wheelchair tennis

[topspin]

wheelchair tennis kicks butt!

[etexley]

There's no doubt about that topspin.

but I can't move in this wheelchair to hit the silly ball! My feet get caught on the caster wheels. I've seen pictures of tennis chairs, one wheel in front under the footrest.

you know when they make these gadgets, it's like they think to themselves..."How can we handicap people just a little, so they won't be quite as good as they could be." It's like using presta valves on tires instead of shrader. Why???

Eric Texley

[badjefft]

Does anyone know of whom to contact in Los Angeles to get started learning tennis? Thanks.

[SCI-Nurse]

This is actually the birthplace of competitive wheelchair tennis. Here are some links:

http://www.itfwheelchairtennis.com/a...opment/usa.asp

I know there is an active program in both the Mission Viejo and San Diego areas.

http://www.tennissandiego.com/wheelchair/index.htm

There are tournaments going on all the time. You can contact this person for some more information about available lessons and tournaments:

Annette Buck: abuck@scta.usta.com

There website does not seem to be working, but here is another organizaton:

National Foundation of Wheelchair Tennis
940 Calle Amanecer, Suite B, San Clemente, Calif. 92672
phone 714-361-3663
fax 714-361-6822
NFWT@aol.com

(KLD)

[topspin]

The best way to get started playing wheelchair tennis is find someone who plays the game and they can get out with and go over a few basics.

For example, you want to be rolling forward when the opponent hits a return or serves the ball.

Try to play behind the baseline, so that you are not handcuffed by deep shots. (You can always cheat a little and allow yourself three or four bounces instead of the legal "two bounces")

Practice with anyone willing to practice with you.
Avoid "over coaching"... just get into the process of getting the muscle memory working on forehands, backhands, and wheelchair movement with respect to the approaching shot.

Then practice some more.

If you start calling tennis centers and inquiring about wheelchair tennis, you will get good help by the 5th call... that would be my guess.

[Theophania]

Hello tennis gurus,

Is it possible to play wheelchair tennis in your power chair? If so, is it popularly done? Any links to how to do it?

Tiffiny

[topspin]

is the answer to your first question. There is a "quad" division in the major wheelchair tournament(s)... like the one in San Diego last year for the wheelchair championships. Check out either a few copies of Sports and Spokes magazine or their website. The magazine covers wheelchair sports and they do an excellent job on the wheelchair tennis. Rules are slightly different for quads. Assistance during service of the ball is allowed, if so requested. Hand-wraps to get the hand secure to the racquet is allowed, too.

Power chairs may be used to play w/c tennis. In reading about the national tournament in San Diego, I got the impression that power chairs might actually be "fitted out" to play the sport. (As you surmise, I was not in San Diego to see the game played.)

If necessary, use an ACE bandage to get the racquet in you hand and follow the basic advice on getting started. Keep in mind that the pursuit may be more like an "experience"... like a trip to the zoo... as oppoed to an all-out hobby that you play several times a week. But keep in mind that the sport can be a true hobby, requiring time, money, and committment.

good luck and I hope this helps

[topspin]

http://www.usta.com/communitytennis/...categoryid=166