Thomas Bird-Itch
Semi-Pro
I know everyone here uses a 14 oz stick, but I just thought I'd ask. I use just under 11oz and play 3.5/4.0.
I know everyone here uses a 14 oz stick, but I just thought I'd ask. I use just under 11oz and play 3.5/4.0.
That is not correct. Some use 15 oz sticks. And that is before leading. They are the real men on this forum.
That's right. A light racquet also needs to be stiff to compensate for the lack of mass. Mass provides power, as does stiffness. A light AND flexible racquet will not work as you'll have a hard time countering heavy balls and getting them over the net. However, the problem with a light AND stiff racquet for many people is that it places much more stress on your arm/elbow and can lead to tennis elbow for many people. With a light racquet, your arm has to do more of the work since there isn't the mass there to do the work for you.the frame i use is extemely flexy, which doesn't help in handling heavy balls IMO. A stiffer IMO is probably better. So i think if you can find a frame that is stiff, and light it should be ok. Other wise i think its a bit difficult to take heavy balls on, as well as pushing the ball deep enough.
well said, bp. i always wonder how you can find the time at work to respond to this forumThat's right. A light racquet also needs to be stiff to compensate for the lack of mass. Mass provides power, as does stiffness. A light AND flexible racquet will not work as you'll have a hard time countering heavy balls and getting them over the net. However, the problem with a light AND stiff racquet for many people is that it places much more stress on your arm/elbow and can lead to tennis elbow for many people. With a light racquet, your arm has to do more of the work since there isn't the mass there to do the work for you.
It's physics. More mass means more momentum potential.
i'd add one more thing.... i know some big hitters who play with light racquets, and when it gets tense vs. pusher/retriever/counter-puncher, the unforced errors pile up..... basically saying wailing (sp?) away in practice, you can pretty much use any racquet, but in matches you need more control
Does anyone like mettallix 2 ?
i play with some really hard hitting people when i play singles and i can't play with a racquet -11oz because the stabability is just not there for me
Maybe they just can't handle pressure. If you can hit the shots when the pressure's not on then why would it be the racquet's fault when a player misses shots when the pressure IS on? Sounds like a player issue to me or am I missing something.
Not true. If you use an 8 oz. racquet and try and volley a heavy ball coming at you at a very fast pace, your racquet will recoil causing instability even if you hit the ball in the sweetspot. There's just not enough mass there to be able to counter the momentum of the incoming ball.Unless you are using a 1 oz racquet, the stability is there as long as you hit the sweetspot. Which is what you should be focusing on anyway, instead of a racquet.
Not true. If you use an 8 oz. racquet and try and volley a heavy ball coming at you at a very fast pace, your racquet will recoil causing instability even if you hit the ball in the sweetspot. There's just not enough mass there to be able to counter the momentum of the incoming ball.
Don't forget that as you move to a lighter racquet, the ball doesn't also get lighter but is still the same weight as before. It's all about the collision of a heavier object with a lighter object. So until the balls also become lighter, a heavier racquet is always going to be more stable than a lighter one, all else being equal.
Well, like I said, a heavier racquet is always going to be more stable than a lighter racquet, all else being equal.Of course you are right, my fault for the gross exaggeration. Considering where most racquets that players on this board play with(high 10-12 oz) stability shouldn't be much of a factor if you hit the sweetspot, right?
Interesting... I forgot about the stiffness factor. I recently went with a slightly stiffer model at the same weight/balance and it's working better. I like the increased power, but I still tend to hit a little long under pressure. Guess I'll just see how it goes as I improve...
McGee, what do you use now? I used a 300G for two years. It was hard to put that one down.
Not true. If you use an 8 oz. racquet and try and volley a heavy ball coming at you at a very fast pace, your racquet will recoil causing instability even if you hit the ball in the sweetspot. There's just not enough mass there to be able to counter the momentum of the incoming ball.
Don't forget that as you move to a lighter racquet, the ball doesn't also get lighter but is still the same weight as before. It's all about the collision of a heavier object with a lighter object. So until the balls also become lighter, a heavier racquet is always going to be more stable than a lighter one, all else being equal.
I'm using much lighter racquets not because I'm concerned about weight, but more based on a lower swingweight. I used to play with a 376 gram racquet for 8 years with no issues at all. But after about a 3 year layoff, it was fun to take big swings with it, however the stamina just wasn't there anymore and I couldn't sustain a full match with it.
Hence I've moved to a racquet with a lower swingweight which still allows me to take big cuts at the ball, maintain my swingspeed, and subsequently created huge returns.
I've never really bothered too much with racquet specifications. I've only bothered with the following:
1. My stamina - as long as I can sustain long matches/rallies without tiring out my body, that's the right racquet.
2. When I'm able to maneuver it with ease and hit wide angled returns.
3. When my opponents comment on the power and accuracy of my serves and groundstrokes.
Those are much more valuable than numbers tagged onto the frame.
I'm using much lighter racquets not because I'm concerned about weight, but more based on a lower swingweight. I used to play with a 376 gram racquet for 8 years with no issues at all. But after about a 3 year layoff, it was fun to take big swings with it, however the stamina just wasn't there anymore and I couldn't sustain a full match with it.
Hence I've moved to a racquet with a lower swingweight which still allows me to take big cuts at the ball, maintain my swingspeed, and subsequently created huge returns.
I've never really bothered too much with racquet specifications. I've only bothered with the following:
1. My stamina - as long as I can sustain long matches/rallies without tiring out my body, that's the right racquet.
2. When I'm able to maneuver it with ease and hit wide angled returns.
3. When my opponents comment on the power and accuracy of my serves and groundstrokes.
Those are much more valuable than numbers tagged onto the frame.
While I agree with what you are saying, I think if you know the numbers it can help you decide which racquets to demo. Swing weight, static weight and balance are key factors in deciding if I will even consider a frame.