has anyone heard of this? I've been told by several different people, who are usually reliable sources, that a small European racquet company made racquets in which the head would pivot slightly back and forth during the swing. This theoretically would add more force to the swing. However I think it would be difficult to control on quick shots such as smash defense and net kills but it does sound like an interesting idea.
I have looked all over but have not been able to find any information on this, if anybody has heard of it I would like to know if it is true or not

never heard of it, but it doesn't really sound too encouraging. i remember mentions here about a racquet where there's sand (or something in the shaft) that helps with the balance of racquet depending on what kinda shots you're gonna play, but i don't think that idea took off either. more likely a gimmick just to get into the market and stand out from the crowd!

Check out the Gosen Roots. I think that is the one you are looking for.

both Gosen and sotx (and fischer iirc) have a gimmick in their shafts to help it 'kick' a bit. it flexes at two (or more) points, or so they claim...so that mgith be what you are looking for..

Sotx Marswood series are btw loaded with 'steel sand' that shift the balance point in a stroke, wich might be highly uncontrollable, but is that what you mean?

Well if I am not wrong, the ElasticTi or Gummetal in the new Yonex nano 9000 series uses the same feature but instead of the shaft flexes it is only the head which gives the kick and combining the control of a stiff shaft with the power of a flexable racket.

so does Black Knight Turbo flex racquets...2 flex points in the shaft

yep it was the Gavun racquet that I was told about. It looks like they are very rare. has anyone actually used these pivoting racquets? if anyone has experience with them it would be interesting to hear about, I'm still unsure how effective it would be
and I've never heard of the "sand" racquets either, its interesting to hear about these different ideas that companies have to improve them! I'm still stuck in the old days of carbon graphite/titanium mesh:D

yep it was the Gavun racquet that I was told about. It looks like they are very rare. has anyone actually used these pivoting racquets? if anyone has experience with them it would be interesting to hear about, I'm still unsure how effective it would be
and I've never heard of the "sand" racquets either, its interesting to hear about these different ideas that companies have to improve them! I'm still stuck in the old days of carbon graphite/titanium mesh:D

UHM Graphite and Titanium are still the materials of choice!

I tried the SOTX AK rackets (aka "Rattlesnake") with the Mars Wood and steel beads that change the MOI when you swing.

The racket were powerful and endloaded but when the beads transferred, you lose feel and consistency, especially on defense. I could not get used to the balance or therelackof. If I was SOTX, I would just remove the rattlesnake beads and the AK series would be a winner in my book.

Also, the AK rackets produced a deeper sounding "BOOM" when you hit the shuttle, different than other rackets, so maybe the Mars Wood works. :)

I tried the SOTX AK rackets (aka "Rattlesnake") with the Mars Wood and steel beads that change the MOI when you swing.

The racket were powerful and endloaded but when the beads transferred, you lose feel and consistency, especially on defense. I could not get used to the balance or therelackof. If I was SOTX, I would just remove the rattlesnake beads and the AK series would be a winner in my book.

Also, the AK rackets produced a deeper sounding "BOOM" when you hit the shuttle, different than other rackets, so maybe the Mars Wood works. :)

aha, i think the racquet i remembered reading about is the one dan's described here ...

i've used the gosen roots gavun 2400 ti. has great control and average power. kept me a class above when i represent my school in tournaments with my nice cross-court drops:-)

both Gosen and sotx (and fischer iirc) have a gimmick in their shafts to help it 'kick' a bit. it flexes at two (or more) points, or so they claim...so that mgith be what you are looking for..


I believe gosen called it "double kick point" system. :rolleyes: