How do you know if you should weight your racket?

[TennisDoc]

Is there a way to tell who should make their racket heavier or is it a total feel thing?

If you're teaching someone what signs do you look for before you make the suggestion?

Also, if you make your racket heavier what strokes tend to benefit and what strokes may suffer?

I would guess that the more linear, heavier shots like first serves and flat groundstrokes would benefit while topspin and volleys would suffer. Is this correct?

Thanks,

TennisDoc

 

[Bungalo Bill]

Is there a way to tell who should make their racket heavier or is it a total feel thing?

If you're teaching someone what signs do you look for before you make the suggestion?

Also, if you make your racket heavier what strokes tend to benefit and what strokes may suffer?

I would guess that the more linear, heavier shots like first serves and flat groundstrokes would benefit while topspin and volleys would suffer. Is this correct?

Thanks,

TennisDoc

For me it is a feel thing. If I notice I need to swing harder to generate power or if on hard shots I struggle with control (sprays), this is a signal that I might need to weight the racquet.

When you weight the racquet it gives you a sense of solidity in the racquet and it doesn't feel like the racquet twists as much in your hand on heavy balls. The racquet simply feels real solid. A properly weighted racquet should give you a softer more buttery feel going through the ball. You will notice more directional control and you will need to swing less hard to hit with good pace.