What is wall ball tennis. How does it compare to traditional tennis. Can wall ball improve your tennis skills. Is a tennis ball machine better than practicing against a wall. What are the benefits of wall ball for urban communities. How has wall ball evolved over time. What equipment do you need to play wall ball.
The Origins and Evolution of Wall Ball Tennis
Wall ball tennis, also known simply as “wall ball,” is a sport with deep roots in urban communities. It’s a game that has evolved over time, adapting to the environments and resources available to players. But what exactly is wall ball tennis, and how has it changed over the years?
Wall ball tennis is a game where players hit a ball against a wall, typically using their hands or a racquet. The rules can vary, but generally, players must hit the ball above a certain height on the wall and within designated boundaries on the ground. The game has been played in various forms for decades, with each community often developing its own unique variations.
Historical Perspective
The history of wall ball tennis can be traced back to the early 20th century. In urban areas, where space for traditional tennis courts was limited, children and adults alike found creative ways to play ball games using the walls of buildings as their courts. This adaptability allowed the sport to flourish in densely populated areas.
- 1920s-1930s: Wall ball gains popularity in urban areas
- 1950s-1960s: The game becomes a staple in school playgrounds
- 1970s-1980s: Various regional variations of wall ball emerge
- 1990s-present: Wall ball begins to be recognized as a formal sport in some areas
How has wall ball tennis changed over time? The basic premise of hitting a ball against a wall has remained consistent, but the rules, equipment, and organization of the game have evolved. In some areas, wall ball has become more structured, with dedicated courts and organized competitions. In others, it remains a casual pastime played on any available wall.
The Rules and Variations of Wall Ball Tennis
Wall ball tennis is known for its flexibility and adaptability. The rules can vary significantly depending on the location, the number of players, and the specific variation being played. However, there are some common elements that form the basis of most wall ball games.
Basic Rules
- Players must hit the ball against the wall above a designated line
- The ball must bounce within the court boundaries before the next player hits it
- Players take turns hitting the ball
- If a player fails to return the ball properly, they lose a point or are eliminated
What are some popular variations of wall ball tennis? Here are a few examples:
- American Wall Ball: Played with a rubber ball and bare hands
- Handball: Similar to American Wall Ball but with stricter rules and court dimensions
- Fives: A British variation played with gloved hands
- Racquetball: Played with racquets and a hollow rubber ball
These variations demonstrate the versatility of wall ball tennis and its ability to adapt to different cultural contexts and available resources.
The Benefits of Wall Ball Tennis for Urban Communities
Wall ball tennis has played a significant role in urban communities for decades. Its popularity stems from its accessibility and the numerous benefits it offers to players and communities alike.
Physical Health Benefits
Wall ball tennis provides an excellent form of exercise. It improves cardiovascular health, hand-eye coordination, and overall physical fitness. The sport requires quick reflexes, agility, and stamina, making it a comprehensive workout for players of all ages.
Social and Community Benefits
Beyond the physical advantages, wall ball tennis offers significant social benefits. It serves as a community-building activity, bringing people together in shared spaces. The game encourages social interaction, teamwork, and friendly competition, fostering a sense of community among players.
How does wall ball tennis contribute to urban development? The sport has been recognized for its potential in urban renewal projects. By creating designated wall ball courts, cities can transform underutilized spaces into vibrant community hubs. These courts provide safe, accessible areas for recreation and social interaction, particularly in densely populated urban areas where space for traditional sports facilities may be limited.
Wall Ball Tennis vs. Traditional Tennis: A Comparative Analysis
While wall ball tennis and traditional tennis share some similarities, they are distinct sports with their own unique characteristics. Understanding these differences can help players appreciate the unique aspects of each game.
Court and Equipment
Traditional tennis requires a large, specialized court and specific equipment, including racquets and tennis balls. Wall ball tennis, on the other hand, can be played on any flat wall with a variety of balls and either bare hands or racquets, depending on the variation.
Skill Development
Both sports develop hand-eye coordination and reflexes, but they emphasize different skills. Traditional tennis places more emphasis on serving and volleys, while wall ball tennis focuses more on quick reactions and adaptability to unpredictable ball bounces.
Accessibility
Wall ball tennis is generally more accessible than traditional tennis. It requires less space and equipment, making it ideal for urban environments where tennis courts may be scarce or expensive to access.
Can wall ball tennis improve your traditional tennis skills? While the sports are different, many players find that wall ball can indeed help improve certain aspects of their tennis game, particularly in terms of reflexes, ball control, and consistency in groundstrokes.
The Role of Tennis Ball Machines in Practice
Tennis ball machines have become an increasingly popular tool for players looking to improve their skills, whether in traditional tennis or wall ball tennis. These machines offer several advantages over practicing against a wall or with a partner.
