Is It Legal To Add Weights To the Frame of a Racket?

[tonydaysog]

I found on Amazon weights that I've added onto my racket. Each weight is 4 ounces [post edit correction: 0.25 ounces : ) ] and is 0.75 inch long by 0.4 inch wide by 0.2 inch high. There is a sticky portion on one side of the weight, the side of which I affix to the racket.

I have placed one weight on one side of the racket where the throat meets the head (https://shorturl.at/gBT8l), and likewise on the other; and two at the butt-end of the racket (https://shorturl.at/vse4q).

I don't think these violate Appendix 2.a ("The racket shall be free of attached objects, protrusions and devices other than those utilised solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear or vibration or, for the frame only, to distribute weight.").

But I am not sure if these pass Appendix 2.c, since there is a phrase ("...change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket...") in there that I do not understand: "The frame, including the handle, and the strings, shall be free of any device which makes it possible or to change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket which would alter the swing moment of inertia, or to change deliberately any physical property which may affect the performance of the racket during the playing of a point. No energy source that in any way changes or affects the playing characteristics of a racket may be built into or attached to a racket."



Thanks for your guidance.

 

[gino]

I found on Amazon weights that I've added onto my racket. Each weight is 4 ounces and is 0.75 inch long by 0.4 inch wide by 0.2 inch high. There is a sticky portion on one side of the weight, the side of which I affix to the racket.

I have placed one weight on one side of the racket where the throat meets the head (https://shorturl.at/gBT8l), and likewise on the other; and two at the butt-end of the racket (https://shorturl.at/vse4q).

I don't think these violate Appendix 2.a ("The racket shall be free of attached objects, protrusions and devices other than those utilised solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear or vibration or, for the frame only, to distribute weight.").

But I am not sure if these pass Appendix 2.c, since there is a phrase ("...change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket...") in there see YELLOW highlight) that I do not understand: "The frame, including the handle, and the strings, shall be free of any device which makes it possible or to change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket which would alter the swing moment of inertia, or to change deliberately any physical to change materially the shape of the racket, property which may affect the performance of the racket during the playing of a point. No energy source that in any way changes or affects the playing characteristics of a racket may be built into or attached to a racket."

Thanks for your guidance.

i would be careful adding that much weight to your frame, not for fear of violating rules, but your arm health

12oz frames are considered heavy in 2024, youre adding like 1/3rd of that weight of a racket. be careful, you dont want to get a wrist or elbow injury pursuing some bandaid fix for plow or stability. looks like youre using a blade. maybe just look into a blade pro, which has a bulky static and swing weight

 

[Cayenne321]

Are you sure they're not 0.4 ounces? Even then it's a huge amount to be adding. Adding 2 in the throat and 2 on the butt you're talking about adding 450g to a 300g frame.

As for 2.c - that would be refferring to some kind of slider where you can adjust weight distribution mid point depending on how you want to hit the shot.

 

[Donmikan]

I found on Amazon weights that I've added onto my racket. Each weight is 4 ounces and is 0.75 inch long by 0.4 inch wide by 0.2 inch high. There is a sticky portion on one side of the weight, the side of which I affix to the racket.

I have placed one weight on one side of the racket where the throat meets the head (https://shorturl.at/gBT8l), and likewise on the other; and two at the butt-end of the racket (https://shorturl.at/vse4q).

I don't think these violate Appendix 2.a ("The racket shall be free of attached objects, protrusions and devices other than those utilised solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear or vibration or, for the frame only, to distribute weight.").

But I am not sure if these pass Appendix 2.c, since there is a phrase ("...change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket...") in there that I do not understand: "The frame, including the handle, and the strings, shall be free of any device which makes it possible or to change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket which would alter the swing moment of inertia, or to change deliberately any physical property which may affect the performance of the racket during the playing of a point. No energy source that in any way changes or affects the playing characteristics of a racket may be built into or attached to a racket."



Thanks for your guidance.

I think your passage means you cannot have weight that on purpose moves around while playing a point. If the rule did disqualify your weighted racket, i it would by analogy do it to all other lead taped rackets.

 

[Grafil Injection]

Try playing a few games with the head-cover on. That will replicate a 4oz addition nicely.

 

[Nastase]

A little lead goes a long way. Start small and increase incrementally. I guess.

