Which?

[Elizabeth]

I was just wondering what type of racket to use when trying to develop my smashes and drives. You see, I used to play recreational badminton and never really used much skill to play. Now I'm on a team and I just wanted to know whether I should use a heavy racket or light. I prefer using a light one, but I was told to use a heavy racket to develop my skills and eventually switch to a light one.
Would you recommend this?

[shaun]

At the point i am at in terms of my badminton skills, i prefer a heavier racquet for smashing. prefably a more head heavy racquet. this helps you generate more power, but usually, if you use more wrist than anything, u can do with a very light racquet and still generate tons of power

[Kelvin]

Since you played mostly recreationally before... start out with something simple, and not too fancy. It does not matter at the moment whether the racquet is head heavy, or head light... or any of that stuff right now. As your main basis for training, is to improve your technique.

I've been trained in Canada professionally before, and played competitively for quite a number of years...
I can't stress how important it is for people to improve upon the basics, and learn proper technique, as it is not the racquet that makes the player... the player makes the racquet.
I'm sure you know this through experience by now.

Just concentrate on your skills for now, and worry about the racquet later when your confident enough in your shots. I remember easily out powering, and out hitting people back in the day, who had much more expensive racquets, meanwhile I was still using one made of steel!
Boy were they surprised. B)

PS: I'll let you know one draw back of using a heavier weight racquet... (as I'm not sure what you're using right now...) if your technique, and body movement is not precise, you can easily injure yourself. Just ask some of my friends with shoulder injuries, from not learning the basics... go figure, and supposedly they had more potential than I did. :o
If you're really dead set on using a heavier racquet... try one of the Yonex Carbonex series of racquets, as they are supposedly geared towards smashing, and drives. Also they will offer you the greatest stability with your shots, even while you're off centre...
I hope this helps. :)

[mark]

No I think that a racket has a phsychological affect on your game and you should always play with a racket that YOU are happy with.

I have however asked the women in the clubs I play for their opinion which I thought would be more relevant to you. The general consensus was that they liked a light racket that was well balanced and mid-range in price.

As your skills increase you should be able to make a better judgement of what you want from a racket but I hope this helps you.

[May]

Yeah, I only use the carbonex's now, I can't play with racquets that r too light. It also depends on how u play though. if u smash a lot, than a Carbonex would be a good choice, but if don't smash a lot, than maybe a ummmmm........ Sorry, I don't know abt those.

[Ricky]

Same for most of my badminton friends - most ladies prefer lighter, and more importantly, flexible racquet. While you should focus more on your skills, a suitable racquet will make your training or game more enjoyable.

I also agree with mark that using heavy racquet may cause injuries (especially on your shoulder and arm) if you don't have proper skills.

I do know one lady who uses Yonex Ti Swing Power SX (a heavy head racquet primarily for attack), however she is one of the winner in local tournament (HK).

p.s. Fyi, the Mizuno Mystic Power 100 is the favorite of almost every lady I know (of course, I'm talking about whose play badminton seriously) - this racquet is very light and "terribly" flexible.

[May]

Ricky, what the heck does fyi mean?????

[Ricky]

For your information.