Calling all Highschool players!

Noveson

Hall of Fame
what is your build and your level noveson?

I'm just about six feet tall, recently grew a bunch. I weigh about 130lbs(skinny) and am pretty athletic. I also start our JV basketball team(we were runners up to the state championship last year). I probably play around a 4.0 level. My serve comes and goes in big streaks, something I attribute to my massive height change. I'm lefty so use deep crosscourt forehands and usually come in behind them. Only thing I can really do with my backhand is hit crosscourt with angles. I've only been playing for 1 1/2 years though, and am getting better fast.
 

headfan91

Semi-Pro
I'm still not sure about the rds...many people that use them here seem to be around a 4.0 and strong. I'm not near either of them.(about 3.0, and 5'5'') does anyone think that rds is too demanding for me? OR will I do well on the school team this year with it?
 

headfan91

Semi-Pro
are there any other racquest that play similar to the rds? I think I heard that the o3 white was similar only more powerful and lighter. is that true?
 

headfan91

Semi-Pro
I'm a sophmore. will probably play the #2 position on our team this year. It doesn't sound like my school is quite as demanding as some of yours, our top player is probably a 4.5. He didn't quite make it into nationals last year. I own a Babolat PD, and FXP Heat, but I use an RDS 001 Mp.
what string and tension do you use?
 

fuzz nation

G.O.A.T.
Some options I'd suggest: RDS-001 mp or Fischer M Speed if you can manage the heft, M-Fil 300, Head LM 4 or 8, Volkl 8 or 9 V-Engine, Wilson nSix-Two, but since you already play with Prince, the Diablo XP or Hybrid Hornet might feel somewhat familiar (and the O3 White goes for $200).

Unless you can get your hands on some demos, there's a really good chance that you'll guess wrong if you just pick a frame based on its popularity or someone else's experience with it. If you can be patient, the right racquet will choose you and the headsize and paint job won't matter. I typically recommend stringing a pound or two above the mid range on a new racquet as a starting point.

I'm a HS coach and in my experience, anyone at your level who can serve and volley effectively can put major pressure on their opponents in either singles or doubles. If you start putting the time in to learn how to do it now, you'll have a lot more flexibility when its crunch time and you need to play big.
 

headfan91

Semi-Pro
fuzz nation, do you think a small 3.0 player like me could handle the rds mp well? or would you suggest something else instead? Like one of the others you mentioned. I think the major issues ae power and sweetspot size. weight is only an issue if its over 12.0 oz.
thanks
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
Well I'm 15, 115lbs. and 5'5''. I guess I'm a baseliner but I do come to net every once and a while, when my opponent is off balance. I have a sw forehand and a 2hbh. I don't provide a tons of power so I need a racquet that can give me some.
Good. This is more helpful.

I need the most work on my serve and volley. I would like to become a solid 3.5 or 4.0 in the next year and I want to work on becoming an all court player.
I'm with fuzz nation on this. At your level, if you develop some competency at attacking the net, you'll win some quick points. Your opponents will not be familiar enough with you to know what to do.

You appear to be "locking in" on the RDS. I'd warn against just choosing a frame because others recommend it.

my current racquet is a prince force 3 lumina OS. I don't want an OS racquet, and not as much power.
...
[And two pages ago you posted]
...

I have a really hard time keeping the ball in with my racquet, so I have to swing easier, Buy I like to take full cuts, so I used my dads for awhile. But I hit off center too often
fuzz already gave you some good suggestions. I'd simply add some comments after his/hers....

Some options I'd suggest: RDS-001 mp or Fischer M Speed if you can manage the heft, M-Fil 300, Head LM 4 or 8, Volkl 8 or 9 V-Engine, Wilson nSix-Two, but since you already play with Prince, the Diablo XP or Hybrid Hornet might feel somewhat familiar (and the O3 White goes for $200).
This is good. I'd suggest you be sure to focus on MPs ... since you wish to get away from the OSs. I agree that you need a better frame than your current Prince.

Unless you can get your hands on some demos, there's a really good chance that you'll guess wrong if you just pick a frame based on its popularity or someone else's experience with it. If you can be patient, the right racquet will choose you and the headsize and paint job won't matter. I typically recommend stringing a pound or two above the mid range on a new racquet as a starting point.
Good stuff. More on string tension ... many players ignore the significant performance changes a frame will exhibit if you tweak: tension ... composition ... or hybrids of strings. (It can even become too confusing.) fuzz' suggestion of two pounds over mid-range for tension seems like a good one to me, too. (It will probably help prevent your shots from "trampolining" long on you.)

