Hi, Have been playing Badminton seriously (2 or 3 times a week) for about 6 months now. At the moment I am still using a very basic beginners racquet. I mainly play doubles but also occasionally singles. Not really sure about a particular style of play at the moment, but have recently improved my net play considerably. The main problem is a lack of power, especially when playing with more experienced players, I find i cant clear as well as them. Am looking for a good all-round raqcuet; thinking maybeMP99, but I'm concerned that when moving to a more advanced racquet, might be to the dertiment of my game; especially the racquet stiffness. Currenty the racquet I use says "medium stiff" so what racquet should I choose to obtain as smooth a transition as possible. Thanks James
MP 66 is not bad choice actually for beginners because it's a light headed well balance racquet. Don't get high end racquets for now since you're still getting used to badminton. You might wanna avoid clashes too since it happens alot on new comers. Try to practise more and master your skills. When you feel your racquet can't satisfy your skills, then you can start asking for suggestions or demo new racquets.
I started playing last year and found the 2U Ti-10 to be a great beginner's racquet as it helped me improve my power/strength. Since you say you need to improve your power/clearing, it's an ideal racquet for that. Find a partner and do nothing for clears for half an hour before actually starting the game. 10 sessions should be enough. (this is nothing as 10 year old Chinese schoolkids practice nothing but clears for 1 hour straight )
I've done clearing for 2 hours straight with my friend before. That sure helped them a lot. With clears though I prefer to use a lighter racket to train the "snap" motion of a clear.
I would recommend Yonex MP-88 because it is even balanced with flexible shaft. Beginners can use it to develop skills for being either a control player or offensive player.
MP88 is head heavy (written on the shaft), especially the 3U version. I think the 4U version is not as head heavy.
What's your racquet right now?? If you have any friend's with a racquet for example mp-88,99 or any kind of racquet you must like ask them if you can borrow it. Try to try it out more than a few weeks. =) I highly reccomend the yonex nanospeed 900 type x but you need a stronger wrist so I wouldn't reccomend this racquet for beginners. You can even change the string if you think that's the problem. It's not always your racquet it can be technique,strings,tension etc.
NS9000 2u-S 3U-X AT800-DF-3U AT700-4U Ti10/mp100-3U NS8000/7000-2U MP99-3U Maybe: AT800-OF-4U MP88-3U CAB30MS-3U
If possible, try to demo as many rackets as possible, before making a decision. If you have to choose blindly, Yonex MP88/99, AT800DE and SOTX Woven 8 might be a safe choice.
The best racket that i would recommend is a Cab 20 or 21 (assuming you use Yonex). You can never go wrong with them. As you are rapidly learning badminton, it best that you learn it in a oval shaped racket (Like learning on manual shift and then driving auto). The best rackets in terms of performance/value is the Cab series. Best of Luck!
Thanks for the advice guys, Unfortunately I am going to have to buy blind. If I do go for the MP88/99. I'm concerned about the Flex of the Racqet. t the moment I'm playing with a medium stiff racquet MP99 Extra Stiff MP88 Medium Or alternatovely I could go for a type S Nanonspeed 9000? I'm concerned about the length of my clears, as I wouldnt say I was the strongest player. Any thoughts?
If you can't clear to the back with a medium flex racket, it will be even harder with a stiffer racquet, assuming string & tension remain the same. Are you still using the stock string on the racquet? How about changing the string to something decent (eg. BG80 at 21lbs) and then see if your clears improve. This way you'll be able to tell if medium is the right flex for you before you buy a higher-end racquet.