Advice on junior racquets

[Sipes]

This is my first post so a little of background. I'm a dad of a 9 year old boy who is showing a lot of potential. He's been playing since 5 years old and now plays 3 times per week.

He moved to the Wilson Blade Junior 26 a few months ago and since then he has often complained of having a pain on the top of his right hand (hitting hand) coming to the end of the lesson. I never picked up that it coincided with changing to the 26 racquet, but in his last lesson we moved him to a very light full size racquet (255g). He was really hitting this racquet very well, but after just a few shots (15 or so) he started saying he has a pain in his shoulder. Until this happened I always just thought that his hand was getting tired of all the shots he has to hit in a lesson and I just encouraged him to play through the pain as I thought it would strengthen the tennis muscles. With the bigger racquet causing a different pain I started looking into Junior racquets for the first time and realized that 9 to 11 year olds should be playing a 25.

So the question is if it makes sense downsizing him to a higher quality 25 or doesn't the size make such a big difference? Should we stick to the 26 and just get a better quality racquet?

 

[badmice2]

What full size racket is he playing with? Also, what’s the string setup on either rackets?

can’t definitively say the racket is causing issues. It can be number of factors whichmay include strings and technique. Playing with deadballs can also add to it.

 

[Sipes]

Thanks for the reply.

The racquet is quite old Wilson n Code ns Oversize
not sure about string tension
Stats on racquet:
Length: 27.25 in
Weight: 255g
String Pattern: 16x20
Head size: 110 sq in
Balance: 36.7cm / 7pt HH (what does this mean?)
SI: 5.0 (what does this mean?)

The Wilson Team Blade Junior 26 is as follow:
Head Size 100 sq in
String Pattern 16x19
Unstrung Balance 31.5CM/5 Pts HL
Unstrung Weight 250 g
Length 26 in - 66 cm

He also progressed from Orange dot balls to green dots which might be a bit heavy for him?? Will that have a bigger impact than the racquet maybe?

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I find it hard to believe that ncode has remotely the correct grip size. Look on the buttcap, there’s no way it says L0, or just 0, which is the smallest size (sort of) at 4” circumference. Kid racquets can go down to 3 3/4” or similar.

Anyways, on the balance HH means Head Heavy, so more of the racquet’s mass is in the head, not the handle. While you list some stats, the most important you are missing is swingweight which indicates how hard a racquet is to swing. This is related to the distribution of the static weight throughout the frame and the balance. The more weight in the head, the higher the swingweight. That it’s head heavy means a higher swingweight than an even balance or head light balance. So you’ve completely switched the balance from HL to HH going from 26 to ncode even though same weight (~250 g), so the racquet is going to be much harder to swing. Also that ncode is a 1/4” longer than a standard adult racquet (just 27”) which adds that much more swingweight increase because the head mass is that much farther away from the hand.

Most definitely step it back down to the 26, if not the 25. Pain = no gain in tennis. Nice racquets can’t be played when you’re injured. The 25 isn’t beneath your kid. There’s plenty of time, green dot are used for a while longer yet. No point in going full size anytime soon. Develop those correct strokes on a racquet that can be accurately maneuvered because it’s sized appropriately.

 

[Sipes]

Thanks for the feedback ChanterRacquet. Yes the nCode is 4 3/8 grip. I'm just getting into understanding the swing weight etc and what you have mentioned here confirms my understanding of it. How is swing weight measured as it is not listed on the racquets. Maybe the SI listed on the ncode is the swing weight? It says SI: 5.0.

I have to say it makes sense to me to move him back to a 25 good quality racquet. I just thought I'd get some advice from people with more knowledge on the subject.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

You can measure/calculate the swingweight using this tool and the instructions provided:

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/learning_center/swingweight_calc.php

Note that the weight you listed will not be the correct one to use because it is undoubtedly the unstrung weight. I have an old weight watchers kitchen balance I use to get racquet weights.

For reference, my soon to be 11 yo son’s 26.5” racquet has a swingweight of 290, I prefer around 315 for myself. My son is a gymnast with muscles that will rival mine in the next year or so, and I still think we might have moved him up to it too early from a regular 26”.

I have no idea what SI is.

 

[Lorenn]

Thanks for the reply.

The racquet is quite old Wilson n Code ns Oversize
not sure about string tension
Stats on racquet:
Length: 27.25 in
Weight: 255g
String Pattern: 16x20
Head size: 110 sq in
Balance: 36.7cm / 7pt HH (what does this mean?)
SI: 5.0 (what does this mean?)

The Wilson Team Blade Junior 26 is as follow:
Head Size 100 sq in
String Pattern 16x19
Unstrung Balance 31.5CM/5 Pts HL
Unstrung Weight 250 g
Length 26 in - 66 cm

He also progressed from Orange dot balls to green dots which might be a bit heavy for him?? Will that have a bigger impact than the racquet maybe?

Orange dot as basically flat balls. Green Dot are slightly flat balls. Is he large for his age or?

7 points Head heavy is another way to say where the balance point is...which basically says how much of the weight is in the head of the racquet. It means the racquet is harder to start swinging and will have extra momentum after the swing.

You are changing his swing way to much....you went from a racquet which is likely slightly head light to one that is very head heavy. It is oversized and extended to boot. This is before taking into account string. You might be able to borrow a 25 and see how he plays, play with the 26... I might move him to a Head Gravity Juniors 26 and see if it helps.

