How to Choose the Right Tennis Racquet for Kids
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Studies show that tennis is among the top five sports for children among 5 and 8 years. With its help, children can improve their physical and mental health, boost their immune system while also learning how to socialise and work in a team. If your child shows an interest in tennis, the first thing you need to do is help him out choose the right kids tennis racket. There are many different types to pick from, which means there are some important things to bear in mind.
Choose a Tennis Racquet According to Your Kid’s Age
Unlike adult’s rackets which are categorised by the racket’s size, rackets for children are categorized by their length. Each racket length is designed for a different age group and this can certainly help you find the right size of tennis racquets for kids. Buying the right size for their age can also help children to have a better grip, as it would be almost impossible for them to grip a full-sized racket properly.
Up to 8 Years Old
It’s never too early to start practising tennis. In fact, children can start playing tennis at 4, or even younger, provided that they have the right tennis racket. Rackets that fall in this category are lightweight and are made with children’s height and age in mind rather than their skill level. Usually, they come in 17-inch, 19-inch and 21-inch tennis racket sizes where the smallest size is designed for the smallest group of children. The 19-inch rackets are designed for children up to 4 and the 21-inch rackets for children up to 5 – 6 years. You can also find 23-inch tennis rackets that are designed for children between 7 and 8 years old.
9 – 10 Years Old
When choosing a racket for a 9 or 10-year-old, you should certainly take into account your child’s skills and experience. The rackets in this category are available mainly in 23 and 25-inch sizes and are divided into two categories – recreational and beginner. Unlike the previous types of rackets, these ones are a bit heavier because they are designed for more competitive children. In case your child is new to tennis, it’s best to choose a recreational tennis racket.
11+ Years Old
Just like choosing a racket for a 9 or 10 years old child, in this category you should also consider your child’s skill level and expertise. In this category, tennis rackets can be 26 inches or even longer which makes them heavier and their goal is to help youngsters safely transition towards an adults frame when possible.
Test the Racquet’s Length
Whether you buy the racquet online or offline, make sure your child tests it before using it. This is essential since not all tennis racquets are made the same and have the same grip. Let your child take the racquet in his arms and pretend that he’s playing. That way he’ll have a better idea of whether the chosen racquet is the right for him or you should return it and exchange it with a new model.
Consider the Tennis Racquet’s Material
Being made of different types of materials, the smallest racquets designed for the youngest are usually made of aluminium which makes them lighter in weight and solid to chocks. Those designed for the bigger category are made of aluminium and graphite combination, while the ones designed for children over 9 years of age can be entirely made of graphite. In fact, they are real scale models of the adults’ versions of tennis racquets which also explains their higher price.
Consider the Tennis Racquet’s Balance
The balance of a racquet is the distance between the base of the racquet’s handle and its balance point. The perfectly balanced racquets have a balance point at around 32 cm and they will provide your child with power and easy maneuverability. The head-light racquets have a balance below 32 cm and it’s said that they offer less power, but are extremely easy to handle because children can have more control.
Head-heavy rackets have a balance of 32.5 cm and they can provide your child with greater push. The only downside is that children have less control and maneuverability when playing with it. So, if all of this is a bit confusing and you don’t know what to choose, you should certainly seek help and recommendations from a professional or an experienced seller.