Head Light verses Head heavy

[barry]

I am beginning to think tour players do not use Head Light Rackets. You see a lot of lead tape at 3 and 9 o’clock, which adds weight and stability to the head of the racket. Adding lead tape at 3 and 9 on my racket increased both power and stability. The ball had significant more force with the same racket head speed. Kind of like a compact car hitting a large truck, the truck wins every time. I think a head heavy racket generates more power and is less stressful on your shoulder, arm, and Wrist. Head light rackets seem to mask the weight of the frame and move the stress point into the wrist. Head Heavy rackets move the stress point to the head of the Frame, which I believe is more beneficial.

Testing with pro Tour 95 and Head Ti.Radical

 

[NoBadMojo]

hi there..you may see the lead at 3 and 9 on the racquets of pros, but many of them have a ton of lead under the handle and in the butt of the frame as well to counter the weight at 3 and 9. in general all courters and s.v players prefer more headlight and baseliners prefer more even or even head heavy balance..there are exceptions of course. ed

 

[perfmode]

Sampras played with a paperweight and pwned.

 

[Feña14]

Head Light rackets are better for your elbow in general.

The POG is Head light thats why it is voted one of the best for comfort.

Head Light also produces more spin, I wouldn't even consider using a racket other than Head light!

As for the pro's you can never tell because as somebody said you can't see under the handle and you never know how much is at 2-3-9 and 10 o'clock positions, and their special modifications.

A pro stringer would be a knowledgable person on thie topic imo.

Liam

 

[barry]

I loaded my Ti.Radical up with lead tape (20 grams) and the serve and overheads were terrific. Could bounce short overheads over the fence on either side with little effort. Much heavier serve. I think Head heavy + a heavy racket is what gave Sampras the big serve. You can increase the speed by 10 miles per hours with the lead tape. In addition, the frame is a more solid. With a slower swing, I was able to generate more power and depth with the added weight.

Head light rackets put more stress on the wrist by putting the weight at the bottom of the V. Also reduces your serving speed. Head heavy moves it up to the top, where the ball strikes the sweet spot. If you want more power, add weight to the head, it will surprise you.

Not sure what the pro’s use, but would say lots have added weight at the top.

 

[PrestigeClassic]

Head-light is better for your body. The balance point is lower, so if you hit even slightly off-center, the lower balance point will not whip your arm around like a rollercoaster. Head-heavier is sweet if you always hit the sweetspot with sound and consistent technique and can swing the racket just about as fast as before. This is a large reason why pros, even serve-and-volleyers, use balance points that are head-heavier than most amateurs'. They do not experience the bad points, which is just a lot of shock and impending injury.

 

[Tomek]

5 pts head light is just perfect. For me, it's the middle between two worlds. :idea:

 

[007]

I've been using a ProBraided Henman for a couple of months now and it is 4 points headlight/11.6 ounces strung/RA 73/SW 330. I was previously using a Fischer Pro Extreme FT which is 12 points headlight/12 ounces strung/RA 65/SW 312. Both are strung with a basic monofilament. I can hit bigger groundies with the Slaz. whilst taking smaller backswings. It is more head-heavy even though it weighs less. it is also stiffer mind you.