NTRP versus swingspeed???

[vandre]

when selecting a racquet, is it more important to go by your NTRP rating or you swingspeed? (are these 2 factors even in conflict? i dunno )

i'm a 3.5. several instructors have said that i have very high racquet head speed on my strokes. when i hit with my rds 003 (for players @ 3.5 ntrp) i find myself slowing down my swing a bit to keep the ball in. should i try and slow down my swing anyway or should i go to a heavier racquet even if it for a higher ntrp rating? thanks for your insight in advance!

 

[kingdaddy41788]

Don't ever change your swing for a racquet. Play with what's comfortable. There are pros playing with RDS 003's, so I wouldn't worry about that NTRP stuff when it comes to your racquet choice. Find something that feels good when you hit with it.

 

[VGP]

Practice.

What good is swinging fast if you're spraying balls about? You say that you're a 3.5 which implies that you're not keeping the ball in enough.

Could also be your footwork, shot selection, lack of hand-eye coordination that are other potential problems.

My guess is that it's not the racket.

 

[armand]

do what is natural. Some people need help with getting power, some need help in getting control. Sounds like you have enough power, so go for more control.

beginners often need larger sweetspots but with a fast swing, the more difficult thing is timing.

anyway, the point is there are low powered larger racquets available and with polyester strings, you can lower power plenty! F***en hell, I wish poly was around when I was a kid.

 

[vandre]

vgp, i'm not looking for a racquet to compensate for all of my (how did you say, lack of control, poor shot selection, bad footwork, etc and soforth) mistakes and i'm not swinging for the fences either. i just would like some advice to help me pick a racquet that isn't going to add to all of the problems you've pointed out.

you are absolutely right about practice, though. the thing with practice is not that practice makes perfect but rather practice makes permanent. when you're practicing you're actually building habits, some good (like good footwork, good timing, intelligent shot selection, and good control) and some bad. and i just don't want to pick up any more bad habits than i already have.

 

[VGP]

Ok....what kind of swing path do you use?

Is it flatter or is it very pronounced from low to high?

There are some obvious choices for different swing paths (styles)......

 

[Oleg]

when selecting a racquet, is it more important to go by your NTRP rating or you swingspeed? (are these 2 factors even in conflict? i dunno )

i'm a 3.5. several instructors have said that i have very high racquet head speed on my strokes. when i hit with my rds 003 (for players @ 3.5 ntrp) i find myself slowing down my swing a bit to keep the ball in. should i try and slow down my swing anyway or should i go to a heavier racquet even if it for a higher ntrp rating? thanks for your insight in advance!

The instructors are telling you something that they observe without explaining what they really mean:

1. Higher racquet speed is needed to produce more power and spin.

2. The stroke machanics are always the same whether you are swinging slowly or fast.

3. Lighter frames with lower swingweight will allow you to produce more racquet head speed, thus more power and spin.

4. If the stroke is not correct, the higher swing speed will amplify that imperfection and reduce the margin for error. You will frame, shank and spray... The moral of this point is that lighter, easier to swing frames require advanced and consistent stroke production, thus are for more skilled players.

5. Heavy, mid plus or OS frame that is head light will allow you to gain more control over the stroke because you can detect your frame and string plane position and direction better during the stroke. A heavier frame is easier to keep on track once in motion due to increase in stability on contact and slower swing speed.

What they are also saying is that you are are lacking control in your swing, which is:

1. Not swinging in a straight line
2. Have an incorrect string plane angle in relationship to the ball during contact (too open or too closed)
3. Not maintainig you grip firmness and wrist angle during contact (When the frame head is appoaching the contact point, you most likely loosen your grip and break your wrist angle)
4. Are not allowing the frame to fully follow through after the contact (on groundstrokes).

 

[rosenstar]

Practice.

What good is swinging fast if you're spraying balls about? You say that you're a 3.5 which implies that you're not keeping the ball in enough.

Could also be your footwork, shot selection, lack of hand-eye coordination that are other potential problems.

My guess is that it's not the racket.

totally agree. If your a 3.5 or lower, that means that something in your game is technically wrong. don't blame the racquet

 

[vandre]

totally agree. If your a 3.5 or lower, that means that something in your game is technically wrong. don't blame the racquet

so what you're saying is that if you're a 3.5 or lower, it doesn't matter what you play with?

 

[vandre]

Ok....what kind of swing path do you use?

Is it flatter or is it very pronounced from low to high?

There are some obvious choices for different swing paths (styles)......

i guess i would say that i have a pretty flat swing path. not alot of topspin, just a little to help keep it in.

 

[vandre]

now if you'll excuse me, i have to now go out and shoot my game (if its anything like a horse!)

 

[vandre]

okay okay okay, since there absolutely must be something wrong with my game, how 'bout this- i haven't used it in over 10 years.

is that serious enough for y'all?

now back to the topic.

 

[armand]

3. Lighter frames with lower swingweight will allow you to produce more racquet head speed, thus more power and spin.

No, not really, because if you can find a great difference in speed just from swinging something 2 or 3 ounces less you must be very physically weak(which most of the population isn't). But that weight does make a significant difference when one light object(a tennis racquet) is hitting another(a tennis ball).