Anyone playing with *heavy* racket? with video please.

N

Nikae

Rookie
Hey all, anyone playing with some heavy rackets (345g+ strung) and has a video of practice/match?

I actually never saw an amateur (below level 5.5) playing with a racket heavier then 325g strung, at least not around this part of the world - Serbia.
They say that using heavy rackets at low level tennis is not going to get you anywhere, unless you have really good mechanics...

So please, share some videos of some 3.5-5.5 matches or practices :)

Sorry for weird English and thanks!
 
Bobby Jr

Bobby Jr

G.O.A.T.
I use a frame in the region of 370gm... a Wilson ProStaff 85 with some lead on it. It's what I've used for years - whenever I've tried to play with lighter frames they've felt like they don't have enough plough.

Sorry, no video other than an old serve video from this thread > vid link: http://youtu.be/GBUyeftGbXI
 
W

willroc7

Rookie
I'm a 4.5 player that uses 345g unstrung six.one 95's. I started with the ncode version, then moved to the first BLX (black and gold), and now I'm on the most recent 2012 BLX (red and white). I almost never see anyone using a heavier frame at my level. Bobby Jr here has me beat, though.

Here is a video of some hitting with the ncode. My hitting partner here is using the same weight racket, but the BLX version. He is very far from an amateur, though. You can see how it rewards long, fast swings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds3-UYaxBJ8
 
N

Nikae

Rookie
Thats a very nice serve Boby!

willroc7, you are the one closer to the camera at the start right?
what rating is you hitting partner?
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
I have fluctuated from 325 to 355 through the years and have found that there are no rules, it really is an individual preference.
 
W

willroc7

Rookie
Nikae said:
Thats a very nice serve Boby!

willroc7, you are the one closer to the camera at the start right?
what rating is you hitting partner?
Click to expand...
Correct. He's not USTA rated but I would guess 5.5+. He played #1 at a D1 school in the US, among other accomplishments.
 
eidolonshinobi

eidolonshinobi

Professional
Currently my racquet is the Yonex Vcore 97 (330g unstrung). Strung weight with overgrip is 350g....much heavier than I've ever played with (previous racquet was PB10mid at 12.1 oz 342g strung).

I probably wouldn't have mind if the swing weight was around 320g but the swing weight on the 97t is 335.

With all that said, I think it would benefit a player to use a heavy racquet to smack some humility in them, cause I certainly should not be playing with said racquet.

Switching to the lighter version of the 97t soon. Definitely wouldn't recommend folks 4.0 and under using such hefty sticks.
 
Last edited:
N

Nikae

Rookie
willroc7 said:
I'm a 4.5 player that uses 345g unstrung six.one 95's. I started with the ncode version, then moved to the first BLX (black and gold), and now I'm on the most recent 2012 BLX (red and white). I almost never see anyone using a heavier frame at my level. Bobby Jr here has me beat, though.

Here is a video of some hitting with the ncode. My hitting partner here is using the same weight racket, but the BLX version. He is very far from an amateur, though. You can see how it rewards long, fast swings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds3-UYaxBJ8
Click to expand...

You meant 345g strung right?

You two have similar looking forehands, they look really nice and smooth!
Its amazing that your timing is very good with such a heavy racket.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
Nikae said:
You meant 345g strung right?

You two have similar looking forehands, they look really nice and smooth!
Its amazing that your timing is very good with such a heavy racket.
Click to expand...

He means unstrung probably.

345 is doable - just boils down to the Swing weight. You have to watch that. I am right around 342 and I keep my Sw a little lower to compensate.

I have played at 355 grams. It gets heavy for me in the summer heat here. That is when you start really analyzing racquet weight.
 
W

willroc7

Rookie
Nikae said:
You meant 345g strung right?

You two have similar looking forehands, they look really nice and smooth!
Its amazing that your timing is very good with such a heavy racket.
Click to expand...
No, unstrung. I got all my rackets matched for weight and swing-weight (301 unstrung) from TW. They are on the heavier side of the Wilson spec, and it goes to show how much variation there is in their QC. Thanks for the comments. His forehand is far better than mine, although I have improved a bit since this video. I feel like using a heavier racket demands that you have better timing.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Are u kidding?
My Mfil200's are 12.4 oz strung, with 15 gauge nylon. I'm American, don't know metrics.
My Aero200's closer to 12.7 oz, too heavy for me.
My Aero500's are almost 11 oz, with 24" of lead tape on the head.
My Bio3T is close to 11.8 oz, with 12" of lead tape, 1/4".
 
