Biggest factor in a "power" racquet?

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krnbrasha

Rookie
Hey guys, just wondering what contributes to more power in a racquet? What plays the biggest role??

Material racquet is made from? wood, graphite, graphene, kevlar ect?

Stiffness/Flexibility of racquet? I'm guessing the more flexible the racquet is the more control you get? or rather is it you get a lower powered racquet?

Beam width? thicker beam = more power?

Weight? heavier weight = more power? what if you add weight to just the handle, making a racquet more headlight?

Swing weight? the "heaver" or "higher" the swingweight the more power you get?

string pattern? This i'm not sure on.

Edit - I'm not talking about added power from swing speed / technique / body movements. I'm talking about the racquet it self. What factors the power in a racquet from the racquet itself. Sorry if I was unclear initially.

Edit2 - to be even more clear... Exclude all external forces... And strings and tension. Look at the "on paper"... For example..... A pro staff 97 rog red vs a pro staff 85. On paper the 97 is more powerful.......

Now..... What is the biggest factor that is making the 97 more powerful? Is it the headsize? Stiffness? Swingweight? Racquet material? Ect ect...
 
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1. swing speed
2. Inertia (swingweight)
3. sting stiffness (material, tension, pattern)
4. frame stiffness (material, thickness)

I don't think the static weight plays into power unless there is zero swing.
 
moon shot said:
1. swing speed
2. Inertia (swingweight)
3. sting stiffness (material, tension, pattern)
4. frame stiffness (material, thickness)

I don't think the static weight plays into power unless there is zero swing.
Click to expand...

In addition to...

5. body mechanics (guess this can tie to 1. swing speed)
6. head size
 
I always thought thicker beam and stiff racket = power so powerful thinner beam and flexible racket can not be existed until I got Textreme warrior 100TX.

Weight (g) - Unstrung 300 g
Swing Weight 285
Length 27"
Cross Section 20-22-20mm
String Pattern 16 x 18
Unofficial Stiffness: 60 (Babolat RDC)
 
Weight, swingweight, and stiffness are the biggest factors in a racquet's power. However, with weight and swingweight, you actually have to be able to swing the racquet to get power out of it, so it's player dependent. With stiffness, you can get power even at lower swing speeds, so it's not player dependent.
 
Kalin said:
Guys, swing speed and body mechanics have absolutely nothing to do with the inherent power of a racquet just as how hard you press on the gas pedal doesn't change the inherent power of a car. It just affects how much power you get out of it; different things.
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If you maintain racquet head speed for more than four hours you need to go see a doc... wait that was something else.

I posit that they are interrelated. If the swingweight is high enough you can't swing quickly the racquet will not be powerful to that person.

I see the OP clarified, so I'll not further this point.
 
Here is how string pattern would matter to power:
Similar to how a poly string or high tension deflect less a more dense pattern places more strings in contact with the ball so the stiffness in that contact patch will be greater.
 
Agree with Breakpoint, and material is also very important. Eg Ncode, i prestige, Microgel prestige ... All of them are in the 65 RA but have less power than say FXP prestige (with same 65 RA)

With those factors (w sw stiffness and composition) you can hit flat bombs.

Big headsize and thick beam provide a different kind of power; I cant explain why but with those sticks I have to change to a full western grip and cant hit flat
 
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Hammer balance also provide a type of power I dont like (ball tends to fly too much and lose control).
High SW with HL balance is more controlable power
 
Wide,thick beam helps.

Too head light reduces power so relatively head heavy.

And at least 100 square inches.

Open string pattern and lastly not too tight a tension.

My Babolat Pure Drive Tour has all these specs - and it's extremely powerful at low RHS
 
Mac33 said:
Wide,thick beam helps.

Too head light reduces power so relatively head heavy.

And at least 100 square inches.

Open string pattern and lastly not too tight a tension.

My Babolat Pure Drive Tour has all these specs - and it's extremely powerful at low RHS
Click to expand...

But can you swing it repeatedly with high racket head speed, that is the question.
Low RHS just denotes a low level of play. Unless you're McEnroe or Connors, which I doubt you are.
 