Consistency and Customization
Tennis ball machines provide consistent, repeatable shots, allowing players to focus on specific aspects of their game. Many modern machines offer customizable settings for speed, spin, and trajectory, enabling players to simulate a wide range of shot types.
Realistic Game Scenarios
Unlike a wall, which returns the ball with little to no spin, tennis ball machines can produce shots that more closely mimic those encountered in actual gameplay. This allows players to practice responding to different types of shots and develop strategies for real match situations.
Is a tennis ball machine better than practicing against a wall? While both methods have their merits, a tennis ball machine generally offers more versatility and realism in practice scenarios. However, wall practice remains valuable for developing quick reflexes and adaptability.
The Equipment Needed for Wall Ball Tennis
One of the advantages of wall ball tennis is its simplicity in terms of equipment requirements. However, the specific equipment needed can vary depending on the variation of the game being played.
Essential Equipment
- Ball: This can range from a standard tennis ball to a rubber handball, depending on the variation
- Wall: Any flat, sturdy wall can serve as a court
- Boundary Markers: Chalk or tape to mark court boundaries and service lines
Optional Equipment
- Gloves: Used in some variations to protect hands
- Racquets: Required for racquetball-style variations
- Protective Eyewear: Recommended for safety in some high-speed variations
What equipment do you need to start playing wall ball tennis? At its most basic, all you need is a ball and a wall. This simplicity is part of what makes the sport so accessible and popular in urban areas.
The Future of Wall Ball Tennis: Trends and Developments
As wall ball tennis continues to evolve, several trends and developments are shaping the future of the sport. From increased recognition to technological innovations, the game is poised for growth and change in the coming years.
Formalization and Recognition
There’s a growing movement to formalize wall ball tennis as a recognized sport. This includes the establishment of official rules, organized leagues, and even consideration for inclusion in multi-sport events. Such recognition could lead to increased funding, better facilities, and more opportunities for players at all levels.
Technological Innovations
Technology is beginning to play a role in wall ball tennis, just as it has in other sports. This includes the development of smart walls that can track player performance, mobile apps for organizing games and tracking scores, and advanced materials for balls and court surfaces that enhance gameplay.
Integration with Urban Planning
Urban planners are increasingly recognizing the value of wall ball tennis courts in community development. As cities look for ways to promote active lifestyles and community engagement, wall ball facilities are being integrated into urban renewal projects and public space designs.
How will wall ball tennis evolve in the coming years? While it’s impossible to predict with certainty, the trends suggest a future where the sport becomes more organized and recognized, while still maintaining its accessibility and community-oriented nature. The challenge will be to balance formalization with the spontaneous, adaptable spirit that has long been a hallmark of wall ball tennis.
As wall ball tennis continues to grow and evolve, it remains a testament to the human capacity for adapting sports to available resources and environments. Whether played casually in urban alleys or competitively on purpose-built courts, wall ball tennis continues to provide enjoyment, exercise, and community connection for players around the world.
Wallball isn’t really a whole new ballgame | Letters
I was intrigued to read of the arrival of wallball (‘Any wall, any ball, any time’: first UK ‘wallball’ court opens in London, 8 April) as it triggered memories of my time in the 1970s as a teacher in a Lambeth primary school. The school, a classic three-storey building of the GLC model, was surrounded by playgrounds with high brick walls. At every break the most popular game among the boys was a form of fives – a game I had played at my own secondary school.
The boys used a tennis ball, could hit after one bounce or on the volley and had to clear a line chalked on the wall about a metre from the ground. Played by big teams – four, five, six-a-side or more – it was hugely popular during my eight years at the school. No chapel wall as at Rugby or Eton, but the same impulse to invent a game with a wall and a ball. Plus ça change.
Chris Roome
Staplehurst, Kent
No-contact wallball? Not in the version we, as children (circa 1967) played at primary school. Friends and I mashed up wallball with elements of the other playground favourite (bulldog) and invented a no-holds-barred, 200-a-side version.
The game involved one person hurling a tennis ball against the wall. As it bounced back into the playground, phase two came into play – “the scrum”, a seething mass of children seeking to grab the ball. The winner, the person who had managed to get hold of it, had to raise it aloft and was granted the privilege of hurling it back against the wall.
From an adult perspective, it may have appeared to have been little more than a free-for-all brawl; from a seven-year-old perspective, it was a game created by children for children with its own democratically designed, implemented and enforced rules and practice code (grappling, shoving, elbowing, dragging down allowed, but no punching).
Mark Newbury
Farndale, Yorkshire
In Chapeltown, Leeds, when I were a lad in the 1940s, we used to hit a tennis ball with our hands against the gable wall at the end of the terrace, and after 10 minutes were usually chased away by the occupants because of the thump resonating throughout their house.
