Wood rackets as coaching tools
A smaller sweet spot and little more weight can be useful
Posted Wednesday, October 1, 2025
by Stephen Murphy
With the launch of our Junior Slam ‘Graduate Trainer’, it’s timely to ask how a wood racket could be used as a coaching tool.
One highly qualified and experienced coach says he can easily identify several uses for a wood racket on the coaching court.
Most obviously, he says, using the smaller head and sweet spot to improve tracking of the ball.
Using the heavier weight to promote hitting more ‘through the ball’, where this would improve a swing.
On standard volleys, using the weight to help shorten swings that are too long.
Using the weight to teach the single-handed slice backhand swing shape, where it’s a ‘unit swing’ and a firmer wrist is needed.
Speeding up a player’s racket work in reflex situations by training with a heavier racket.
Our coach says putting a wood racket in a student’s hand is just another way of manipulating the environment to help achieve a desired outcome.
“A coach can manipulate the scoring system, the court shape, the balls – anything – including the racket – to help the student experience and learn the desired change,” he said.
Readers may have their own ideas, which we would love to hear about. After all, coaching is a creative art!
A Slam ‘Graduate Trainer’ (top) with the standard version.