Tag: equipment

Tips on Buying the “right” Tennis Shoes

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Let’s start off by saying that not all tennis shoes are created equal. Form and function are still the best recipe for success. As with any shoes make sure the pair of tennis shoes you purchase allow you to move in very explosive start and stop movements. This is of course the complete, opposite of the concept behind a long distance running shoe.

Should you buy leather over more breathable materials? It is recommended that you purchase a hybrid of the two. One provides durability and won’t wear through as quickly while the other allows the foot to move inside the shoe a bit more giving the player more coordination.

It is also recommended to have more than one pair. The average, avid player can easily wear through a new pair shows within 4-6 months depending upon how often they play. Always look at the tread to determine how worn the shoes is.

The lateral aspects of a good shoe should provide stability and help protect against injury. If for example your shoes are too loose, you could potentially roll an ankle. This is a common injury that could bench you for an extended period-of-time.

Court Shoes are the only shoes that should be worn on the tennis court. The insole should provide some level of cushion to absorb the high impact and rapid movements of a playing surface. Clay court shoes for example are very different than concrete court shoes.

Always make sure you give yourself at least a half an inch from your toes to the end of the shoes to avoid blisters. Color, Style and brand are purely aesthetic so have fun choosing the right shoes for you!

Can a tennis racket make a difference in your game?

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Let’s start off by saying it depends! That said we should probably take-a-look at the skill level of the player first. There is a correct and right choice for each skill level. Players must also consider how serious they are before making the investment.

There are also a few misconceptions out there that size doesn’t matter. Guess what, in this case, it does. Rackets range in size based on the arm length of the players and grips can be built up to customize for comfort.

Handles can also be adjusted with standard lengths ranging from 27-29 inches. Arm length combined with the length of the handle can provide more effective ground strokes and serves especially if you prefer “singles”. Conversely if you prefer “doubles” you can always have the handled shortened if you later decide that this is more comfortable. Most pro shops and/or stringers can typically accommodate this request.

Tennis Pro’s often get asked the question, “Should have I have more than one racket?”, and the answer is “yes” especially if you are competing in tournaments. Another question we often get asked is, “Does the brand of racket matter”? While Tennis Pro’s aren’t necessarily experts at racket design we do have our personal favorite, but again this more subjective.

An important note that players should always consider is the size of the racket head because this will determine speed over control with some that are in between. Depending upon the strength of the player and if they like to hit a “heavier” ball, you should always consider the weight of the racket. The technology of graphite vs. carbonite materials have come a long way since the days of aluminum.

The first question we always get asked above any other however is, “how much should I spend on a good racket”. Typically, most intermediate and advanced rackets start above $100 and come unstrung. Always remember you usually get what you pay for, so don’t sell underestimate the performance of a good racket if you want to truly advance your skills.

If you care about style, there are many colors and designs on the market today so have fun shopping around and you will be the envy of your peers. While there are no points in tennis for style, it can’t hurt to boost a little confidence in your mental game!

Tennis Court Equipment can make a difference!

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There are different categories of tennis court equipment for individuals, facilities, and for instruction. The most versatile on the market accommodate all categories. That said there are a few “must have” pieces of equipment all tennis players should consider if you don’t belong to some type of club that provides them.

Stop chasing balls and bending over backwards to scoop them up. Ball Hoppers are an essential and come in 3 sizes with the largest of the handhelds that holds up to 200 balls. The detachable polyurethane coated baskets are also ideal for use as a teaching aid. They are lightweight and easily convert to a standing position to feed balls from when coaching.

Another piece of equipment to consider is a Roller Squeegee. It is an expensive way to keep the court clean from debris. Try to get the steel handles that eliminate wobble and assures ultimate stability. It is not necessary to acquire a commercial grade version unless you are a facility coordinator. Look for the compact models that you can easily assemble and pack.

Water Brooms are key in regions of the country that tend to collect a lot of rain and moisture in the air. They are also a great way to maintain safety on the court and are one of the best ways to remove water deposits more quickly allowing players to help dry out the courts after a heavy rain. Make sure you shop around because there are several different variations that range in price.

Stay cool and out of the sun when taking a break with the Tennis Court Awning. Although they make awnings that come with stands, they tend not to be the portable. Try to find the awnings that attach to the bench. The detachable units also typically expand, contract, tilt, and fold into a carrying case. There are many sizes to choose from and some are heavier than others.

Last, but not least, is the gallon cooler stand. Stay hydrated with an insulated cooler that keeps water cold and can be rolled behind you, so nobody is required to do any lifting. Look for the coolers that compact to fit in the back of most vehicle trunks.

How often should tennis players get their rackets restrung?

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The restringing questions is one we get asked a lot as Tennis Pro’s. The basic idea is you should replace your strings as many times per year as you play per week. In other words, if you play once a week you then you should restring your racquet once per year. Of course, this theory of frequency has some flaws and should be considered on how hard you play verses how often you play like a set of brake pads for your car. If you are hard on your brakes you are going to need to replace them more often than other drivers who are not.

Another theory is that competitive players should change out their strings before every match to improve the length of play. While this is a personal choice, it’s not necessarily realistic for all budgets unless of course you break a lot of strings during match play.

The real answer can be found in the style of play. For example, if you prefer an eastern grip you most likely hit the ball softer than say a semi-western or western grip. These grips tend to be impacted more by the friction against the ball wearing down the strings faster.

Another tip is to at the tension weight. Players who like to hit a heavy ball are simply going to break strings more often. Tension weight can greatly improve power but be prepared to pay for it later. You may have read in some of previous we always recommend paying attention to the material used when stringing your racket as well. Synthetic such as nylon fibers tend to last longer.

If you are still in doubt there are several key indicators that alert players, it’s time to replace their strings such as loss of control of ball. Players will noticeably start seeing more errors and finding it tougher to place shots. Loss of topspin is a major signal and lack of the pop factor. Finally, several racket manufacturers have diagnostic centers at dedicated pros hops where players can test their string bed deflection for free.