FAQ Friday: What Racket Should My Child Start With?

Choosing your child’s first squash racket can feel tricky. With so many sizes, weights, and brands, how do you know what’s right for beginners? At OLIVER, we make it simple: it’s all about age, size, and stage of development. This guide is designed for juniors just starting out, first-time players, or young players upgrading from borrowed or club rackets to their very own.

We’ve also included some top beginner recommendations, all OLIVER-approved, and tips to help you know when your child is ready to progress to a bigger racket.

Starting Out: Picking Your Child’s First Racket

For children 6–10 years old, we recommend lightweight rackets that are easy to handle. The goal is to let them develop proper technique without straining wrists or elbows. A heavy racket at this stage can make it difficult to learn accurate swings and may even discourage them from playing.

Here are our first-time favourites:

• Punch Turbo – Weight: 155g | Balance: Balanced
  Durable, easy to grip, and ideal for players up to 8 years old. Perfect for little hands taking their first swings.
• Junior – Weight: 115g | Balance: Balanced
  Suitable for ages 6–10, Junior helps children learn control while building confidence with every shot.

Tip: Start with a racket they can comfortably swing. If their wrists feel any strain, stick with a lighter option until they build strength and technique.

Beginner Rackets for Ages 10+

As children develop confidence and start hitting consistently, it’s time to upgrade to a more performance-focused racket — but still lightweight and beginner-friendly. Here are some OLIVER favourites:

• Racer X4 – Weight: 125g | Balance: Head Heavy
  Head-heavy design helps juniors generate power without sacrificing control. Perfect for youngsters ready to start experimenting with harder swings.
• XT 880 – Weight: 120g | Balance: Balanced
  A versatile racket that supports a wide range of shots, ideal for players starting to learn tactical play.
• Fuchsia – Weight: 105g | Balance: Head Light
  Extremely light, quick to move, and perfect for fast footwork. Great for players developing their court coverage and touch.
• ICQ 110 Ultra – Weight: 110g | Balance: Balanced
  Responsive and all-rounder friendly, this racket is perfect for juniors mastering both forehand and backhand.

All these rackets are designed to grow with your child and provide an enjoyable, frustration-free introduction to squash.

Full-Size Rackets: When to Move Up

We recommend moving up to a full-size racket as soon as your child has started to develop a full swing and is hitting the ball consistently. One of the biggest benefits of a full-size racket is the extra power in every shot — children love being able to get the ball to the back of the court and start playing real rallies.

A simple test to check readiness: place a 500ml plastic water bottle at the bottom of the stringbed. If your child can lift and hold it using only their playing hand, they’re ready to progress to a bigger racket.

This stage is exciting because juniors start feeling the difference in control, speed, and power, making the game even more fun and rewarding.

Beginner Racket Tips & Tricks

Here are some additional pointers to help your junior enjoy their first experience with squash:

1. Grip size is key – ensure the handle fits comfortably in your child’s hand. Too large or too small can hinder technique.
2. Keep it light – even slightly heavier rackets can tire smaller players quickly.
3. Encourage proper swing mechanics – focus on technique over power at the start.
4. Introduce rallies early – practice hitting against walls or with a partner to build control and confidence.

Other Options & the OLIVER Racket Quiz

If you’re not sure which racket is the best fit, we’ve got a Racket Quiz to help you find the perfect match based on your child’s style, strength, and age.

All OLIVER rackets are England Squash discount-eligible, so you can kit your child out while saving money. Investing in the right racket early will make squash more enjoyable, safer, and more rewarding.

Summary: The Right Start Sets Them Up for Success

Starting squash should be fun and confidence-boosting. With the correct racket — light enough to swing, strong enough to last, and designed for juniors — your child can develop skills, technique, and love for the game.

• Ages 6–10: Punch Turbo, Junior
• Ages 8–12: Racer X4, XT 880, ICQ 110 Ultra, Fuchsia
• England Squash discount applies
• Use the 500ml bottle test to know when to move up
• Full-size rackets = extra power, more fun, real rallies

By following these guidelines, your child will be set up for a long and happy squash journey