N

Nikae

Rookie
LeeD said:
Are u kidding?
My Mfil200's are 12.4 oz strung, with 15 gauge nylon. I'm American, don't know metrics.
My Aero200's closer to 12.7 oz, too heavy for me.
My Aero500's are almost 11 oz, with 24" of lead tape on the head.
My Bio3T is close to 11.8 oz, with 12" of lead tape, 1/4".
Click to expand...

Well I also have pt630, 355g, but that doesn't mean i can use it in matches and actually win something, especially on red clay courts :)
 
TennisA

TennisA

Rookie
I'd say I'm a 3.0-3.5, and I play with a 340-345 gram racket strung. I haven't weighed my racket in so long I can't remember the exact measurement.
Only problem I've had with my heavier racket is that I can't hit volleys as well as I should, since it's more difficult for me to be mobile. Other than that, I think my game has worked pretty well so far.
 
R

rkelley

Hall of Fame
Around 352g strung, Prince Rebel 95. I'm about a 4.5. I've weighted up the head at 10 and 2 just a bit as well, which honestly makes a huge difference in feel. I don't think you need to be a 5.5 to swing a heavier racquet. A 5.5 is basically a low level pro. A 4.5 is a pretty solid player as you can see from willroc7's video.
 
N

Nikae

Rookie
The biggest problem for me, when using a heavy racket, is my forehand.
I hit late too many times and i get tired a bit.... maybe i should just work on my swing mechanics or something.
 
BaselineB

BaselineB

New User
willroc7 said:
Prepare early and swing with your legs/hips/core, not your arm.
Click to expand...

First post here so be nice ;)

Wouldn't it be good for beginners to use a heavier racket?

In golf there's the example of children playing with shortened old clubs that are supposedly 'too' heavy for them. They have no choice but to use their entire body to move the club around them. They have very efficient swings as a result.

Or to turn it around, is it bad to use a light racket to learn how to play tennis, because it allows you to just use your arms to hit the ball and not use proper technique?

Paul
 
N

Nikae

Rookie
BaselineB said:
First post here so be nice ;)

Wouldn't it be good for beginners to use a heavier racket?

In golf there's the example of children playing with shortened old clubs that are supposedly 'too' heavy for them. They have no choice but to use their entire body to move the club around them. They have very efficient swings as a result.

Or to turn it around, is it bad to use a light racket to learn how to play tennis, because it allows you to just use your arms to hit the ball and not use proper technique?

Paul
Click to expand...

Depends on how light the racket are we talking about here?
Some pros use really light rackets.
 
BaselineB

BaselineB

New User
Nikae said:
Depends on how light the racket are we talking about here?
Some pros use really light rackets.
Click to expand...

Yes pros already use proper technique, but I mean for beginners wouldn't it be better to use a heavier racket? This way they would be forced to use the big muscles to power their shots.
 
TomT

TomT

Hall of Fame
Nikae said:
Hey all, anyone playing with some heavy rackets (345g+ strung) and has a video of practice/match?

I actually never saw an amateur (below level 5.5) playing with a racket heavier then 325g strung, at least not around this part of the world - Serbia.
They say that using heavy rackets at low level tennis is not going to get you anywhere, unless you have really good mechanics...

So please, share some videos of some 3.5-5.5 matches or practices :)

Sorry for weird English and thanks!
Click to expand...
My racquet is currently about 347g strung (counting some leading). I'll probably add more lead tape to bring it up to between 365-370g.

I'm approximately NTRP 3.0 level, so very low level. But I seem to play better the more weight I add to the racquet.

I'm playing a match this morning, and will try to remember to post some video snippets of that match here.

In the meantime, here's a couple of vids at the 347g weight and me in a somewhat weakened state:

Serving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jw6D_uXwYno

Rallying
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJ62UPcZM60

Serving
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKiYX3s7MAY
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Not swing mechanics, but probably EARLIER shoulder turn and prep.
Look at those warmup vids of Fed. His racket is 355 range, weight AND SW, and with EARLY shoulder turn and prep, his racket get's to the ball in time.
Of course, he's a pro, and he's just starting out that day. Later, after 7 hours on court, maybe he's late for lots of his forehands too.
You and I, as rec players, I'm a 4.0 who used to play in 5.5 tourneys, like 27years ago, can still wield a 350 SW and weight racket, but probably not after the second set of the day.
 
