NEW: HEAD PRESTIGE RACQUET SERIES

With the launch of the new PRESTIGE racquet series, HEAD is making absolute precision an absolute reality. Engineered for the technical player striving for full control, the new racquet series provides dependable accuracy that allows players to aim for the lines.

The PRESTIGE racquet series now features the ground breaking Graphene Touch technology for improved shock absorption and a solid feel.

The PRESTIGE is available in four different models (Pro, MP, MID, & Tour) that answer to the needs of different playing types and string patterns.

NEW: HEAD LAUNCHED REVOLUTIONARY TENNIS SENSOR

HEAD, a global leader in racquet sports, launched their innovative Tennis Sensor powered by ZEPP on January 17, 2018. The tool fits seamlessly into most HEAD tennis racquets and offers four unique modes: play, train, compete and 3D serve. The sensor comes with a free Android and IOS app that allows tennis players to analyze their every move on the court, track their performance and compare their stats with friends or rivals.

HEAD Tennis Sensor offers a full range of options supporting the game. PLAY mode allows users to monitor every shot, tracking information on ball speed, spin, sweet spot and more. In TRAIN mode, players can improve their game using a growing database of exercises provided by the HEAD coaches.

Players can also challenge up to three rivals in COMPETE mode, comparing their performances in singles and doubles matches. Additionally, the animated 3D SERVE mode helps players improve their serves by analyzing swing and sweet spot.

The intuitive user interface of the HEAD Tennis Sensor app was developed in partnership ZEPP, an expert in sensor technologies and app design. The HEAD Tennis Sensor is compatible with HEAD Graphene XT and HEAD Graphene Touch racquets.* It's also water resistant and equipped with the latest Bluetooth standard technology.

The Head Tennis Sensor hits the market after years of research and development. Over the last ten months, players and coaches from across the globe provided valuable feedback to improve the software and ensure consistent results across the entire family of HEAD racquets.

"My first impression of the HEAD Sensor is great. As a coach I'll definitely use it with my kids. As a player I'll definitely use it to track spin, to track speed, to track where the ball is one the sweet spot. I relay liked it. This is the best product I've seen on the market." (Michael Ward, General Manager of the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, New York)

HEAD TENNIS SENSOR USER Experience: Eric Schroeder

Eric Schroeder, Tennis Professional at LA's Toluca Lake Tennis and Fitness Club, had a chance to test drive the new HEAD Tennis Sensor. And he loved it!

Eric Schroeder has played tennis since he was 6 years old. Playing 4 years of varsity tennis, golf, and hockey in high school. Schroeder was ranked top 25 in the boy's 18's USTA southwest division. Played collegiate Tennis at Grand Canyon University while achieving a top 20 ranking in singles and top 10 ranking in doubles in NCAA play. He currently is a teaching professional at Toluca Lake Tennis and Fitness Club, and continues to play ATP futures level tournaments.

Eric loved the fact that he was able to see where the ball made contact on his strings, how often he would hit the sweet spot. He also liked the ability to see the average forehand and backhand speed, ball rotation per minute and average serve speed.

"This is definitely a tool for players," Eric says. "Juniors as well as High Performance kids and competitive adults. And the app is so easy to use, you can save your sessions and compare them later."

NEW: SCORLI

Scorli have developed advanced solutions for presenting real-time scores during all types of racket games.

Developed and tested for the past 4 years, Scorli is a fully developed, working and market ready racquet sports watch.

With over 100m range, Scorli enables multi-player (up to 8) synchronization and automatic scoring.

Scorli sport watches communicate independently with each other with no need for a cellular net.

The watches come complete with a suite applications including game analysis, history, tournament management and many more for a variety of racquet sports.

Scorli’s underlying technology is fully patent protected.

The latest product is a large outdoor LCD Display that presents the score’s results in real time, the Scorli’s Watch or a tablet transmits the results to the LCD display via Bluetooth by one of the players or by a referee

SaltStick

Why tennis players need electrolytes
Five electrolytes in particular play a pivotal role in maintaining normal human muscle function: sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and chloride. A shortage of any of these electrolytes will affect athletic performance through a range a subtle to serious side effects. Cramping is a common side effect of low electrolyte levels in tennis players. Replacing the full spectrum of electrolytes through a source such as SaltStick can help reduce cramping during training and performing.

Sweat typically has about 1000 mg sodium/liter, a typical sports drink has 440 mg sodium/liter. If, during the course of training, you ingest nothing but sports drinks (or worse, water), you will become hyponatremic at some point. Many sports drinks also do not address any form of supplementation of the other key electrolytes, potentially causing yet further cramping and muscle issues.

