I was wondering how far can shuttle land if someone with superb technique and strong arm/wrist hit the neutral shuttle (without counterforce - just falling strait down toward the out line) standing behind the last court line. For example, let's count meters where the shuttle land over the opposite out line (so, how much over the court). Please report your height end equipment (racquet, shuttle, strings, lb) too. I was throwing the shuttle (plastic, new, blue!) myself (like tennis serve) and hit approx. 1 m over the court size with forehand and 1.5 m before the line with my backhand. I'm 183 cm tall. I think I have decent technique and therefore I'm blaming my tired ISO 90VF (bg65, 18 lb) for lacking power (3U, balance point headlight 255mm! but I'm buying a new rq. ). Who can hit the farthest?
Even more interesting might be how far you can hit it from a kneeling/sitting position. This means that there is much less contribution from the body, and relatively more contribution from fast wrist/finger action -> meaning this is power that is more "available" to be used during a match.
It depends a great deal on the shuttle. Plastics will generally go farther, and any shuttle that is too fast for the conditions will look silly. With feather shuttles of the correct speed, I can sometimes play a high corner-to-corner backhand clear, either straight or cross (cross is harder, obviously). Unfortunately I'm not terribly consistent, and my backhand breaks down under pressure (which makes it somewhat useless). It's much harder to play a good backhand when the shuttle has travelled behind you. Forehand? No idea, but if it's a very flat clear: I should be able to clear it out by several metres (straight). I wouldn't say that I have "superb" technique ("good", perhaps); nor do I have especially strong arms or wrists.
Yes, it might be interesting too, but I think that the whole body (legs, waist, and shoulders too) are very important during the stroke and can not be neglected. But it's true that sometimes when catching long ball, you have to use only arm/wrist/fingers power...
I wish I could clear backhand corner to corner... I need a little more practise for this... How much do you think can make the difference using different racquets? Let's say with the same string and tension and the same person but once head light 4U racquet and then head heavy 2U racquet? 4,5,6 m? And how much influence have the strings and tension variations (from 18-30 lb)?
Well considering how your backhand swing speed is slower than your forehand, a lower tension would be ideal. Not sure about which balance point of racquet would be ideal though.
Well I did say sometimes. If it makes you feel better, most of the time I just screw up instead, especially if I have to move my feet first Not much. Just make sure you're not playing with a $15 sledgehammer. Anything reasonably light and balanced will be fine. Still, the best way to find out is to experiment. Again, not much. One of the best players in my club has a vicious backhand smash, and he never restrings. Still, I can feel the difference with a fresh restring. It doesn't transform my skills, but it does make my strokes a little sharper. If you go way too high, however, you'll really feel the difference (no power, and your arm starts to hurt).
Master NGP's input is highly valued here . How far can Master NGP's shots go assuming the correct shuttle mass for the atmospheric condition?
What is your opinion over 4U racquets? First I was convinced that I will buy AT 500 4U because it has everything - it's light/quick and powerful at the same time, but I read about disadvantages like "you feel the shuttle on the strings too much" (possible injuries??! I play also tennis...), "it lacks power" and "3U is more durable"... Hm, now I am more in 3U... I really want to add some distance to my backhand (+~2 m and I'm over the court in my best shot)
Once I read that one with a perfect technique and strong wrist/finger motion should hit the shuttle over the entire court without even moving the upper arm and shoulders - just with the forearm/wrist/fingers... Who can do it?
Actually, a lot of people can do that. It's quite natural if you are used to pronating your forearm and contracting your fingers at the moment of impact.
oehh, nice, a bragging contest I can clear it out 12 feet with my backhand so...why would anybody wánt to clear out?
It's not that rare...I can't do it (not fully...I'd guess about 90% of the full length) but see a lot of people can... though I must admit I'm trying not to do/try it...it's not exactly a good habbit
I beat you at what? bragging? I never even tried clearing my backhandclear from the baseline as hard as I could... I actually can't picture a situation where you're at the baseline, and have enough time to hit a backhand full throttle at the ideal position...Around the head anyone? must be some rare moments
Yes, I expect stories like "I can clear out sitting with my eyes closed, hands tied and broken fingers... and of course, all this under water!"
Haha. Very well put. How about this: How many times out of ten are you able to hit the opponents baseline with a clear from your own baseline? Both backhand and forehand.