What Tension Should Junior Players Use?

It’s About Fundamentals — Not Age

A question many parents ask:

“My child has been training for a few years… should we move up to 26–28 lbs?”

It sounds logical.
More years = higher tension.

But in practice, that approach often does more harm than good.

Choosing the wrong tension doesn’t just affect performance —
it shapes how a child develops their technique.

The Most Common Mistake

Many junior players are pushed into higher tension too early.

Usually because of reasons like:

• “They’ve been training long enough”
• “Everyone else in the group uses high tension”
• “It sounds better and more professional”

But none of these actually reflect what matters most:

Whether the child has the technical foundation to support it.

What You Should Really Look At

Instead of focusing on age or training years, watch how the child plays.

Ask a few simple questions:

• Can they clear from the rear court without forcing?
• Does their swing look smooth or tense?
• Is the shuttle coming off the racket cleanly?
• Are they using their whole body — or just muscling the shot?

If the movement is not stable yet, higher tension will not fix it.

It will expose it.

How Tension Shapes Technique

This is where many people underestimate the long-term impact.

Lower Tension

• Easier shuttle release
• Less physical strain
• Allows focus on footwork and swing mechanics

This environment helps build correct muscle memory.

Higher Tension

• Requires more force on every shot
• Reduces margin for error
• Punishes imperfect timing

Young players often respond by:

• Forcing the swing
• Overusing the arm and shoulder
• Developing inefficient movement patterns

Over time, these habits become difficult to correct.

A Practical Guideline (Based on Fundamentals)

Instead of age, think in levels of development:

Level 1 — Fundamentals Not Yet Stable

• String gauge: 0.65–0.68mm
• Tension: 19–21 lbs

Focus:
Learning clean technique and consistent contact.

Level 2 — Fundamentals Developing

• String gauge: 0.63–0.66mm
• Tension: 21–23 lbs

Focus:
Improving control while maintaining ease of play.

Level 3 — Stable Technique / Some Competition Experience

• String gauge: 0.63–0.66mm
• Tension: 22–24 (up to 25) lbs

Focus:
Refining precision without sacrificing efficiency.

A Simple Principle to Remember

Lower tension builds technique.
Higher tension demands technique.

If you reverse that order, progress slows down.

Final Thought

Don’t be afraid of lower tension for junior players.

A well-strung racket at moderate tension can still feel:

• Solid
• Responsive
• Controlled

What truly matters is not how “professional” the number looks —

but whether it helps the child build good habits.

Because in the long run:

Technique is far more valuable than tension.