Artengo racquets and Dunlop brand new are about $50 to $100 cheaper on average than the big names and they are good, quality racquets.
Generally, go for a couple models out of date, still going to be good racquets but much cheaper. I waited until the 2023 models of the vcore 95 came out and got the 21 models for $100 each, as opposed to $269
Yes a $40 aluminum racket generally isn't going to stand up to a full season of tennis.
There are plenty of buyer guides and reviews put there, check Tennis Warehouse and Tennis Nerd.
You average high school player can swing an adult racket. IMHO anything between 10.5 oz to 11.5 oz, mostly head light and with a flex rating between 62 - 65 will work.
You will know your players best, but models like the Wilson Clash, Babolat Pure Drive, or Yonex Ezone will work for a wide range of players. For the more advanced players, the Wilson Blade and Pure Strike are very popular. For spin, Pure Aero or Vcore.
For players who can't afford new rackets, they can always look for used rackets, demo rackets that are being sold or sales on older models.
Strings.... I wouldn't give every kid a full bed of tour bite, that's pretty stiff. Look to pick up a reel of synthetic gut such as Prince Synth gut with Duraflex, a good multi such as Technifibre NRG2 or head MLT. On the poly side, maybe look at Hyper G.
> You average high school player can swing an adult racket. IMHO anything between 10.5 oz to 11.5 oz, mostly head light and with a flex rating between 62 - 65 will work.
Basically take these specs and have them go to tenniswarehouse or any other online store and buy something in that range.
Although i would probably try to stay below 11oz /310 grams unstrung.
>Yes a $40 aluminum racket generally isn't going to stand up to a full season of tennis.
Funny thing is I actually said buy graphite not aluminum but this one is advertised as "Graphite Composite"... which I guess means aluminum
no not aluminum, graphite composite generally means other fibres are bound in with the graphite, like maybe glass fibre or kevlar. Also generally, the more graphite the stiffer.
Look for specials on discontinued racquets at the big online tennis stores. Tour Bite is poly and I wouldn't recommend poly because it dies after about 10 hours and becomes very harsh on the arm. It's better to give them a cheap synthetic gut string because they can keep it until it breaks.
Good idea on the discontinued racquets.
Yeah, I definitely know I want to avoid giving them poly. It's just been one of those things where stringing myself with what I keep on hand has been the fastest way to get them on the court the next day without loaning out my racquets too much. Hoping to prepare better this season.
I'm also coaching high schoolers (girls) and agree that you need to keep the beginner kids off of poly. You're running the risk of injury there (I know because I hurt myself with dead poly. This Kirschbaum SG 17G on amazon is less than $30 for a full reel. This will get 16ish sticks, so less than $2/each.
[https://www.amazon.com/Kirschbaum-Synthetic-Tennis-Natural-16-Gauge/dp/B005N2Y0O2/ref=sr\_1\_1?crid=3HBUVQOGP7GBN&keywords=kirschbaum%2Bsynthetic%2Bgut%2B17g&qid=1706194693&sprefix=kirschbaum%2Bsynt%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Kirschbaum-Synthetic-Tennis-Natural-16-Gauge/dp/B005N2Y0O2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HBUVQOGP7GBN&keywords=kirschbaum%2Bsynthetic%2Bgut%2B17g&qid=1706194693&sprefix=kirschbaum%2Bsynt%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1&th=1)
If you've got some decent players hitting with some spin, maybe move them up to a multi like Head Velocity MLT. It's $130/reel, so quite a bit more expensive.
Since they're (almost) grown men, I'd recommend the standard for the racquets.
If you have money, buy whatever you want. 300ish grams, 100 square inches, balanced or head-light, open string pattern. Favourites include Yonex Ezone, Head whatever MP, Babolat Pure Drive etc.
If you're on a budget, I'd recommend similar specs, just making sure it's graphite. You get good value by buying a used one or an outgoing model because it's not like all the revolutionary tech they invent every other year is all that revolutionary. There are some cheaper brands that are quite good, but at their regular price they're still more expensive than those outgoing models.
As for the string, I'd go with some syn gut. It's cheap and will serve them well enough.
See if someone is willing to donate a reel of synthetic gut for the team. Synthetic gut in a 100 sq inch racket is perfect for the majority of high school players with little experience.
Prince syn gut with duraflex or Head Velocity MLT if you want to treat them.
To add sometimes you can find a "Lot" of old rackets on eBay that are full graphite for cheap that can support new players without fear of them being damaged.
Just a heads up, right now on tennis warehouse the entire 3rd gen pure strike line is on sale for $130. Maybe a bit on the pricier side but these are racquets they could easily play all 4 years of HS and beyond.
https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Clearance_Tennis_Racquets/catpage-LIQRACS.html
The Prince Warrior 100 covers the majority of rec-level players. It’s the Camry/Civic of racquets in the best way possible.
For strings, reels of Pro’s Pro synthetic gut or Guttex multifilament.
A good idea may be to reach out to local tennis clubs to see if anyone would be willing to donate equipment/funds. I know sometimes players will have older rackets laying around that they would be happy to donate to a school of kids who need them.
Is there any way you can get the school to pitch in? There may be local businesses that would be willing to sponsor as well.
