String setup 10 year old

ga tennis

Hall of Fame
Currently using black code 18 full set. Im thinking of softening up the string bed because i dont want to hurt her arm. I was told by someone on here to try the x one biphase and the blackcode as a hybrid. I was just wandering do you guys think i should put the black code as the mains or the x one as the mains. These strings are expensive so i dont wanna waste any. Also what do you guys think about using gut with the black code. I an using 18g because i know its a little better for her arm.
 

10ismom

Semi-Pro
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=403705&highlight=string+setup This thread might be helpful for you.
My younger daughter just turned 13. We recently tried a new setup with natural gut 16g main and copoly 17g cross. She likes it a lot. Good blend of control and power.
Before this she used Poly16 main and NXT 16 cross. Multifilament cross string would break after ~2-3 wk. She played 2 hr after school 4 days a week and plays tourn. 1-2/month+ some practice matches. Good thing about Multi is it will break so you will not have to worry you leave poly too long. We never tried Multi main. From what I read in several string threads about poly-muti hybrid, many people said muti in main broke too fast. Most put multi in cross.
 

Tennishacker

Professional
Wow, 18g strings and gut for young juniors, you must be in the 1%!

Young juniors and especially girls, should use at the most hybrid poly main and syn gut/multi cross.

My recommendation for 12 and younger girls is full multi or syn. gut. Soft strings for developing young bodies help prevent arm, shoulder and wrist injuries.
With full multi/syn., a full time junior player will have to restring every 2 to 3 weeks.

With my son, we used multi till he was strong enough to break them within 1 week. At that time, I went with poly main multi cross. That set up lasted almost 2 weeks, at which time it was time to restring.

With my daughter, we used full multi till she was about 16, at which time she was strong enough to handle a poly main multi cross.

Search the string section, you'll find that poly strings are over rated. Best use of poly is for players that are frequent string breakers.

If you have the time to string, it's a great money saver.
 

INTO10s

New User
The cost difference is small (~$3) but well worth it. I would consider buying a stringing machine it will pay for itself quickly. I use an Alpha Revo 4000 ($650): excellent, crank handled table top stringer.

Again this is what we are using. My daughter is 12yo, 5ft tall and hits a strong, heavy ball with a semi/full western grip with an Aero Pro Drive babalot racquet.

Mains: Technifibre black code, 17G, 49 lbs (moves well across the cross strings to help with spin), $13/2 racquets strung
Crosses: X-phase one, 16G, 54 lbs, $16/2 racquets strung

Absolutely no problems with arm, good control and touch while still able to create strong spin. She plays 4 time a wk, 3hrs/day during the week and a tournament every other weekend. Will lasts about 3 weeks but I usually restring every 2 weeks.


Here is a good,brief article about how to choose strings for junior players and prevent injures from using polys.

http://www.tennisconsult.com/tennis-strings-junior-tennis-players-prevent-injures-tennis-players/
 

Tennishacker

Professional
^^^^
Good link/article, I pulled this from the last paragraph.


"I would recommend that juniors play with multi-filament strings that offer some “compassion” for their arms and give them some touch and feel for the ball on their strings. This will also help them developmentally as players so that they can learn about different parts of the game and develop better skills. As players mature and age up into the 16’s and 18’s poly may be an option but better would be a co-poly which is kinder and gentler than the pure poly but, still has many of the traits of the poly. I would also suggest strongly that a blend of strings (very common today) be used by juniors. An example of this would be using poly in the main strings and a good multi-filament in the crosses."
 

gameboy

Hall of Fame
I don't know why you wouldn't use full gut for kids this young. It is not like they break string that often.

The amount of extra spin that is generated due to poly at their swing speed is not worth jeopardizing their long term health.
 
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INTO10s

New User
I assume from your comment that you haven't seen how kids this young hit now a days. We started with a multifilament (X-one biphase and also NXT Tour 16G) and within one week they where either heavily frayed or broke. So we added the Co-poly strings to the mains, more to add durability then for spin and it has allowed us to keep the control, softness while increasing the durability and lifespan.
 

gameboy

Hall of Fame
I know how hard they hit. There are plenty at my club.

When I say "often", I mean after 4 to 5 hours. I have found that when I play with full gut, they usually last about 50% longer than synthetics. Fraying in synthetics lead to breakage pretty quickly, but that is not so with gut. My daughter's racquet is also heavily frayed but it lasts months and months.

