I think we can imagine the hold and repulsion in this way. Take 2 same rackets, one with BG65 at 22lbs and another with BG66 at 30lbs. In this case, then the one with BG65 at 22lbs will mean HOLD.
Wouldn't then the Nanospeed-repulse rackets be better because it releases the shuttle faster thus allowing less time for you opponent to react to your attack?
The word "Hold" vs "Repulsion" simply means a racket's swing weight. Rackets with heavier swing weight, either from a a more head-heavy balance or a longer total racket length, are considered high repulsion. Shorter length or less head-heavy rackets are called "hold" rackets. Repulsion here means power when hitting high shots downwards and it is in smashing that repulsion refers to. "Hold" rackets are not as powerful for smashing but they are more powerful for clears and returns of smash and also better for control.
Quite confusing chart indeed. One thing is for sure, YY marketing using the chart has been one the most important and successful marketing tool than all other brand! It always present all the model and type option to intrigue u. Very soon it might come out another with new parameter to open up a whole new dimension of interest!
I just read the 2011 catalog http://www.yonex.com/badminton/webcatalog2011/#page=25 and still still think it is vaguely described. I think this website is better at describing it: http://www.tennisnuts.com/shop/badminton/how-to-choose-a-badminton-racket.html I think that tenisnuts description is more accurate?
This is a super funny thread Anyhow, to clear it up a bit - the hold vs repulsion is largely based on the stiffness of a racket. A stiffer racket will be more on the 'repulsion' end while a softer one will be on the 'hold' side. That means for beginners/intermediates, rackets very far on the repulsion side will be *drumroll* LESS powerful. Let's take an Arc7 and NS9900, for example - they have similar BPs and a very different shaft stiffness. Given that an intermediate player doesn't have the same explosive swing as a pro, he will probably not be able to bend the NS9900's shaft very much (if at all), while he will be able to do that to the Arc7's shaft. As soon as your acceleration starts to drop, the shaft will start un un-bend, accelerating the racket head even further, which means with the same swing, the softer racket will actually have a quicker moving head on impact and be more powerful thanks to that. The better your feeling for the racket and the faster your swing, the more you will notice that soft rackets create a kind of lag. When you're used to accelerating rather quickly, the shaft will bend quite a bit and the head will lag behind a bit compared to a stiffer racket. Same goes for a softer/less stable head. So in conclusion, you can say that repulsion rackets are generally more controlled than hold rackets. It's the same as with string tension - too high a tension will result in a loss of power.
Thankfully, I have played with very few Yonex rackets and thus wouldn't be able to make that comparison
Hehe . It cannot be the shaft only, the frame is also a factor. Within one group, say ArcSabers it should be the shaft indeed (and balance) that determines the chart position but between model groups it cannot be the shaft only. As far as explaining the Yonex matrix is concerned of course ...
Going by the theory of repulsion-hold revolves around how much time shuttle spends on the stringbed. IMO Repulsion depends a lot on staff stiffness and string tension... i.e. stiff staff and higher string tensions will yield high repulsion (shuttle will leave the stringbed immediately). As already mentioned earlier in the thread, repulsive racquets will be more difficult to control and generate power from, for beginner or those who don't have "suitable" swing for it. For those with advance playing skill and techniques this is an advantage. Hold racquets will allow shuttle to stay on the stringbed for longer and hence, the power or direction can be transferred to shuttle more easily for those may be with slower swing. Now coming to Yonex chart. The said racquets inherently have those charactistics, however than can change a bit depending on the string and tension we use. However, just like balance, it will only alter the property (hold/repulsion) to certain extent. Just my 2 cents.
