Racket customization can boost a player’s game. A well-balanced racket not only optimizes strokes, but also prevents injury in the long run.
Addition of weight at 12 o’clock increases power potential by expanding the sweet spot of the frame, while weight added at three and nine o’clock reduces frame twisting on off-center hits, increasing stability.
String Tension
String tension plays an integral part in determining power and spin of any racket; looser strings tend to be softer and less powerful while tighter ones stiffer and more powerful.
Tension in string tennis rackets is measured in pounds and ranges from extremely loose (11kilos) to tightly wound (30 kilos). We often start new players at either the middle or higher end of their racket’s recommended tension range; this gives them a good starting point and allows them to experiment and find their ideal tension setting.
Thicker strings like natural gut, multifilament or polyester tend to generate more power than thinner synthetic guts or Kevlar ones due to being bouncier and stretching more when hit by the shuttle, creating an almost trampoline effect on impact with it – however this also requires a stronger swing from their player in order to generate such power.
Adjusting string tension of a racket can reduce trampoline effect and flatten ball contact with racket face for increased spin generation, necessitating more controlled and precise swings to maintain control.
Spin is something personal; everyone prefers different levels based on their playing style and what feels comfortable for them racquet-wise. Some prefer more topspin while others may prefer less topspin.
Badminton players tend to assume that higher tension equates to more power, when in reality it can actually cause greater strain on hands and arms if not played carefully. Furthermore, higher tension may force greater strength to hit the ball into play which increases strain on hands and arms as it takes more strength for hits to be successful. Furthermore, increased tension may make shuttle stick more to your racquet, leading to missed shots as well as increasing your risk of string breaks; so it is vitally important that regular checks of racket tension take place, particularly if playing frequently or at higher levels of play.
String Pattern
String patterns refer to the arrangement of main and cross strings in a racket and have an enormous influence over power, spin generation and comfort of its frame. Opener patterns tend to offer greater power; however, more frequently breaking due to greater lateral movement of main strings when they contact with ball is also a risk.
Dense string patterns provide more control and are less prone to breaking as frequently than open string patterns, yet still offer ample power for spin potential development. Although dense string patterns don’t tend to offer as much raw power as more open patterns do, they make for great options for players looking for maximum spin potential rather than brute strength.
As can be seen, string patterns do have an impact on power and spin; however, other factors such as gauge and tension also have an influence. Therefore, to find your ideal combination of power and spin you should experiment with various racquets until you find one that best complements your playing style.
Wilson Badminton provides an easy solution with our Design Studio online tool. Simply select, customize, and build to create the ideal badminton racket just for yourself using three core steps – Choose, Customize, Build. When each step has been completed the corresponding block on the top screen will highlight to show where you are in the process – jump back anytime if needed to change anything that needs updating – fast and fun way of discovering all sorts of possibilities for power and spin simply by tweaking some basic settings! Let us help you discover your perfect badminton racket!
Weight
Weight of a badminton racket is determined by its frame, shaft and grip components; particularly important are the handle’s function of providing control and manipulation with one hand – this used to be made of natural animal gut but now there are lighter synthetic materials such as polyurethane or towelling grips which offer more comfort for use.
Heavy rackets tend to be preferred by players who possess greater power in their game, since their higher swing weight increases power potential while providing resistance against shuttlecock. On the other hand, some players prefer lighter or balanced rackets because they are easier to manage and enable them to execute different kinds of badminton shots more readily.
Rackets come in various weights and styles to meet the unique requirements of each player’s game style. A heavyweight racket, for instance, features a higher balance point which enables horizontal placement on an index finger of the player – ideal for seasonally trained or professionally experienced players needing increased power and stability.
An isometric racket stands out with its elongated head. This shape increases the sweet spot area which gives maximum power; usually used by advanced players who possess excellent technique to maximize performance.
Shaft flexibility is another element that determines a racket’s power, which depends on factors like hand strength and speed of its user when hitting the ball. A stiffer shaft offers greater stability for power attacking players who use quick reactions in rallies.
There are other factors that influence a racket’s power, including its material and thickness. Thick frames offer greater rigidity and power; thinner ones tend to be more flexible. Player preference and budget also play a part in selecting frame material.
Head Size
Size matters when it comes to power and spin production from rackets; larger heads create greater power potential due to greater string deformation from ball contact; however, larger heads also increase twisting of the frame during off-center hits, decreasing potential power potential.
Weight, or its static balance, plays an integral part in a player’s ability to generate power. Rackets with heavier weights typically feature more mass in their frames which help facilitate ball impacts by providing a “plow through” effect that transfers more of their energy onto impact into forward momentum post impact. Furthermore, having more mass may offer resistance against frame bending which can prevent injuries to elbow joints.
Recently, manufacturers have experimented with various shapes and designs of badminton rackets, such as isometric head shapes to provide more precise control without increasing head size. Furthermore, this may allow for smaller frames that help players with slower swing speeds to create enough power to dominate the game.
Rackets with small heads and higher weights are often called “head light.” These rackets offer great control while not creating much power of their own, making them suitable for beginner racquets. As more advanced players may generate their own power independently, larger head sizes and heavier balances tend to be preferred by them.
Adding weight to their racket with tailweight is an inexpensive and easy solution for players looking to increase weight on their rackets. A full-grip heat shrink sleeve can increase grip size by one full size while adding 17 grams, leading to three less headlight balance points and two additional swingweight points. A 20cm strip of TW customization tape applied between 10-2 can increase headlight balance by 2.8 grams while adding approximately seven to eight swingweight points.