What’s in my Bag: Tennis Coach Edition
Hello, Hello! For those who are new here, my name is Taylor and I coach tennis. As an OG YouTube lover, I've always been a sucker for "what's in my bag" style content. I started thinking, why not do one myself?
I've been playing tennis for almost 18 years and coaching for a little over 5 years. The contents of my bag (and the bag itself) have both changed and stayed the same over time. So, let's take a look.
The Staples:
2 Racquets: I've had the same racquets since 2006: Babolat Pure Drive. Should I consider upgrading sometime soon? Sure. But if it ain't broke, right? Racquets can be quite expensive, so I recommend checking out Facebook Marketplace for some pretty sick deals. While not necessary, having two racquets on hand (especially if you're playing frequently) can come in handy if your strings break during play or if someone else needs to borrow one.
Grips: You never know when you'll need to re-grip (okay, you will, it's kind of obvious), so it's good to have grips on hand. My favorites are neon green or just black. I'm a little stitious and only use those two colors.
Some type of water bottle: I love my HydroFlask. I know it's expensive and I know you can "buy the same from TJ Maxx," and while I'm definitely not not a Maxxinista, I do feel that "buy it nice or buy it twice" tends to ring true. My HydroFlask has lasted me years and keeps my water cool during 3-hour lessons on 100-degree days.
Not Pictured: My inhaler (duh).
Some kind of snack: This has definitely changed over the years, but the formula typically stays the same: carbs + a little protein + a little fat. Depending on how long I'm on the court, what I eat may change, but overall I try to get a little energy from carbs (fruit or a granola bar) and some protein or fat to keep me full. Right now, I'm loving these protein bars from Quaker and Cheerios combined with two bananas.
Sunscreen: I am a girl who tans/burns very easily, so it is imperative I am able to reapply on the days I am on the court for multiple lessons and multiple hours.
A change of shoes: I typically bring either running shoes or slides. It's good to give your feet a break after putting them through so much work. I am currently rocking the New Balance Fresh Foam x 880 V15.
Tennis towel: Athletes sweat! When I'm playing, especially singles, I like to have my towel near me (if allowed) so I can wipe my hands between points. Similarly, while coaching, I keep it on my basket so I can quickly get any sweat out of my eyes.
Some of My Newer Additions:
Advil: As I age, it takes longer to recover. Having Advil on hand can be a lifesaver.
Vaseline: This is less of a tennis necessity and more of a life necessity. I'm obsessed with Vaseline. It's my favorite lip balm and I have to have it on me. It can also help with dry skin from being out in the sun, cold, or wind.
Wireless headphones: These entered the game in 2016 when I saw Serena Williams in a Beats commercial. While I try to be mindful of marketing tactics and not fall victim to everything, this one got me. I LOVE having these on hand. It's nice to listen to music while serving a basket of balls or hitting against the ball machine without disturbing other players.
Wireless speaker: On the opposite end, I love bringing my wireless speaker to lessons. My players love it and it helps me as a coach stay focused and not get lost in my thoughts as I'm feeding balls over and over and over again.
Hyaluronic acid spray: I bring this with me any time I'm working out. It replenishes lost moisture, helps soothe exercise-induced redness and irritation, and strengthens the skin's natural barrier to protect against environmental stressors.
Sunglasses: For obvious reasons, plus your girl hates wearing hats. So sunglasses are my only option for keeping the sun at bay.
A chafing stick: For obvious reasons!!
Deodorant: You never know when your original application will fail you, so I like having backup on hand. Right now, I'm loving the Native Coconut and Vanilla Spray Deodorant.
A notebook: I recommend a notebook for both players and coaches. For players, it's beneficial for tracking areas of improvement, gaining mental clarity after a loss or win, and jotting down goals or general thoughts. Now that I'm a coach, I use it to track players, plan lessons, and write down any other random thoughts.
Lastly, a small pouch: For all the smaller items—sunglasses, grips, deodorant, sunscreen, etc.
This is just this month's iteration. The contents of my bag change every month depending on whether I'm more coach-heavy or player-heavy. The bag itself also changes every so often, from a true tennis bag to a backpack to a gym bag (current version - Gymshark Everyday Medium Gym Bag).
Thanks for reading, and I'd love to know: what's in your athletic bag?