 

[lidoazndiabloboi]

I found on Amazon weights that I've added onto my racket. Each weight is 4 ounces and is 0.75 inch long by 0.4 inch wide by 0.2 inch high. There is a sticky portion on one side of the weight, the side of which I affix to the racket.

I have placed one weight on one side of the racket where the throat meets the head (https://shorturl.at/gBT8l), and likewise on the other; and two at the butt-end of the racket (https://shorturl.at/vse4q).

I don't think these violate Appendix 2.a ("The racket shall be free of attached objects, protrusions and devices other than those utilised solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear or vibration or, for the frame only, to distribute weight.").

But I am not sure if these pass Appendix 2.c, since there is a phrase ("...change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket...") in there that I do not understand: "The frame, including the handle, and the strings, shall be free of any device which makes it possible or to change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket which would alter the swing moment of inertia, or to change deliberately any physical property which may affect the performance of the racket during the playing of a point. No energy source that in any way changes or affects the playing characteristics of a racket may be built into or attached to a racket."



Thanks for your guidance.

I think you should check your Amazon site.
It'll probably say the weight is 0.25oz 1/4 oz. I think you got confused

 

[TennisHound]

I found on Amazon weights that I've added onto my racket. Each weight is 4 ounces and is 0.75 inch long by 0.4 inch wide by 0.2 inch high. There is a sticky portion on one side of the weight, the side of which I affix to the racket.

I have placed one weight on one side of the racket where the throat meets the head (https://shorturl.at/gBT8l), and likewise on the other; and two at the butt-end of the racket (https://shorturl.at/vse4q).

I don't think these violate Appendix 2.a ("The racket shall be free of attached objects, protrusions and devices other than those utilised solely and specifically to limit or prevent wear and tear or vibration or, for the frame only, to distribute weight.").

But I am not sure if these pass Appendix 2.c, since there is a phrase ("...change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket...") in there that I do not understand: "The frame, including the handle, and the strings, shall be free of any device which makes it possible or to change materially the weight distribution in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the racket which would alter the swing moment of inertia, or to change deliberately any physical property which may affect the performance of the racket during the playing of a point. No energy source that in any way changes or affects the playing characteristics of a racket may be built into or attached to a racket."



Thanks for your guidance.

It’s illegal, depending on what you want to do with it. Also, I doubt there would be a DA in the country that would prosecute it, but you never know. Lot to think about before you step on the court with it, though.

- Assault with Dangerous Weapon (18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(3)) Fourth, the assault took place on [specify place of federal jurisdiction]. [A [specify weapon] is a dangerous weapon if it is used in a way that is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.]

 

[tonydaysog]

I think your passage means you cannot have weight that on purpose moves around while playing a point. If the rule did disqualify your weighted racket, i it would by analogy do it to all other lead taped rackets.

Yeah, I was kind thinking the same: if a 4 ounce weight is not legal by ITA rules, then layering lead tape amounting to 4 ounces wouldn't be legal. But the latter is legal, so would not therefore the former be so as well?

 

[tonydaysog]

Are you sure they're not 0.4 ounces? Even then it's a huge amount to be adding. Adding 2 in the throat and 2 on the butt you're talking about adding 450g to a 300g frame.

As for 2.c - that would be refferring to some kind of slider where you can adjust weight distribution mid point depending on how you want to hit the shot.

You might be right . . lemme double check. : )

 

[tonydaysog]

It’s illegal, depending on what you want to do with it. Also, I doubt there would be a DA in the country that would prosecute it, but you never know. Lot to think about before you step on the court with it, though.

- Assault with Dangerous Weapon (18 U.S.C. § 113(a)(3)) Fourth, the assault took place on [specify place of federal jurisdiction]. [A [specify weapon] is a dangerous weapon if it is used in a way that is capable of causing death or serious bodily injury.]

Hilarious! Nice way to end 2024 . . . : )

 

[Irvin]

@tonydaysog your picture looks like 1/4 oz wheel weights or 7 g.

 

[tonydaysog]

Yes, it's 1/4 ounce. Oops.

 

[tonydaysog]

I think you should check your Amazon site.
It'll probably say the weight is 0.25oz 1/4 oz. I think you got confused

Thanks! You are right. Oops.