Tennis coaches need a few obvious things which include access to a decent tennis court with a decent net, a few tennis rackets and plenty of tennis balls. In the piece, we look at more than a dozen pieces of equipment a tennis coach needs to ensure he can impart the best of his knowledge to his or her pupils.
Ideally, the tennis court should be part of a club, so that while the coach is coaching, other players can practice on other tennis courts. There must be access to water, the loo, and an indoor section or storage space for the tennis equipment.
Let’s take a look at what pieces of tennis equipment are pretty important.
1. Good-Quality Tennis Racquets
Any tennis coach will tell you that they need to have a few tennis racquets, and a few of different sizes and weights.
The coach should have two racquets, just in case the strings break during a coaching session, and given that players strings are going to break from time to time too, a coach should be able to lend a racquet to a player, in a ‘coaching emergency.’
2. Plenty of Tennis Balls
It is not fun for anyone to have to keep collecting tennis balls. An ample supply of tennis balls makes it easier for the coach and the player. Most tennis coaches have a basket in which to keep tennis balls (a necessary piece of equipment, see point number 3) or have a tennis ball machine which also stores the balls.
It is important to note that you are going to need a variety of tennis balls too.
For your really good player, you want to use balls that they will be playing with in tournaments or competitions. For brand new players, you want to use balls that are good quality but maybe brighter in colour.
For young, young players, foam tennis balls are an option. And it is important to note that you may be coaching someone older, or with a disability – jingle balls are good for hard of hearing players. Think about it and always, be prepared!
3. A Tennis Basket or Pick-Up Hopper
All good tennis coaches have a lot of tennis balls and yes, they need a basket to carry them in, safely and easily.
It looks pretty professional too, nobody wants to see tennis balls in plastic packets or such! A basket like the Wilson Pick Up Hopper is fantastic as you can store balls in it, and use it to pick balls up.
No more bending over and breaking your back!
There are also fabulous tennis ball carry carts, like a shopping trolley but sturdier and perfect to store loads of tennis balls and also, won’t damage the surface of a tennis court.
4. Tennis Cones
These are especially helpful for tennis coaches when teaching new tennis players. Cones can be placed in specific parts of the tennis court for various reasons.
A cone can be put in the service box, helping the player know where he or she should be aiming. A cone can be put near the players foot, if they are struggling with their footwork, as a guideline where to step during a forehand or a backhand.
Cones can be used for all aspects of tennis coaching, and you all have learned this as a coach already! Get a few tennis cones.
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5. A Tennis Ball Machine
Most tennis coaches use tennis ball machines, some fancy and some pretty ordinary. A tennis ball machine is hugely helpful, and not just for professional players or for solo players.
A ball machine helps the player develop a wide range of tennis shots, as well as being exposed to a wide range of tennis shots.
Because tennis ball machines are quick, and remember the tennis coach uses it, sets it and adjusts it, the player is facing forehands, backhands, volleys, lobs, and at a good pace.
It’s easier on the coach although it certainly does not replace the coach, it just opens up the game of tennis in a wider variety of ways.
Tennis ball machine can be as simple or as advanced as your budget. A tennis ball machine is an investment and so you do want to get one that is hardy, will last a long time, is portable and easy to move around.
Tennis ball machines may be the biggest investment you are going to make as a tennis coach, so get a good one.
6. A Tennis Rebounder
A tennis rebounder is a wonderful piece of equipment that players can use while the coach is still teaching someone else, or focusing on someone else. If a player is early for his lesson, or wants to hang around after the lesson, a tennis rebounder is excellent for solo practice.
Tennis rebounders are not just about practice though. They are excellent, and again as a coach you may want to use cones with them, to develop stroke, work on footwork, and as exercise tools.
Apart from that, they are fun!
They are typically light, easy to set up, portable, and can be used anywhere. After the tennis court, racket, balls and cones, a rebounder, which is not too expensive, is a really good piece of equipment.
7. Agility Training Tennis Ladder
As a tennis coach, you can use them for individual lessons or for group lessons. They help with physical fitness and agility, and for a player to be a really good tennis player, they need to be fit and be able to spend hours on the court for those matches that go to three or five sets.
Watch the video below to get an idea of the numerous drills you can use with a tennis ladder, noting that if you are teaching groups, some players can use the ladder while you are coaching others.
8. Sweet Spot Trainers
Check out this video and you can see how the sweet spot trainer works, and hit that sweet spot over and over again. It’s a device that fits over your racquet, encouraging you to hit the ball directly in the centre of your racquet each and every time.
9. Donuts
These are fab, and inexpensive, as well as long lasting. Donuts, round circles that you place on the court in strategic positions, help immensely with footwork and speed.
They are also great for fun and fitness, so can be used for all level tennis players.
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10. Start Right Grip Trainers
This is a small piece of tennis equipment but it really helps with a player learning the continental grip for tennis. It’s really easy to use. While it was designed to help with the continental grip, it can in fact help with learning a whole lot of various grips.
11. The Serving Sock
The serving sock is an unusual piece of tennis equipment, extremely low in price but oddly, extremely useful. It’s good to help tennis players get into a rhythm and flow for their tennis serve.
The serving sock is the same length as a tennis racquet, it’s easy to use, and the aim is to keep working on the throwing and serve motion, without actually hitting anything. You also can’t hit your back! It’s all about fluidity, and the pretty cool thing here is that a player can use a tennis sock at home too.
The video below explains how it is used.
12. Tennis Target Nets
These (they usually come in packs of two) are great training aids. You place them on the net (look at the visual in the link) using velcro and the player has to aim to get the ball between the hole in the target.
They are easy to use, easy to attach, and easy to store. Excellent for players of all levels, and they make tennis practice and tennis coaching fun.
13. Pre Stroke Trainer
This is really great for warming up. Players can use it before they get on the court to start their lesson, and it’s a cool thing to use while they’re waiting for their lesson to start.
A coach can also use it on the court to help players warm up and perfect their strokes. There are a few different trainers on the market, including toss trainers, flex trainers and elbow trainers, so you may want to buy in bulk.
They’re not expensive and are always useful training tennis aids to have.
14. Billie Jean King’s Eye Coach
This may well be every tennis coach’s dream piece of equipment. It does come with a price but the good news is that provided you look after it, it is going to last you a lifetime.
It’s all about keeping the eye on the ball, and if you are a tennis coach, or a player, you will have heard this more times that you care to admit. KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL!! Well, you can do this by using the Billie Jean King Eye coach.
It comes with good instructions and a video showing you the many ways you can use it. You can buy this from most big sports stores, but you will find it online too.
Read more about why you should use the Billie Jean King’s Eye Coach here.
When it comes to tennis training aids or tennis training equipment, you must think about who you are coaching, the age group and the level.
If you are coaching a group, adults or teens, something like the Billie Jean Eye Coach can be an incredible tool, because it allows you to coach many at the same time, and keep up the speed. It’s a multi functional piece of equipment. Read the instructions and take your time over the videos.
In addition to the above, there are other tennis training tools that are good for a coach to have.
These include:
- Skipping Ropes
- Resistance Bands
- Weights
- A Pilates Ball or Gym Ball
- A Yoga Mat (for Stretching)
As you start your tennis coaching career, you will probably have just a few tennis coaching aids. As you improve, and grow your practice or tennis academy, you will start investing in more tennis equipment. You don’t have to have the fanciest or the most expensive tennis equipment on the market; you only have to have tennis equipment that works!