[Wilsons all seem to be the "exceptions to the rule" about tension, though. I'd recommend you try them more toward the lower end of their tension range.]

If you want to try several sticks to be sure you choose wisely, I recommend TW's Demo Program (already linked ^^ above).

If you are in more of a hurry, I think I'd recommend you demo these three frames:
Babolat Pure Drive Team
M-Fil 300
RDS 001

These three vary quite a bit; you can probably eliminate lots of other demo frames faster based on what you like and don't like from the above three. (I post "probably" because everybody is different. For instance, I'm a 5.0 player and my two most regular playing partners use the (5.0) n-six one -- which I can use pretty well if I must -- and (5.5) a Prince "something" which I cannot stand at all.)

Good luck. If you try the Demo approach, I'm sure fuzz, one of the other Coaches or Teaching Pros, or I can give you some feedback based on your results....

Lastly, if cost is an issue, TW does sell used/discontinued frames very reasonably ... and many towns and cities have Used Sporting Goods stores. For the latter, so long as you don't buy a cracked frame, you can frequently get a pretty decent deal. (Take a friend who can help you ID -- and avoid -- "lemons"....)

- KK
 

caesar66

Professional
Demo, Demo, Demo, but i still say give one of the radical OS' a shot while doing so. Any of the Dunlop 300 series too, mfil 300 or 300g (which some people prefer to the mfil 300).
 

headfan91

Semi-Pro
All I can say is wow. Thanks so much KK! That gave me so much info. I will be demoing four racquets around march, once the snow goes away. right now I'm thinking of demoing the lm radical mp, m-fil 300, rds 001, and the prince o3 white. I really want to stay away from babs because I really don't want to get te. And since I had tendonitis in my elbow from baseball, I don't want to get any more injuries.
 
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dave333

Hall of Fame
ugh o3 white? Did not like that stick. but then again, I was demoing it w/ an n6.1 95 right next to it.
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
... I'm thinking of demoing the lm radical mp, m-fil 300, rds 001, and the prince o3 white.

I really want to stay away from babs because I really don't want to get te. And since I have tendenitis in my elbow from baseball, I don't want to get any more injuries.
Time Out!

That bolded part of your post ^^ is an important piece of info. At your age and with that baseball "ailment" you are wise to avoid the Babolats (in general). BUT ... because of your tendonitis, I would go straight for some "arm friendly frames" if I were you. You don't need to mess up your arm for years to come because of some teenage bravado.

(Please pay attention. That last comment was me, speaking from experience. Don't be like I was at your age and blow-off this counsel.)

Especially because of your tendonitis, the posters who are encouraging you to "just get any frame" have (unknowingly) given you very dangerous advice. Forget everything recommended to-date. My recommendations are "starting over" here.

Yonex, Fischer, Volkl and ProKennex are manufacturers known for their "good to arms" frames. Arm-friendly <edit> and power-helping </edit> frames I suggest you consider:

Fischer M Speed Pro Number One 98
Fischer M Speed Pro Number One 105
ProKennex Core No. 10
ProKennex Ki 15 PSE
Volkl Tour 10 V-Engine MP
Yonex RDS 001 MP

Another one you might try, which takes a very different approach to helping with Tennis Elbow is the Head Protector Midplus. I've heard pretty good things about it from people I respect....

Although I'm not personally familiar with it, the Volkl phython mentions vvv is one I'd bet you'd be good to check out, too.

- KK
 
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headfan91

Semi-Pro
Actually the tendonitis is't as bad as it was last year, I would throw about ten throws, and my arm would throb. thats why I went to tennis as a spring sport instead. I haven't thrown a baseball since summer so I don't know if it has healed or what but my arm feel fine at the moment. I don't think choosing only arm friendly racquets is nessessary as long as its not too stiff. the reason why I am trying to find more powerful frames is because I don't want to aggravate it. Thats why Im skeptical about the rds. you said that its arm friendly, but what about the power I really need something aroung the radical and m-fil 300. If I string the rds with a powerful string at say 52 lbs. would that do the trick?
thanks
 
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python

Semi-Pro
The Volkl V1 Classic is both powerful and arm-friendly. They've been making this racquet since the mid-nineties so it's obviously a successful racquet.
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
Whoops! Sorry, headfan91. I got so focused on the tendonitis issue, I forgot you were also seeking a little more power. I'm going back up to my latest recommendations and editing them ^^.

