Head Heavy....Pros and Cons???

[TripleB]

I read something in Tennis Magazine last night (Sept. issue I think) that led me to take a look at some of the "more popular" head heavy racquets on the market today.

I've always played with and demoed head light (usually greater than 6 points) racquets. The only head heavy racquet I ever remember trying was the original Wilson 6.2 skunk (it was head heavy right?) because our number one guy played with it.

My question is: What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a head heavy racquet?

Obviously the swing weight is going to be higher for the head heavy racquet (if stationary weight is the same), but what are some of the others cons/pros?

What are some of the better head heavy racquets out there today (H Tour? H6? Bandit? etc.)?

Thanks.

TripleB/Benjamin

 

[David Pavlich]

Head heavy frames tend to have a lighter static weight. What you gain is more mass to move the ball which translates to more power for the static weight.

However, for the same static weight, you lose maneuverability due to the extra weight in the head. In today's world of racquets, more times than not, a head heavy frame tends to be quite stiff.

The skunk is an extreme example. It has a light static weight but was so head heavy its swingweight is way out of proportion. To make this an effective frame, add about an ounce under the butt cap!

David

 

[sandro]

Ben, just from a math point of view, there's no relation between balance-static_weight-swingweight*; it all depends from how the mass is distributed... but it's sure, all actual HH frames are pretty light compared to their swingweight.
So my guess is the HH are not safe for TE.

*I'm sure you demoed frames with the same balance, same staic weight but very different swingweights!

 

[Feña14]

HH = More feel and Better volleys

HL = More spin, Better maneuverability

Thats what I found from personal experience, I would just try adding lead tape to your holy grail erm... I mean POG mid :wink: to see which one suits you better.

-Liam

 

[deflori]

but many guys out on tour like guga or moy using headheavy sticks,right???

why do you mean that only serve and volley players use them...


or is it wrong...

 

[PrestigeClassic]

HH = More feel and Better volleys

HL = More spin, Better maneuverability

Thats what I found from personal experience, I would just try adding lead tape to your holy grail erm... I mean POG mid :wink: to see which one suits you better.

-Liam

Uhh, no. HH = More spin. The head twists less. Everything else (feel...) is highly subjective.

 

[perfmode]

HH = More feel and Better volleys

HL = More spin, Better maneuverability

Thats what I found from personal experience, I would just try adding lead tape to your holy grail erm... I mean POG mid :wink: to see which one suits you better.

-Liam

Uhh, no. HH = More spin. The head twists less. Everything else (feel...) is highly subjective.

\

HL = more spin because of racquet head speed and the racquets fulcrum(balance point/ natural point of rotation) is farther from the ball which allows greater acceleration.
Head twisting is due to off center hits and if both contact points are in the sweetspot, the HL racquet will be able to generate more spin.

 

[deflori]

why should moya and guga,who is a big spinner play a head heavy stick???????

i think too more hh more spin

 

[NoBadMojo]

the only real advantage to head heavy is hitting a heavier ball w. perhaps more control from the baseline if you can swing headheavy fast enough. headheavy frames do not serve better, are harder on your arm, and are worse for volleys (in general..i am sure there may be an exception and some pro that serves well w. an evenly balance frame or something). spin is a function of racquethead speed and technique and i think <in general> you can generate more headspeed w. headlight than you can with head heavy. there really is very little that is redeeming about head heavy frames IMO other than maybe centering the sweetspot higher in the stringbed.. ed

 

[Chanchai]

I like HH from the baseline, at least for driving through groundstrokes. Alright for slice backhand, but I prefer HL for that and all touch shots.

Serving with HH is actually kinda nice.

Volleying, I prefer HL by a longshot.

As much as I like hitting groundstrokes with HH racquets, I generally use HL racquets because they feel more balanced for overall tennis. But that's my opinion and experiences, and nothing more. Besides, I still enjoy hitting groundstrokes a ton with HL racquets

-Chanchai

 

[PrestigeClassic]

HH = More feel and Better volleys

HL = More spin, Better maneuverability

Thats what I found from personal experience, I would just try adding lead tape to your holy grail erm... I mean POG mid :wink: to see which one suits you better.

-Liam

Uhh, no. HH = More spin. The head twists less. Everything else (feel...) is highly subjective.

