7 Best Junior Squash Rackets For 10 Year Olds That Coaches Prefer
Choosing the right racket is vital for a 10-year-old. Discover the 7 top models coaches prefer for their ideal balance of weight, power, and control.
Your 10-year-old comes off the squash court, flushed and happy, but you notice their swing looks a little cramped. That first racket, the one you bought when they were seven, suddenly looks like a toy in their hands. This is a pivotal moment; at this age, the right equipment can either unlock their potential or create frustrating barriers, and choosing the next racket feels like a bigger deal than the last one.
What Coaches Look For in a Junior Squash Racket
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When your child hits that 8-to-11-year-old window, coaches stop looking for just "a racket that fits" and start looking for a tool that helps build proper technique. They know that a racket that’s too heavy or poorly balanced will force a child to develop awkward, inefficient swings that are hard to unlearn later. It’s like trying to learn handwriting with a pen that’s too thick and heavy—possible, but unnecessarily difficult.
The three things a coach will consider for a 10-year-old are weight, length, and balance. A lighter racket (typically under 160 grams) allows a child to generate racket-head speed without using their whole body, promoting better wrist action and control. The length is usually around 25 inches, but this is directly tied to your child’s height, ensuring they can swing freely without hitting the floor. Finally, a "head-light" balance makes the racket feel more maneuverable, which is crucial for learning to react quickly and control the ball.
Moving from a basic aluminum frame to one with graphite or composite materials is also a significant step. This isn’t about giving them a professional-grade weapon; it’s about providing a racket that offers better "feel." This allows them to understand how the ball is connecting with the strings, a sensory feedback loop that is essential for developing touch and shot variety.
Tecnifibre Carboflex Jr for Serious Young Players
You see it in their eyes after a match—that spark of real passion. They’re not just playing; they’re competing. They talk about their shots, watch professional matches, and are genuinely committed to their lessons and practice sessions. For this child, a basic racket is starting to hold them back.
The Tecnifibre Carboflex Jr is essentially a scaled-down version of one of the most popular adult rackets on the professional tour. Coaches recommend this for the dedicated junior player because it’s built with high-quality graphite, offering the power and responsiveness needed for more advanced play. It rewards a good swing with pace and precision, giving a young player a true sense of what a performance racket feels like.
This is an investment, and it isn’t the right choice for a casual player. But if your 10-year-old is playing in junior leagues or has shown a consistent, high level of interest for a year or more, the Carboflex Jr provides the performance ceiling they need to continue improving their technique without being limited by their equipment.
HEAD Radical 25: All-Around Junior Performance
Your child loves their weekly squash lesson and looks forward to playing with friends, but they aren’t deep into the competitive tournament scene yet. You want to give them a quality racket that supports their development and enthusiasm without jumping straight to a high-performance model. This is the sweet spot where the HEAD Radical 25 shines.
Coaches often point to the Radical line as a fantastic all-arounder. It provides a noticeable step up from beginner rackets, offering a great blend of power and control that is accessible to a wide range of developing players. It’s durable enough to handle the inevitable scrapes with the wall but light enough to allow for the development of a proper, fluid swing.
Think of this racket as the perfect bridge. It’s a reliable and capable tool that allows a child to explore all aspects of the game, from power drives to delicate drop shots. It won’t hold them back as their skills grow, making it a smart and practical choice for the enthusiastic, recreational player.
Dunlop Apex Supreme 25 for Developing Technique
The coach keeps mentioning "feel" and "touch," encouraging your child to focus on placing the ball rather than just hitting it hard. You want a racket that complements this stage of learning, where finesse and control are the main goals. The Dunlop Apex Supreme 25 is designed precisely for this purpose.
This racket is often recommended for players who are working on building a more tactical game. It typically features a head-light balance and a forgiving string pattern, which helps a child develop control and a feel for the ball on the strings. It makes it easier for them to learn how to guide the ball to the corners and execute drop shots with confidence.
