Beginning tennis can be a bit strange for kids. After all, there’s a lot of jargon in the field, and jargon that they’re going to need to learn quickly if they want to get anywhere. But one of the earliest that you’ll hear is the overgrip- so what is it, and do kids need to worry about it?

What Is An Overgrip?

To anyone that’s never heard of it before, an overgrip is the tape around the bottom of your racquet. Most store models come with their own grips, but you’ll want to apply your own to fit your hand and playstyle. Kids love getting new, bright, and colorful equipment for sports, and overgrips can come in lots of different styles and patterns, so it’ll be both functional and really cool for your kid to have.

But Do Kids Really Need One?

Do kids need hands to play tennis? It sounds like the answer is yes. In addition to helping personalize your child’s racquet, an overgrip performs one very simple, and very crucial, job- protecting the hand from blisters as you play. If you want your kid to get soured on tennis very quickly, they don’t need an overgrip- they just need more playtime. But if you want your kid to continue being happy, you’re going to want a good overgrip to avoid those nasty blisters that can develop at the slightest provocation. Even better, an overgrip can help prevent the racquet from slipping out of your kid’s grip during the match, which can also cause some annoying injuries.

Overgrips: The Good And The Bad

In today’s markets, a three-pack of Wilson brand overgrips runs about five to seven dollars. That’s pretty good, considering how expensive a lot of other equipment is. And if it’s going to save your kid’s hands, it’s an important investment.