What do you mean by stable?

[ChanterRacquet]

Of all the vague words we use to describe how a racquet plays, I haven’t the foggiest what people mean when they say stable/unstable.

I have hit with many of the same racquets that some claim as unstable and am still not sure what quality of the racquet “stability” refers to and why it is lacking. I feel nothing I would describe as unstable when I play with most racquets, really.

Use of the word stable, or rather, unstable is usually in the context of justifying the addition of lead, say at 3 and 9. Of course this would increase the twistweight, but if that was the only goal, one wouldn’t say “stable”, they’d just refer to twistweight. And maybe admit they’re not so good at hitting the middle of the stringbed?

 

[TennisManiac]

When I think of a racket that is stable. I'm thinking of a racket that doesn't twist too much on slightly off center shots. A racket that doesn't get pushed around against heavy balls. And a racket that feels solid from handle to tip. That's "stable" to me.

 

[Curtennis]

Do you play much doubles? In singles stability isn’t nearly as much of an issue. At least for me, in singles I’ll generally take one shot at the net and it’s on a sitter I can line up and tee off on.

In doubles I’m standing at the net trying to grab as many 60+ mph shots out of the air as I can possibly reach. Maybe I’m not as good as you at hitting the middle of the string bed, but I still think anyone would notice the difference between a racquet with high stability and low stability.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

but I still think anyone would notice the difference between a racquet with high stability and low stability.

You forgot to define what you mean by stable.

Stable/unstable is binary and subjective.

Twistweight is a quantifiable property. One reply has already mentioned a correlation between twistweight and stability in their mind. Makes me wonder if retailers’ lack of reporting twistweight alongside swingweight (which has a rather arbitrary definition at 4” up the handle) is the root cause of ambiguous language regarding “stability” (…on off centerline shots, for those that define it wrt twistweight).

 

[chrischris]

1. An item that with stands impact without warping or torqueing.
2. A place where animals like horses predominantly can be housed and rest.

 

[Wheelz]

When it goes over the net even i missed the sweet spot (high twist weight) instead of the racquet twisting in my hand and the ball dying in the net.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

1. An item that with stands impact without warping or torqueing.

In the context of tennis you would then define stability with regard to the overall stiffness of the frame?

 

[Curtennis]

I don’t understand what you’re getting at. You started off by saying you don’t have a clue what people mean by stable.
Now it seems you’re arguing over whether an adjective should be used to describe a frames attributes or just quantifiable measurements should be used. Are you also against terms like whippy, plow through, etc? This is a forum full of opinions. Those are words you’re going to get. If you only want measurements you’re in the wrong place.

Stability is certainly related to twist weight, but there’s also string pattern, beam thickness, head size and other things to consider.

you could have racquets of identical twist weight but if one’s a 95” head and the other is a 120” head, I’d imagine shots near the perimeter of the 120 are going to feel a lot less stable than that of the 95, all other things equal.

 

[ChanterRacquet]

I don’t understand what you’re getting at.

I am trying to get a sense of what other people are getting at.

 

[brownbearfalling]

Stability to me is primarily the racquet’s perceived ability to resist torsional forces. Same as what you are saying with twist weight. Reason I say perceived because it is subjective to the player. Players may have different perception of stability on the same racquet. 2 characteristics I look for in a racquet that I would consider stable is static weight and balance. But that said 2 different model of racquets with the same static specification could have different perceived stability.

not trying to put you off on a tangent but “ stability” is closely related to “plow” or “plow through” I’m guessing you have the same curiosity on that description?

 

[ChanterRacquet]

not trying to put you off on a tangent but “ stability” is closely related to “plow” or “plow through” I’m guessing you have the same curiosity on that description?

Not really, because “unplow” isn’t a word.

Edit for clarity: plow therefore has a sense of range. “Not enough plow for me,” okay, I can pretend to understand. “Unstable for me,” okay….but how?

 

[puppybutts]

does the racquet flutter in your hand at impact. on how many shots in what situations?

 

[esgee48]

The term stable is dependent on player and frame. They are inter-related. Twistweight is a measurement of the difference between moments of inertial along axis that are 90 degree different. A frame has a SW and TW which is not dependent on player. Knowing this, here is my description.

Consider a player is using a 95 in² racquet. Balls hit on the centerline of the face will not cause the frame to twist. Balls hit near the frame's side edges will cause the racquet to try to twist. If said racquet has a low TW, the player will feel the torque exerted by the off center impact. This off center impact may also create a vibration in the racquet that tells the player their hitting is not precise. Higher TW frame will tend to allow impacts further from the centerline before this feeling becomes apparent to the player. This sensation is termed stability. Too far from the center and hitting the frame will immediately tell the player they screwed up the shot. Now consider the same player using a 110 in² or 120 in² racquet. The same situation applies, but now the racquet generally has a larger inherent sweetspot where the player does not feel any mishits or racquet vibrations from such. The player may never hit anywhere near the side edges of the racquet and the racquet should feel stable to them. Note that I did not say anything about SW or TW values. Both racquets can have too much or too little SW/TW to the player. SW comes into play when you hit above or below the COM. HTH.

 

[mhkeuns]

Just the feel at impact (*against heavy hitters) that the racket did not flutter (*twist, bend, got pushed). Probably the most stable racket I’d imagine would be some stiff racket with high TW and SW. Just a feel thing. That’s why same racket is debated over whether it’s stable, or not.

 

[cortado]

This is a good question.
I often wonder how much of some posters' claims of lack of stability are due to them switching frames frequently and not being used to a frame and therefore not hitting the sweet spot cleanly. I find most racquets feel unstable if I am not used to them.
I have 360+ Prestige Mid (twist weight about 13) and VCore Pro HD (twist weight about 14). I can't say I notice a substantial difference in stability, unless I play with one for months and then abruptly switch to the other one.

 

[Anton]

Stability is the ability of the frame to not recoil in longtitudal and torsional directions during impacts.

Stable racket doesn't twist excessively on off center hits and does not have "dead spots" across the stringbed.

Stiffer stringbed reduces stability, because strings deflect less and put more of impact on to the frame.

Heavier\Stiffer rackets are usually better at forcing the ball into the strings.

 

[chrischris]

In the context of tennis you would then define stability with regard to the overall stiffness of the frame?

No i wouldnt.

 

[socallefty]

Generally I find heavier frames of 12 oz and above are stable against the typical shots/serves of most opponents I play. I have never found any correlation between stability and stiffness or any other racquet parameter. I tend to return from a closer position than most players, hit many shots on the rise and come to net often - I find it tough to play this style with lighter racquets.