Sports Clinic

You want to roll with it Your want the best for baby You need a spin doctor Don't worry - check into the...

E-mail your questions to the Sports Clinic: sportsactive@ independent.co.uk

I bowl off-spin, but having watched Shane Warne I want to try leg-spin.

Charlie Rice, Hackney

There is a big difference between the two: off-spin is finger-spin and comes out the front of the hand, with the fingers mimicking the action of turning a door handle, while leg-spin is wrist-spin, where the ball comes out of the back of the hand and rotates over the fingers. Undoubtedly wrist-spin is more difficult to control, which is why there are far fewer good leggies than offies. Off-spin bowlers pivot around a braced front leg, while leggies are more chest-on to the batsman and rely on generating power from their hips and shoulders. Warne has endured many finger and shoulder operations precisely because of the stress he puts these areas under as he explodes through his action, snapping the ball out of his fingers. So try it by all means, but don't expect instant success .

I'm two months pregnant and worried that I ought to give up tennis and jogging. Some of my friends say that it's dangerous to keep exercising hard, but my midwife is adamant I can carry on. Who is right?

Vivien Gardiner, Surbiton

Your midwife is right. Moderate, weight-bearing exercise is good for you and the baby. So do what you are used to and slowly reduce the amount of exercise over the next six months. There is no increased incidence of miscarriage with moderate exercise, and you can carry on doing something right through to delivery: one of Britain's international athletes who was carrying twins kept running until 36 weeks pregnant. You need to avoid overheating, as this can hurt your baby; keep the intensity comfortable and drink plenty of fluids. Your ligaments soften during pregnancy, which makes you more vulnerable to strains, particularly of your pelvis and lower back. If this happens, stop exercising and seek help.

I took up kayaking several months ago and I'm learning to eskimo roll. I can set the roll up well enough, but can't seem to get the momentum needed to lift my body clear of the water.

Ben Lloyd, Birmingham

Paddlers use various types of rolls. Most are heavily dependent on the so-called "hip-snap" to shift their body weight through 180 degrees and bring them upright. The best way to perfect your snap is to practise using the side of a swimming pool as a replacement for your paddle. Bring your kayak alongside the pool edge and place your hands together on the side of the pool. Tip yourself towards your hands as far as you can, then practise snapping your hips to right yourself, exerting no downward pressure with your hands, which should never leave the poolside. In theory, a good enough snap could bring you out of the water without a paddle.

Blisters are causing me terrible problems out running. I keep having to stop running because my feet are so painful. I use artificial skin and padding, and have tried three different types of running shoe, but it doesn't seem to help very much. Is there anything more I can do to try to get rid them?

Joe Noble, Derby

Make sure your latest trainers really do fit comfortably in all directions and there is enough gap between your longest toe and the end of the shoe (approximately 1.5cm). Get some double-layered anti-blister socks. Always dry your feet carefully and toughen them up with a daily application of surgical spirit, which will reduce sweating too. Make sure your feet can breathe, so avoid shoes with plastic or nylon coatings. Check the shoes carefully before every run for any grit or wear or cracking.

Alongside Dr Richard Budgett, medical director of the British Olympic Association, this week's panel included the Hampshire cricketer Giles White