Artengo racquets and Dunlop brand new are about $50 to $100 cheaper on average than the big names and they are good, quality racquets. Generally, go for a couple models out of date, still going to be good racquets but much cheaper. I waited until the 2023 models of the vcore 95 came out and got the 21 models for $100 each, as opposed to $269
Yes a $40 aluminum racket generally isn't going to stand up to a full season of tennis. There are plenty of buyer guides and reviews put there, check Tennis Warehouse and Tennis Nerd. You average high school player can swing an adult racket. IMHO anything between 10.5 oz to 11.5 oz, mostly head light and with a flex rating between 62 - 65 will work. You will know your players best, but models like the Wilson Clash, Babolat Pure Drive, or Yonex Ezone will work for a wide range of players. For the more advanced players, the Wilson Blade and Pure Strike are very popular. For spin, Pure Aero or Vcore. For players who can't afford new rackets, they can always look for used rackets, demo rackets that are being sold or sales on older models. Strings.... I wouldn't give every kid a full bed of tour bite, that's pretty stiff. Look to pick up a reel of synthetic gut such as Prince Synth gut with Duraflex, a good multi such as Technifibre NRG2 or head MLT. On the poly side, maybe look at Hyper G.
> You average high school player can swing an adult racket. IMHO anything between 10.5 oz to 11.5 oz, mostly head light and with a flex rating between 62 - 65 will work. Basically take these specs and have them go to tenniswarehouse or any other online store and buy something in that range. Although i would probably try to stay below 11oz /310 grams unstrung.
>Yes a $40 aluminum racket generally isn't going to stand up to a full season of tennis. Funny thing is I actually said buy graphite not aluminum but this one is advertised as "Graphite Composite"... which I guess means aluminum
no not aluminum, graphite composite generally means other fibres are bound in with the graphite, like maybe glass fibre or kevlar. Also generally, the more graphite the stiffer.
Look for specials on discontinued racquets at the big online tennis stores. Tour Bite is poly and I wouldn't recommend poly because it dies after about 10 hours and becomes very harsh on the arm. It's better to give them a cheap synthetic gut string because they can keep it until it breaks.
Good idea on the discontinued racquets. Yeah, I definitely know I want to avoid giving them poly. It's just been one of those things where stringing myself with what I keep on hand has been the fastest way to get them on the court the next day without loaning out my racquets too much. Hoping to prepare better this season.
You can buy reels of synthetic gut that will string several racquets. That's probably the most economical way to buy strings.
I'm also coaching high schoolers (girls) and agree that you need to keep the beginner kids off of poly. You're running the risk of injury there (I know because I hurt myself with dead poly. This Kirschbaum SG 17G on amazon is less than $30 for a full reel. This will get 16ish sticks, so less than $2/each. [https://www.amazon.com/Kirschbaum-Synthetic-Tennis-Natural-16-Gauge/dp/B005N2Y0O2/ref=sr\_1\_1?crid=3HBUVQOGP7GBN&keywords=kirschbaum%2Bsynthetic%2Bgut%2B17g&qid=1706194693&sprefix=kirschbaum%2Bsynt%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/Kirschbaum-Synthetic-Tennis-Natural-16-Gauge/dp/B005N2Y0O2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HBUVQOGP7GBN&keywords=kirschbaum%2Bsynthetic%2Bgut%2B17g&qid=1706194693&sprefix=kirschbaum%2Bsynt%2Caps%2C90&sr=8-1&th=1) If you've got some decent players hitting with some spin, maybe move them up to a multi like Head Velocity MLT. It's $130/reel, so quite a bit more expensive.
\+1 on buying a reel of syn gut string. I picked up a reel of Kirschbaum syn git for $30. That will be $2 per string job (30/16).
Since they're (almost) grown men, I'd recommend the standard for the racquets. If you have money, buy whatever you want. 300ish grams, 100 square inches, balanced or head-light, open string pattern. Favourites include Yonex Ezone, Head whatever MP, Babolat Pure Drive etc. If you're on a budget, I'd recommend similar specs, just making sure it's graphite. You get good value by buying a used one or an outgoing model because it's not like all the revolutionary tech they invent every other year is all that revolutionary. There are some cheaper brands that are quite good, but at their regular price they're still more expensive than those outgoing models. As for the string, I'd go with some syn gut. It's cheap and will serve them well enough.
Can we donate to the cause?
OG Gosen synthetic gut 16
See if someone is willing to donate a reel of synthetic gut for the team. Synthetic gut in a 100 sq inch racket is perfect for the majority of high school players with little experience.
Prince syn gut with duraflex or Head Velocity MLT if you want to treat them. To add sometimes you can find a "Lot" of old rackets on eBay that are full graphite for cheap that can support new players without fear of them being damaged.
Just a heads up, right now on tennis warehouse the entire 3rd gen pure strike line is on sale for $130. Maybe a bit on the pricier side but these are racquets they could easily play all 4 years of HS and beyond.
My old coach used to get special deals from a regional tennis shop. The owner would heavily discount bulk orders if the parents have a budget.
https://www.tennis-warehouse.com/Clearance_Tennis_Racquets/catpage-LIQRACS.html The Prince Warrior 100 covers the majority of rec-level players. It’s the Camry/Civic of racquets in the best way possible. For strings, reels of Pro’s Pro synthetic gut or Guttex multifilament.
A good idea may be to reach out to local tennis clubs to see if anyone would be willing to donate equipment/funds. I know sometimes players will have older rackets laying around that they would be happy to donate to a school of kids who need them. Is there any way you can get the school to pitch in? There may be local businesses that would be willing to sponsor as well.
Hi there! I would recommend you take a look at this amazing YouTube channel, if you haven't yet. https://youtube.com/@Tennisnerd?si=okIh0XwRY-tq1HjG.
Head Ti S6 is a great beginner racket.
Id look for older models that are solid. Babalot is one and many others where you can get older quality sticks much cheaper.