funny thing about rackets

[red00ecstrat]

can somebody tell me why a player who can make a powerful smash with a stiff racket but not with a flexible racket. at the same time another one can generate more power with a flexible racket but not with a stiff racket?

[Robin (SWE)]

consider this: relate it to other sports and it becomes even more apparent i.e. how come top soccer players hit longer and faster with a well inflated ball than with a floppy/soft one?

[winstonchan]

Originally Posted by red00ecstrat

can somebody tell me why a player who can make a powerful smash with a stiff racket but not with a flexible racket. at the same time another one can generate more power with a flexible racket but not with a stiff racket?

How do you measure power?

[Qidong]

Originally Posted by red00ecstrat

can somebody tell me why a player who can make a powerful smash with a stiff racket but not with a flexible racket.

Do this kind of players really exist? I thought a pro needs stiff racquet because of better control and at the same time they can generate enough power using a stiff racquet.

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by red00ecstrat

can somebody tell me why a player who can make a powerful smash with a stiff racket but not with a flexible racket. at the same time another one can generate more power with a flexible racket but not with a stiff racket?

Players with a faster swing will get more power from a stiffer racket, whereas players with a slower swing will get more power from a flexible racket.

The timing of the racket flex depends on the speed of the swing. Stiffer rackets flex more quickly; flexible rackets flex more slowly.

Also, a player with a slow swing will not be able to make a stiff racket flex significantly. If the racket does not flex, then less power is generated (think catapult). Instead, the power is transferred into the arm as vibrations, which feels uncomfortable.

All pros have very fast swings, and therefore use stiff rackets.

[Jinryu]

Just to elaborate, Gollum's points are very good not just about the flexibility but just as importantly the timing of the flex.

A stiff racket can load and return the loaded force in a much shorter time. If the transition of kinetic -> potential -> kenietic is slower, then you'll get a "shock absporption" effect rather than a "trampoline effect". They're both similar, but the intent of one is to diminishe the original force, wheras the other rebounds it.

You might also want to check out the threads about the difference between stringing at lower tensions versus higher tensions, it's the same idea.

[Gollum]

Originally Posted by Jinryu

You might also want to check out the threads about the difference between stringing at lower tensions versus higher tensions, it's the same idea.

Now that is an interesting point. I had never made the connection before you mentioned it, but it seems to me that the issues of control/power are very similar for racket flex and string tension.

[Jinryu]

If you ask me, one of the things that people often overlook is the overal flexibility involved... a lot of people say higher tension is good, but then again, what they don't mention is that higher tension isn't the same on two different racket models. (I also think that people who quantitatively say that a specific poundage, shouting out "25!" or "28!" may very well be good players, but they don't understand that what works for once person really doesn,t work for everyone else.) For example, 25 lbs of the same type of string obviously isn't the same on a racket that's flexible as it is on a racket that's stiff (assuming that the flexibility is the only difference between the said two models).

Personally, in theory, this is why I prefer stiffer rackets-- because in my I can string at a slightly lower tension and not sacrifice that feedback from the impacts. This, as opposed to using an overly flexy racket and feeling that I need higher string tension. At least if I'm using a stiff racket with lower tensioned strings, then I'm statistically not as likely to break strings. (Ummm... assuming I'm not going to break my frame.) My little trick to save a starving student's money.

At least, this is in theory, anyway (don't jump all over me, as no, I haven't machine fired a thousand birds at my rackets )

[red00ecstrat]

Originally Posted by Gollum

The timing of the racket flex depends on the speed of the swing. Stiffer rackets flex more quickly; flexible rackets flex more slowly.

good point gollum!
and what's gonna happen if a fast swinging player uses a flexible racket?

[Kai91]

Originally Posted by red00ecstrat

good point gollum!
and what's gonna happen if a fast swinging player uses a flexible racket?

Probably not as much power as when he uses a stiff racket I supposed?

[Neil Nicholls]

or the shaft breaks