What frame grips the ball best?

[moon shot]

The other day as my shanks were having far better results via misdirection than any off my strings I pondered, what are the best frames for shanking?

I posit there are three categories.

1. Most accurate. For me the PS85/90 gave me the most directional control without involving strings. Most balls traveled in the same trajectory I intended, though a few exited at a 90 degree angle due to the box beam.

2. Most comfortable. Head racquets with Twaron are fantastic in this respect, second only to wood. A good shank in the middle and you can feel the frame wrap around it.

3. Best disguise/spin. My nominee in this category is the Wilson 6.1 Classic Mold. I can’t tell you how many cross-court tip shank volleys and and PWS parabolas that no opponent could predict.

What are your favorites?

 

[flanker2000fr]

Kneissl White Star Matersm with its thick, flat section.

Which is a good thing, because at 75 sq. in., I certainly shank the cr*p out of this racquet.

 

[mhkeuns]

I agree with the PS85 being a predictable stick to shank with. Usually, my shanks turned into moonballs with unpredictable bounces, which were often much harder shots for my opponents to hit back than my well struck but predictable shots. Iirc, I’ve also had similar experiences with the Prince Graphite Mid.

 

[QuentinFederer]

I’ve hit some excellent drop volleys while shanking with the K6.1 95.

 

[moon shot]

Kneissl White Star Matersm with its thick, flat section.

Which is a good thing, because at 75 sq. in., I certainly shank the cr*p out of this racquet.

Props to large flat areas on the throat and bridge!

Monoshafts are always fun to bunt with too!

 

[Big Bagel]

Blackburne Double Strung! Not exactly common these days and a little heavy, but if we are only talking about shanks, it's clearly the best.

 

[SpinToWin]

I’ve been wondering what that Aero Pro Tour pancake of a racquet would shank like.

Edit: so apparently it was called AeroPro Control. I’ll now go rinse out my eyes

 

[dak95_00]

“That’s why I bought the frame first and string second!” will written on your tombstone.

 

[Zoolander]

Wow this is amazing! Literally just the other day I was hitting around with my old pure drive and thinking 'man, i love shanking with this racquet! Cant remember when I have ever shanked better! Shankings the best!'

Not!

 

[moon shot]

Wow this is amazing! Literally just the other day I was hitting around with my old pure drive and thinking 'man, i love shanking with this racquet! Cant remember when I have ever shanked better! Shankings the best!'

Not!

Hah, I felt all of us have hit a few shanks that surprises us and neutralized a rally we were losing or won a point. Just wanted to share a laugh about that.

I suppose stiff aerodynamic hoops like the pure drive shank with little comfort or accuracy.

 

[kingcheetah]

I think with any of the 20+mm beams it’s more predictable— my shanks with the PS90 were spectacular— often went straight up into ceiling

 

[moon shot]

I think with any of the 20+mm beams it’s more predictable— my shanks with the PS90 were spectacular— often went straight up into ceiling

Oooh, shank lob or did it not cross the net?

 

[SpinToWin]

Shanks are pretty sweet with the pure Storm limited.

 

[kingcheetah]

Oooh, shank lob or did it not cross the net?

I think the one I recall is still in the ceiling somewhere, it was a pretty spectacular shank on a non-lob.

 

[Knife]

I think with any of the 20+mm beams it’s more predictable— my shanks with the PS90 were spectacular— often went straight up into ceiling

Funny, I feel the opposite. I hit "better" shanks with thinner beams, more of my shots have a chance to land within the lines. The Head Extreme was hopeless when framing the ball, nothing would stay on the court...

 

[Anton]

Shanking while brushing topspin with my DR98s usually works out in my favor. Ball hits low side of the racket and ball gets crazy spun so it throws off my oponent.

 

[moon shot]

Sounds similar to my occasional Jai alai slice shank which can have quite interesting results.

 

[CosmosMpower]

The frame doesn't usually hit the ball.

 

[Big Bagel]

The frame doesn't usually hit the ball.

Some of us prefer the challenge of hitting with the frame instead of the strings... or at least that's what I tell myself on a bad shanking day.

 

[WestboroChe]

I think the majority of my drop shot winners were hit off the frame of my old PS 6.1 95

 

[Sintherius]

Shanks are pretty sweet with the pure Storm limited.

Can also vouch for the Pure Storm LTD (mine is GT) for being very very nice and forgiving on shanks

 

[McLovin]

Some of us prefer the challenge of hitting with the frame instead of the strings... or at least that's what I tell myself on a bad shanking day.

Agreed. We paid for the frame, may as well use it...

Back in college I loved the Prince Graphite OS for shank lobs. I’d say they were topspin lobs, but if there was spin, it was probably on the order of 10 rpms...

 

[mad dog1]

The other day as my shanks were having far better results via misdirection than any off my strings I pondered, what are the best frames for shanking?

I posit there are three categories.

1. Most accurate. For me the PS85/90 gave me the most directional control without involving strings. Most balls traveled in the same trajectory I intended, though a few exited at a 90 degree angle due to the box beam.

2. Most comfortable. Head racquets with Twaron are fantastic in this respect, second only to wood. A good shank in the middle and you can feel the frame wrap around it.

3. Best disguise/spin. My nominee in this category is the Wilson 6.1 Classic Mold. I can’t tell you how many cross-court tip shank volleys and and PWS parabolas that no opponent could predict.

What are your favorites?

Pretty solid list here. Not sure any racquets can top these.

 

[McEncock]

I can't tell when I hit the shank.
pc600 is a 89,5sq/inch sweetspot.

 

[moon shot]

I can't tell when I it the shank.
pc600 is a 89,5sq/inch sweetspot.

I would swear my TXP shanks like a 93 despite saying 89.5 on the side

 

[Tommy Haas]

There are two types shanks. Once where the ball hits the outer strings and part of the frame and purely framed shots that hit only graphite. The former results in a lot of action because the ball stays on the racquet for a really long time and doesn't immediately bounce off like a normal shot. The latter usually just ends up as a fly ball that lands in the stands or over the fence.