Martin Appleson
London
Tennis Ball Machine vs Wall, Which Is Better for Practice – TennisFocusOn
If you happen to not have a training buddy but are still interested in getting as much practice in as possible, then there are several options you can choose from. The two most common ways to practice alone are on a wall and with a tennis ball machine.
However, many tennis players are faced with one question, namely, what is the difference between a tennis ball machine and a wall. Both the tennis ball machine and the wall are excellent ways to practice tennis alone. You can work on your footing, placement, and technique on both. However, a tennis ball machine is better in offering a more realistic ball movement and feel for the tennis court compared to a wall.
In this article, I explain in more detail how the tennis ball machine and the wall may affect your practice sessions and what you can expect from each one.
For a more in-depth look at the differences and the pros and cons of each training method, continue reading below.
Consistency
With a ball machine, you will have certain advantages that cannot be replicated while practicing on a wall or even with a partner, namely—the very precise shots. A ball machine can be used to make the same shot for an unlimited amount of times.
The advantage you get from these consistent shots is being able to practice and work on specific areas that you feel like need improvement. In other words, you can practice the same shot for as long as you like to.
Real Game Carryover
This is one of the aspects where wall practice lacks compared to training with a tennis ball machine.
Earlier I said that you could practice all the shots that you will be doing in a real match, however, doing a serve on a wall is very tricky as it is difficult to get a good feel of the depth and placement of the ball.
Full swings and hard hits are usually a no-no when it comes to hitting against a wall. The ball will just return very quickly back to you.
You can also practice doing spin shots. However, the ball will be coming back off the wall with very little to no spin making it extremely difficult to learn how to play spin shots.
While in comparison, a tennis ball machine can give the ball a very realistic spin (frequently, the amount of spin can be adjusted, too).
On a wall, you will be having a lot harder time practicing your placement shots while with a ball machine, this is a lot more doable.
With a wall, you lack the depth of the court. This is an important part of tennis as depth control and placement are some of the most fundamental skills you need to work on.
Most tennis players chose to play on two bounces when practicing on a wall for a more realistic experience, but a fact is a fact, and a wall will never be the same as playing on a real-size court.
Alternatively, a tennis ball machine produces a significantly more realistic feel and play. They can follow different patterns and timing and produce realistic spin.
Availability
One of the problems a lot of the new tennis players can stumble upon is the simple fact that not everyone may have access to a tennis ball machine. Or additionally, not everyone may be able to afford to rent one day in and day out.
A tennis ball machine is an excellent way to work on your form and game, but you need to understand how to use it properly. In other words, you need to have a goal and understand how to reach it.
You will have to adjust the frequency, the height, and the speed of the machine.
Footwork
Hitting on the wall is great for working on your footwork.
However, it can also be detrimental to your footwork if you stick to hitting the ball straight to yourself. Since there is no real opponent in front of them, a lot of tennis players will just stand in one place and not move at all.
A tennis ball machine can also be used quite successfully for working on one’s footwork. Thanks to the consistency of the balls, you can work very effectively on your footwork, especially when using tennis ball machines with oscillation.
Fitness and Cardio
Both the wall and the tennis ball machine are great for developing your overall fitness level.
A wall may be stationary, and thus underestimated, but it can do for an excellent workout that will improve your fitness, stamina, endurance, and cardio.
Tennis ball machines, on the other hand, can be adjusted according to your personal goals and level as it offers a lot of different features.
Solo Practice
We all know that everyone is up for a match, but not a lot of people will agree to a practice session.
Hitting against a wall can be a great way to practice alone if you do not have a training partner or cannot afford a tennis ball machine or practicing lessons with a coach.
Even better, all you need to get a little practice in is a wall—nothing more, nothing less.
If you have no one to play with and practice a ball machine can also be an excellent alternative. In fact, it is hands down one of the best ways to practice alone. Read our full article on How To Practice Tennis At Home Alone.
Technique Improvement
One of the frequent questions some players have is whether or not hitting on the wall is a good practice.
Hitting on a wall, I admit, can be seen as a little boring.
However, I consider walls to be one of the most underestimated and frequently overlooked ways to practice.
Practicing on a wall is great for working on and developing your consistency and stroke mechanics. In fact, a wall is an excellent tool that you can use to practice and work on every shot you will hit in a match.
While hitting on a wall, you can practice your forehand and backhand, slashes, high, low, half, and swing volleys, overheads, and even approach shots.
Compared to a machine, a wall is better for working on your reflexes.
Another advantage of a wall is the huge amount of training volume you can put in, in just a few minutes of training.
A brief wall practice can also be a neat and easy way to fine-tune the balance and weight of your racquet setup.
A tennis ball machine can undoubtedly offer a lot more when it comes to working on your technique.
Suitability
Wall practice is perfect for beginners as it can help any new tennis player work and develop their reflexes and technique in a non-demanding, non-stressful way.
