Looking for a good way to stay in shape and have fun? Try tennis. Whether you join a team at school, are a member of a club with an organized league, or you just like to head out to the public courts once in a while, tennis is an easy game to start playing. Just get yourself some tennis shoes, a racquet, and a friend, and you're ready to go. 

To help prevent injuries, follow these tennis safety guidelines.

Staying Safe and Preventing Injuries

Do I Need Safety Gear to Play Tennis?

While on the court, it's important to have tennis safety gear, such as:

Racquet

Talk to a trained professional at a tennis specialty store to make sure you get a racquet that's right for your size and skill level. Using a racquet that is too light or too heavy can increase your risk of shoulder and elbow injuries. Likewise, a racquet with the wrong grip size or the wrong amount of tension in the strings can be hard on your wrists and arms.

Sneakers

Be sure to get shoes specifically designed for tennis and the court surface. Tennis shoes should support your heel and help keep your ankle from rolling or sliding side to side. Also, if you play on courts made of asphalt, concrete, or other hard surfaces, heel inserts may decrease the stress on your lower back.

Socks

Choose socks made from synthetic fabrics rather than cotton; these will help keep your feet dry and prevent blisters. For added support, consider wearing two pairs of socks or specially padded tennis socks.

How Can I Stay Safe During Training?

Getting Ready to Play

Get a sports physical before starting any training program. Most schools won't let you participate unless you've had a sports physical within the past year. And being in good shape can help you avoid injuries.

It's always important to warm up and stretch before practice and matches. Learn the rules of the game and use proper technique. If you have questions about your technique, take a lesson from a trained instructor.

Stop training if you get hurt or feel pain. Get checked by an athletic trainer, coach, doctor, or nurse before going back to training.

Play different sports throughout the year to prevent overuse injuries.

Playing It Safe

To play tennis safely, make sure the court is in good condition and isn't wet.

In addition, have a first aid kit available for all practices and games. Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and wear a hat if you play outside. Drink plenty of water during and after play and give yourself time off to rest between matches and training sessions to avoid overuse injuries.

Safety in Other Sports

Safety matters whether you're playing tennis or doing another athletic activity. To help prevent injuries in other sports, check out these articles:

• Swimming Safety Tips
• Soccer Safety Tips
• Bike Safety Tips
• Running Safety Tips