate shine. Its weight is 146 kg under Class A packaging in double cartons. It has other stable features when it comes to folding, undercarriage, wheel casters, safety lock, leveling, playback capability, etc. This model is very durable and designed to last for many years.

Another popular model is the Stiga Thunder Outdoor table which is an all weather table with a permanently attached net. This model has many outstanding features like playback mode, excellent surface ball bounce, versatility and superb weatherability. You can also use it for indoor play. Its cost is around $ 850.

Another brand which is claimed to be the best in pro bounce ball is the Butterfly Centerfold 25 Sky Rollway model which sells for $1,925 online. It's got a name and record to protect, being the official table of the 2004 US Open ITTF Pro Tour Championships. It has a new look with its legs painted red and placed at 400 mm inward to accommodate handicapped players. It has its surface top colored blue and other features which provide safety, sturdiness, quality performance and consistent top rating.

Whatever type of ping pong table you like, be it for family hobby, leisure and recreation, for indoor or outdoor use, for tournament competition or for schools, youth clubs and institutional use, you should choose a model and brand which fits your needs and you budget. You get a much higher value for your cost of table tennis table based on the brand name you select if it is a breeder of champions, its possession is a status symbol and its life span is longer than the others. You get top value for your money if you develop closer and more loving relationships with your family and friends as you share the fun and enjoyment with all kinds of experiences and memories to treasure in playing this wonderful sport.

My name is Jan Soriano and I thoroughly research and write about table tennis games online. Please visit my site at http://www.outdoor-table-tennis-table.org to learn about outdoor table tennis tables that will give you the best value for your money.

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