However, the more experienced the player, the fewer advantages there will be for them from playing on a wall.
For more experienced players wall practice can be useful for testing new techniques and brushing up on some mistakes and fundamentals.
Don’t get me wrong. Experienced tennis players can still benefit from hitting on a wall, but to a lesser extent. This is why advanced players usually prefer to practice on a tennis ball machine as it offers more realistic experience and variations.
Focus
Both the wall and the tennis ball machine require high levels of concentration and consistency. Practicing one hour on either one is not going to do much for you; if you want to really improve your tennis game, you need to start practicing over a long period of time in a very consistent and organized manner.
When you practice on a wall, you should not hit the ball aimlessly. The same holds true for the tennis ball machine, too.
You need a plan in order to get the best from your practice sessions.
With a wall, it may be a little difficult to imagine you are playing on a real tennis court.
At first, it may be a little hard to adapt to the change in scenery, so to speak, the depth and feel are just not there, which is not the case with a tennis ball machine.
It is also worth mentioning that some tennis players can get easily bored practicing on a wall, which could affect their focus, form, and overall technique.
Price
There are no two opinions here. A wall is definitely going to be easier on your wallet. Some players even practice against their garage doors.
A tennis ball machine, however, can be an expensive venture. You can read more about The Best Tennis Ball Machines.
Injury Recovery
Both wall practice and tennis ball machines can be used quite successfully for building up the strength after injuries.
Tennis players suffering from tennis elbow will find that hitting on a wall is an excellent low-impact and non-demanding way to put in some practice and strengthen up their elbows and ligaments in that area, including improving your forearm and wrist stability.
Wall Ball – Professional Baseball Strength & Conditioning Coaches Society
Wall ball as played by the Texas Rangers is a variation of a game played on many playgrounds by children of all ages. It’s a relatively simple game that requires a minimum of equipment. All you need is a secluded flat wall, a level concrete or asphalt playing surface and a bouncy rubber or tennis ball. Before starting the game, players need to establish the dimensions of the court by either marking lines or using natural boundaries like bushes, cones or lines on the playing surface.
There are many variations of the game, but the basic format involves one player throwing the ball against a wall and the opponent catching it on the first bounce off the floor/playing surface and throwing it back against the wall so that it bounces back within the boundaries of the court. A point is awarded every time an opponent misses or drops the bouncing ball, catches it after it bounces more than one time, fails to throw it against the wall or throws it so that the first bounce is out of bounds.
The game is played by two opponents. Prior to starting the game, players must decide how many points are needed to win, e.g. 10, 15 or 20, and who will serve first. The game starts with both players standing behind the serving line. The server throws the ball against the wall. The receiving player allows the ball to bounce once on the ground before catching it and throwing it back against the wall. Play continues until the ball is out. That is until one player misses the ball, allows it to bounce twice, throws it so that it bounces before hitting the wall or throws it so that it lands out of bounds on the first bounce. The first player to reach the pre-determined number of points is the winner.
Another variation popular with baseball players is “3 Strikes”. The game starts the same way, but when a receiving player misses the ball, he must run and touch the wall before his opponent is able to retrieve and throw the ball against the wall. If the ball gets to the wall before he does, he gets a strike and play continues until one player gets three strikes.
Advanced players can modify the rules by adding bonus points or penalties for things like one handed catches or using the opposite/non-dominant hand to throw or catch. If the rule is broken, a player can be penalized or rewarded for making a difficult move. If for example, players decide that that can only catch and throw with the opposite/non-dominant hand, an opponent can be penalized with a strike for using his dominant hand to catch and throw.
Intensity can be increased by adding a third player and having two players compete against one in a game of cut-throat or adding a MD ball for more resistance. Younger, less skilled players can use a dodgeball and progress to a rubber or tennis ball as skill improves.
Wall ball is a simple, fun, competitive game with multiple uses. It can be used as an effective tool for improving reaction time and hand-eye coordination. It is also good for helping improve the ability to start, stop and change directions and enhance agility, coordination and body control.
__
Napoleon Pichardo, CSCS, RSCC is the Minor League Strength and Conditioning Coordinator, Texas Rangers.
Tennis Wall Training – Improve Your Tennis Using A Practice Wall
How To Improve Your Tennis Using A Wall
Often at times you will struggle to find a tennis practice partner, don’t look at this negatively as you have many ways to improve your tennis alone.
One of the best ways you can improve your tennis game is by hitting against a tennis backboard or wall.
Forehand Drills
The first exercise will be hitting as many forehands as you can handle in a row. If you imagine a power scale of 1-10, 1 being the softest you could possibly hit and 10 being your hardest shot, start off on level 4-5 and build up as the drill carries on.
This way you build you improve your ball control and the rallies will last much longer so you will hit a lot more balls than if you start off on an 8 or 9.
Focus on shorter backswings and giving yourself good margin by hitting with good topspin and height so you have time to prepare for the next shot.
[images style=”0″ image=”https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top-tennis-training.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FForehand-Gif.gif” width=”480″ align=”center” top_margin=”0″ full_width=”Y”]
Backhand Drills
Now you’ve worked the forehand, it’s time to do the same on your backhand.
Hit as many backhands in a row as you can again by starting on 4-5 on the power scale and building up slowly as the rally progresses.
Focus on moving your feet into the right position as early as possible and setting up behind the ball. A good starting base will be a rally of 8-10 strokes in a row. Eventually with practice you would want to reach rallies of 20-25 strokes in a row whilst controlling the ball fully.
[images style=”0″ image=”https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top-tennis-training.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FBackhand-Gif.gif” align=”center” top_margin=”0″ full_width=”Y”]
Forehands and Backhands
The next step is to work on both the forehand and backhand groundstrokes together. One of the easiest and most effective ways to do this is by hitting two forehands in a row, followed by two backhands in a row. You might find that too difficult to start off with in which case you could do three strokes on each side.
The ultimate progression is then to hit one forehand, one backhand over and over again for a rally of 15-20 balls.
[images style=”0″ image=”https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top-tennis-training.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FForehand-and-Backhand-Gif.gif” align=”center” top_margin=”0″ full_width=”Y”]
Slices
After you have worked on your tennis forehand and backhand groundstrokes, the next step is to work on your slice. This can be both the forehand and backhand slices. Start off by hitting only forehand slices, then do the same on the backhand. Try to aim for rallies of ten on each side.
Next try to hit alternating forehand and backhand slices for as many strokes, in a row as you can. A good target to begin would be 8-10.
[images style=”0″ image=”https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top-tennis-training.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2FSlice.gif” width=”480″ align=”center” top_margin=”0″ full_width=”Y”]
Mixing It Up
The next drill is now alternating between the topspin drive and the slice. Once again this can be done on the forehand side, then the backhand side, plus a combination of all four strokes (topspin forehand, slice forehand, topspin backhand, slice backhand).
When doing this drill focus on keeping the slices as low as you can and hitting with good height on the topspin groundstrokes. This will be perfect for when trying to mix it up in a point situation.
[images style=”0″ image=”https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top-tennis-training.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2Fmixture.gif” align=”center” top_margin=”0″ full_width=”Y”]
Approach Shots + Volleys
Now we can move onto the transition game. Feed yourself a shorter ball, one that you can attack with a forehand or backhand drive and follow the ball in. Work on split stepping and moving forwards for the volley. Try to hit two volleys in a row after the approach shot. Repeat this process for 6-8 sets
[images style=”0″ image=”https%3A%2F%2Fwww.top-tennis-training.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F04%2Fapproach.gif” align=”center” top_margin=”0″ full_width=”Y”]
Net Game
The last phase is now working on the net game. The first drill is to try to hit only half volleys (just after the bounce) using the continental grip that we use for serving. Go for 10-20 half volleys in a row. Next we work on normal volleys, again go for sets of 20-30 balls in a row. And lastly we work on our overhead smash. This is not an easy drill to do so you might want to keep it to 1-2 smashes followed by stopping the ball and feeding again.
Foam Tennis Balls – Gopher Sport
Foam Tennis Balls – Gopher Sport
Let balls fly at full speed without worrying about safety—these foam practice tennis balls are friendly to the touch and safe for indoor use! Soft foam construction is non-intimidating for new players, without sacrificing the playability of rubber balls. Their bright yellow color also makes them easy to see for better tracking and coordination.
Specifications
- Optic Yellow Color
- 2-3/4” dia
- Safe, quiet, high-bouncing
- Available individually or in a pack that includes 24 balls and black storage bag
Safe for Indoor Play
Made of high-density foam, these balls won’t have anywhere near the destructive power of fast-moving rubber tennis balls, rendering them safe for regular use indoors. Foam practice tennis balls are the same size and shape as traditional balls, yet lack the weight and rigidity, allowing for safer play. The size and shape make it possible to teach hitting and volleying normally, perfectly replicating real tennis-ball behavior. They’ll even bounce and play off the racquet like a real ball!
Non-Intimidating Design
The soft and spongy nature of these balls inspires confidence and alleviates any fears students may have about playing tennis. The high density foam is easy to squeeze, giving students superior grip and a comforting sense of control over the game. When hit with a racquet, balls spring back with lively accuracy, exciting students and encouraging them to keep learning the fundamentals of the game.
The bright yellow color of these balls is also non-intimidating. Balls can be seen and tracked wherever they are on the court, lending confidence to students as they position themselves for a return volley. The bright color is great for hand/eye coordination and can help beginners progress in their racquet handling and technique.
Foam Tennis Balls are available individually or in packs of 24 that include a black storage bag.