TCF is correct. The kids are using pretty stiff racquets these days and you want something soft and resilient like gut to take some blows off the arm.

ga is already spendng a ton on tennis for his child. I don't know why you would go cheap on this.
 
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arche3

Banned
Gut mains poly cross, only way for kids IMO. It lasts a decent time. And has great feel. Pairs well with stiff babolats. Vs 16/rpm17 hybrid lasts my 11 year old son about 2 months. And he hits harder than I do.
 

Bash and Crash

Semi-Pro
Currently using black code 18 full set. Im thinking of softening up the string bed because i dont want to hurt her arm. I was told by someone on here to try the x one biphase and the blackcode as a hybrid. I was just wandering do you guys think i should put the black code as the mains or the x one as the mains. These strings are expensive so i dont wanna waste any. Also what do you guys think about using gut with the black code. I an using 18g because i know its a little better for her arm.

Does it have to be Technifibre string? I've been using Volkl Polyfibre and Rpm Blast combo and plays very well although they wear out quickly for me, should last for a 10yr old, but could easily swap others(MSV,Cyclone, Big Hitter Black) for RPM. I think you can easily find another combo that plays just as well and saves you $$.
 
Does it have to be Technifibre string? I've been using Volkl Polyfibre and Rpm Blast combo and plays very well although they wear out quickly for me, should last for a 10yr old, but could easily swap others(MSV,Cyclone, Big Hitter Black) for RPM. I think you can easily find another combo that plays just as well and saves you $$.

My Daughter, just made 11, plays with a Pure Drive strung with Xcel 17(mulit-filament). She hits hard, very hard, for an 11 year old that is, and the strings generally last about three weeks before she busts them, with about 10 hours a week practice, plus tournaments on weekends. We have played around with other configurations but I've settled on this for this for a while. Never had any arm problems.
 
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10ismom

Semi-Pro
I would not let my girl touch most Babolats. Too stiff. Wilson has a lot of better options for young girls.

As far as people saying no arm problems. You will not see those in many cases until the later teens when it is too late. Amazing almost no posters ever mention frame stiffness when this topic comes up but are experts on strings. Strings are down the list in regards to arm safety behind stiffness, head balance, proper warm up, technique, injury prevention work outs, and age appropriate work load.

Frame stiffness definitely plays a role and most parents and coaches (of a serious junior) know. My 2 kids never use stiff frames. Actually, I hate stiff frame for myself, an adult rec player.
GA tennis just asked about string setup here.
Parents should be careful on both racket and string setup to prevent any arm injury in a child. Do a thorough search or ask for advice from a reliable, knowledgeble coach or other sources.
 

TenAll

New User
My 10 year old girl plays with Babolat Drive Z Lite with Addiction 16 strings. Looking for better string for the price and a new frame. She plays semi-western, fast swing, 10 hours a week plus tournaments every other week. Figured Babolat Pure Drive Z would be the next step for her, but after reading comments above I am wondering if there is a better junior frame?!
Thanks
 
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ga tennis

Hall of Fame
His original post said he was wanting to discuss string setup in regards to her arm safety. I simply pointed out that worrying about string safety over stiffness is a waste of time. The 2 topics can not be discussed without each other.

Should i let her try the Juice? She LOVES the Babolat.
 
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ga tennis

Hall of Fame
Have you hit with them? They are stiff as boards. But they are 'cool' and thats why many kids flock to them.

I would not let my kid hit with a frame with a stiffness of 72, no need to take the chance. Wilson has some 57s, the stiffest Wilson we use is a 65.

The specifications in the Tennis Warehouse racquet write ups usually list the stiffness. Stay head light and stiffness 65 or less to be safe.

No use covering all the bases for long term arm health and going with a board of a frame.

Damn! We just changed her grip we just changed her technique now we gotta change rackets! Im gonna have to start taking xanax or lexipro or start back drinking :)
 
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ga tennis

Hall of Fame
The Wilson BLX Juice 100? Thats the stiffest Wilson at 72.

You are in a tough spot. At her age they many times want to be cool and use certain frames.

I dont know what to do?? All the other girls play with the Babolat so you know what that means.
 
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10ismom

Semi-Pro
We were demoing several a couple months back and I looked up specs on TW and also several threads on Racquet section and this secttion too. Don't have time to look for those threads. More familiar with Wilson. Blade lite, Pro open, Six one, Steam are ~ 63-66 stiffness. Juice 100 is too stiff at 72.
She demoed Babolat Pure storm team GT stiff only at 60 and liked it too. She decided on a Wilson racquet though.
I remember from another thread a Head Radical line and some of Head racquets are not stiff. Many Babolat rackets are pretty stiff and over 70.
 