\

HL = more spin because of racquet head speed and the racquets fulcrum(balance point/ natural point of rotation) is farther from the ball which allows greater acceleration.
Head twisting is due to off center hits and if both contact points are in the sweetspot, the HL racquet will be able to generate more spin.

When discussing variables such as balance point, it is important to keep all other variables the same. Otherwise, anything is possible. I don't believe that a racket that is 11 ounces and 10 points head-light has a lot of spin potential.

 

[perfmode]

HH = More feel and Better volleys

HL = More spin, Better maneuverability

Thats what I found from personal experience, I would just try adding lead tape to your holy grail erm... I mean POG mid :wink: to see which one suits you better.

-Liam

Uhh, no. HH = More spin. The head twists less. Everything else (feel...) is highly subjective.

\

HL = more spin because of racquet head speed and the racquets fulcrum(balance point/ natural point of rotation) is farther from the ball which allows greater acceleration.
Head twisting is due to off center hits and if both contact points are in the sweetspot, the HL racquet will be able to generate more spin.

When discussing variables such as balance point, it is important to keep all other variables the same. Otherwise, anything is possible. I don't believe that a racket that is 11 ounces and 10 points head-light has a lot of spin potential.

A racquet like that would have a low swingweight like 260-280 and would get a lot of spin because you can swing it a lot faster but it would get clowned when someone hits heavy @ u. eg. PS Torch

 

[WW Volley]

Many of the games most dominant baseliners, including Roddick, are going with head heavy racquets these days.

The common wisdom is that head light is always best, but seeing Roddick hit the hardest serves ever makes it hard to dispute the power advantages of a head heavy racquet.

A HH racquet will be harder to get around, and more cumbersome at the net to move QUICKLY. However, if you can swing the head heavy racquet as hard as the head light one (as Roddick can) you will find tremendous power to be had.

I only recommend a HH racquet for my strong students who want more juice in their game. It's also easy to know if you like HH by adding lead tape to your current frame, and see how it plays (as somebody suggested here). Good luck!

 

[TripleB]

Just to verify what I'm already thinking....if I'm looking to add a solid volleying game to my steady baseline game, I should go with headlight?

TripleB/Benjamin

 

[andfor]

It's all personal preference. When you change the balance or weight distribution you may gain playability in one area and give up some in another. I have found that to be the case in life in general. For example when I play with light wide-body racquet I can serve and volley incredibly, but can not hit consecutive ground strokes to save my life, To much power with no mass doesn't work for me off the ground. A heavy racquet may allow me to plow through my ground strokes but due to the heavy weight I do not serve well, my arm tires quickly, can't whip though on the serve and volleys suffer due to lack of mobility.

Another example, I am fatter than I used to be 20 years ago. I can hit the ball harder, however my mobility is not what it was 40 lbs. ago. I am also smarter on the court due to experience but tire a little more easily due to my advance in age. etc, etc. etc. Get my point?

Experiment with adding and taking away small amounts of lead tape and you'll find what works best for you.

To answer try to your question, yea headlight it usually preferred by S&V'ers. All-court players, myself included may prefer an even balance. Strong Baseliners may go with HH. None of the balance recommendations are hard and fast rules, just guidelines to start with.

Good Luck,

Andy

 

[gmlasam]

HH = More feel and Better volleys

HL = More spin, Better maneuverability

Thats what I found from personal experience, I would just try adding lead tape to your holy grail erm... I mean POG mid :wink: to see which one suits you better.

-Liam

Uhh, no. HH = More spin. The head twists less. Everything else (feel...) is highly subjective.

\

HL = more spin because of racquet head speed and the racquets fulcrum(balance point/ natural point of rotation) is farther from the ball which allows greater acceleration.
Head twisting is due to off center hits and if both contact points are in the sweetspot, the HL racquet will be able to generate more spin.

When discussing variables such as balance point, it is important to keep all other variables the same. Otherwise, anything is possible. I don't believe that a racket that is 11 ounces and 10 points head-light has a lot of spin potential.

A racquet like that would have a low swingweight like 260-280 and would get a lot of spin because you can swing it a lot faster but it would get clowned when someone hits heavy @ u. eg. PS Torch