Which tennis ball is right for me?
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My ‘Wall-Ball’ in NYC – The Art of Lax Blog
“In New York, concrete jungle where dreams are made of. There’s nothing you can’t do.” – Empire State of Mind (Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys)
Back during my grade school years it was nicknamed the ‘Upper East Side toilet bowl’. Not that it was trashy or dirty looking, but because it was shaped like a toilet bowl. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum is literally spitting distance from my grade school, The St. David’s School, on East 89th Street in Manhattan. I saw the museum everyday, and took it for granted, at times. But on some “FREE-Fridays” after the school dismissal, I ventured into the museum to peruse the many great pieces of art, not knowing that I would also be inspired to do another thing, that was totally non-art-related — Wall-Ball, baby! :o)
The Guggenheim aka ‘The Upper East Side Toilet Bowl’ :o)
Wall-Ball and tennis balls.
In 4th grade, I was just a bit into my first introductory year playing youth lacrosse on a extremely novice level on the weekends in nearby Long Island. I just plain sucked at catching and throwing! Nobody else played “lax” in NYC, at least, I did not know of anybody who did. But there’s concrete all over in NYC and I remembered hearing the term “Wall-Ball” from our coach, back then, and how it can increase your skills.
It just happened that there was a massive addition being done to the Guggenheim and the corner of East 89th St. and 5th Ave. was a total construction zone. A thought to one day, try a ‘wall-ball’ session after school came to mind and I brought with me, my Brine Superlight 2 and a tennis ball. Yes, a tennis ball because I couldn’t find a place that sold lacrosse balls, plus tennis balls were/are cheaper and safer.
I still use tennis balls to this day. They teach one to have ‘soft-hands’ for stick skill development. Do it!
What vandalism?
I didn’t know what was being built to the Guggenheim but I saw A TON of concrete wall space and decided to give it a go on a Friday after school. Amidst orange cones and a few pieces of raw material, I threw the tennis ball against the massive concrete block. After a few catches and misses, the doorman of the building adjacent to the construction of the Guggenheim warned and told me, in his own words, to “stop defacing private property”. As a 4th grader, I freaked out and immediately stopped and quickly headed back into the safety of my grade school on the same block.
The now, addition to the Guggenheim, and the former area of my ‘Wall-Ball’ attempt.
My grade school – The St. David’s School. 12 East 89th Street.
Moving on.
A few weeks later, I tried again to be discreet but the same doorman recognized me and said that he would tell the school about my doings. Fearing that I may get kicked out if he told the school, I never did it again. But I did find a handball court a few blocks up north, which worked out well.
East 89th Street in Manhattan. From right to left: The Guggenheim Museum, the former construction zone, the doorman’s apartment, and St. David’s School.
The Art of Lax?
I don’t know if the lesson is to be resilient and creative to “find your wall”. What I really find funny, looking back, is that early attempt to do ‘wall-ball’ on the property of one of the world’s most famous museums, may have well been an early combination of doing what I’m known for today:
‘Art’ and ‘Lacrosse’ aka ‘The Art of Lax‘.
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Misc./Etc:
UNDEFEATED! That same school asked me to teach art and coach lacrosse right after college (Far right, standing).
The voice of college lacrosse on ESPNU and a graduate of St. David’s, Eamon McAnaney ’83.One of my favorite clients that’s also deals with Lacrosse & NYC. I did the logo a few years ago.
Me in 8th grade. Standing, third student from the left (Yes, I know how to tie, a tie!).
Transform your home into a gym using only a tennis ball
What if exercise could be easier? Hiding in the corners of your closets and deep within your drawers is a trove of toning tools waiting for your next workout. With a little creativity, common household items such as a pair of socks or a tennis ball can transform your exercise experience.
It’s natural to correlate fitness with needing to be in a gym setting. But it doesn’t require much to get the same results from the comfort and convenience of your home. You may not realize it, but you already have all the muscle building machinery necessary to fight stubborn fat, reveal muscle definition, and improve your overall health. And by making your home a personal gym, you will get back one of the most precious commodities there is: time.
Lacking time is the main cause of a missed workout. This is especially true during the holiday rush, which is only a few short weeks away. It’s for this reason that autumn is the perfect opportunity to fall into healthy habits. By establishing a strong fitness foundation now, you can coast through the pound-packing temptations such as plumping pumpkin-flavored fare.
You can save tons of time, energy, and money by implementing a household good as your new aerobic accessory. Gone are the days of needing to pack a duffle bag, schlep to the gym, and wipe down sweat-soaked equipment.
This week, you will begin with a tennis ball. If you do not have a tennis ball, a baseball or racquetball will work well, too. For best results, repeat this circuit three times. Aim to complete this workout three times throughout the week. Have a ball with your workout by making it effortless, effective, and time efficient.
