Adult Sized Racket for a Junior???

[doctor dennis]

Hi guys

Wish we had a junior section but hey.

I'm interested in when you should look to get an adult sized racket for a junior?

I've currently got an Aeropro Drive Light 27" for my 10 year old daughter to demo.

She is 5ft 1" and quite strong with solid technique.

Her coach recommend that she try a 27 frame but about 5 parents and the shop owner where I demoed the racket from advised against this and I couldn't understand why.

Id like to know from any parents / coaches or anybody else in the know on When your kids or kids you know went to a full length racket.

Thanks for any responses.

 

[Lukhas]

Well generally, the answer to junior frames comes in two flavours.

1) Heavier 26' frame;
2) Full sized frame with junior frame weight.

Well some people here will tell you that they know player X who despite its age/height/strength uses a full sized frame with adult weight and has no problem whatsoever even in very long matches. But that's generally how the manufacturers answer the question.

 

[newpball]

Have her test the racket and make your conclusions afterwards.

I think there are a couple of factors that should be taken into account:

1. Her size
She is 5 ft 1 so I think a full size is certainly an option but not a must.

2. Can she handle it?
Observe if she is able to maneuver the racket well during volleys at the net and during rapid forehand to backhand situations. Also does she have a good and fast swing with this racket?

3. Her own feelings about the matter?

 

[maxpotapov]

My 4 yo daughter hits with full size 330 g racquet just fine.
Two handed on both wings of course, and no matchplay

I don't see a reason to use shorter frame for a 10 yo junior. We never had shorter frames back in the day, and 11 oz was a normal weight for 8-9 yo kids.
Lightweight - yes, something like 270 g, shorter - no. You can always let her hold the racquet higher up on the handle if it's too heavy to learn something, like serve or volley or other strokes that put too much stress on the forearm/wrist.

 

[Stein]

My son is 9 yrs old, 1,50meters
Pretty strong and fair strokes
I let him play with a classic Radical tour junior (2 cm shorter, but way over 300 gram) he complained about pain in his wrist
Then i gave him a HEAD Microgel Raptor. Standard length but much lighter.
Now he plays nice.
So test it and let your kid deside or ask her opinion. She has to play with it

 

[doctor dennis]

Thanks for the responses.

She currently uses the 26" APD 2013.

I've got her the APD Lite and the APD Team to try out.

The Lite actually has a Lower static weight but higher SW than the Team but I'm thinking she is likely to pick that one.

I have a suspicion she will probably say she likes both rackets as its a chance to get a new racket. Lol

I won't be there when she demos it in her private lesson so her coach will make the decision for me.

I was just curious to see what the wider public did based on the responses I got from others.

Thanks again TTW