Your take on the eternal "stringing tension question"

[Mag]

Jonas, there is one question that new users here almost always ask:

Does higher stringing tension give:
a) more power
b) more control
c) both

There are a lot of different opinions on this, so it would be interesting to hear what opinion a pro has arrived at by experience... Obviously higher tension means more frequent string breakage and even frame breakage, but if we put that aside, what is your opinion?


You mentioned that you string at 12 kg before. That is quite low compared to, for instance, Peter Gade who claims to string at 16-17 kg, or Camilla who strings at 15 kg. Why do you string at the particular tension you use?

[modious]

and also, what strings are you using and how thick is it?
Does it affect the tension in any way?

[JR]

Originally posted by Mag
Jonas, there is one question that new users here almost always ask:

Does higher stringing tension give:
a) more power
b) more control
c) both

There are a lot of different opinions on this, so it would be interesting to hear what opinion a pro has arrived at by experience... Obviously higher tension means more frequent string breakage and even frame breakage, but if we put that aside, what is your opinion?


You mentioned that you string at 12 kg before. That is quite low compared to, for instance, Peter Gade who claims to string at 16-17 kg, or Camilla who strings at 15 kg. Why do you string at the particular tension you use?

Hi Mag!!

I think it creates more control, but you´ll not lose power!!

When the strings are very hard the string will not move very much back when you hit the shuttle in opposition to when they are softer!!

This means that the shuttles flight will be more straight and precise!!

I don´t like playing with a racket that´s has a very hard tension because I think it´s like playing with a baseball bat and it´ll create injuries in my arm.

Jonas

[JR]

Originally posted by modious
and also, what strings are you using and how thick is it?
Does it affect the tension in any way?

Hi Modious!!

I´m using Ashaway Microlegend strings!!

I think they are 0.74!!

No difference in tension!!

Jonas

[glide3dfx]

Even 12kg (26.4 lbs) is a rather high stringning tension (compared to recommended tension by most racket manufacturers).

Is your generel view that stringning with low tension, lets say 8kg (17 lbls),
would provide less control but same amount of power at drives/smashes (not faster/slower shuttle speed) as you would get from 12Kgs?!?

/TJ

[JR]

Originally posted by glide3dfx
Even 12kg (26.4 lbs) is a rather high stringning tension (compared to recommended tension by most racket manufacturers).

Is your generel view that stringning with low tension, lets say 8kg (17 lbls),
would provide less control but same amount of power at drives/smashes (not faster/slower shuttle speed) as you would get from 12Kgs?!?

/TJ

There is a lot of other factors to be considered when we´re talking power!!

What works for doesn´t necessarily mean it´ll work you or anybody else!!

I think you lose too much control and accuracy when the tension is too low!!

Think about it this way!! Power is worth nothing if you cannot keep the shuttle on court!!

Control and accuracy are very important in badminton

Jonas

[glide3dfx]

Yes power without control isn't much fun :-)

But I also play some golf and found out that to get maximum distance it is usually a combination of shaft-flex, and "trampoline"-effect on the clubhead and swing-speed who decides the "power"...

The real hard-hitters in golf usually chooses stiffer shafts for example in the club (they loose power if the shaft flexes to much on impact) and ladies and weaker golfer usually are better of with very flexible shafts to get more "whip" and thus increase the length..

Transferring this to badminton, my guess would be that the factors would be similar (racket flex, stringing tension and swing-speed)..But thats when i start to get lost and confused :-), becuase I'm not sure if tests has been done taking all three factors into account.. And there may also be other factors (for example weight of racket etc taht would complicate stuff even more).

/TJ

[JR]

Yes, it´s very difficult to determine what makes the more power!!

If you ask me about what I experience when I play against toplevel players, I´d say get a high tension!!

But watch out in the beginning because of the high tension which your arm is not used to you are more likely to get some injuries!!

It´s very few worldclass players I´ve met that uses low tension!!

Maybe it´s because of the control, but my advice for you would be to try and find the tension you like by making your racket harder and harder until you find the right tension!!

Jonas

[fhchiang]

hmmm

Mr Jonas..

What Do You Think Of Your Current String(ashaway microlegend)?

1.Control
2.Power

and also.. according to ashaway.. higher tension gives more control while lower tension(trampoline effect) gives more power, is it true?

[JR]

I think the strings create both power and control and most importently they don´t break too easily.

Yes, I think it´s true that the lower tension the more power you create because of the trampoline effect and visa versa.

Kind Regards

Jonas

[reaper]

If Peter strings at 16 to 17 kg, how can his racquet handle that type of tension? What racquet does he use? (a racquet that can hold such high tension)

[Pete LSD]

Different stringing technique?