Welcome to Coach's Corner. Here, you can find information about racquets, shoes, & strings, as well as places you can purchase these items from.
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*Choosing a tennis racquet, shoes, & strings can sometimes be intimidating because there are so many different things out there. The same thing that appeals to one person may not appeal at all to another person, and that's ok. Just as each person picks a shoe that fits, each person must also pick a racquet that fits their style of play. The same can be said for strings. They're all different, so let's dive in and explore each of these areas to help educate you before you make a decision. CAUTION: WE ARE OPINIONATED AND AREN'T SCARED TO SHARE OUR PROFESSIONAL OPINIONS!!! BEWARE!!!
Choosing a Tennis RacquetTennis racquets are as different as shoes are, and they're certainly not "one size fits all". When choosing a racquet, there are five things you should consider before buying. I'll order them in order of importance. #1 - Grip Size When choosing a racquet, it's important to choose one that fits your hand. Tennis racquet grips/handles range in size from 4 inches to 5 inches and typically go up in increments of 1/8th inch. The size of the grip can typically be found on the butt of the racquet. Most high school aged athletes will prefer a grip size of either 4' 1/4 or 4' 3/8 grip size. #2 - Weight Racquets can range in weight from 8 oz. all the way up to 12+ oz. A lighter racquet can be easier on the arm and quicker to maneuver, but more swing speed is required to generate power. A heaver racquet takes less swing speed to produce power, as the weight of the racquet helps maintain swing speed through the shot. The disadvantage of a heavier racquet is that they're typically harder on the arm and more difficult to maneuver around the net. The 9-11 oz range tends to be a happy medium, but players should try different racquets before making a decision. #3 - Size Racquets come in various head-sizes and also can come in different lengths. These sizes can range anywhere from 90 square inches, to 120+ square inches. With a smaller head size, you typically have more control and accuracy, but you won't have as much power and hitting a clean ball consistently can be difficult because there is so little room for error. A large frame is easy to make contact with and they typically have a lot of power, but you lose control and accuracy with a larger frame. Something in the middle suits most players, ranging anywhere from 98-110 square inches. #4 - Balance Racquets are weighted/balanced differently. Some have a lighter head and heavier handle, and some have a heavier head and lighter handle. This is indicated by Head-Points Light or Head-Points Heavy. Personal preference is the way to go in this area. #5 - String Pattern There are many different string patterns available on the market. This will typically be indicated as 16x18 or 16x15 ect. This information tells you how many vertical (main strings) you have, and how many horizontal (cross strings) you have. A higher number of strings give you more control (typically). A lower number of strings gives you a more open string pattern and allows for more spin to be placed on the ball. Coach's Recommendations Prince Head Babolat Wilson (note) Just because it's one of these brands doesn't mean it's a good racquet. Likewise, just because it isn't one of these brands doesn't make it a bad racquet. |
Choosing StringsCoach Whyte and myself have used many different types/combinations of strings throughout our lives. There are hundreds of types of strings coming from dozens of brands and everything is different. We typically keep some of our preferred types of string on hand for our players racquets, but in the event you want to know more about string, keep reading. There are three main types of strings. 1. There are gut strings which are made from (you guessed it) cow gut. 2. There are polyfiliament strings which are many strands/strings woven into one string. 3. There are monofilament strings which are a string made of one solid strand. In addition to different types of string, there are also different gauges of string. You can get anything from 15 gauge to 20 gauge, 20 gauge being very fine and 15 gauge being very thick. Gut string is great... unless it gets wet. It has good feel, good power, good control and good longevity. However; if gut string gets wet, it's pretty much gone. Gut string is also very expensive ($25-$60 a set). Therefore, unless your Coach Whyte or independently wealthy, you probably won't be using this very often (if ever). Polyfilament string is probably one of the more popular types of string. Typically with Poly strings, you get good bite on the ball because it is coarser, and it's often easier on the arm. The downside to Poly is that it typically doesn't last as long. All poly strings are different. Usually through reviews and labeling on the package, you pretty well know how the string should behave and feel. Like most things, you get what you pay for. Monofilament string is a great option as well. Monofilament strings are usually stiffer and longer lasting. The downside of a monofilament is that they typically aren't as easy on the arm. Like Poly strings, Mono strings come in all different variations and materials and can give you all sorts of different feels. Reviews and packaging again should give you a pretty good idea what you can expect from the string. Coach's Recommendations Trial by fire... there's good and bad in every brand, and every string plays different. Tell us your style and we will try to steer you in the right direction. |
Choosing ShoesWhen the term "tennis shoes" is used, typically it is used to encompass all athletic shoes. When tennis players use the term "tennis Shoes" that term takes a whole new meaning.
Tennis-Specific-Shoes are made specifically for the sport, just like basketball shoes, football cleats, and dance shoes are all made for their individual needs. Tennis shoes are much different in the way they are built, as they are made to support extreme lateral movement and grip well on the court while providing comfort for the user. Some major design differences between tennis shoes and "tennis shoes" is that tennis shoes have extra rubber in the heavy wear regions, and "kick-plates" in areas where the shoes often rub together. Take a look at this example: Notice the heavily wrapped rubber over the toe of the shoe, and on the outside edge of the shoe. This is characteristic of a tennis specific shoe.
There are different types of tennis shoes for different surfaces, as clay court and grass court shoes are made separately from hard court shoes. For us, all we will see in season are hard courts. Clay court shoes consist of a different bottom and softer rubber for better traction on the clay surface. Hard court shoes typically have a harder rubber on the bottom for durability. Which shoe do you choose? Some shoes are better than others, but there are good shoes within most brands. Some brands come with a 6 month guarantee. I had Head shoes with a 6 month guarantee, but found that the rubber on the bottom was so hard, that it left my feet hurting after every use. Our experience with both Nike and Babolat shoes leaves much to be desired, as both of these brands tend to not last long for our players. They either tear out, or weard down to nothing (often before the completion of a single season). Some of the better brands include the Adidas Barricade lineup, Asics, Wilson, some Prince shoes, and some Lotto shoes. Yonex shoes typically have great reviews, but are generally quite expensive. The same can be said for Diadora. My personal favorite is the Wilson Speed Pro series, specifically the Speed Pro 2.0. This shoe combines comfort with stability, speed, and the durability to get you through a full season or more. Additionally, the Asics and Adidas also provide great comfort and stability (my Asics Gel Revolution shoes were my second favorite pair). Always read reviews by other players before making a decision on a shoe. This can also help you determine how to choose your shoe and your sizing (although we've found most shoes to be true to size). Some of the above websites offer free return shipping if you have to return a shoe, but make sure you look over the policy for details regarding returning them. Happy hunting! |