How SaltStick can help you improve your tennis results
What is lost in sweat should be replaced by your electrolyte capsules in a quantity and form which your body can absorb. SaltStick® Caps have been formulated to provide your body with a balanced electrolyte content in the suggested serving of 1 capsule per 30-60 minutes. Two SaltStick Caps in an hour equate to 430 mg sodium, 126 mg potassium, 22 mg magnesium, and 44 mg calcium per hour: The ideal ratio to keep you moving.

SaltStick Products
SaltStick Caps: The only electrolyte capsule that was formulated to closely resemble the electrolyte profile lost during activity: sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.

SaltStick Caps PLUS: Contains caffeine and sodium citrate. Like SaltStick Caps, SaltStick Caps PLUS are the only electrolyte capsule that was formulated to closely resemble the electrolyte profile lost during activity: sodium, potassium, calcium and
magnesium. Contains 30 mg caffeine per capsule as a legal ergogenic boost.

SaltStick Fastchews: The only chewable tablet that is formulated to closely resemble the electrolyte profile lost in sweat: sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium. Tart Orange and Zesty Lemon-Lime natural flavors encourage consumption.
nge a subtle to serious side effects. ing.

New Pickleball Gear

Contributing writer Matt Olsen from Pickleball Portal provides us with this update on new pickleball paddle offerings from two well-known pickleball manufacturers, both released in the first month of 2018:

We’re always on the lookout for new gear in the growing sport of pickleball. During the first months of the year, there is often a lull coming off the peak of the holiday retail season when we don’t see many new products being released. However, this year the month of January has been a good one for pickleball fans.

Two well-known paddle manufacturers, ProLite and Selkirk, have made updates to their existing product lines.

Although pickleball is known for “dinking” (a series of soft short shots that drop just over the net while players play up close to the No Volley Zone), the sport has evolved and spin is becoming a more integral part of the pickleball skill set.

As more tennis players migrate to pickleball we are seeing harder, faster serves and more spin on the ball. This has raised demand for paddles with textured surfaces since traditional glossy paddle faces lack any kind of “bite” needed to impart spin.

Manufacturers have responded with new paddles specifically designed to increase spin. The Rebel PowerSpin paddle by Pro-lite made waves in the industry when it was released in 2017 with its textured PowerSpin™ paddle surface. The Rebel has since become a very popular all around paddle but especially for players looking to add extra spin to their shots.

Weighting in at just under 8 ounces, the paddle packs plenty of power but still has a balanced feel for control and finesse at the net and a 16 inch paddle face provides plenty of reach. These characteristics, along with its premium comfort grip and textured face landed it on our shortlist of best pickleball paddles for spin.

This new Rebel that ProLite just released in 2018 is really a cosmetic makeover, since at its core the paddle remains the same. The original Rebel was launched in three versions, all with pretty wild colorful paddle faces. This new version has a much more subdued look with muted colors that will appeal to players looking for a more discrete look on the pickleball court.

The other major news in January 2018 was the launch of new lightweight and mid weight paddle lines by Selkirk Sport using their new AMPED paddle technology. In 2017 Selkirk released a paddle line using a new patent pending paddle technology they call the X5 Core. There has been a lot of buzz around the new FiberFlex paddle face and the unibody polymer core which is noticeably thicker than most other paddles.

The one drawback to the new line was that overall they are on the heavy side of the spectrum, while the extra boost is great for power hitting “bangers” it may not be so appealing for players that play a slower, controlled style game who are looking for lighter paddles.

On Jan 23rd, Selkirk launched new versions of these paddles designed for players still want the new X5 core but are looking for lighter options. The lightweight paddles average 7.3-7.7 ounces and the midweight paddles range from 7.8-8.3 ounces.

With the new expansion of the AMPED line, Selkirk now provides this same core option in three separate weight classes. The technology was introduced in the the following paddles:

Selkirk Epic, Selkirk Maxima, Selkirk S2 and the Selkirk Omni. These new lightweight and midweight options really round out the AMPED line with options for all types of players.

You can keep up to date with all newly released pickleball paddles and new pickleball equipment here. We update the page regularly with all new major pickleball product releases.

The US Open Pickleball Championships has traditionally been the main annual event for pickleball brands to showcase their new paddles with many new paddles launched at the weeklong tournament. The 2018 Open takes place in Naples FL from April 21-28, 2018 so we are looking forward to seeing what new gear is in store for pickleball players.

HOW TO WRAP YOUR RACKET WITH VULCAN TENNIS GRIPS

Established in 2015, Vulcan Grip Co. is making its name as one of the most exciting brands in the sporting goods industry.

The company’s aim is to push player performance to a new level by utilizing the latest technology and fresh designs. Each grip in the Vulcan catalog has the signature debossed tread pattern to create the ultimate gripping system.

Learn how to wrap your racket with Vulcan Tennis Grips in this step-by-step process. This tutorial is specifically to help you wrap overgrips, with a Vulcan Max Cool Overgrip being used as the example.

Watch the below video for more information.