Buying Tennis Shoes: A Parent's Guide

Tennis shoes are made especially for the game of tennis and differ from other shoes because they provide the extra lateral support that players need to protect them serious injury from as a result of all of the sideways starts and stops involved in the sport.

When buying tennis shoes, here are some tips for parents to keep in mind:

• Lateral Support. Make sure there is a strong lateral support for your feet to reduce the risk of ankle sprains or even more serious injuries such as ruptured Achilles tendons.

• Arch Support. Make sure the shoe provides sufficient arch support; otherwise, you will be dealing with many foot issues as yoru child moves up the competitive ladder.

• Traction. Tennis shoes are subjected to a lot of abuse because players are constantly hitting the ground hard and if her shoes don't provide enough traction and grip, the shoes will get worn out very fast and you will find yourself having to replace shoes more frequently.

Remember, that, like every other kind of athletic shoe, tennis shoes need toe put on a replacement schedule and periodically replaced, even if the bottom sole shows no sign of excessive wear.  How often will depend on how often your child plays.  If she plays 5 to 6 times a week, she should ideally be buying a new pair of shoes every month.  For those who play 2 to 3 times per week, shoes should be replaced every 3 to 4 months.

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