Adding Weight

[AdeAce]

Hi
Wonder if someone could explain why adding lead weight to a racquet could help with elbow/shoulder problems as stated here

http://www.tennis4all.com/info/racquets/customize.shtml

They recommended adding weight at position 4. Why is this? Surely it doesn't alter the flexibilty of the racquet and shock will still be transmitted

 

[Andres]

Basically, because you're letting the racquet do the work, instead of our arm

(I oversimplified things as much as possible, I know)

 

[Bottle Rocket]

Would you rather hit another car in a man size truck or a little tiny 2 door?

Think of the impact of the two cars. The truck won't be knocked around too much, the tiny car will get thrown around and destroyed. The people inside the little car aren't going to be too thrilled.

The issue is that of impact shock. A heavier racket decreases the shock to you hand, then to your elbow, and then to you shoulder. It makes a BIG difference.

Heavier rackets are more arm-friendly for this reason.

Flexibility is a totally seperate issue, I think racket weight is a more important issue. I unfortunately have no science to base that statement on.

 

[LuckyR]

Hi
Wonder if someone could explain why adding lead weight to a racquet could help with elbow/shoulder problems as stated here

http://www.tennis4all.com/info/racquets/customize.shtml

They recommended adding weight at position 4. Why is this? Surely it doesn't alter the flexibilty of the racquet and shock will still be transmitted

Bottle Rocket sums up the Conservation of Momentum in a very understandable way. As to the positon #4 on the website, although what they are saying is true, I disagree with the advice. If you center weight the stick you won't change the balance point much but you will make it less "polar" and it will become difficult to generate spin. I prefer weights higher in the hoop and butt weighting to adjust the balance point but keep the racquet spin friendly.