Got the book Technical Tennis saying head heavy = less shock to arm?

[ashpookie]

I'm reading the book technical tennis and it says to reduce force on arm:

- use heavier racquet
- use head heavy racquet
- use more flexible racquet
- lower string tension
- use softer thicker grip

Now, are they saying that when comparing 2 racquets of the same weight strike an ball with the same speed, the head heavy one will impart less shock to the arm?

And I quote from the book, "It is fortunate for professionals prefer racquets that are heavy, head heavy and flexible."

I thought pros wanted heavy, head light racquets to produce higher racquet head speed to result in more topspin?

I'm abit groggy now, so I might not be making any sense, and I havn't gone through the whole book yet either.

 

[Greg Raven]

I thought this was odd, too, as I thought the pros used racquets with balance points closer to even, as a heavy, head-heavy racquet is not going to be very manueverable. For that matter, try finding a flexible, heavy, head-heavy racquet, unless you get an old Prince Graphite Classic and add lead tape to the hoop between 62 and 68 cm up from the butt cap. And then after you get it set up, hope you can play with it.

Based on my quick calculations, you can increase the "comfort" of the typical standard-length racquet by adding mass either from 0 and 15 cm up from the butt cap, or from 62 to 68.58 cm up from the butt cap, or both. The additional mass at the handle will not change the swingweight much (if at all), and will decrease the hitting weight of the racquet. The additional mass at the top of the hoop will greatly effect swingweight, and will increase the hitting weight of the racquet.

YMMV.

 

[Swissv2]

When was this book published?

 

[ashpookie]

When was this book published?

Seems like it was published in 2005. And there's a mention to a person called "Greg Raven" in the preface as one of the contributers. Is that you Greg Raven? lol.

 

[ashpookie]

http://www.racquettech.com/store/technical_preface.html

Now I'm pretty sure it's you.

 

[sureshs]

It has been a point of contention, with most saying HL is better for arm, and a few that HH is better.

 

[NoBadMojo]

I think it is important to note they are saying the professionals use head heavy....not us. I agree with Greg..i think many of them are close to even balance but dont think so many of them use flexy frames anymore with all the Pure Drves and such out there. I think with the action mostly limited to the backcourt these days that frames with more mass in the hoop would be more popular...if the game was more all court and s.v, you would lkely see more headlight on tour i believe