i've read a bunch of posts where people suggest using a squash racket to improve forearm strength. Does anyone know if this is a form of training pros actually incorporate into their programs (if so pls indicate how they train in this way)? (Pls don't respond saying something like i've seen pictures with kdm or someone else holding a squash racket unless u know how they train with it.)
Yes. I have seen them doing repetitive smashes routines using squash racquets. They may do others like drives. and/or multi shot patterns.
Smash training with a squash racquet can improve power, bit I would not recommend it for much else. I have seen a number of players use a squash racquet to train all sorts of shots - even using it to hit against a wall. This is not a good idea. The basic idea behind using a squash racquet is that it is heavier than a badminton racquet. Correct use of a squash racquet is to encourage the larger muscles to play a bigger role in a hitting action. This is great for smashing as it brings your shoulder more into play. Many players do not use their shoulder enough in a full swing, mainly because the badminton racquet is so light that it is not necessary. When you want to boom one though - that is when you need the extra reserves that come from the hip and shoulder. Get someone to feed you three quarter length high lifts for you to smash. There is no hurry with this feed - and no need to return to base. Once you have hit two sets of about twelve change to your badminton racquet. Feel the shoulder really work and the difference that it makes. You should also feel your arm really straighten through impact. Boom! What you shoud NOT do is train shorter shots with the squash racquet. Following the principle that heavier means having to use bigger muscles - the last thing you want to happen when playing a little tap shot. Speed is important here not power - if you get your muscles used to hitting with a heavy racquet you will lose speed of shot. Hope that helps.
I've been practising underhand clears by hitting the wall with a tennis racket recently. Really helped much.
i heard raphael sachetat say using a squash raket help when you take again your raket , you have the impression it's more light ... but i never try =p
Another idea is to use a heavy badminton racket. Some of the cheap ones go up to 110g and can be strung up quite well. Not as heavy as a squash racket but can be used easier without people wondering why on earth you are playing with a squash racket.
Yea, it really does make your racquet feel lighter, and your smashes seem to be more powerful for a while. As Slanter is implying, you should only try smashing, and not clearing with the squash racquet- or else you will have very sore shoulders and possibly injure yourself! (oh yea, streching/ warming up before using a squash racquet is important too!) And dropping with a squash racquet in my opinion, is useless, since it is not the same feeling as dropping with a badminton racquet. Haven't played in a while, but just based on my experience =)
India #2 Womens Player Aditi Mutatkar doing a swing drill with a squash racquet as part of her prep before her match
You can use the squash rackets or training rackets like the ones from Kimoni, i think they come in 135g and 150g, the quality of the racket is quite good and price is cheap.
Badminton.tv have a coaching video where the players use a squash racket to train smash defence. This actually seems to be a common application of heavy-racket training. Their recent series of videos covers: Squash racket defence practice Squash racket smash attack Squash racket drive defence Here's a quote from their drive defence video:
Again, the 'moderation' word is the key. So, don't go nuts over it. I do see some state and national players using it for strokes. The fundamentals are more important, which takes about 99% importance. If this is a 1%, that means there could be 99 different parts of area which need attention.
Thats a squash racket? Aren't these squash rackets? http://www.global-b2b-network.com/direct/dbimage/50170044/Squash_Racket.jpg I noticed how you shouldn't use the squash rackets for too long. How about using a pretty heavy badminton racket? Can I then practice in longer sessions? My Carlton "Smash" is pretty darn heavy.
Do you know QIANBALL? It's cool, you can do heavy racket exercises with this on your own. For example smash defense without someone who feeds you the shuttles or smashes at you.
Sorry I didn't see how it was labeled as an extra heavy badminton racket with just a paragraph saying: You can use the squash rackets or training rackets like the ones from Kimoni, i think they come in 135g and 150g, the quality of the racket is quite good and price is cheap. But can heavy badminton rackets be used for long periods of times?
Increasing Grips, Arm and Wrist strength. Perhaps this video will help to power you up! Enjoy! It's free and simple. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U9BGhdzL6Kg
