Need some help... I've been playing badminton for 10+ years (not pro but more on fun level). I wasn't playing really that seriously until recently. I read about some of the threads on string tension in this forum. I also know the tradeoff bt. power and control wrt string tension. I want to raise my game to the next level so I've decided to restrung to BG85 at 22lbs. (Shame to speak, for the past 10+ years, I actually didn't know my string tension !!!) I chose 22 lbs because some experts here in this forum suggested 22 lbs is more on the entry level. However, after playing 2 games, I found it rather hard and I've to hit really hard on the sweetspot just to get 'decent' power smashes. I find my control is much better but my shoulder and arm is a bit 'sore' after the games...Sigh... the stringer told me for guys, 22 lbs should not be too hard...seems like my muscle is still not strong enough although I do push-up almost every day.... I was wondering what is the difference bt. 20 vs 22lbs string tension ? I was a bit hesistant to lower my string tension to 20 lbs cos I just spent the money on my BG85 at 22lbs... Should I practice more to get used to 22 lbs or lower it to 20 lbs to avoid injury to my arm and shoulder ???
well at least you are on the right track to raising your game to the next level - change. 22 pounds tension (by today's standards) is not considered high, unless you are not used to it. higher tensions require better technique and arm strength. you are feeling the after affects of the tension change-soreness. keep the 22 pounds, and train your arm to use the tension. be careful not to overexert, remember that you are in a training mode. by the time you are comfortable with it, --- guess what? --- you're probably at a new level in your game.
and then there are the pros that string it at 28-32lbs.... my recommendation, is to NOT string it that high.... unless you like to break racquets...
a stupid question - What is the fastest way to lower the tension from 22 to 20 lbs ? The stringer refused to lower the tension for me and he said just play another 2 hours will do the trick ... I want to play today but my arm and shoulder is still a bit sore... I am afraid to injure myself....so please teach me the fastest and silly way to do it.
G'day Bill, I had the same problem when I first went from 20lbs to 24lbs. The fastest way I have discovered to lower the string tension is to play regularly, hitting long clears without over-exerting your arms. If you are having trouble adjusting to smashes, I recommend putting in more wrist swing action instead of full arm swing like smashing when playing tennis. Having racket strung at higher tension, to generate a good smash is more dependent on impulse of shuttle on impact (ie: maximise energy at point of impact) instead of big full arm swing - which will often over exert your arms. If your string is BG-85, you are in luck as it loses tension quite fast but stablises afterwards, so you should find after 10 hours of play the strings would have settled in to 19-21 lbs region. You will find at 20lbs the racket becomes a lot more forgiving to misaligned smashes, instead of feeling like a cricket bat all the time. If you are not willing to risk your arms to injury, ask someone else who's a strong hitter, to use your racket for a while - he / she can break in the string for you like racing car drivers having their race tires scuffed by someone else before racing. Hope this helps. Andrew
Bill, Another idea to lower your tention is to get someone stronger than you use your racket and hit it. The tention will drop as a result of the stronger hit as the string will need to stablize to his or her strength. I think the reason why the stringer won't adjust the tention because it will elongade (spelled wrong I think). This is because strings will come out short after losening it and when stretching it out again, it won't be as good as before as if they were put in for the first time. It's more like, you have to get a new string job if you want the right tention, so it's more like a one shot deal. Hope this helps
Bill, ayl had the right answer. If your arm is hurting, it sounds like you don't use enough of the fingers and forearm rotation to use the higher tension more effectively. You might want to take a look at these features again. 22lbs should not be a problem at all.
agree with Cheung. also, don't tense up too much when you play. relax and hold the racket lightly. if you grip your racket like a vice, you will get fatigue easily. as your stringer and many have said, 22lbs is not tight at all.
thanks badrad, Nanashi, ayl , Matt, Cheung, Kwun I am getting used to the 22 lbs tension after playing 3 games. I find my shots are more consistent as compared to before. thanks again guys for your comments
yes grasshopper looks like you are on your to the next level! congrats! good thing you didn't loosen the string. there really is no elegant method to reduce the tension other than elongation. you can't undo the knot and retie since there is not enough length to pull. also because the sting has already settled, you will find that there will be slight bends and kinks in the string where the string contacted the grommets and crossovers. you would need a separate length put in (like a repair job) in order to drop the tension, but the overall tension becomes unstable.
