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Tennis Equipment The sport of tennis requires the type of equipment noted below. It is important for athletes to be able to recognize and understand how equipment impacts their performance. Have athletes name each piece of equipment as you demonstrate its use. Coaches and athletes should work together to select the proper equipment for each athlete.   Tennis Rackets Tennis rackets have changed dramatically in the past few years. Space-age materials have made rackets lightweight and very durable. Athletes should select a racket that "feels good" and is not too heavy or too light. Grip size is important for good technique. Have the athlete grip the racket comfortably. There should not be more than a finger width between the base of the thumb and the fingertips. If the fingers are touching the base of the hand, the grip is too small. Younger athletes may benefit from junior-sized rackets which are lighter and shorter. Broken strings and unraveling grips should be replaced as soon as possible. Coaches should teach athletes proper care of their rackets and all equipment.   Coaches will find the following rackets sizes: A 23-inch racket is recommended for athletes 8-10 years of age, a 25- or 26-inch racket is recommended for athletes 10-12 years of age and a 27-inch racket is recommended for adults. These are general guidelines as strength, size of athlete and grip size are factors in determining the ideal racket to use.       Tennis Balls     An abundance of tennis balls is important for a successful practice. Ideally, each court would have a separate hopper (teaching cart) of balls. Practice balls can be obtained from tennis clubs (ask a teaching professional for his/her old tennis balls), high schools and colleges.           Other Teaching Aids Notebook for recording attendance, telephone numbers, student comments and progress reports, and medical needs for special athletes. Targets of any shape, size and color can help athletes aim for a specific spot (examples are a pyramid of tennis balls, cones, hula hoops, chalk circles and rope). SpeedBalls (foam balls). Balloons to practice hand-eye coordination drills. Ball machine for athletes to practice a variety of skills. Ball containers as targets in games. Radio or music box to increase attention and enjoyment.

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