(That's what happens when I post in a hurry....)

- KK
 

donnyz89

Hall of Fame
well... we cant make any decisions for you... have you tried the racquet finder utility on this site?

I think anything below 65 flex is a good flexible racquet. To be honest, arm problems comes more from bad form than anything. To avoid arm problem, definitly stay away from 70 flex rating racquets... but in all honesty, I had just about EVERY kind of arm pain from my wrist, forearm, shouder... and they were bad to a point where I could barely play. and the racquet I used ranged from the super stiff Triad, still rather stiff Airlaunch, to the flexy Pure Storm. and I had arm pain with all 3 racquets, the only racquet I havent had major arm pain with is the Diablo Tour I use right now, but thats probably because my level of play improved. here are the causes to my arm pain...

1)Mis-hits... those, especially because I have a rather fast swing speed, hitting balls on the frame KILLS your arm faster than anything, everytime I hit a framer, my arm would be in pain.

2)too wristy... I use to not know how to transfer my weight, it was a pure wrist shot, no leg and my wrist and forearm killed me all freshman year.

3)full poly strings... just stay away from those, and babolat hurricanes... or just polys all together.

4)I was weak... my freshman year, came in at about 90 lbs and couldnt lift a chair... that was a big problem.

so as you see, I honestly dont even rank my racquet as one of the reasons of my arm pain. I think whats more important is work out and get stronger, fitter, and have a good form is what you need to avoid arm problems.

with that said... picking out your racquet is difficult too i know... first of all, a heavy racquet is always good. demanding? maybe... but I mean, a PS85 is demanding, but most MP racquets are not so much. I think anything around 100 sq-inch is a good fit. and 11.5 oz... but I know when I was a freshman, I couldnt have used anything above 10.5 oz. but if you think you have no problem swinging a 11.5 oz racquet around then it shouldnt be an issue. I'm not a strong person by any means, but my diablo comes in at about 12 oz and its working just fine. I mean still crank a serve at around 100 mph... (ok a little less).

I hope you read what I had to say before you jumped down to the list because the list is VERY subjective... you really have to demo them before making a decision. these are just what I like and think are good frames. no one here hit with every frame on the market and likes the same frames you might like so you cant take our words for anything.

okay, I just went back a page...

I dont know if you mentioned your level of play... but I would recommend a tweener...

Babolat Pure Storm - this is the flexiest of the babolats and I played with it. it is NOTHING like all the other stiff babolats.

Prince O3 Tour - you could go with white, but I have hit with both and feel that the tour has more feel because of the thin beam, you might like it.

now the Tour is a "players" frame but I know a 10 yr old, 4'5 who uses it so I mean... dont let the "demanding" factor fool you.

and if you want power, TAKE LESSONS, PRACTICE, racquets will not make you hit harder. for me, if I were to switch to my purestorm again, which I tried recently, my shots would sail way long without control and I did NOT feel any improvement in my power department.

so pick your racquet by feel and comfort... not the specs...
 

abenguyen

Hall of Fame
i am 16 years old, a junior, at my high school and play with the lm radical. no arm problems at all and it is a great racquet at an AMAZING price.
 

headfan91

Semi-Pro
thanks for your imput, I have a few questions for you. whats your skill level and do you play with the 93 or 100? Also you said you were small your freshman year, so whats your build now? I'm assuming your a senior, based on your age. I'm a sophmore, thats small 5'5'' and 115lbs. and I am around 3.0. I think all your recommendations are good, what do you know about the rds 001?
 
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abenguyen

Hall of Fame
thanks for your imput, I have a few questions for you. whats your skill level and do you play with the 93 or 100? Also you said you were small your freshman year, so whats your build now? I'm assuming your a senior, based on your age. I'm a sophmore, thats small 5'5'' and 115lbs. and I am around 3.0. I think all your recommendations are good, what do you know about the rds 001?

questions for me?
 

EricW

Professional
Kaptain Karl said:
[Wilsons all seem to be the "exceptions to the rule" about tension, though. I'd recommend you try them more toward the lower end of their tension range.]

