Gopher Midsize Aluminum Tennis Racquet
Control the power and placement of shots easily with these tennis racquets for beginners and teach students good form as they get acclimated with the game. Their lightweight construction, midsized head design, and standard length are perfect for honing the fundamentals of both offense and defense. They’re our most affordable full-sized racquets!
Specifications
- Midsized Head, Wide Body
- Aluminum w/ I-Beam Frame
- Synthetic Leather Grip
- Nylon or Coated-Steel Strings
- 27”L, 12 oz
Balanced Design
A lightweight 27”L aluminum frame is effortless to maneuver. A 95 in2 midsized head and 23 mm beam combine to create accuracy in every swing. Synthetic leather on the grip improves control and reduces slips.
Choose nylon strings for responsiveness in all forms of play or thinner coated-steel strings for lasting tension and years of use.
Ideal for Intermediate Players
Because these tennis racquets are the perfect marriage of affordability and balance, they make an ideal introductory racquet for middle school and junior high players.
Long-lasting aluminum construction and your choice of steel or nylon strings make this racquet an unparalleled choice for institutional learning. And, at our lowest price point, it offers fantastic value without sacrificing quality and reliability.
15 Skill-Based Activities Using the Gopher Midsize Aluminum Tennis Racquet
The Gopher Midsize Aluminum Tennis Racquet features a traditional head size that offers a balanced blend of control and maneuverability, making it perfect for middle school and high school students developing fundamental striking and movement skills. With its durable aluminum frame and comfortable grip, this racquet is ideal for teaching proper tennis technique while helping students master a wide range of manipulative and locomotor skills. The following activities make use of its manageable size to focus on accuracy, coordination, power development, and physical literacy across all grade levels.
1. Midsize Match Mania: Students rotate through quick 2-minute matches using foam or low-compression balls to improve striking accuracy and competitive play.
2. Serve & Sprint Circuit: Students serve the ball over a net, then sprint to complete a movement task (like jumping jacks or skipping), emphasizing striking, agility, and endurance.
3. Wall Ball Rally Race: Students hit a ball against a wall and count how many volleys they can achieve in 30 seconds—building timing, striking control, and focus.
4. Drop Hit Dash: Students drop the ball and hit it after one bounce, then dash to a cone and back—combining hand-eye coordination with locomotor movement.
5. Racket Target Toss: Students attempt to strike foam balls into targets—working on aim, striking precision, and power regulation.
6. Two Bounce Tennis: Modify traditional tennis by allowing two bounces, helping beginners develop reaction time and rally endurance.
7. Serve-the-Spot Challenge: Students serve foam balls onto specific poly spots placed at various distances, improving serving control and targeting.
8. Lob & Leap Ladder: One student lobs a foam ball, and another leaps to intercept it with their racquet—combining leaping and overhead striking.
9. Freeze Flick Tennis: Students must freeze between each strike until the next ball comes—developing body control and reaction awareness.
10. Target Tap Track: Tape shapes or letters on the gym wall. Students try to tap them in order using a foam ball—building fine motor targeting and striking precision.
11. Side Swipe Circuit: Students slide laterally between two cones while volleying with a partner—developing sliding, coordination, and striking consistency.
12. Top Spin Target Time: Practice top spin with foam balls, trying to land them in designated Rainbow spot markers—focusing on technique and accuracy.
13. Volley Variation Vortex: Challenge students to complete forehand, backhand, and drop volleys in a sequence—building striking variety and motor planning.
14. Bounce & Bend Bonanza: Students tap the ball upward, squat low to tap again, and repeat—combining bending, striking, and endurance.
15. Midsize Motion Mayhem: Set up stations where students complete striking tasks involving locomotor actions (e.g., skipping, galloping, hopping)—promoting multiskill integration.