While it can still generate plenty of pace, the Apex Supreme’s primary strength is as a teaching tool. It helps a 10-year-old understand that squash is as much about strategy and precision as it is about power. It’s an excellent choice for the thoughtful player who is starting to think one or two shots ahead.
Wilson Minions JR 25: Fun Meets Functionality
Let’s be realistic: sometimes, the biggest challenge is just keeping them excited to get to the court. If a fun, vibrant design is what motivates your child, that’s a huge part of the equation. The Wilson Minions JR 25 brilliantly combines a look kids love with the functional design they need.
Don’t dismiss this as just a novelty item. Wilson has built a solid junior racket here. It’s lightweight, appropriately sized, and durable—checking all the essential boxes for a young player. Coaches appreciate that behind the fun graphics is a piece of equipment that won’t teach bad habits. It’s a legitimate tool for learning the game.
This racket is perfect for the child in group lessons, summer camps, or just starting their squash journey. It removes any intimidation factor and replaces it with pure fun, which is the most important ingredient for long-term engagement in any activity. When a child is proud of their gear, they’re more likely to use it.
Karakal Raw 110: Ultra-Light for Faster Swings
This is a slightly different approach, and one that coaches suggest for a specific type of player. You may notice that your 10-year-old has excellent hand-eye coordination but struggles to generate racket speed with a standard junior frame. Or perhaps they are on the smaller side but have solid technique.
The Karakal Raw 110 is a full-sized adult racket, but it weighs only 110 grams, making it one of the lightest on the market. For a strong, technically sound junior player, this ultra-light weight makes it surprisingly manageable. It allows them to develop a very fast swing, which is a massive advantage in squash, without the burden of a heavy frame.
This is not a racket for a beginner. The full length requires good court awareness to avoid hitting the floor. However, for an intermediate 10-year-old with a year or two of experience, it can be a game-changer. It’s also a racket they can continue to use for several years, offering excellent long-term value if it’s the right fit for their physical development and skill level.
Prince Pro Rebel 25: A Solid, Balanced Starter
Your child has decided to give squash a real try after a few introductory clinics. You need a dependable, no-nonsense racket from a trusted brand that will give them a great start without a hefty price tag. You want to invest in their interest, not in a top-of-the-line model they aren’t ready for.
The Prince Pro Rebel 25 is a classic choice for this exact scenario. It’s a workhorse racket that is well-balanced, forgiving, and built to help a new player find success early on. The larger sweet spot means more of their shots will feel solid, which is a huge confidence booster in the early stages of learning any sport.
Coaches like this racket because it provides a stable platform for teaching the fundamentals. It doesn’t have any extreme characteristics; it’s just a solid, predictable tool that lets the child focus on their footwork and swing. It’s a smart, safe, and effective choice for getting a young player properly started.
Black Knight Bandit 3: Durable and Forgiving
Let’s face it: junior squash involves a lot of enthusiastic, slightly-out-of-control swings that end up making firm contact with the wall. If you’re tired of worrying about a fragile frame, or if your child is playing in a high-energy group environment, you need equipment that is built to last.
The Black Knight Bandit 3 is known in the squash community for its rugged durability. Black Knight builds tough rackets, and this junior model is no exception. Its sturdy frame can withstand the rigors of the learning process, making it a favorite for club programs and parents who value longevity.
Beyond its toughness, the Bandit is also very forgiving. It’s designed to help kids keep the ball in play and have fun, even if their technique isn’t perfect yet. This combination of durability and playability makes it a fantastic, low-stress option that lets kids be kids on the court.
Ultimately, the best racket for your 10-year-old is the one that matches their size, current skill, and, most importantly, their level of enthusiasm for the game. Don’t feel pressured to buy the most expensive model; instead, focus on finding a tool that makes them feel confident and excited to play. This choice is simply the next step in supporting their journey, one swing at a time.