Building balance is an essential aspect of physical strength. And still, many of us forget this fundamental fitness skill.
Begin your workout by standing in front of a wall, with a ball in hand. Toss it across your body with your right hand and catch it with your left hand. Practice this for about two minutes.
For an added challenge, elevate one leg and perform the same drill for 60 seconds. Then repeat lifting the opposite leg.
Wall ball
With a ball in hand, stand facing a wall about four or five feet away.
Lightly throw the ball against the wall so it lands several feet to the right of where you are positioned. Briskly side shuffle to catch the ball once it bounces off the wall.
Now toss the ball diagonally to the left. Quickly side shuffle in that direction to catch the ball. Continue this back-and-forth sequence for 60 seconds.
Squat toss
Throw the ball straight overhead, allowing your gaze to follow the ball. On the way down, catch it with both hands as you simultaneously lower your body into a squat.
To squat safely, keep your bodyweight in your heels as you hinge back at your hips. Push through your heels and squeeze your glutes as you stand up and toss the ball back up into the air. Repeat 10-12 times.
Lunge loops
Hold your tennis ball and position your body into a stationary lunge. Your knees should form a 90-degree angle, and your front knee should not extend past your toes. Your back knee and shoulders should be aligned.
Using your right hand, loop the tennis ball under your front leg and grab it with your left hand. Elevate your left arm overhead and meet it with your right arm. Transfer the ball to your right hand, bringing both arms down. Repeat this 10 times then switch legs and the direction of the tennis ball.
Plank pass
Begin in a plank position, with your shoulders stacked over your wrists, spine straight, and neck neutral. Place the tennis ball by the right side of your torso. If this is uncomfortable on your wrists, you can shift to a forearm plank position.
Using your left arm, reach under your body and grab the ball, moving it to the left side of your body.
Now use your right arm to reach beneath your body and pull the ball to the right. Avoid rocking at your hips, or allowing them to hike or droop. Practice this for 30 to 60 seconds.
Who needs a pricey massage when you have a tension-taming tennis ball? By placing a firm ball at the right trigger points on your body, you can relieve muscle tightness immediately. Here’s how:
Start in a supine position with your knees bent and feet planted firmly on the floor. If you suffer from sore shoulders, or have a stubborn knot in that area, lift your back slightly and try to position the ball right on the tender spot.
Using your feet, slightly shift your body as you press your weight into the ball. For a deeper massage, put the ball between your right shoulder blade and spine. Lift your right arm and cross it over your chest. This will open up the shoulder blade and muscle for a deep tissue massage. Pressure point release is best when practiced for at least 60 seconds in each area.
Ashley Blake Greenblatt is a certified personal trainer and wellness coach. To learn more about her virtual training program, visit ashleyblakefitness.com.
Tennis balls and tennis rackets
The tennis ball seems simple, because it would seem to be an ordinary small ball. But is it that simple?
Features of Classic Tennis Ball:
- The ball is made of rubber;
- There is compressed air inside the ball;
- Tennis ball upper is a combination of nylon and wool
Today all tennis balls are bright yellow, but this was not always the case.Until the 70s of the last century, tennis balls were white, but studies have shown that this makes it less noticeable during the game, and a decision was made to change the colors. This gives us a bright yellow tennis ball.
So what’s the challenge in choosing a tennis ball? The thing is that there are a lot of them, and they differ from each other in very different characteristics.
According to the tightness, all tennis balls are divided into:
- Sealed balls are those in which the internal pressure exceeds atmospheric by 20%, and this affects the speed and rebound of the ball.Such inventory has a shelf life of 2 to 5 years and is sold in sealed packages. You need to know about them that while working with them, the pressure in them decreases, which affects the quality of the game, therefore it is recommended to change such a ball to a new one every 3 hours;
- Leaky balls, in which the pressure coincides with the external one due to their manufacture from special rubber. They have good rebound and can be very durable without the use of special sealed or vacuum packaging.
If we talk about the purpose, then we can distinguish three main groups of tennis balls:
- Tournament matches that meet professional requirements;
- Amateur, designed for not very strong blows and intended for amateurs. There are no strict requirements for such balls;
- Sports balls that are suitable for training.
By speed, all balls are also divided into 3 groups:
- Slow balls, perfect for beginner players.They are relatively large in diameter;
- The majority of tennis balls have average speed, this is the most commonly used category;
- Fast balls only for professionals who prefer to play on a dirt surface. They are quite rare on sale and are not suitable for all athletes.
