MikeHitsHard93
Hall of Fame
Yes the XFP is a great racquet and one that I used about 2 yrs ago for a couple of seasons. It's nice and headlite and the sw is manageable for an
almost 12 oz. stick. Good call!
Why did you stop using it man?
Yes the XFP is a great racquet and one that I used about 2 yrs ago for a couple of seasons. It's nice and headlite and the sw is manageable for an
almost 12 oz. stick. Good call!
Why did you stop using it man?
I've been thinking... And I came up with a biomimetic 200 plus... 97" iirc.
To be honest, I don't remember. But it was probably too much stick for me back then. I was a -3.5 then and now I am a 4.0.
Jack, where is the first knuckle of your right index finger when you hit a topspin backhand?
Right on top of the grip....Eastern backhand grip.
Why do u ask?
Hi Jack, I asked because you may want to experiment with moving one bevel behind the top, so that your racquet head is slightly closed. You may find that hitting topspin is easier that way. I think you'll definitely find that on higher bouncing balls, it's easier to get over the top of the ball with that grip.
When I plan to block the serve back with topspin, I generally use my two hander. More stability and control IMO. When I really want to attack a second serve, I tend to use a one hander.
So you use both depending on the situation?
Do you mix the 2 anytime other than returns?
I'll check it out. I just started there because that's where 99% of the textbook instruction says to go. I get good topspin and can drive the ball pretty well with the Eastern BH grip, but it doesn't have the same net clearance my f/h does. I am pretty surprised at how well the transition has been going so far and I am kicking myself for not trying this sooner. My 2 hander never felt "right" and the 1 hander feels very natural. Biggest adjustment though is on hard hit shots that are tight on my b/h side...I still sometimes hit a 2 hander out of instict and lack of time to set up for anything else. I can block them with a slice, but sometimes those get popped up into the air too high. Just something to practice more I guess.
My Pro thinks it's fine to keep the 2 hander in my arsenal for returns though, but I think it may be better to make a clean break from it to avoid confusion in my head.
Seems to me that if you hit the 2 hander "out of instinct" you risk more "confusion in your head" by trying to ban it out. I'm an exclusive 1 hander, but I'd love to have a 2 hander 'at hand' that I could pull out instinctively when out of position for my 1 hander, if you get my drift... Shouldn't be more confusing than switching between top and slice.
Seems to me that if you hit the 2 hander "out of instinct" you risk more "confusion in your head" by trying to ban it out. I'm an exclusive 1 hander, but I'd love to have a 2 hander 'at hand' that I could pull out instinctively when out of position for my 1 hander, if you get my drift... Shouldn't be more confusing than switching between top and slice.
Ok, my choices have been narrowed down to the following:
1) Dunlop Bio Maxx 200G (haven't tried yet)
2) Donnay Pro 1 97 16x19 (love it so far...just wonder if swingweight might be too heavy)
3) Rebel 98 (haven't tried yet with mods...more weight in handle and string inserts)
4) Yonex xi98 (just tried briefly...need more playtesting time...liked it so far)
5) Wilson BLX 6.1 95 Team (liked it, but needed lots of lead)
So far I have preferred the Donnay, but have yet to try the 200g or xi98. The latter 2 have very similar specs to the Pro 1 but have slightly lower swingweight. The Xi98 actually sounds perfect on paper, but I never liked that weird frame shape. The Rebel is a longshot, but I plan on adding weight to the handle and putting in the string inserts hoping to take away some of that muted feel (ans also to make stringing easier).
I have eliminated the Wilson 2012 Blx 6.1 Team (too muted on slightly off center hits), the Prestige S (not user friendly enough...small sweetspot and low power) and the Vcore 95d (too heavy and small sweetspot). Out of these 3, I played best with the Wilson. I did like it, but it had a muted "numb" feeling on hits outside the sweetspot that I didn't like. Maybe that's the Wilson Amplifeel handle, I don't know. I nothing else works out, I might revisit it. The on court results were good.
Ok, my choices have been narrowed down to the following:
1) Dunlop Bio Maxx 200G (haven't tried yet)
2) Donnay Pro 1 97 16x19 (love it so far...just wonder if swingweight might be too heavy)
3) Rebel 98 (haven't tried yet with mods...more weight in handle and string inserts)
4) Yonex xi98 (just tried briefly...need more playtesting time...liked it so far)
5) Wilson BLX 6.1 95 Team (liked it, but needed lots of lead)
So far I have preferred the Donnay, but have yet to try the 200g or xi98.
Jack,
Is the Xi 98 the Ezone or newer Vcore? I acquired one of the newer Vcores, but have fell in love with the 16x19 Blade before it arrived. Need to know if it's worth breaking my promise to never try another racquet. Thanks.
not for nothing (i do find your never-ending racquet quest interesting) but any of those racquets will work fine. You just have to give a racquet time. you can't buy it, use it for 4 months, then decide to switch racquets again because your now switching to a full western grip! If you stick with the Pro 1 long enough you'll get used to the swing weight and get stronger. If you find the right lead set up for the 6.1 95 or Rebel 98 then you'll be good to go at some point. Again, IIRC, you've played with/owned at least 2 of the above. Imagine how much better your game would be if you had stuck with the Rebel 98, Pro 1, Warrior, London, etc..., etc..., etc...
It really wouldn't make me that much better. I seem to play pretty much the same no matter what racquet I grab. It really has very little impact on my game. It's more a personal preference thing with me. I used the London for over a year and saw very little difference. I can acclimate to a new racquet very quickly. If you like sticking with one racquet for a long time and it works better for you, then do it.
I know that. I am not talking about shanks. I am talking about........
#1 - MINIMIZING any elbow issues while I am learning this stroke
#2 - getting a racquet that enhances this stroke (more HL, smaller head, more flex)
So then everyone that complains of TE while using Bablots should just stick with them? If you hit a stiff frame in the middle there is no elbow pain either. Can we please drop this nonsense? If I was good enough to NEVER be late and to ALWAYS hit the center of the racquet, this would be a moot point.
Well then why are you switching sticks because of a one handed backhand? This doesn't make sense to me.
Well then why are you switching sticks because of a one handed backhand? This doesn't make sense to me.
I'm pretty much in agreement with something PP said awhile back in this thread: not sure if you change sticks to improve a 'worst' stroke or especially a 'new' stroke, but instead stick with the one that accentuates your best one. And, at your level, I'm thinking the forehand is the one shot that you hit probably 70 percent of the time or more anyway.
But you know, whatever.
Make sure you put the ig rad pro on there. Great, comfortable frame.
Why not the new Blade 98 16x19?
How about the new Graphene Speed Mp. I had a hit with it last night and it plays way more comfortable than the specs suggest.
How about the new Graphene Speed Mp. I had a hit with it last night and it plays way more comfortable than the specs suggest.
I would suggest play-testing the Pro 1 with the 10 gram buttcap & the 5 gram alongside its stock set up. The 10 gram buttcap setup is what won me over. I could have added weight the Bio Max 200G but once it was too late. My Pro 1's weigh in at 11.9 & 12oz. I didn't think I could or wanted a 12oz racquet but it is working out great. Makes me want to try more in this weight class.
Hi Jack. I can't remember if you tried the Vcore 98D last year. I have just picked up a new Vcore Xi 98 and will report back.
Still have the Warrior 100 floating around in the back of my head too!
ps. I no longer have racket dilemnas. I have accepted that I am a full blown racketoholic and finding "the one" would not infact stop be buying and trying other rackets. That said, with all the expensive rackets I have, the bargain Microgel Radical Team is my favourite match racket at the moment. Kind of makes me feel like a fraud having played with so many 'players' sticks but it does feel remarkably solid due to even balance and good SW.
Ok, my choices have been narrowed down to the following:
1) Dunlop Bio Maxx 200G (haven't tried yet)
2) Donnay Pro 1 97 16x19 (love it so far...just wonder if swingweight might be too heavy)
3) Rebel 98 (haven't tried yet with mods...more weight in handle and string inserts)
4) Yonex xi98 (just tried briefly...need more playtesting time...liked it so far)
5) Wilson BLX 6.1 95 Team (liked it, but needed lots of lead)
So far I have preferred the Donnay, but have yet to try the 200g or xi98. The latter 2 have very similar specs to the Pro 1 but have slightly lower swingweight. The Xi98 actually sounds perfect on paper, but I never liked that weird frame shape. The Rebel is a longshot, but I plan on adding weight to the handle and putting in the string inserts hoping to take away some of that muted feel (ans also to make stringing easier).
I have eliminated the Wilson 2012 Blx 6.1 Team (too muted on slightly off center hits), the Prestige S (not user friendly enough...small sweetspot and low power) and the Vcore 95d (too heavy and small sweetspot). Out of these 3, I played best with the Wilson. I did like it, but it had a muted "numb" feeling on hits outside the sweetspot that I didn't like. Maybe that's the Wilson Amplifeel handle, I don't know. I nothing else works out, I might revisit it. The on court results were good.
Wait..I thought you tried the P1 awhile back and you gave it up because it was "sluggish" and you preferred the Volkl O8 315 ?
I did, but I gave up on it too quickly. The X8 315 WAS lighter through the air, but I always liked most other aspects of the P1....the feel, solidness, touch and controllable power. It's very unique in that it's got the power of the tweener frames, but with a solid feel that none of them have. And its very arm friendly.
agreed. actually if you add a bit of weight to the handle, it actually swings a bit quicker as well
Im hunting for one for you man. I know i have one somewhere