5 Reasons Having The Right Gear Makes a Difference in Sports

It is often said that a craftsman is only as good as the quality of his tools. The same can be said about athletes. Ask any athlete about the importance of his gear and he will testify that it matters a great deal. This is precisely why the world's best athletes are willing to pay top dollar for elite equipment.

Find the Right Tennis Racquet Each tennis racquet is unique.

The racquet you prefer might be completely different than the one used by your doubles partner. Don't settle on a racquet until you have held a number of different models in your hands. Each tennis racquet has a myriad of idiosyncrasies. From the head size to the weight, grip and strings, there are all sorts of nuances to consider. Perhaps you prefer a large racquet head that is fairly heavy with tight strings and an ultra-soft grip. Another player might favor a lighter racquet as it helps execute a desired swing path with ease. Even the racquet's distribution of weight is critically important. Some rackets have more weight toward the head while others are heavier toward the handle. If possible, try out an array of different racquets so you can figure out which is most comfortable. Once you've decided on the ideal racquet, you will undoubtedly reap the rewards on the court.

Racquet Strings Really do Make a Difference

The typical tennis novice assumes that all racquet strings are created equal. This is a common misconception. There are many different types of strings to choose from. Racquet strings are made with different materials like polyester, multifilaments and synthetic material. In general, synthetic strings are fairly cheap yet quite comfortable. The polyester variety provide more power and tend to last longer than other varieties. Yet comfort is typically sacrificed to allow for the increased power and durability. Multifilament strings are a happy medium between polyester and synthetic. Try each type of string to determine which is the best for your game before making a commitment. Furthermore, consider the tension of your racquet's strings. If you feel as though the ball isn't popping off of your racquet as desired, consult with a tennis stringer to ramp up the strings' tension.

Don't Overlook the Value of Overgrips

If you play tennis with the grip that came on your racquet, you are not alone. The vast majority of people don't give a second thought to the quality or feel of their racquet's grip. Consider adding an overgrip to prevent blisters on your hands. An overgrip's enhancement of feeling and friction will also help you control the racquet as intended. Apply an overgrip to your racquet's handle and you just might find that it no longer spins in your hands after executing shots. It is also worth noting that an overgrip can help your serve. Plenty of standard grips do not react well to the presence of sweat, causing the hand to slide, especially during the vertical serving motion.

Vibration Dampeners can Make a Difference in Your Game

If you take a close look at the racquets of veteran tennis players, you might notice a small colorful object toward the center-bottom of the strings. This is a vibration dampener. Add a high-quality vibration dampener to your racquet's strings and it will provide a muted feeling that enhances comfort. Its presence has the potential to make the game of tennis much more enjoyable.

Sweat the Small Stuff

Plenty of tennis beginners believe that any old tennis balls and sneakers will suffice. The truth is that these seemingly minor subtleties really do make a big difference in the quality of your play. Try out different brands of tennis balls to determine which bounce to your standards. Some might last longer than others in terms of long-term bounce-ability. Make the transition from a pair of basketball or running sneakers to true tennis sneakers and your agility will likely improve. Perhaps more importantly, the right pair of tennis sneakers will prevent the formation of painful callouses and blisters.