I think a lot depends on how you derive your power. If you are a strong player and can use a heavy racquet, you can extract a lot of power from a racquet whereas a weaker player would struggle to get power from such a frame. Racquets like the Yonex Duel G 330 and Volkl Super G 10 Mid 330 can be very powerful in the right hands.
Conversely a stiff racquet that weighs 295g with an even balance can be very powerful. Example of this would be a Volkl Super G 7 295. Its a very powerful racquet and is easy for many players to get power from it.
Racquets with open string patterns and larger heads can give you good power especially if you compare them to a 95 inch racquet with an 18/20 string pattern strung in poly.
At the end of the day it comes down to how you play. An older recreational player will find it easier to get power from a Volkl Super g 7 295 and an older fit advanced player may prefer a the heavy SG 330. A young modern advanced player will probably like a fast swinging thick beamed racquet like a Babolat Pure Drive to suit them.
 
I think that the tricky aspect of thicker beam width is that the hoop of a certain racquet may be rather wide and inherently stiff - we'd expect that to contribute to a racquet's liveliness or "power". But a few frames having these hoops with wide beams also have throats with lots of flex, so even though they seem like stiffer, more powerful hitters at a glance, they might have a rather soft flex rating and less perceived power overall.

If I look at the specs of a racquet, the things that tell me whether it will have more inherent liveliness include greater static weight, a higher stiffness rating, and a larger head size.

The racquets that let me play with more power actually have a little less of that inherent liveliness though. I can take bigger swings on the ball with a soft and hefty frame and not spray it around quite as much when the extra flex provides me with a less explosive, more predictable response. Nice around the baseline when I'm slugging in a singles setting, but a more lively (okay, powerful) frame can give me more authority with my shots in a doubles setting where I'm punching the ball around the court more often.
 
Crocodile said:
I think a lot depends on how you derive your power. If you are a strong player and can use a heavy racquet, you can extract a lot of power from a racquet whereas a weaker player would struggle to get power from such a frame. Racquets like the Yonex Duel G 330 and Volkl Super G 10 Mid 330 can be very powerful in the right hands.
Conversely a stiff racquet that weighs 295g with an even balance can be very powerful. Example of this would be a Volkl Super G 7 295. Its a very powerful racquet and is easy for many players to get power from it.
Racquets with open string patterns and larger heads can give you good power especially if you compare them to a 95 inch racquet with an 18/20 string pattern strung in poly.
At the end of the day it comes down to how you play. An older recreational player will find it easier to get power from a Volkl Super g 7 295 and an older fit advanced player may prefer a the heavy SG 330. A young modern advanced player will probably like a fast swinging thick beamed racquet like a Babolat Pure Drive to suit them.
Click to expand...

This guy nailed it
 
moon shot said:
Altering the length such as extended racquets would affect power as well.
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Mass, balance and length determine swingweight, so those should not be considered separate contributors.

I would say the potential power of a racquet is determined by its:

1. Swingweight
2. Head size
3. Material composition

And I would say that swingweight probably has the largest impact (punny!).
 
Head size, pattern, string, and tension. Mass, swing weight, and twist weight can easily be changed.
 
Yes you're probably right it will not matter what string or tension I put in like frames they will all be the same.
 
MisterP said:
String and tension has nothing to do with the inherent power of the frame.
Click to expand...
How do you interpret this question:
krnbrasha said:
Hey guys, just wondering what contributes to more power in a racquet? What plays the biggest role??
Click to expand...
Do you think the string and tension do not contribute to power in a racquet?

EDIT: If we're just talking about A racquet I guess you could really throw out head wise because in A racquet that is fixed and can not change.
 
Irvin said:
How do you interpret this question:
Do you think the string and tension do not contribute to power in a racquet?

EDIT: If we're just talking about A racquet I guess you could really throw out head wise because in A racquet that is fixed and can not change.
Click to expand...
I know the string and tension play a role in power. But that is a whole different subject as is technique/stroke/body.

The racquet itself is what I'm talking about. The stiffness, swingweight, weight, balance, headsize.

Since everyone is relating this to strike style/speed and everything else..

Maybe I should put "on paper" what would technically make a racquet more powerful not considering external forces... Or Strings & tension.

Like a pro staff 97 rog fed vs a pro staff 85. On paper the 97 is a more powerful racquet. Does this make sense????

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
 
krnbrasha said:
I know the string and tension play a role in power. But that is a whole different subject as is technique/stroke/body.

The racquet itself is what I'm talking about. The stiffness, swingweight, weight, balance, headsize.

Since everyone is relating this to strike style/speed and everything else..

Maybe I should put "on paper" what would technically make a racquet more powerful not considering external forces... Or Strings & tension.

Like a pro staff 97 rog fed vs a pro staff 85. On paper the 97 is a more powerful racquet. Does this make sense????

