How to prevent heel slippage from your shoe - from Zappo's

 

In most sports shoes an extra eyelet is already built into the shoe, and if that doesn't work then there's another technique in lacing that you can use to actually pull up the material in the back of the shoe to tighten the heel. So just because a shoe feels loose, doesn't mean it's the wrong fit. 

After this video just came across another one from Runners World about tying your shoelaces. Gasp!!Were you let in on this secret?

 

Next Video: How to use toilet paper!  

How to select the best Badminton strings to suit your game

How to choose the best badminton strings to get the most out of your game?

There is an overt emphasis amongst players to get the best racquet but they neglect an important aspect of the racquets, the strings.
Mostly players use the badminton strings that come with the pre-strung racquet. Racquets are normally strung with factory strings that are quite durable and thicker than high performance strings. Normal thickness of factory strings varies from 0.78 to 0.90mm.

Mostly players do not bother changing racquet strings until the string breaks!When passing on the racquet for restringing players are often clueless regarding which string would suit them best. So they leave making the choice to the stringer.
The purpose of this article is to point out the different qualities of strings so you can make a better selection when the time comes to restring your racquet.

Types of strings:

Strings can be very broadly classified into thin strings and thick strings.

Thick strings are more durable and give more control but not as powerful. Thinner strings will give you more power but they don’t last long.

Parts of badminton strings:

The badminton string consists of 3 parts:

1.Inner/Centre Core 2.Outer core or Jacket 3.Outer Coat

1. The inner core is the central load-bearing member of the string. It provides strength and determines the majority of the string's response characteristics: how much it will stretch when strung in the racquet, how much more it stretches when hitting the shuttle, and how quickly it rebounds. Multifilament cores are made from thousands of very thin fibres twisted and/or braided together, but not chemically bonded. They're free to stretch somewhat independently from one another. As a result, multifilament cores are less stiff, or more resilient, than monofilament cores of the same material. This translates into sustained string performance and more gripping action for better shuttle control.
2. Outer core or jacket: Most monofilament jackets are twisted over the core, while multifilament jackets may be either twisted or braided. Twisting provides a smoother surface, making it easier to string the racquet. Braiding the multifilament jacket over the core produces a more textured surface than twisting does, for more bite.
3. Outer coating: Multifilament strings normally have a resin coating on the outside to provide some degree of durability. Other materials used in coating strings include Titanium hydride, Kevlar , Vectran and Zyex.

String tension and power-control:

A lot of players are under the impression that higher the tension better the power and harder your smashes. The opposite in fact is true. Lower tensions give your string a trampoline like effect and hence harder smashes can be achieved with a lower tension.

Higher tension gives more control.

Advanced players, who can generate a lot of power, prefer stringing at higher tensions of 24-26lbs to get more control from their smashes.
For club level players the ideal tension should be between 18 and 22 lbs depending on the nature of play.
Test it yourself before you settle on some strings that are good for you.
Try at least 5 different strings to find one that suits your game!

Smash hard and happy hunting!

What's the difference betwn a replacement grip and an overgrip - Badminton

Replacement grips are the ones that come with the racquet when you originally purchase it.It has an adhesive on the back and goes directly on top of the wood part of the racquet.
They come in differnt types soft PU,leather etc.They are heavier,thicker and last longer than the overgrips.
Things to look out for when comparing replacement grips are cushiness or softness,durability,sweat absorption and tackiness.Higher the tackiness better the grip on the racquet but more friction with the hands.
They need to be replaced as soon as signs or wear become evident.

Overgrips are the ones that are supposed to be put on top of the replacement grip.They are a lot thinner than a replacement grip and dont have an adhesive on the back.They also weigh a lot less and dont last as long as the replacement grips.The same points have to be looked out for as for replacement grips.
They need to be changed more often as soon as signs of wear become evident.

It is highly advisable to change the factory grip as soon as it is purchased as they are normally of an inferior quality.Playing with a bad quality grip or a grip thats either too big or too small can lead to injuries.So its best to experiment with the exact fit.

It is best to experiment with a lot of different combinations i.e 1 replacement grip+1,2 or 3 overgrips to find out which suits you best.Men with small hands and women generally prefer just the replacement grip, while those with big hands like to bulk up their grips.

Please note that this article is written with mostly badminton in mind but also applies to squash and tennis to an extent.

How to select the best Badminton racquet for your style

Which is the best badminton racquet for you?
The search for the best badminton racquet, can be a bit daunting as you have to choose from a vast array of racquets, that have flooded the market.
The selection should start, with a little self analysis.

Self Analysis:Just assess your own game.Do you consider yourself a beginner,intermediate or an advanced player?Ask a friend,for his/her opinion of your game as well.
Also,ask yourself if you are a better aggressive smash oriented player or you are more of a control player who prefers accurate placements around the court.Again ask your friend for an opinion of you, to remove any self bias.
If you are an advanced, smash oriented player lets call you a Warrior and if you are a control based player lets call you a ControlFreak.
Once you have analysed your style of play,the selection is relatively easy.
We wont go into minute details in this article,as the scope of this article is limited.Please email zen@zensports.com.au for any additional questions ,regarding racquet selection.
Racquet selection can be made, depending on the various qualities of the racquet:
1.Racquet material:If you are relatively new to the game and are not sure how long you would be playing, invest in a cheaper graphite alloy racquet.Do not use racquets that dont have any graphite in them, as you might end up hurting yourself.
ControlFreaks and Warriors have a wide range of racquets to choose from.There are various grades of graphite ranging from
A.Graphite Aluminium Alloys
B. Graphite Carbon[ZenUchi10,Saya77]
C.High Modulus Graphite[Attack522,StingTi6000]
D.Nanocarbon [Entire Zen Katana Nano Range]
There is no one answer on what is good for you.It can only come from trying out and experimenting different grades of racquets.

2.Weight:Racquets have become incredibly light these days,ranging from as low as 79gms, to 92gms.Anything heavier than that might be hard to play with and might result in injuries.Generally, ConrolFreaks might benefit from a lighter racquet[80-85gms] and Warriors from a heavier racquet[85-90gms].

3.Balance:If you are a Warrior you might prefer a head heavy racquet[balance 280-290mm][Zen Katana791,KatanaType98,Attack522] and if you are a ControlFreak you might be better off with a balance of 295-300mm[ZenKatanaTypeXO,Zen Sting]

4.Flex:Racquets can be Highly Flexible[Zen Sting]or Highly stiff[Katana791].ControlFreaks would be better off, with a highly flexible racquet and Warriors can get more out of a highly stiff racquet.

5.String thickness and String tension:Generally thicker strings, 0.75mm to 0.85mm strung at 24lbs-26lbs are preferred for ControlFreaks and thinner strings 0.65mm to 0.73 mm strung at 20lbs -23lbsare preferred for Warriors.Higher the tension,better the control and lesser the tension better the smashes.Warriors though might benefit from using thin strings and stringing them at high tensions.This is a very broad generalisation and there are a lot more variations to this depending on the style of play.

6.Grips:Grips have become smaller and lighter with the latest to hit the market being G5.Consider replacing the original factory grip with a replacement grip as this gives much better traction and control.If you have big hands,or like a thick grip put one or two overgrips on top of the repalcement grip.The replacement grip goes directly on the wood part of the racquet.

If you consider these 6 points during racquet selection the rest is relatively easy.The important part is knowing your own game and making the right choice accordingly.