Choosing a junior racket

Most important qualities of junior tennis rackets

• It is very important that young tennis players learn to play tennis using the correct tennis racket.
• A senior tennis racket is not suited for children because it is usually too long and heavy, which will result in the wrong type of strokes being learnt and possible injury as a result of this.
• One of the most important qualities of a junior tennis racket is the correct length. The ideal junior tennis racket is in direct proportion with a childs height.
• The correct length selection for a junior tennis racket is determined in the following way: Let the young tennis player stand up as straight as possible holding the junior tennis racket, with the racket head pointing down along the body in his or her outstretched hitting arm.
• Then let him or her swing the junior tennis racket back and forth along his or her body. The junior racket has the correct length for that player if it comes over the ankle, but does not touch the ground. 

How to pick a junior tennis racket? The table below illustrates the connection between body height and the age of a young tennis player .The table gives recommended length of the junior tennis racket, and can be used as a useful guideline:

How to choose the right size Junior Tennis Racket: The most important thing about junior rackets is the size (literally the length in inches of the rackets). We have made the process of choosing really easy for you. All you have to do is measure the height of the young person and pick from one of the following :

• For Age 10 to 12 (4 ft 8 in. to 5 ft 2 in.) pick a 26 inch racket.
• For Age 8 to 10 (4 ft 4 in. to 4 ft 8 in.) pick a 25 inch racket.
• For Age 6 to 8 (3 ft 11 in. to 4 ft 4 in.) pick a 23 inch racket.
• For Age 6 and under (under 3 ft 11 in.) pick a 21 or 19 inch racket.
• Any younger, go for a 17 inch racket.
• For Age 12 and older (taller than 5ft 2 in) a full size 27”

There are no hard and fast rules on picking the right size racket, but a good guide is if the junior is holding the racket in a normal grip, then hold it straight down the side of the body and legs and if the racket is just touching the ground, its perfect. If the racquet is dragging, then the junior is likely to do that on court as well and might scrape or damage the racket. If the racket is then above the ground, its probably too small. If the junior is physically very strong or a strong player, then can handle a bigger size. You can always go smaller if you think the junior cannot handle the recommended size.

Junior Graphite Rackets are serious rackets made of the same materials as adult rackets, and in most cases provide the same performance as the adult equivalent counterparts. Junior Aluminium Rackets are perfect as starter rackets or for those on a budget. Junior Composite Rackets are mid-range rackets constructed from a mixture of graphite and aluminium. If the junior plays a lot, has coaching and is really keen, its well worth going for a graphite racket.