Adding weight to racket, a follow up

[mattm]

This is a follow up to a thread about the benefits of playing with a heavier racket for solid volleys. Like others, I added a bunch of weight to one of my rackets for training purposes and liked it so much I've just left it on (36 grams.) I added the weight in the easiest place so as not to change the balance of my racket, on either side of the throat. My question is weather I should move redistribute that weight so that some of it is on the head at 3 and 9 and the rest is on the butt. Again, to keep the balance about the same. Am I losing some of the benefits of adding weight by leaving it on the throat, or do think I should just stick with it there since I like the feel of the racket now? My racket is a PK 5g that now should weigh about 13 ounces.

Thanks

 

[second set]

Seems to me that adding at 3 and 9 o'clock would add to the stability. That's my plan anyways. I've added weight under the handle too, although trying to figure a good way to add more without bulking up the grip too much since my HPS6.1's handle is not hollow. Been thinking about just adding along one of the bevels and maybe get a "wonder wedge" effect.

 

[kevhen]

So how does everyone else add weight? I used to get those little metal sticky weights but they would fly off on the serve, so I just went to adding head tape which does stay on and distributes the weight more evenly. Does no one else just use extra head tape? I have a little scale I weigh my racquets with when done.

 

[second set]

So how does everyone else add weight? I used to get those little metal sticky weights but they would fly off on the serve, so I just went to adding head tape which does stay on and distributes the weight more evenly. Does no one else just use extra head tape? I have a little scale I weigh my racquets with when done.

Head tape or lead tape? Surely lead tape you mean. Can't imagine how much head tape you'd need to add significant weight.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

So how does everyone else add weight? I used to get those little metal sticky weights but they would fly off on the serve, so I just went to adding head tape which does stay on and distributes the weight more evenly. Does no one else just use extra head tape? I have a little scale I weigh my racquets with when done.

Head tape or lead tape? Surely lead tape you mean. Can't imagine how much head tape you'd need to add significant weight.

LOL

 

[andreh]

I've added 12 at 3 and 9 and another 10 under the handle. Amazing results!

 

[Bungalo Bill]

I've added 12 at 3 and 9 and another 10 under the handle. Amazing results!

Aaahaa! A new discovery is always nice isnt it?

If you just did this, be careful to not add too much wieght in the beginning. It is a lot like weight training except this much much more decieving. Static weight (holding the racquet) vs. dynamic wieght (while the racquet is moving when it is swung towards the ball) is different.

Your tendons and muscles need to adapt to the increasing weight SLOWLY! Give it a month, then add some more. Do this until you notice a decrease in your ability to keep your timing. If you cant keep your timing, lower the weight and stay there for awhile.

When you add weight to the 12 o'clock are you really have to take your time and let the muscles and tendons adapt. Otherwise, you're asking for trouble.

 

[Bungalo Bill]

So how does everyone else add weight? I used to get those little metal sticky weights but they would fly off on the serve, so I just went to adding head tape which does stay on and distributes the weight more evenly. Does no one else just use extra head tape? I have a little scale I weigh my racquets with when done.

Kehven it depends on what you're trying to do. If you like the swing wieght of the racquet but want to add more beef, put the wieght at the throat. If you want to have a more head heavy racquet add it towards the top of the frame..

If you want to increase the sweetspot but not necessarily alter the head heaviness of the racquet, 9 and 3 position probably will help.

I like a heavy racquet from a static position so the wieght of my racquet is around the throat area. It really is a preference thing.

But I can say that most players put it either on the 9 and 3 o'clock position and the 2 and 10 o'clock position.

 

[kevhen]

I use the extra wide Gamma head tape and put it along the sides and sometimes have gone all the way along the frame. Putting about 8 inches on each side adds about 1/4 ounce of weight by my scale. I have three layers on my 2 Volkls adding just over 1/2 ounce and even more on my SurgeX adding an ounce to it's weight.

I don't like adding too much at once since my swing feels too slow in match conditions and I end up late to the ball until I get used to it.