Great discussion, but cannot imagine that the threath is already 4 years old and there is no real answer to the mystery Yonex chart. As the vertical balance Y-axis is very clear to you all and can be measured, the X-axis is the one there is discussion about. Stiffness can be easily measured, but the repulsion power not. The repulsion (and hold) actually means how fast the shaft returns the original form. And if you know what it means, it's more logical where to place some rackets. How fast a shaft returns to the original form depends largely on the stiffness of the shaft, and it's no wonder that everybody thinks the N9900 has the stiffest shaft, which is not the case. The fact that the N9900 can return so fast is not only that it has a relatively stiff shaft, but also due to the fact that it's a light balanced racket. So when you swing the racket, and the shaft want's to be straight again, it has less weight in the head to move. If you look at a head heavy racket, and the same shaft, the shaft has to transfer more weight to return to it's original form. And that's why there is no Voltric, even with a stiffer shaft, that has a higher repulsion power than the NS9900, although the shaft may be stiffer than the NS9900. Another example is that of the VT70 and VT80. The repulsion is the same, but how is this possible? It's no secret that the VT70 has a softer shaft than the VT80, but given the fact that the VT80 is more head heavy, but has a stiffer shaft, the time it takes to return is almost the same as the VT70. The last factor that has influence on the repulsion is the aerodynamics of the frame. You can imagine that an aerodynamic frame has less air resistance and will bend less compared to a boxed frame. Because it bends less, and can return faster, a racket with the same balance and stiffness of the shaft but aerodynamic frame, has a higher repulsion. You can find this (not all, but as package!) in the differences between the AT900 power and technique where the Power should have a stiffer shaft and the AT900 Technique a higher repulsion. Now about the hold/repulsion theory. Most of you already mentioned it, and it is a fact, that when the shuttle can stay longer on the stringbed, the shuttle can hold more power and more speed. Just like a trampoline. This doesn't mean that a racket with high repulsion is not powerful. Both racket built up power with a different way. A hold racket needs more contact to accumulate power, where an repulsion power needs a short contact to transfer all the kinetic energy to the shuttle. In practice, it means that the high repulsion rackets are more suited for wrist players and the hold rackets more for swing type or beginners with a slower swing speed. Now it's very strange to say this from the Arcsaber series, as there are some stiff rackets among them. And here is where the material and built from the racket differs from the other rackets, and that is the CS carbon nanotube. The material, is strong, but also very flexible at the same time. It can bend more and accumulate more power, but when you put some weight on it, the shaft may be the same stiffness as other Nanospeed, Voltric or Armortec rackets. I hope it gives some light on the mystery chart. Although it's what Yonex chose to print on a chart, it still doesn't say anything about the type of players the racket suites. You can alter the properties a little by choosing a different string, and tension. I have recommended rackets which players could not play with it at all. And although Yonex put a racket on a position on the chart, a racket close to your favorites, can feel totally different. Just keep in mind that ANY chart is just for reference but it may help to know were the chart is all about and find the right racket.
Where exactly did they put that X-Fullerene in the NS9900 and what was it's function? Cup Stack Carbon Nanotubes are used in the frame not the shaft for ArcSabers ... UltraPEF is one feature that attributes to hold on the ArcSabers but is only used in Z, 10 and 8DX versus Fullerene shafts in NS series. As to why this thread is so old: it is a duplicate of at least one other in the badminton racket/equipment section
This is where Yonex cleverly adds another magic ingredient.. "nanoair-spring" (AFAIK Arc series of racquets have this property), which apparently creates flex in the frame to hold the shuttle in the stringbed longer...
I agree with CarbonexFan’s logics and explanations Principally, the categorization of YY series of products are differentiated by the Frame Design. This is the underlying factor that separates arcsaber, nanospeed, nanoray, voltric, and carbonex from each other (quite ironic since I learned this differentiation from Victor's frame design - BS/MX/SW). The frame design of NS and NR seem to be thinner, and as such could create more repulsion to the bird. Whilst, on the other hand, the frame design of ARC series seems to be alot thicker, and this would cause the shuttle to hold longer in the stringbed. Accordingly, when choosing a racquet, we could analyze our needs by determining 3 factors: a. Frame design b. Balance point c. Shaft stiffness / flexibility IMHO
Good questions! Fullerene is a molecule structure to create a lighter but still strong carbon structure because the ball structure is hollow on the inside (less weight). But it did not really add strength to it. By adding strings on the outside of the molecule (X-Fullerene), the strings add a better bond (like ropes you can hold on to) which gives the bonds between these molecules a higher strength. So it is lighter, but strong at the same time (repulsion!). CS Carbon is indeed used in the frame, but by making the frame thin, it contributes to the hold concept by bending a little during impact. All Arcsabers share the thin frame concept to create more hold. It's too short for me to only focus on the shaft and I'm sorry for that. It's a total concept of the racket. A part of this thin frame holding concept can also be found on the VT70. I red it somewhere. As for Ultra PEF, according to the description on the Yonex site, it's only for shock absorption. Hope it contributes to understanding the chart. It's the closest I can think of.
I think the shafts are also designed with different bending points - the Arcsaber series supposedly bends closer to the handle than the Nanospeed series. That can be achieved by a tapered shaft, for example (getting thicker towards the head to get a lower bending point). Not really sure about YY, but Forza definitely uses that in some rackets. Also, the Nanoray series does NOT have a thin frame. They've got a unique shape though. Had some of them in my hands yesterday and will probably have a few hits with the 800 on Thursday
Looks like repulsion racquets will suit those who like to drive a lot, i.e. front/mid court players. Hold racauets are probably for those who like to power hit or play delicate net/drop shots.
Sorry to bump a two year old thread but my interest was piqued by your comment. Do you think Musclepower and Arcsaber series are hold racquets? I ask since I am more of a hold player and was contemplating buying one from this series.
Arcsabers are hold rackets and Musclepower are in between. This conclusion is from personal experience and the chart below.
