Controlled Swingspeed on Groundstrokes

[Amone]

Today, I come out here trying to clarify some premises on which I base my racquet customization arguments. In my opinion, however, the examination of one's premises is as, or more, important than making the argument itself, so I need to ask everyone else here, instead of just myself, I realized.

The question, IMHO, is a simple one: Do you control the swingspeed for a rallying stroke on your groundstrokes? In other words, if you were given an ultra-light, low-swingweight frame, would you swing as hard as you can, or would you swing at a fixed speed regardless?

 

[Voltron]

I can, and do depending on how well I'm playing, and what style I'm playing.

 

[no skillz]

After I broke strings on both my racquets I turned to my old Prince Vortex OS and I could swing that thing like a mofo (pardon the language) and still make most of my shots in. But it is much harder for me to swing with the same swingspeed when using my 200g. So I guess, no, I do not limit my swingspeed. But I do change it according to whom I play or the conditions while playing.

 

[Amone]

I can, and do depending on how well I'm playing, and what style I'm playing.

I figured that might be the case. I know I could probably swing faster (and do, for harder shots. )

After I broke strings on both my racquets I turned to my old Prince Vortex OS and I could swing that thing like a mofo (pardon the language) and still make most of my shots in. But it is much harder for me to swing with the same swingspeed when using my 200g. So I guess, no, I do not limit my swingspeed. But I do change it according to whom I play or the conditions while playing.

I hit with an ultralight HEAD prestrung once, and swing as hard as I could, to see what would happen. As it happens, I too could swing faster, but didn't get a whole lot out of it.. the speed wasn't much increased. I would just go with a heavier racquet, though it's a personal preference I'm sure. However, I do note your point.

 

[metsjets]

i only swing as hard as i can if i get a high sitting ball in the middle of the court to my forehand side. otherwise, i'll hit more like 60-80%. it's impossible to swing as hard as you can on a half volley...

 

[cam2]

I don't, I seem to vary spin but swing speed stays fairly constant except for a putaway ball.

 

[travlerajm]

I let my racquet swing at it's natural swingspeed from the top of my backswing until it gets to the bottom of the stroke, and let gravity take care of the acceleration to that point. When I feel the stroke hit the lowest point, it's a cue to my brain to start applying force to counteract the deceleration due to gravity. So I maintain a fairly constant racquet head speed from the low point until contact. Then when my strings hit the ball, the impact is a cue to my brain to stop applying force and let the racquet swing freely again.

I answered no to the poll, because the speed of my swing is controlled by the racquet's balance and the moment of inertia of my arm and the racquet. I just use force and body rotation to maintain the maximum speed that is reached as the racquet reaches the lowest point.