Tennis is a demanding sport. Whether you are a competitive tennis player or just a ‘weekend warrior’, you already understand how difficult it can be to play your best tennis over a period of two sets or more. The game is hard on your body, requiring your ankles, knees, arms, elbows, lungs, and more to work hard in order to play well. By the end of a tennis match, most players simply want to sit down and take a break! You certainly know the feeling of giving everything you have on the tennis court only to crumple into your chair when it is all said and done.

One of the commonly overlooked challenges that tennis players face during both practice and matches is maintaining a proper grip between their hand and the racket. You obviously need to have a good grip on the racket in order to hit quality shots, but how do you keep that grip? What do you do if your hands get sore, or you start to lose traction? One of the best ways to maintain your grip and keep your hand healthy is through the use of tennis overgrip.

Simply put, an overgrip is a product that gets wrapped around the existing grip on your tennis racket. There are a variety of overgrips on the market, each of them designed to help you maintain control over the racket while you are serving, rallying, volleying, and more. Even a slight slip between your hand and the grip of the racket can easily lead to a lost point, so it is important that a firm connection is made.

When you use an overgrip, you will gain confidence and freedom knowing that you have a great grip on the racket throughout your match. While overgrip is a useful product for all tennis players, it is particularly important for those who sweat profusely during a match. As the day wears on, the standard grip that comes on your racket is probably not going to allow your sweaty hand to hold on tight. An overgrip, by contrast, will manage the moisture and still allow you to play your best.

There are two things that will take you off of the tennis court faster than anything else – problems with your feet, and problems with your hands. If you develop blisters on your feet, you won’t be able to run around the court for long. In much the same way, you won’t be able to play for long if you develop blisters on your hands. You need to keep the skin on your hands well-protected, especially if you play a lot of tennis. Blisters are no fun!

A good overgrip is a great step toward protecting your hands while you play. It is a loss of friction that actually causes blisters in the first place, as the rubbing of the grip against your hand while it slips is what irritates your skin. When you keep a good grip shot after shot, you will be far less likely to develop blisters – no matter how much you play.

No matter what kind of grip you use on your tennis racket, it is sure to wear out over time. One of the best things you can do for your game is replace the grip on your racket regularly – a task that is simple when you use overgrip. Once the current wrap of overgrip is worn out, simply pull it off and apply a new strip. With a little bit of practice, this is a process that you can complete in just a couple of minutes. In fact, many players are able to replace their overgrip during a match if they notice that they are starting to lose control of the racket.

Since overgrip is a relatively inexpensive product, you don’t have to worry about breaking the bank each time you need a new wrap. By keeping a roll or two of your favorite overgrip in your tennis bag at all times, you will be prepared incase a grip-related problem comes up while you are on the court. As a general rule of thumb, you should probably replace your overgrip every couple of weeks, if you play regularly. Of course, that will vary from player to player, so keep a close eye on the condition of the grip and react accordingly. Remember, however, that it does take a little bit of practice to apply overgrip to your racket correctly, so teach yourself this skill at home before you attempt it before or during a match.

One of the great things about tennis is that it doesn’t require much equipment. With a good pair of shoes, a racket, and a fresh can of balls, you can hit the court and have a great time with your friends. With that said, it is important to take good care of the equipment you do have. For your racket, that means monitoring the condition of the strings and applying a fresh overgrip on a regular basis. With the right overgrip between your hands and the racket, you will be ready to hit winners all match long!