Head IG Gravity Junior 26" 2021 Racquet | Tennis Warehouse

www.tennis-warehouse.com

One of the more affordable junior frames and a good in-between option. After that they are mainly colorways to look like pro player racquets and therefore cost a little more... I would just let him get the one he sees others using or the player he likes. The one that tends to mater most is the first adult frame.

 

[badmice2]

Stiffness + Balance is likely killing your junior's arm and shoulder. I would look into more arm friendly racket as a starter. If he's looking to go full size, you should look into any of the Lite/S version (Head), UL/L (Wilson), or L/Lite (Yonex). Ideally racket specs are within the range of even balance or 2-6 pt head light, 290-305 grams, 60-65ish RDC.

I also would steer away from poly strings, very rarely will these juniors will need the power and control these strings provide. If anything, you want them to learn to swing for power and control on their own terms.

 

[esgee48]

SI is Wilson's Swing Index. 5 means your kid has to swing the frame to hit the ball over the net. Higher number means they need longer strokes.

 

[hadoken]

Your son simply might be playing too much. How much time is he on the court?

Do not go back to a 25". 26" should be just about right (that's what my son used when he was 9). My son switched to a 26" at age 9 1/2 and used that for like 6 months and then jumped to a 27" at age 10. It was a little adjustment period but after that he has done quite well. My son uses a 4 1/8 grip, 100 sq in frame, 260 grams strung. Your old Ncode is way too big for his hands. I have seen kids age 9 easily play with a 27" frame so long as it's light enough that they can generate head speed and the grips size is small.

What strings did you use on the Blade? I would discourage poly and strictly use synthetic gut. My son likes it strung low to get a nice 'trampoline' effect.

 

[Lorenn]

Your son simply might be playing too much. How much time is he on the court?

Do not go back to a 25". 26" should be just about right (that's what my son used when he was 9). My son switched to a 26" at age 9 1/2 and used that for like 6 months and then jumped to a 27" at age 10. It was a little adjustment period but after that he has done quite well. My son uses a 4 1/8 grip, 100 sq in frame, 260 grams strung. Your old Ncode is way too big for his hands. I have seen kids age 9 easily play with a 27" frame so long as it's light enough that they can generate head speed and the grips size is small.

What strings did you use on the Blade? I would discourage poly and strictly use synthetic gut. My son likes it strung low to get a nice 'trampoline' effect.

I agree I do think 26 is the right size. Slightly worried about the blade 26, but not sure if it is old dead string or maybe slightly too much weight. Gravity Junior 26 is a little lighter. If you have to go 27...Speed Lite...a little Heavier Speed MP lite. Wilson Ultra 100UL/L... a little down the line options open up above 10 ounces. Babolat Pure Drive Lite etc...

 

[ChanterRacquet]

The TT100L (260) has a swingweight of 314 which puts it out of contention in my opinion. I own one, too much for many 9 yo kids to serve with. Whereas a PD Lite at 300 may still be out, depends on the kiddo.

Until they’re playing with yellow balls, I don’t see much reason to worry about spending money, cause that’s all you’re doing. A 26”racquet is just like any other 26” racquet when you’re hitting a green dot. Move to 27” when they starting hitting yellow.

 

[Purestriker]

I find it hard to believe that ncode has remotely the correct grip size. Look on the buttcap, there’s no way it says L0, or just 0, which is the smallest size (sort of) at 4” circumference. Kid racquets can go down to 3 3/4” or similar.

Anyways, on the balance HH means Head Heavy, so more of the racquet’s mass is in the head, not the handle. While you list some stats, the most important you are missing is swingweight which indicates how hard a racquet is to swing. This is related to the distribution of the static weight throughout the frame and the balance. The more weight in the head, the higher the swingweight. That it’s head heavy means a higher swingweight than an even balance or head light balance. So you’ve completely switched the balance from HL to HH going from 26 to ncode even though same weight (~250 g), so the racquet is going to be much harder to swing. Also that ncode is a 1/4” longer than a standard adult racquet (just 27”) which adds that much more swingweight increase because the head mass is that much farther away from the hand.

Most definitely step it back down to the 26, if not the 25. Pain = no gain in tennis. Nice racquets can’t be played when you’re injured. The 25 isn’t beneath your kid. There’s plenty of time, green dot are used for a while longer yet. No point in going full size anytime soon. Develop those correct strokes on a racquet that can be accurately maneuvered because it’s sized appropriately.

I agree. That racket is way to heavy of a swing weight for a 9 year old. My son didn't move to an full size racket (Yonex UL) until he was 12 and its swing weight is 270.

 

[Lorenn]

The TT100L (260) has a swingweight of 314 which puts it out of contention in my opinion. I own one, too much for many 9 yo kids to serve with. Whereas a PD Lite at 300 may still be out, depends on the kiddo.

Prince was likely to far...trying to think of close to neutral light racquets. I agree overall that a 26 should be the right choice, just not sure how I feel about the pain experienced with current 26. Second racquet(n code) was likely grip size/balance issues. In my day we just used standard adult racquets with much higher weight and swing weight. PD lite was mentioned as a option down the road Removed the Prince as a suggestion.