What do you mean?
 

dylo

Semi-Pro
I'm 16 and i play for JV. I used to use a prince thunderbolt but i switched to a O3 tour MP. Don't listen to others about how racquets may be "low-powered". Unless your getting a prostaff 6.0, the power is certainly there. It'll take a few weeks to get used to it though. The head size is much more important for me as even 5 in make a difference in how often you miss the sweet spot. The o3 tour is an amazing racquet, very soft, friendly sweet spot, and great stability. I highly recommend it.
\

i use a prostaff 6.0 95 and i dont find it very underpowered at all. then again, mine is slightly tweaked with lead.

headfan, i suggest that you try the volkl tour 10 v-engine mp. its very comfy and slightly more powerful than the rds 001. i use it when i play against more powerful opponents. one of its best attributes is that shots near the frame are very comfortable and still go back over the net with good pace
 

Kaptain Karl

Hall Of Fame
What do you mean?
My statement was, of course, a generalization. But I've played the Surge, Open, n6.1 and a few others (Cannot remember names) maybe ten, in all. In every case I found the Wilson sticks to have better feel and control when strung toward the lower end of their recommended stringing ranges. (My hitting buddies who use the n6.1 have ALL backed their tension way down, too.)

Was that better?

- KK
 

headfan91

Semi-Pro
how does the fp prestige MP compare to the o3 tour and rds 001? As far as power and sweetspot size? and would the pures storm be bad for my arm, even though its relatively flexy?
 
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headfan91

Semi-Pro
or would I do better with some sort of tweener? like the rds 003 instead of the 001 and the o3 white instead of the o3 tour mp.
 

p0w3r

Semi-Pro
or would I do better with some sort of tweener? like the rds 003 instead of the 001 and the o3 white instead of the o3 tour mp.

Im currently a senior in HS (playing 3rd singles) and have been on the tennis team for three years. For the first two years, i used a Head Liquidmetal Radical OS. Currently, i use the Yonex RDS 001 Mid as over the past year i have taken tennis more seriously and have improved a lot.

In general, most lower doubles players in high schools play with those super OS frames you were talking about. Theres no problem with that as thats what they play the best with. But then i would rank them at 3.0 at best.

Then you move up to the better doubles players and singles players. I would say that in my area a good 40% of them use Head radicals. The captain of my team uses a Head i.Radical MP and the second/third guy also uses a i.Radical MP. On other teams, many use Flexpoint radicals or LM radicals...all mp. Then theres a good 30% that uses Babolat racquets, mostly pure drives. 20% use other players frames like dunlop MiFil 200, wilson n6.1, wilson n6.1 tours, ect. Finally the last 10% still use those super OS granny sticks.

For you, i would pick a cheap, but good players frame like something from the head radical line. That racquet can last you a long time. After getting the racquet focus more on playing and IMPROVING rather then racquets. Fact of the matter is that no matter what racquet you use...the biggest difference is how you play. If you can, attend a summer program for tennis or see if there are free ones over the summer in your area. At times i focused too much on equipment in my HS tennis years...and looking back if i spent more time working on my game and taking more lessons, i would be a much player then i am right now.
 

Amone

Hall of Fame
how does the fp prestige MP compare to the o3 tour and rds 001? As far as power and sweetspot size? and would the pures storm be bad for my arm, even though its relatively flexy?

My team's 4 singles player used a Pure Storm last year, maybe the year before. He was actually one of the fitter players I knew. Only physical problem I saw with him was his height (he was short; I realised last year I was his height, and therefor also short, but he was still short) and that during regionals two years ago, his Tourna gave him blisters.
 
D

Deleted member 6835

Guest
In general, most lower doubles players in high schools play with those super OS frames you were talking about. Theres no problem with that as thats what they play the best with. But then i would rank them at 3.0 at best.

not disputing what you said, just wondering... You're saying they'd be a 3.0 at best because of their skill, and NOT the racket they're using right? just checking ;)
 

damasta55

Rookie
Liquidmetal radical os would be a good racquet. ALso the flexpoint heat/fire are good. Below 120, hmm, if your pro shop has shark mp or os, thats a good racquet. Liquidmetal 4 are good too.
 

p0w3r

Semi-Pro
not disputing what you said, just wondering... You're saying they'd be a 3.0 at best because of their skill, and NOT the racket they're using right? just checking ;)
lol yes:p

There have been 4.0+ top singles players that also use super OS granny sticks...although quite rare.
 

donnyz89

Hall of Fame
thanks for your imput, I have a few questions for you. whats your skill level and do you play with the 93 or 100? Also you said you were small your freshman year, so whats your build now? I'm assuming your a senior, based on your age. I'm a sophmore, thats small 5'5'' and 115lbs. and I am around 3.0. I think all your recommendations are good, what do you know about the rds 001?


