Guys! I need your opinion on selecting a proper racquets for doubles game.
I'm a intermediate doubles player and currently using Carbonex 21 Special with a BG66 string/23 pound tension. As you all should know that the tecnique of smashing is one of the biggest weapon in doubles game.

For my part, i really enjoy playing in doubles but i don't feel the real power coming out after smashing the 'bird' with my whole strength. I think i did the correct technique of smashing but the shuttle are too easily lifted by the opponent half or the shuttle just head towards the opponent waist body part. I did apply BG 65 string/22 pound tension but it become from bad to worst 'cos the outcome is still the same and worst of it i've to put extra strength to execute the smashing.I did not like the BG 65 string on my racquet so i've decided to switch back to BG 66 string which i felt better with it.

I felt good while playing in singles using the Carbonex 21 Special where it has excellent control and strokes playing but it doesn't look so good during the doubles. Okay guys! now the big question is which kind of badminton racquet is suitable smashing play that come with more oomph! and 'pow wow' noise whenever you smash?!

Is it true that with more heavier frame racquet can boost the smashing power?
I thought of getting the Carbonex 9 (T-Joint) racquet but i heard the newer production for this racquet are not as good like before.

So can you guys out there you can lend your thoughts to me. I'm getting fed up of smashing all the time without any success. But of course in terms $, i'm looking somewhere not more than Ringgit Malaysia 200.00 for a racquet.

Thanks! :)

Hi chris,


I agree that racket with heavier head provide better power for smashing. U may try to hold ur racket lower down the grip when u smash. Make sure u relax ur fingers & wrist b4 u make the contact to the shuttle. (my own opinion)

G'day Chris,

I have also gone through a similar problem about a year ago using my Cab21 with BG65 around 20x18lbs, and no matter how hard I smashed the opposition returns it with ease, so I went ahead and invested in a MP77 in attempt to solve this lack of power problem.

What I found by switching to MP77 was that although the racket immediately improved my smash power, it actually affected my game as I had to adjust the timing on all my shots because of the added effort required to swing. This was a real problem and it has taken me about a year (with bonus of sore wrist and tennis elbow!) to master MP77 / Ti-10 coming from a diet of Cab21.

Then one day I discovered BG80/85 series string and higher tension on racket - which I strung my Cab21 with at 24x22lbs. Much to my surprise it produced almost equal smash power to MP77, without the "hammerhead" feel of the MP77 which is a real burdon sometimes, especially when playing at the net. The Cab21/BG80 combo was such a joy to use that I nearly stopped using MP77, because the Cab21 had a great all round performance to it, whereas MP77 was too focused in its performance envelop.

So I guess my recommendation is give your Cab21 another try with BG80/85 string at slightly higher tension and see if this improves the situation. There's nothing wrong in wanting a more exotic or head heavy racket to improve your smash, but I believe replacing your string is a cheaper and almost as effective way of improving your smash power instead of investing heavily in a new racket.

Otherwise, look into a Ti-10, IsoTiSP SX, MP77 or MP90/100. These are the big guns of Yonex range and will significantly improve your smash power.

Chris, rest assured that you have an excellent raquet in your posession! If you have a power problem, I think you would spend your money wiser if you invested them in good coaching instead of buying yet another racquet. And besides, placement beats power! ;)

Changing racquets only make the learning process even longer and harder. One has to adjust to a new racquet which throws off a little the timing and power put into the shots. Stay with one racquet and train with good technique to enhance your power output. A racquet can do so much to propel your power output. Build some muscles and practice proper technique.

Diff situation require diff kind of smashing! Sometimes u smash all hard using arm and forarm and sometimes just wrist to bring the ball steeply down!what i mean by this is one componet used more than the other.

I agree that the Cab 21SPECIAL Is head light. Teh Cab 21Sp is heavier at the head.

I would suggest u to do wall knocking whenever u find time! There is no excersise that can supplemet wall knocking! Ur reflex and ur wrist work will improve leaps and bounds! If u haev strong wrist and forearm then ur smashes wil sound great! Dont worry and work on ur skills!

Best of luck!

I was at a similar situation, looking for more power in my smashes. I finally bought the MP100 and got more power smashes. Largely because it is heavier. One day, I broke the string and switch to my old Yonex Iso 60 light. It was much lighter compared with the MP100, but I was able to smash it as hard. How come? In my opinion, I think I've developed muscle memory to a heavier racquet and also, I was hitting on the sweet spot more often.

In your case, perhaps using the same racquet but train more on your accuracy by changing your target to be your opponent's racquet shoulder. Train to hit on the sweet spot will definitely help also.

1st of all i'd like to say that the Cab21 Special in my opinion is not head light. Nor is it head heavy, it somewhere in between.

Badminton is a game where you must train with the basics to gain the shots. Once you've done that tactics is brought in and it becomes more of a mind game.

The rackets that you use varies in terms of feel weight etc etc, but in the end its all you that plays the game.

However if u want to choose a racket thats "good", in my opinion, you should go for a Carbonex racket. Why? Because its got a smaller sweetspot and helps u train with your consistency. DOn't get one thats too head heavy or too head light.

I bring 2 Cab20 Originals, 1 MP100 and 1 MP77 whenever i go play. THe reason for this is that i mainly use my Cab20 but when i switch to MP77, which has a MUCH bigger sweetspot, i find everything much easier to hit with. So for me i change the racket sometimes. Thats why i don't train using isometrics. Coz the bigger sweetspot gives me an advantage both in consistency and also a bit psychologically

Hmm... i completely agree. I used to hate my iso 800.. I always thought it was too heavy and tired me out after a couple games. So i bought my mp77. Now when i do switch back to the iso 800, it feels a lot lighter, but still the balance feels weird. So I guess what i'm trying to say is that switching racquets may be good for developing different muscles, so that when you do go back to your original racquet, it feels much better.