BaselineB

BaselineB

New User
LeeD said:
Not swing mechanics, but probably EARLIER shoulder turn and prep.
Look at those warmup vids of Fed. His racket is 355 range, weight AND SW, and with EARLY shoulder turn and prep, his racket get's to the ball in time.
Of course, he's a pro, and he's just starting out that day. Later, after 7 hours on court, maybe he's late for lots of his forehands too.
You and I, as rec players, I'm a 4.0 who used to play in 5.5 tourneys, like 27years ago, can still wield a 350 SW and weight racket, but probably not after the second set of the day.
Click to expand...

Good points LeeD,
I've been practicing with a polarized setup, also around 355 and it's giving me a nice workout. The extra weight can be felt in the wrists and so far I like the feedback that gives.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
SW and weights of 350 bother my shoulders, which each have two broken collarbones and at least 2 separations and 1 dislocate.
It's fine for hitting and one set, but after that, maybe the years of injury starts to set in. 64 years old.
 
Lukhas

Lukhas

Legend
Well sometimes I wonder how people play with such clubs. I already tried to lead up a 325gr strung racquet with lead grip, but it was so slow to swing that in fact I lost the plow through I had with the lighter stick. Even if a more stable racquet would be enjoyable, I wouldn't go hit the hard way... Especially on longer matches. Because when you have to lift the godamn frying pan after 3 sets on sun and clay, it doesn't feels the same as when you did it in the first set, bombing it everywhere on the court.
 
R

rufus_smith

Professional
Mine is currently 354g (12.5oz) and I'm kinda of a scrawny "Davydenko" looking guy but but never swing late because I usually have a short swing and a 2hb. IMO, extra weight helps to handle the return of spin serves better. The higher weight might slow up volleying especially in doubles and serving can sometimes tire the wrist. When I was younger I use a real heavy "club" but that was in ultra slow humid , clay court conditions where the ball would provide no pace and weighed 10% more by the end of a set . No vid yet but someday I hope to post something.
 
M

Mick3391

Professional
Nikae said:
Hey all, anyone playing with some heavy rackets (345g+ strung) and has a video of practice/match?

I actually never saw an amateur (below level 5.5) playing with a racket heavier then 325g strung, at least not around this part of the world - Serbia.
They say that using heavy rackets at low level tennis is not going to get you anywhere, unless you have really good mechanics...

So please, share some videos of some 3.5-5.5 matches or practices :)

Sorry for weird English and thanks!
Click to expand...

13oz+ used to be the norm, that is for kids and adults, you never heard them complaining of being tired. What happens is simple, like anything else your muscles adapt and you get used to it.

I was given a piece of garbage wood racquet when I started at 11, never saw a problem.

I just can't get over how some complain that say a 12.5 oz is too heavy. Too heavy compared to what?
 
user92626

user92626

G.O.A.T.
Mick3391 said:
13oz+ used to be the norm, that is for kids and adults, you never heard them complaining of being tired. What happens is simple, like anything else your muscles adapt and you get used to it.

I was given a piece of garbage wood racquet when I started at 11, never saw a problem.

I just can't get over how some complain that say a 12.5 oz is too heavy. Too heavy compared to what?
Click to expand...

Yeah, but they also hit and run like craps. They don't match today's hitting and running. 12.5 is heavy in today's contexts.
 
user92626

user92626

G.O.A.T.
Mick3391 said:
That part is true, but I can handle a 12.5 and it feels light. But yea you are right.
Click to expand...

How long do you play each session?

I play 4+ sets and hang around for hours :) so I don't like 12+ oz. I imagine if I only play 1 or 2 set, that weight should be fine. Also, I prefer long points over ripping winners, so running (not just swinging) with weight is also considered.
 
M

Mick3391

Professional
user92626 said:
How long do you play each session?

I play 4+ sets and hang around for hours :) so I don't like 12+ oz. I imagine if I only play 1 or 2 set, that weight should be fine. Also, I prefer long points over ripping winners, so running (not just swinging) with weight is also considered.
Click to expand...

