Hello BC. I was wondering if anyone knows how to find the optimal tension for you? I currently use 30lbs but am scaling it back to 28lbs as my shoulder is not what it used to be. I am not able to smash without feeling like it's dislocating. I also break strings frequently so cost is a factor. What signs, factors do you use to decide tension?
When you feel that the string tension is right? Or you can feel that you can exert 100% of your power to the shuttle? Well...that's how i feel, hope i'm not wrong.
Smash speed is not my consideration. I base my tension on two things. A) control, B) gauge of the string, c) experimentation, d) the stringer's machine.
use the lowest tension that will give you the best balance between 1. power: ie. comfortable clearing from baseline to baseline using 90% power 2. feel: requires higher tension for touch shots and serves to prevent bird from bouncing off the stringbed too much uncontrollably 3. accuracy: also requires higher tension for stable stringbed rebound, important for placement shots, drive shots just over the tape
First of all I choose the tension with I feels comfortable, hit consantly the sweet spot and can perform all possible shots in all situtations, if I'm not in huge trouble. The I decided the tension to have a good amount of control and feel to perform shots saver than with to low tension. Over the years I started at around 21lbs, increased over years and stringing jobs to 24 lbs, then 27 lbs, then 29 lbs and now 31lbs. For me is 31lbs the border to perform well include all shots like backhand clear. Now I lowered the tension to 29lbs on the spare rackets to cover string breakage and do a stroke with less efforts, because constantly smashing with 31lbs in a XD game costs to much energy. So I can't play a 3 hour session. Maybe I will lower the tension to 28lbs, but 29lbs feels right in all aspects (power, control, durability).
When i started to string my rackets, first tension was 24lbs. i thought i will get more power at higher tension, but i was wrong. i went from 24 to 28lbs. dude, i couldn't smash. it was like 40% of full power. i cut the string off and restring it with BG80 on 26lbs. now i can smash with full power Just a little advice. with higher tension you will get more control and accuracy but you will lose power. but will lower tension you will get power but lose control and accuracy. choose your best hope this was helpful
My accuracy has always been ok and I don't play a level where the shuttle needs to be skimming the net all the time. But since going from 28lbs to 30lbs my smash has disappeared and my shoulder has become painful. So I am going to reduce the tension to 28lbs. They say that playing with a thinner gauge string like a .66 at 30lbs is like playing with a thicker gauge string like a .70 at 33lbs. I use a .66 string and hoping to get my shoulder better and get the shuttle bouncing off the floor again.
Sometimes it depends on your racket and how often you use that racket.If you use it very often, I recommend a high tensioned racket.You will lose string tension as you use the racket more often.If you have a tournament racket use high tension if your "hit" is strong.If your "hit" is weak,use low tension. Racket tension may entirely depend on your stroke,"hit strength" and how often you use that string/racket.
trial and error, there's no other way, because everything depends on how it feels in your hand when you play.
trail and error is correct. and also make sure you change only one variable at a time. always use the same stringer. different stringer will produce a different pattern, tensioning pattern, as well as tension. too many variables. stick to one string, and then experiment from around 24lbs. go up a couple of lbs, then go down a couple of pounds. most people think they can play higher tension then they should be. it is a never ending experiment. i am still doing it myself, i change tension, string, tensioning pattern all the time.
What a difference! Playing with 28lbs and the pain has gone plus my smash has returned My experiment with 30lbs is over! Thanks guys.
i've been on 24x24 for the longest time, then i experimented with 24x25, and wow, the control is awesome, and it suits my front court game, but my power went out the window.... 25.3 and 24.2, i'm jealous you have an electronic digital tensioner
hey, as long as it helps you gain another point right? at least that's what i tell myself every time i hit a shot
My criteria is something like this: -clear baseline to baseline with 70% power -clear corner to corner 85% power -smash returns require little effort to control