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
I still contend string and tension play a big part and next will be head size and stiffness. I do not think swing weight is that big of a factor. The higher your swing weight is the more force you have to supply to accelerate the racket. The faster the racket is moving the more power you will have. What you really want is a racket with enough SW to plow through the ball but low enough so you can easily accelerate it through the ball for hours without wearing yourself out. If I had to pick one or two factors it would be headsize and stiffness.
 
Irvin said:
I still contend string and tension play a big part and next will be head size and stiffness. I do not think swing weight is that big of a factor. The higher your swing weight is the more force you have to supply to accelerate the racket. The faster the racket is moving the more power you will have. What you really want is a racket with enough SW to plow through the ball but low enough so you can easily accelerate it through the ball for hours without wearing yourself out. If I had to pick one or two factors it would be headsize and stiffness.
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Oh I know string and tension play a big role.... I think a huge role.

I'm just having trouble finding a racquet that fits me.. Went from head intelligence i radicals (high school - college years). Now 10ish years later trying to find a racquet that is similar. Went through graphene speed pros, head prestige s, wilson pro staff 97,wilson pro staff 97s, pro staff 6.0 95 midplus.... And those were too powerful my shots were going long. The 95 was better... But that racquet is old... And stiff.

I might just have to go back to the i.radicals. this racquet search is draining me...

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
 
krnbrasha said:
I know the string and tension play a role in power. But that is a whole different subject as is technique/stroke/body.

The racquet itself is what I'm talking about. The stiffness, swingweight, weight, balance, headsize.

Since everyone is relating this to strike style/speed and everything else..

Maybe I should put "on paper" what would technically make a racquet more powerful not considering external forces... Or Strings & tension.

Like a pro staff 97 rog fed vs a pro staff 85. On paper the 97 is a more powerful racquet. Does this make sense????

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

The headsize as it relates to power only matters in how it relates to the strings in it. If you string two racquets that only differ in head size at such a high tension the string doesn't deflect or elongate they would have the same power.

So comparing the RF97 and PS85 you would find the RF is stiffer, expecially in the upper hoop where the 85 flex would sap power. The swingweight of the RF97 is also higher, so if they are both swung at the same speed the 97 is transmitting more power than the 85.
 
moon shot said:
The headsize as it relates to power only matters in how it relates to the strings in it. If you string two racquets that only differ in head size at such a high tension the string doesn't deflect or elongate they would have the same power.

So comparing the RF97 and PS85 you would find the RF is stiffer, expecially in the upper hoop where the 85 flex would sap power. The swingweight of the RF97 is also higher, so if they are both swung at the same speed the 97 is transmitting more power than the 85.
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So question. If we compared a.... Pk redondo 93 to a pro staff 97.

The pk has a smaller headsize 93 vs 97, weighs more 343g vs 329g, has the same swing weight, 10 points less stiff 56 vs 66, thinner beam 20 vs 21.5, 18x20 vs 16x19, graphite vs braided kevlar & graphite.

Say they're both strung with kevlar mains and syn gut crosses at 62/62. I already know I will get more power from the 97..... Too much power to my liking.. I have to slow everything down and change my stroke. Everything else feels great. Will the redondo have a noticeable difference in power??

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
 
moon shot said:
The headsize as it relates to power only matters in how it relates to the strings in it. If you string two racquets that only differ in head size at such a high tension the string doesn't deflect or elongate they would have the same power.
Click to expand...
That is true but they would break before they reached the point where they no longer stretched.
 
krnbrasha said:
So question. If we compared a.... Pk redondo 93 to a pro staff 97.

The pk has a smaller headsize 93 vs 97, weighs more 343g vs 329g, has the same swing weight, 10 points less stiff 56 vs 66, thinner beam 20 vs 21.5, 18x20 vs 16x19, graphite vs braided kevlar & graphite.

Say they're both strung with kevlar mains and syn gut crosses at 62/62. I already know I will get more power from the 97..... Too much power to my liking.. I have to slow everything down and change my stroke. Everything else feels great. Will the redondo have a noticeable difference in power??

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
if only the racket comparison tool had the rdondo 93 you would not have to guess.

http://twu.tennis-warehouse.com/cgi-bin/compareracquets.cgi
 
krnbrasha said:
So question. If we compared a.... Pk redondo 93 to a pro staff 97.

The pk has a smaller headsize 93 vs 97, weighs more 343g vs 329g, has the same swing weight, 10 points less stiff 56 vs 66, thinner beam 20 vs 21.5, 18x20 vs 16x19, graphite vs braided kevlar & graphite.