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you don't have to eliminate all stiff frames. just use a multifilament string and string it at around 55 and she'll be fine. Refer to the strings section for lots of ideas.
 
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INTO10s

New User
Your daughter has a lot on her plate with the new academy and the grip change. This is not the time to introduce her to a new racquet. The babolat pure drive is a very good racquet, I would though consider making the change with the strings to soften things up..that in itself would minimize any long term problems with the arm. There is a lot of technology that goes into a racquet so don"t get caught up just looking at a stiffness number to determine if it is the best racquet for your daughter. A stiffer racquet will add power, control and more predictability without necessarily being harmful to the arm, even for a 10 year old. Talk to her her coach, who knows her game and see what he advises.
 

klu375

Semi-Pro
Another solid choice. Right at the top of the stiffness I would go with. Head light, nice light strung weight.

Actually the question that should be answered - should you give 10-11 yo girl a powerful racket or make her struggle with a low-powered frame in hope of making her generate pace herself? Obviously Pure Drive will win more matches for a 10 yo. What would you recommend?
 

Tennishacker

Professional
Actually the question that should be answered - should you give 10-11 yo girl a powerful racket or make her struggle with a low-powered frame in hope of making her generate pace herself? Obviously Pure Drive will win more matches for a 10 yo. What would you recommend?

Too much fussing about equipment for ten year old. Focus on developing game.

Find mid to soft frame that is 10oz. or less. String with soft strings.

Simple as that.
 
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ga tennis

Hall of Fame
THANKS FOR ALL THE ADVICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think what im gonna do is keep letting her use the Babolat but soften up the stringbed.Im gonna put 18g Black code in the main and x1 in the crosses.Im gonna lower the tension to 50lbs.
 
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ga tennis

Hall of Fame
More good choices, the first one especially. There simply is no reason to give a young girl a 72 stiffness frame. Serves no good purpose.

Im gonna let her try a not so stiff racket in december.I think we are changing so much now that a new racket is not what she needs now. TCF if you were to go to tournaments every week you would see that the majority of 12 and under girls all use Babolat. I wonder what kinda research has been done on the issue of young kids and stiff rackets. Im understanding your point TCF.
 
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ga tennis

Hall of Fame
I know MANY juniors who have played Babolat since before ten and are now older and have had no arm issues. I also know of an example of a 12 year old girl that had arm issues and the doctor told the dad it might be related to the stiff racket. I think it was because as an 11 year old she played over 150 tournament matches in one year.
 

10ismom

Semi-Pro
I know MANY juniors who have played Babolat since before ten and are now older and have had no arm issues. I also know of an example of a 12 year old girl that had arm issues and the doctor told the dad it might be related to the stiff racket. I think it was because as an 11 year old she played over 150 tournament matches in one year.

I doubt that we will see any well controlled scientific studies on an impact of stiff rackets linking to arm issues. Who is going to fund those research projects? Definitely not any racket manufacturers. Lucky if sport medicine docs would look into it. The most consumers are going to hear about is several case reports.
I know of at least 5 girls 13-14 years old stopped playing several months because of an arm issue. Could be many factors, overtraining, technique, rackets, strings, etc. The one I know used to use Kevlar and other poly, strung tight on a Bobolat racket even when she was 10-11 yr old. Crazy isn't it! Her old coach recommended that. Parents had no clues. Won a lot but sustained a wrist injury. Lesson learned for her parents and now they are a lot more careful.
 

ga tennis

Hall of Fame
I doubt that we will see any well controlled scientific studies on an impact of stiff rackets linking to arm issues. Who is going to fund those research projects? Definitely not any racket manufacturers. Lucky if sport medicine docs would look into it. The most consumers are going to hear about is several case reports.
I know of at least 5 girls 13-14 years old stopped playing several months because of an arm issue. Could be many factors, overtraining, technique, rackets, strings, etc. The one I know used to use Kevlar and other poly, strung tight on a Bobolat racket even when she was 10-11 yr old. Crazy isn't it! Her old coach recommended that. Parents had no clues. Won a lot but sustained a wrist injury. Lesson learned for her parents and now they are a lot more careful.

I remember in college i use to use Kevlar as the main and synthetic as the crosses. I would string it at 70lbs. I also had arm issues in college and im not sure if it was the string,tension,or over training that caused the problem. I know the way my daughter hits the ball that a full synthetic string job would break in two days.
 
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