More accurate tension recommendation guide

**jsunsun** · 04-05-2007, 09:49 AM

Since string tension is a very important factor in racquet performance, there are tones of players asking for tension recommendation. So perhaps we should compile a more accurate and comprehensive guide to choosing tensions.

To start off, I’d suggest

Beginner 20lbs (19x21)
Intermediate 22lbs (21x23lbs)
Advanced 24lbs (23x25lbs)
Competitive/national 26lbs (24x26lbs)

Factors: (plus or minus from suggested tension)

Arm/wrist Strength:
Weak - minus 1 lbs
Average - stick to suggested tension
Strong - plus 1 lbs
Super strong - plus 2 lbs

Style of play:
Power smasher - minus 1 lbs
Control player - plus 1 lbs

Raquet weight:
Super light raquet – minus 1 lbs
Heavy racquet – plus 1 lbs

Of course there are many other factors, eg. string type, temperature, shuttle type, etc... However, this would be a sufficient starting point.

**Dreamzz** · 04-05-2007, 09:55 AM

Originally Posted by jsunsun

Since string tension is a very important factor in racquet performance, there are tones of players asking for tension recommendation. So perhaps we should compile a more accurate and comprehensive guide to choosing tensions.

To start off, I’d suggest

Beginner 20lbs (19x21)
Intermediate 22lbs (21x23lbs)
Advanced 24lbs (23x25lbs)
Competitive/national 26lbs (24x26lbs)

Factors: (plus or minus from suggested tension)

Arm/wrist Strength:
Weak - minus 1 lbs
Average - stick to suggested tension
Strong - plus 1 lbs
Super strong - plus 2 lbs

Style of play:
Power smasher - minus 1 lbs
Control player - plus 1 lbs

Raquet weight:
Super light raquet – minus 1 lbs
Heavy racquet – plus 1 lbs

Of course there are many other factors, eg. string type, temperature, shuttle type, etc... However, this would be a sufficient starting point.

interesting guide, although i'm not too sure i agree with what's in bold. most of the really hard smashers i know tend to go 1 or 2 pounds higher, not lower.

**bic33** · 04-05-2007, 10:02 AM

i think jsunsun's right... minus 1 for the power playeer... as i've read before, the looser tension will give more "trampoline" effect to the shuttle... the stiffer strings will however feel more solid, and thus, more inclined on net plays...

**jsunsun** · 04-05-2007, 10:06 AM

Originally Posted by Dreamzz

interesting guide, although i'm not too sure i agree with what's in bold. most of the really hard smashers i know tend to go 1 or 2 pounds higher, not lower.

yeah, I had to give that a second thought before making that suggestion. I agree that hard smasher tend to benefit with a slightly higher tension. In that case, they'll usually fall in the super strong strength category, hence +2lbs.

But regarding strictly style of play, I simply thought that higher tension = more control. Eg. suppose you get max power at 26lbs, at 27lbs, you'd start to lose power, however you'd gain more control.

**Dreamzz** · 04-05-2007, 10:09 AM

hahaha, possibly, i guess it's all rather subjective and depends on the player. i do broadly agree with the rest guide though.

**drowsysmurf** · 04-05-2007, 11:10 AM

i agree with everything cept if i'm a beginner with a weak arm/wrist and a light racket =P that'll put me at 18lbs which won't give me any power =P special case i guess.

**Dreamzz** · 04-05-2007, 11:28 AM

so, what do you string your racquets at?
22lbs?

**Dreamzz** · 04-05-2007, 11:29 AM

i would actually say that 20lbs should be the lowest tension a racquet should be strung at. i know cooldoo6 and some others would disagree, but i think the lack of tension below 20lbs actually does more harm than good.

**drowsysmurf** · 04-05-2007, 11:37 AM

if ur asking me about MY stringing tension, i string bg65 at 29x30.5 sometimes 31. but because itz a bg65...it pretty much drops to like a 27lb after a day so...i'd say a constant 27lbs =P

**Smichz** · 04-05-2007, 11:44 AM

I've heard that some ppl(not pros) even pulled their string to 30lbs+.What do u call that?

**drowsysmurf** · 04-05-2007, 11:53 AM

also bg 66 at 25lbs

**drowsysmurf** · 04-05-2007, 11:57 AM

u call that craziness like me =P for me it just feels better or at least i feel the shuttle better when i pull it at higher tension. i'm more of a drop, push and clear person than a smasher so control and feel is quite important to me. most of us start stringing higher and higher tension to feel the difference, then eventually we will find a tension we like and stick with it. for me that is around 28lbs. nowadays i'm trying out different strings. a bg 66 at 25 lbs feels similar to a bg65 strung at 30lbs. next strings maybe a nanogy at 28lbs

**aaronyim** · 04-29-2007, 11:38 AM

I have a bg-65 at 35 pounds on my supernano 9000x

**jerby** · 04-29-2007, 02:16 PM

I don't think 22lbs= 21x23. Doing the "soundcheck" 21x23 feels tigher.
and: players are horrible at assessing their own skill level...

There's no real way to recommend a tension..it's just something you have to try out...

**Matt** · 04-29-2007, 03:46 PM

I go by the sound for my tensions, so the numbers is never really a straight asnwer. I look for the note* - that's what I am most interested in.

**azn_123** · 04-29-2007, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by aaronyim

I have a bg-65 at 35 pounds on my supernano 9000x

wow!! that's pretty high lol

**zhafir92** · 04-30-2007, 07:27 AM

just wondering , i have been using 26-30 pounds since i started playg at 11. im 15 now. my level would only be intermediate n i play for my school in district level tournaments. everytime i tried a lower tension i would lose power n accuracy in smashes n clears. anyone care to explain? would it b because i am used to it?