T-shirts, shirts and T-shirts for boys
Boys’ shirts & T-shirts
All parents love dressing up their kids and shopping for stylish and trendy items.Boys most often buy T-shirts and shirts, which are a versatile and integral part of a wardrobe, suitable for any occasion. Today, manufacturers of children’s clothing offer a wide selection of beautiful T-shirts and shirts for boys, but when buying clothes for your child, it is important to pay attention not only to the appearance, but also to the following details:
- Material . The best products for children are those made from cotton , as they are breathable, but this material has one drawback – fragility, so if you have a very active child, you can choose shirts and T-shirts that do not include only cotton, but also synthetic fibers (elastane, polyester) , since a small amount of them does not cause irritation, but, on the contrary, improves quality, for example, prevents tears with sudden movements and rapid wear.Also, boys will be comfortable with viscose clothes, as they are pleasant to the touch and allow the body to breathe;
- Quality. For quality items, all the seams are well processed, the buttons are firmly sewn, there are no protruding threads, marriage and other flaws;
- Size . It is very important for boys to be cozy and comfortable to walk in a T-shirt or shirt, move, raise their hands, therefore, you should always select the appropriate size in which he will feel light and free.
As mentioned above, nowadays is offered a wide selection of shirts and T-shirts for boys , which differ in color, cut, sleeve length, manufacturer, style, therefore, before buying, you must understand for what purpose your child needs this thing.
Kids shirts for boys
In the wardrobe of every boy of any age, shirts, both classic and casual, should be present.
- Classic shirt .Most often it is a white shirt or any other light tone that can be worn for any celebration, holiday, as well as for school, both for lessons and for a school event. Such a shirt for a boy can be either long or short sleeves, it all depends on the season and the required form of clothing, and in some models, the length of the sleeves can be adjusted.
- Casual shirt. These stylish shirts for boys can be of different colors, styles (fitted, loose), with long and short sleeves, and also have additional elements. Such fashionable shirts can be worn every day, as well as worn on various holidays, to kindergarten or to school, if there are no strict requirements for the dress. When choosing such a shirt for your preschool child, pay attention to the number of buttons, the fewer, the faster and easier the child can put on it.
Kids T-shirts for Boys
T-shirts for boys are the most comfortable and practical things in a children’s wardrobe, they are comfortable to run, jump, play in, they do not put pressure anywhere and provide complete freedom of movement.In addition, T-shirts for boys can be of different styles (sports, polo shirts) and go well with different bottoms, for example, with jeans, trousers, with sweatpants and shorts. Also, such T-shirts can be bought with both long and short sleeves, so they are comfortable to wear at any time of the year. Sleeveless T-shirts are perfect for sports or on hot summer days. Most often, T-shirts for boys in bright colors, may have inscriptions and images of various famous cartoon characters.
Are you looking for trendy shirts for boys? Or maybe you want to buy an original T-shirt? Then we recommend that you familiarize yourself with our wide range. Our online store offers high-quality T-shirts and T-shirts for boys up to 176 cm in height , such manufacturers as: Cool Club, Bart, DeFacto and Hans at affordable prices. Thanks to the large selection, you can easily find shirts for a boy for school, for kindergarten, for important celebrations and for everyday wear, as well as a huge selection of T-shirts in different colors and with all kinds of images.
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Taking into account your choice, we will first of all show you the most suitable pick-up points and delivery times.
5 of the best punching bags on the market
Heavy bags have been around since the beginning of written history of military training – before Sun Tzu wrote The Art of War . And over the years, they have evolved to adapt to specific types of training. One type of heavy bag that is gaining popularity is uppercut bags. These bags are primarily intended for practicing uppercuts, but also for other types of punches.
We have selected the 5 best uppercut bags on the market to view them.Below you will find reviews as well as their pros and cons. At the end you will find our Editor’s Choice bag and why we chose this particular bag.
As always, when using a heavy bag at full strength, remember to always wrap your arms around. Wrist injuries are unpleasant and last long. 4-5 months ago I injured my wrist, and it does not leave me.
Most of these bags will come with the necessary (but minimal) equipment to hang the bag, such as a chain and swivel. But there are additional things you should buy if you want to improve the efficiency and durability of your bags.
Different types of uppercut bags
Uppercut bags come in a wide variety of designs, including body abduction (tear) bags, horizontal heavy bags, corner heavy bags, and wall bags.
The Ringside Uppercut Bag is the original bag that people used to practice uppercuts. Then came the kidnapper bags (also called “tearballs”).Then new models include wall bags and heavy angled bags. They all work, but it just depends on your preference.
This overview article will showcase all varieties of bags, so you have a choice when it comes to choosing the right one for you.
If you are going to purchase a bag that is fixed to the ceiling, we recommend that you also purchase a spring. Spring helps stabilize the bag and reduces noise and movement.The spring costs less than $ 10 and I think it’s worth it.
If you want a lot of movement in your bag, get a spring that supports about the same weight as your bag. If you don’t want the bag to move too much, get a spring that can support the weight of your bag approximately 20-40 pounds (9-18 kg). Each spring you buy will indicate how much weight it can handle.