Oh man I play for hours on end, my son and I play 6 hours, or 3 hours then go back for 2 more, we play a ton. Weight has NEVER been an issue for me.

It's basic physiology, use a heavier object for a time and your arm will adjust.

I think some start with light racquets, so a 12.5 will always wear them out. By the way, I use a Bab Aero now, but not because of it's lightness, but head size and other factors, Bab feels like a feather!
 
N

Nikae

Rookie
willroc7 said:
I'm a 4.5 player that uses 345g unstrung six.one 95's. I started with the ncode version, then moved to the first BLX (black and gold), and now I'm on the most recent 2012 BLX (red and white). I almost never see anyone using a heavier frame at my level. Bobby Jr here has me beat, though.

Here is a video of some hitting with the ncode. My hitting partner here is using the same weight racket, but the BLX version. He is very far from an amateur, though. You can see how it rewards long, fast swings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ds3-UYaxBJ8
Click to expand...

O btw, both of you seem to be using extreme semi-western forehand, how do you guys deal with low bouncing balls? I am trying to move from extreme-eastern to semi or full western and the biggest problem for me are the low bouncing balls.
 
W

willroc7

Rookie
Nikae said:
O btw, both of you seem to be using extreme semi-western forehand, how do you guys deal with low bouncing balls? I am trying to move from extreme-eastern to semi or full western and the biggest problem for me are the low bouncing balls.
Click to expand...
My grip is probably closer to fully western and I've never had problems with low balls. I use a lot of wrist on my forehand, especially if it's low. Get the racket under the ball and flick the wrist to brush up and give it the topspin to lift it over the net. This is also a natural time to use the reverse finish. The only decent example from that video is at 4:12. And as always, bend those knees.

This isn't a low bouncing shot, per se, but but it illustrates the wrist flick I'm talking about: http://youtu.be/Z3e81rbpKZQ?t=19s

I also have a pretty dandy forehand slice, but this isn't a shot I would encourage most to use: http://youtu.be/phF-oNOcjh0?t=16s
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
350 grams is not that far a stretch from say 325. When I first started playing about 3 yrs ago, I used a few 12 oz racquets (Dunlop 300T + lead, Rebel 95, Dunlop 200, XForce Pro) and didn't notice the additional weight too much. You do get used to it pretty quickly. But I think swingweight is more of a factor than static weight. JMO.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
JackB1 said:
350 grams is not that far a stretch from say 325.
Click to expand...


Actually it really is. Thats a lot of extra weight. So you either need to lower your SW, rebalance to more HL, or just feel like 325 is way too light.

I went from 325/331 SW to 345 and 320 SW. If I had kept the SW at 331, it would have been a real big adjustment.

Once you start getting to heavy territory (whatever that is for you..for me it's around 340) every gram counts and makes a difference. If not, I'd be playing a stick weighted at 365.
 
Relinquis

Relinquis

Hall of Fame
imo, it usually makes sense to go more headlight when you make a big step up in either swing weight and/or static weight.

it just feels right to do it this way... keeps in maneuverable for both ground strokes and for touch shots.
 
JackB1

JackB1

G.O.A.T.
Power Player said:
Actually it really is. Thats a lot of extra weight. So you either need to lower your SW, rebalance to more HL, or just feel like 325 is way too light.

I went from 325/331 SW to 345 and 320 SW. If I had kept the SW at 331, it would have been a real big adjustment.

Once you start getting to heavy territory (whatever that is for you..for me it's around 340) every gram counts and makes a difference. If not, I'd be playing a stick weighted at 365.
Click to expand...

I dont know. When I was playing with the 350 gram sticks, I was so used to them that they never once felt too heavy or sluggish to me. It's only now, if I go from one to the other do they feel heavy, sicne I am now used to 325-330 gram sticks. One constant though is that I always preferred swingweight in the same range...320-330.
 
watungga

watungga

Professional
For those who cannot withstand the weight of 350gms, get a dumbell and start playing with it like a forehand. I started 10lbs. and it was a struggle to get it going. I still have to think I about how strong my arms to keep it going thru reps. For many weeks, I ended up 15lbs, until it became boring. Boring that I don't struggle lifting them anymore. That is the time to stop and start playing 350gms racquet, which I could now replicate Federer's short take back. :p
 
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