Tennis Technology and Training Tuesday
The first thing I always do when unboxing a new pair of tennis shoes is replacing the insole. The default configuration provided by the tennis shoe manufacturers simply doesn’t work for me. The arch supports are not high enough and there isn’t enough cushioning for my feet. Recently one of my practice partners remarked that she couldn’t wear a particular brand of shoe because the insole wasn’t good for her feet. Before that time, It had simply never occurred to me that some players could wear tennis shoes out of the box. It was a mind blowing moment.
Good footwork is essential in tennis. If your feet are hurting, it makes it psychologically challenging to split-step, hustle for every ball, and take those little adjustment steps required for optimal court positioning. You need to take care of your feet to enable a high level of performance in tennis. There may be quality of life implications in there as well, but on this site the tennis always comes first.
If you aren’t currently experiencing foot issues and just want to see if swapping out the insoles can give you a lift, it is probably safe to experiment with over-the-counter products. Amazon carries an overwhelming assortment of these devices. Chances are your local sporting goods store has several brands and models to choose from as well.
For players that are experiencing foot pain, it makes sense to consult a podiatrist for a medical diagnosis. However, I have yet to consult with a podiatrist that didn’t want to fit me with custom orthotics. I have had three pairs of podiatrist prescribed custom orthotic insoles throughout my life. In all three cases, I didn’t discern much of a difference from what was available on the commercial market. It simply wasn’t worth the 10x cost. However, the professional opinion rendered by a qualified and trained medical professional is always worth the investment for a player experiencing issues.
I simply can’t and won’t recommend a specific brand or model of orthotic insoles. Our feet are different and issues that players might be experiencing are unique. However, if you do decide to experiment with orthotic insoles and wind up purchasing product from amazon, I would appreciate it if you started your shopping from the link below. The operating costs of this site are defrayed by affiliate commissions. It keeps the site going.
If you are one of those players that is doing just fine with the insoles that come in your tennis shoes, know this: I hate you. Additionally, you probably want to file this post away for the future. You may need it someday. Tennis is really hard on your feet and it makes sense invest in foot care.
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