The Forehand: Busting misconceptions once and for all

[luvforty]

most recs play with rackets that are too light. it's much easier to add weight than to remove, so rackets are meant to be leaded.

[luvforty]

Originally Posted by 5263

but wouldn't that frame plow thru give more pocketing like toly was saying?

more pocketing - yes.... ball will be compressed more.... but dwell time? who knows.... i am betting on 'roughly' the same.

but just from empirical evidence..... thinking about 2 extremes.... you hit it with 1 oz racket, and you hit it with 20 oz racket.... you will never worry about the ball climbing up the strings with the latter..

but adding lead tape reaches a point of diminishing return, around 12-13 oz for most players.

[Cheetah]

Originally Posted by 5263

but wouldn't that frame plow thru give more pocketing like toly was saying?

in my opinion yes. that's what i think. but i can't remember any specific data i've seen on this.

[5263]

Originally Posted by luvforty

more pocketing - yes.... ball will be compressed more....

Isn't this what toly was saying?

[julian]

Other point is that the vertical acceleration is much higher than horizontal one

[dominikk1985]

Originally Posted by julian

Other point is that the vertical acceleration is much higher than horizontal one

what do you say regarding racket tilt and spin potential as a scientist? are there any studies on this?

[julian]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

what do you say regarding racket tilt and spin potential as a scientist? are there any studies on this?

I need more time-probably evening today

[Cheetah]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

what do you say regarding racket tilt and spin potential as a scientist? are there any studies on this?

yes there are studies. even on this site. they have a video in a lab of a ball being hit with a perpendicular racquet and a ball with a tilted racquet at same speed. tilt produces more spin.

[julian]

Originally Posted by dominikk1985

what do you say regarding racket tilt and spin potential as a scientist? are there any studies on this?

Racket tilt should be used very carefully when returning serve
A concept of tilt should be dropped if two many returns go to a net

[Chas Tennis]

References:

1) Investigations into the Effect of Grip Tightness
on Off-Centre Forehand Strikes in Tennis
S Choppin*, S Goodwill, and S Haake
http://intl-pip.sagepub.com/content/....full.pdf+html
Just found this reference on the topic. Have not yet read.

2) TW article , Which Strings Generate the Most Spin (2010), R. Cross & C. Lindsey
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/lear...experiment.php

3) ITF Ball Impact with Wall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGsntCznhcY

4) ITF – Spagetti Strings impacting ball.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=...ture=endscreen

5) Slow Motion Impact of Tennis Ball and Racket – Head. Rapid racket turn but exact degree of off-center hit is not clear.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&fe...&v=7pXNLaZZCXM

6) Tennis Racket Hits Tennis Ball - High Speed Fun. On a serve shows, the racket pause at impact.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k9w0tAO340

7) TW article– String Lubrication and Spin
http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/lear...pinandlube.php

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by luvforty

some equipment adjustment can help too.

if you have played pingpong with those pedals with no rubber on it (just bare wood), you will know that there is very little effect from the spin (top or under).. same idea for tennis, the shorter the dwell time, the less energy a spinny ball can transfer to the racket face (less the other way also)... stiffer frame, stiffer strings will require less effort to overcome the spin.

it's a battle between the ball and the racket... you need mass... the lowest hanging fruit is sticking a few strips of lead tapes on the frame... you will suddenly notice them 'mini nadals' are merely ***** cats.

My frame RA is 65 and tension is 60 lbs. Weight is 12.5 oz all together, probably 8 pts HL

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

i'd have to go with the lead factor too. especially if it's at 3-9. that increased plow through seems to help countering spin. or at least it 'seems' that way.

Next time I will show you my racket. Let me know if you think lead is needed. I am wary of putting lead on a PS85 as it feels so perfect.

[luvforty]

ps85 with no lead? lol no wonder mini nadal's ball is climbing up on it.

[sureshs]

Originally Posted by luvforty

ps85 with no lead? lol no wonder mini nadal's ball is climbing up on it.

That is another ego thing. Time to retire that frame.

[rkelley]

Originally Posted by sureshs

Next time I will show you my racket. Let me know if you think lead is needed. I am wary of putting lead on a PS85 as it feels so perfect.

I don't think anyone can tell you if you need lead, how much, or where. It's a feel thing. Buy a roll and put some on. See how it feels. Experiment. I think it could help, but you'll have to give yourself time to get used to it. You'll need to start your swing a tad earlier and it will not be friendly to arming the ball, but once you get the racquet moving it can help you hit a heavier ball.

[luvforty]

Originally Posted by sureshs

That is another ego thing. Time to retire that frame.

put minimum 5 grams of lead on the hoop, you may have something marginally playable.... otherwise the sweet spot is big as a quarter.

and you can't really yank to the left with this thing.

[Cheetah]

yes. don't ask a lead guy if you need lead.
you have to experiment for yourself. i say try it. personally i can't play w/ a light racquet. feels like a toy. especially nice on outstretched balls. just get the racquet on it and the ball goes over. no muscles needed.

[5263]

Originally Posted by Cheetah

yes. don't ask a lead guy if you need lead.
you have to experiment for yourself. i say try it. personally i can't play w/ a light racquet. feels like a toy. especially nice on outstretched balls. just get the racquet on it and the ball goes over. no muscles needed.

you think a 12.5 ps85 is light?

[Cheetah]

a ps85 is 12.5? had no idea. no i don't think that's light.
i just figured suresh played with a toy.

[luvforty]

10pts HL, against a mini nadal, it's likely a relaxed swing cannot dominate the ball.