I'm about your size right now but I'm sure you still have some more to grow... I play #1 for my school which is in the middle of the pack of our conference, I went 5-6 last year at #1 singles also. I'm not going to give you a "rating" because I think self rated players, no offense to you, they tend to overrate themselves. but if I had to give myself an accurate rating, I would say I'm a high 3.5.

I play with the diablo MP... and I dont know much about the rds or any yonex racquets, but it from what I've heard, they both look fantastic.
 

donnyz89

Hall of Fame
lol yes:p

There have been 4.0+ top singles players that also use super OS granny sticks...although quite rare.

really? I find that hard to believe... to get to 4.0, you have to be taken some serious lessons, you cant hit at parks with your buddies and get to 4.0... I would think some pros would recommend that person a better racquet. but again, most highschool "ratings" are overrated.

but I agree with everything he said about not focusing too much on the racquets. trust me, I was like this when I was your age, your level, (I played 2 singles my sophomore year, and I was a 3.0, I thought I was a 4.0 though.. lol) and I was worrying a lot on my racquets, but my junior year I finally settled with the Diablo and I'm more than satisfied with it and dont plan to change it... and I was an ok 3.5 player last year.

so once you play enough, you wont be asking us so much questions about racquets, trust me.
 

Voltron

Hall of Fame
I'm a highschool player and I'm at least 4.5, and I play all court. You should get a Yonex RDS 001 or RDX 500 MP. Unless you are 4.0 or higher, then get a mid. If you want a cheaper frame, look into a LM Rad, or Mfil 200, although I personally dislike dunlop.
 

bcsax123

Semi-Pro
POG OS! Arm freindly, has good pop at lower tensions with a multi, you can grow into it and increase tension as you get better. $120.
 
J

jake 152849

Guest
im a top player for my team and i use a fxp prestige mid. As for my playing style basliner and although everyone tells my my strokes basically pro style and very fluid
 

EricW

Professional
I'm about your size right now but I'm sure you still have some more to grow... I play #1 for my school which is in the middle of the pack of our conference, I went 5-6 last year at #1 singles also. I'm not going to give you a "rating" because I think self rated players, no offense to you, they tend to overrate themselves. but if I had to give myself an accurate rating, I would say I'm a high 3.5.

I play with the diablo MP... and I dont know much about the rds or any yonex racquets, but it from what I've heard, they both look fantastic.

How do you play #1 at your school and go 5-6 if you're just a 3.5?
 

donnyz89

Hall of Fame
How do you play #1 at your school and go 5-6 if you're just a 3.5?

obviously you have not seen a LEGIT 3.5 play, thats why I said "but again, most highschool "ratings" are overrated." several times... but since he asked I thought I put it in there. Although my our conference wasnt a very strong conference. so obviously you overrate a little bit as far as your ratings go... ;) let me mind you, a 4.0 player can walk on a lot of D2 D3 colleges so maybe that'll put it into perspective. also I dont live in florida where every player is going to play in college.
 

EricW

Professional
My statement was, of course, a generalization. But I've played the Surge, Open, n6.1 and a few others (Cannot remember names) maybe ten, in all. In every case I found the Wilson sticks to have better feel and control when strung toward the lower end of their recommended stringing ranges. (My hitting buddies who use the n6.1 have ALL backed their tension way down, too.)

Was that better?

- KK

Yes, thank you. I use a ncode tour 90 and i actually use 59 (50-60 is recommened) but i've been experimenting for a little bit, ill try like 52 today (i have to string one soon anyway)
 

Noveson

Hall of Fame
I'm a highschool player and I'm at least 4.5, and I play all court. You should get a Yonex RDS 001 or RDX 500 MP. Unless you are 4.0 or higher, then get a mid. If you want a cheaper frame, look into a LM Rad, or Mfil 200, although I personally dislike dunlop.

I have to go with Voltron on this one, although he seems a bit biased towards YOnex:D . The RDX500 and RDS001 are GREAT racquets. The LM Rad is a very nice and cheap racquet, but it lacks the spin of the two YOnex's.
 
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