Say they're both strung with kevlar mains and syn gut crosses at 62/62. I already know I will get more power from the 97..... Too much power to my liking.. I have to slow everything down and change my stroke. Everything else feels great. Will the redondo have a noticeable difference in power??

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It would have less power, but how much less, low enough power for you to swing big and keep it in? I don't know. If the i.Radical worked for you I'd be chasing every spec I can find on it to replicate, or buy some more used if you can. Are you still waiting on the demo of the TF 315?
 
Irvin said:
How do you interpret this question:
Do you think the string and tension do not contribute to power in a racquet?

EDIT: If we're just talking about A racquet I guess you could really throw out head wise because in A racquet that is fixed and can not change.
Click to expand...
I don't disagree with what you're saying. I was just saying that the power of the strings is separate to the power of the frame. But, in the end, yes strings matter hugely in how you tune a racket for power.
 
moon shot said:
It would have less power, but how much less, low enough power for you to swing big and keep it in? I don't know. If the i.Radical worked for you I'd be chasing every spec I can find on it to replicate, or buy some more used if you can. Are you still waiting on the demo of the TF 315?
Click to expand...
I have been looking for racquets that are similar or somewhat similar.

Demos have come in.. And I've played a set and a tiebreaker with the 315. All i can say I really liked is the balance. I hate all the strings provided lol. Will experiment more over the weekend.

The other demos i got are the redondo 93, head microgel, and prince tour 95.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
 
MisterP said:
I don't disagree with what you're saying. I was just saying that the power of the strings is separate to the power of the frame. But, in the end, yes strings matter hugely in how you tune a racket for power.
Click to expand...
Yes I think so also. I love experimenting with different strings just because the results can be so different. Even just changing crosses and having the same mains.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
 
krnbrasha said:
I have been looking for racquets that are similar or somewhat similar.

Demos have come in.. And I've played a set and a tiebreaker with the 315. All i can say I really liked is the balance. I hate all the strings provided lol. Will experiment more over the weekend.

The other demos i got are the redondo 93, head microgel, and prince tour 95.

Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

It took me awhile to mentally connect your screen name to the other threads, maybe these guys can give you some fresh ideas.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/inde...-fast-swinging-racquets.562746/#post-10279571

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/index.php?threads/whippy-or-lower-powered-racquets.562339/
 
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Irvin said:
I'm getting confused now because it is difficult to change specs of a specific racket. The poser built into that racket is set and the only thing you can do is 'tune' the frame (weight, balance, SW, TW, etc...) for you or change the strings and tension.
Click to expand...

The second link in post 38 may give you some background. He played with the i.Radical for several years, took a break, and coming back to the sport feel his strokes are the same but is hitting long with new racquets. He strings a high tension kevlar hybrid.
 
moon shot said:
The second link in post 38 may give you some background. He played with the i.Radical for several years, took a break, and coming back to the sport feel his strokes are the same but is hitting long with new racquets. He strings a high tension kevlar hybrid.
Click to expand...
@krnbrasha, Is the OP looking to reduce or increase power? Sounds like to me he is playing with the wrong racket.
 
Irvin said:
@krnbrasha, Is the OP looking to reduce or increase power? Sounds like to me he is playing with the wrong racket.
Click to expand...

I'm looking for a lower powered racquet. I've noticed that I def. Have the wrong racquets... These new racquets are too powerful.. My serves are great... They're amazingly awesome. But my groundstrokes are making me so sad and discouraged lol.

I currently have ps 97, ps 97s, graphene xt speed pro, prestige s (this was the closest spec wise comparing it to the i.rad out of the lot, but still didn't like it that much... Although I havent hit with it recently probably been 3 months).

I received my demos yesterday.. Redondo 93, technifibre 315 ltd, microgel radical, prince tour 95.. Dont like the strings that are provided with them as im use to hitting with kevlar mains / syn gut or poly crosses vs full beds of multi and polys.

I'm having a frustrating time finding a racquet lol..
 
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I would look for a small head 18m racket (hope your 315 limited is the 18M.) The 18M limited is also a flexible frame which should give you plenty of control. At 98 si head size it may be a big big though. I would not try the Tecnifibre 325 or 305 model as they are too stiff. Pro-Kennex make a 93 mid frame that has 18M you may like. Then get you a nice dead string like Kevlar hybrid.
 
yup those are the demos I got. the technifibre 315 ltd 18 mains 98 head and the pro kennex Redondo 93 mid 18 mains. just strung them both up with Kevlar / syn gut... will hit with them tomorrow!
 
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