What racket would be right for me?!

You should go for a head light racquet if you play in front of the court. A head light racquet allows you to react much faster and also won't tire you out since you need to keep your racquet head up most of the time.

Drive is a good technique, nothing wrong with it, but I guess you want to smash down shots near the net ? In that case, you need to be able to snap your wrist, you can't smash using arm if you are close to the net.

 

Lina, you must have a typo in your Location, San frandisco?

under your price range, for Yonex brand, look for Muscle Power, and Nanospeed models.

For Head brand, look under Nanopower.

Wilson, check out K-factor.

 

Is headlight the essential thing? Would not a balanced racket that is short (665cm) and 3U-4U do well at the front of the net too? ( I'm asking, not challenging. )

If you are looking for good value, you could try the old SOTX Winner Kinsmen 8080+ . It is pretty cheap at ibuysports or puppysports. It is short, somewhat stiff, balanced, and pretty light. All this makes it very manouverable with decent power.

You should borrow a bunch of different rackets and see what you like. Or perhaps you should play around with the strings and the tension on the racket you have now--makes a big difference. Good luck.

 

if you are in San Francisco, you can go to Sunnyvale and visit Badminton Alley to try out the rackets there. the link is: http://www.badmintonalley.com/.

 

I would recommend the Black Knight Photon PCV if you play front, But it is about $200 US.......

 

The photon isn't a beginner racquet...Its really light, but its power is hard to control...

 

what babolat racket did you play with?
i suggest stay with the babolat, because babolat rackets are pretty flexible, and pretty balanced.
Work more on your technique, and preparation. If you try to smash when the bird is at net level, it wont go over.

 

haha, of course the bird won't go over the net if you smash it when it is at the net level.

 

It is good to have discussion, that's what forums are for, discussion and sharing of information etc.

A balanced and short racquet will also do well at the net but I always think that being in front doesn't mean that you stay there forever, you also need to move away sometimes. Also at the net doesn't mean you only hunt down those net shots, but if the opportunity arises, you also need to intercept and cut out those shots which are higher, for example opponent may do a drive or a clear which if you jump or stretch out your arm, u can reach it.

 

just wondering, where did you get the babolat racket? i have been searching for a shop, but it seems like i can never find a dealer or someone that has any.

 

Hi Lina,

I will suggest you for Ashaway rackets. Ashway Superlight 79SQ
http://www.ashaway.co.uk/index.php?category=12&page=detail&pid=47
Absolutely you can improve your techniqs and smash. This racket is absolutely light weight, this racket will suit for you. i think the cost of this racket is around 90 british pound. check the price for this racket on your native.

 

I know a store located in Montreal, its Tenniszone (website: Tenniszone.com) I don't know if they ship to the U.S but i think so, they have a North American phone number if you want to contact them about it,
It's: 1-800-353-8661 (That is their main store, Its the only store that sales badminton equipement.)
But should be able to ship, they have a international tab (It shows prcing in different currency's so they should ship, they also have an American tab showing the prices in USD)

 

I'm gonna do what I normally do and recommend a Karakal MTec series racket. I think an MTec 75 with some lead added to the head would be a good choice. It's lighter than most rackets on the market and with some lead would be a light, moderately flexible, head heavy racket.

 

sorry guys, i meant within the US / Bay area. her original location was San Frandisco, which i stupidly assumed was san francisco. Thats why i asked.