Knowledge
Choosing the right racket for yourself - Part 2
Choosing the right racket for yourself
After learning how to choose a racket that is ideal for you, let VICTOR give you a detailed introduction to racket weight and shaft.
【Q】How are racket weight and balance point compared?
【A】Weight and balance point are the two main factors that affect racket feel. If you choose a racket with weight and balance point that match , you will get used to using it more easily.
(1) Weight :
The label shows that the Victor 2U weighs 90-94.9g, the 3U 85-89.9g and the 4U 80-84.9g ( this is the unstrung weight ). Professionals have weight error of around ±0.5g.
(2) Balance point :
The balance point of a racket is usually 295mm. How is the balance point measured? It’s simple, the index finger or a pen can be used to measure it.
Place the racket across the index finger and move it side to side to find the balance point, then measure from the bottom end of the racket to the balance point to find the length of the balance point.
Heavier rackets give more attacking power but are unwieldy, however, if the balance point is moved forward (towards the head), a “head-heavy” effect can be increased, achieving a relatively good balance between swing agility and attacking capability.
【Q】What is the shaft principle? Why is the shaft so important?How large an effect does shaft stiffness and width have on a racket?
【A】The shaft is the central nervous system of a racket and how good it is decides the stability and feel of a racket.
(1) Shaft material
Most rackets are made of graphite and the better the quality of the material the stiffer the shaft will be and the longer its life. VICTOR’s top-end rackets are made of Ultra high modulus graphite, greatly increasing their lifespan.
(2) Shaft width
Generally speaking, the thicker a shaft is, the greater the torque and the power of the return shot; thinner shafts are softer .
Generally speaking, the thickness of the shaft has a relatively small impact on a racket.
(3) Shaft stiffness
The average player cares about racket stiffness and this also a key factor affecting the shuttlecock strike. The stiffer a shaft is, the greater the striking power, however, the burden on the player’s arm is also increased.
A shaft that is quite soft spreads power but, striking precisely is harder . Most professional players use rackets that have stiff-very stiff shafts because they have the arm strength to swing such a racket and can create relatively large striking power.
However, the average player should take into account their own capability because stiffer is not necessarily better.
Choice of racket depends on personal preference or need. Choosing the best racket for you will help you enjoy badminton more!
