High or low SW for optimum spin potential

[Veninga]

I know it is first and above all about technique. And I can spin. My problem is more: sometimes I have 2 much spin.

Polarization threads are stating that additional lead, and so a higher SW, increases spin production. And lead at 3/9 increases potential of flat shots.

Other threads, and also TW in their reviews, are telling that rackets with a low SW have the potential of a lot of racket speed and therefore more spin potential.

So I am a big confused. High or low SW for maximum spin potential? Or is it more related to mass distribution?

For example: with my vcore 100 (sw 306) in stock I have loads of spin, not a lot of power and therefore not enough length in my strokes. So I decided to add 8 grams of lead (first in the upper part of the hoop, later at 3/9). Much more power, but less spin. Good for my game though (more penetration, faster balls, on artifical grass).

Another example. Also have a BIO 400 (which is on sale). SW at 320. Not spinny enough, so i added 3 grams of tape at 12 o clock. And voila, a spin monster was created.

Also have an APDC. Very nice racket but less spinny than above, but still spinny. SW 330. But in comparison with my PDGT2012, a brutal spin monster (sw 320).

Last one. Prestige Pro vs MP. First one has higher sw and more open pattern and much more spinnier, but not a spin monster as the rackets above.

So if you want to have a racket which has a high spin potential, you need:
- an open pattern
- a swingweight not 2 high, so you can accelarate your racket.
- polarized set up, so more weight in the hoop of the frame.

So for me:
- my vcore
- swingweight of max 325
- with most of the lead in the upper hoop?

Am I correct? Every piece of info is welcome.

Thanks.

 

[spectastic]

I think it really depends on the person. Here's how I think of it:

as long as the angle of contact and displacement motion between the string bed and the ball stays the same, the proportion of the energy transferred to the ball between displacement and angular (spin) velocity should stay the same too. It doesn't matter if the head has a slightly heavier mass or slightly less.

swing weight is in direct correlation with your racket head's static weight, and with a higher head weight, you require a slightly slower head speed to give the ball the same kinetic energy.

So it comes down to a balance between weight (or swingweight) and swing speed.

 

[floydcouncil]

In real estate there's a saying: "location, location, location".

In tennis there's an analogy: "technique, technique, technique".

I'm 1000% positive that Rafa can impart more spin on a ball with an 18x20 frame than I could with a 12x14 string pattern.

 

[TimothyO]

Veninga,

I've noticed that there's a balance between RHS and SW and their support for spin generation.

Yes, I can whip a light frame such as my son's BLX Surge (2012) and generate lots of spin. But I feel like the shot lacks pace. Lots of spin but less forward momentum. And it's ALL about RHS with little or no help from the stringbed.

But when I swing a heavier frame there's a point at which I feel the extra mass helps. Perhaps with lighter frames the hoop gets bounced back at contact limiting dwell time. Meanwhile a heavier frame resists recoiling and increases dwell time.

However, SW can reach a point at which RHS suffers so much that spin becomes more difficult to generate.

Ultimately you need the right technique. But given the same stroke with two different frames, yes, SW and RHS both effect spin generation imo.

 

[Torres]

So I am a big confused. High or low SW for maximum spin potential?

Not necessarily either. For maximum spin, you want the maximum amount of racquet head speed. For any particular player, that could be achieved through the use of a racquet that has a relatively low SW, or a racquet that has a relatively high SW.

Or is it more related to mass distribution?

Its more related to distribution of mass. In very simple terms, to achieve maximum spin potential, you'd probably want some mass distributed towards the tip of the racquet for maximum tip speed.

But really all of this is a bit of an artifice and bit of a one dimensional way of looking at things, because tennis isn't only about maximum spin. And neither is it just SW or distribution of mass that affects spin potential; there are many other factors involved, not least the individual player, the type of strings being used and drill pattern. Also you need to bear in mind that if you change one characteristic of the racquet it will have an effect on another characteristic as well which may adversely affect other aspects of your game.

 

[Veninga]

Not necessarily either. For maximum spin, you want the maximum amount of racquet head speed. For any particular player, that could be achieved through the use of a racquet that has a relatively low SW, or a racquet that has a relatively high SW.



Its more related to distribution of mass. In very simple terms, to achieve maximum spin potential, you'd probably want some mass distributed towards the tip of the racquet for maximum tip speed.

But really all of this is a bit of an artifice and bit of a one dimensional way of looking at things, because tennis isn't only about maximum spin. And neither is it just SW or distribution of mass that affects spin potential; there are many other factors involved, not least the individual player, the type of strings being used and drill pattern. Also you need to bear in mind that if you change one characteristic of the racquet it will have an effect on another characteristic as well which may adversely affect other aspects of your game.

agree, and still havent found the holy grail, but getting there step by step.

 

[Torres]

still havent found the holy grail.

There's no such thing because everything is a balance of compromises.

 

[Veninga]

Veninga,

I've noticed that there's a balance between RHS and SW and their support for spin generation.

Yes, I can whip a light frame such as my son's BLX Surge (2012) and generate lots of spin. But I feel like the shot lacks pace. Lots of spin but less forward momentum. And it's ALL about RHS with little or no help from the stringbed.

But when I swing a heavier frame there's a point at which I feel the extra mass helps. Perhaps with lighter frames the hoop gets bounced back at contact limiting dwell time. Meanwhile a heavier frame resists recoiling and increases dwell time.

However, SW can reach a point at which RHS suffers so much that spin becomes more difficult to generate.

Ultimately you need the right technique. But given the same stroke with two different frames, yes, SW and RHS both effect spin generation imo.

i agree, and i am getting there step by step.

weight: around 320
swingweight: 323 tot 328
flex: 65 tot 68.
open pattern but not to open
slightly polarized.

in my bag:
- apdc in stock
- vcore 100 with 8 grams of lead spread along the whole stringbed.
- instinct with 3 grams at 12 and 2 grams at 9/12.

still want to try the ps staff 100 with two overgrips and some lead at 9/3 and blx blade 98/kblade 98.

any other suggestions?