what is the hardest-smashing badass racket u have used?

Discussion in 'Racket Recommendation / Comparison' started by DRaGoNoVA, Mar 20, 2006.

  1. CoolDoo6

    CoolDoo6 Regular Member

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  2. hybridragon

    hybridragon Regular Member

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    I get a feeling I know Dummey. haha

    Anyways, for me, I've been using the AT800 OF (4U) strung at 25lbs with BG 65 for about two years. It's more of a personal preference, but I love to smash with my AT800OF much more than an AT700, MP100, or Ti10. I may have tried the racket out, but I probably didn't test it out too well.

    Each racket has a different weight and the timing of your smash would be off to hit the optimal sweet spot area to generate a smash that you could usually pull off with your usual racket. For my AT800OF, I generate the best smashes when I nail directly in the middle of the sweet spot. It does time to get used to, but it's worth it. I even saw a noticable correlation between string tension and smash power. When I used my AT800 last year at 24lbs, it didn't smash as hard as when I have it at 25lbs now. I know that higher string tension does lead to a stronger smash, but at 25lbs, it doesn't sacrifice control as I would if I were at 26lbs.

    My biggest smashes have been when I generate power from my forearm to create the largest swing speed in the split second before and after I smash the bird.

    As for people that ask if AT800OF is effective at singles, I'd say it is. It's not only a doubles racket, but is effective at singles. I'm pretty sure of it since I play Varsity 1 singles for my School. The control and reaction time to smashes are also much better compared to Ti10(in terms of reaction time only for Ti10) and AT700. But hey, it could just be my preference.
     
  3. Dummey

    Dummey Regular Member

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    Yea, I have a feeling I kno you too...*cough cough* thanks for the bruises... =P
     
  4. taneepak

    taneepak Regular Member

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    We need to clarify what we mean by the hardest-smashing racquet. Do you include racquets that have no real repulsion power but instead rely on weight, especially at the tip or top of the frame? Then the old 150g wooden racquets would win hands down. But these heavy wooden racquets did not really have any "effective" repulsion.
    If a racquet is excellent in smashes but poor in power clears, ala the old 150g wooden racquet, does it qualify as a hard smasher?
     
  5. CoolDoo6

    CoolDoo6 Regular Member

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    I find it hard to believe a racket that can be smashed hard can't also be cleared hard. It is true a smash may be partially assisted by gravity because the shuttle is struct while the racket is traveling downwards. But the difference should be marginal on the momemtums of the racket when it is used for a clear, and when it is used for a smash.

    There should be no question that a heavier racket will smash and clear harder than a lighter racket if both can be swung at roughly the same speed.
     
  6. taneepak

    taneepak Regular Member

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    The three over-the-head power strokes, the smash, the attacking clear, and the defensive clear, are almost identical in their execution. It is the angle of contact of the racquet face with the shuttle that determines whether your shot is a smash, an attacking clear, or an offensive clear. The drop is also an over-the-head stroke but is not considered a power shot.
    Most players find it easier to get power with their attacking clears, simply because the angle of contact of the racquet face and shuttle is the easiest to handle. Not as simple is the very high clear. Players in the past were very good at such extreme high clears. Today's players can only do very high shots when serving the high serve but would find it more difficult doing the high clears with power. The more difficult angle of contact of the racquet face with the shuttle on very high clears is also a problem for the smash, so much so today's players resort to head-heavy racquets as well as weight for that extra swingweight to do a decent smash.
     
  7. hybridragon

    hybridragon Regular Member

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    That is true, however, I've seen many power players (players that have a tendency to use more smashes than drops) have above average to excellent high defensive clears. But even though they are high, they still aren't cleared to the outer limits of the back court. Sometimes they still drop down the back center of the court still. Frankly, if I were to look for a racket, I would look for a racket that is balanced, but not a racket that smashes insanely. But since that's not the subject of talk, everyone is talking about smashing with rackets and what rackets are suitable for that job.

    As for head-heavy rackets smashing harder, it's quite true they do. From my point of view, head-heavy rackets are very stable in the head when they do smash and transfers maximum amount of energy into the birdie to fly fast. If it were unstable, the racket itself would partially lose some energy to the slight shaking at contact.
     
  8. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    This maybe true but have you thought about other factors? Such as the opponent doing an attack clear or a deep drive and the said power players are not able to execute a clean clean? Or maybe the said power players don't want to hit the shuttle out. I highly doubt they can't clear it to the outer back court, it's the other variables.

    For instance, I don't try to clear to the absolute rear of the back court as I have a tendency to hit the shuttle out very easily. I focus on clearing to the back doubles service line and if I hit a bit too hard, I still have some cushion so the shuttle doesn't go out.
     
  9. eizmed

    eizmed Regular Member

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    Yes, for advanced players, there are many options to countering a smash.

    Lifting high to the back of the court is just one option, often used when against lesser players who you presume to be tiring or prone to mistakes, or just mucking around with them. However, if you do that too often in a competitive match, you let the smasher control the point. Fast cross drives and cross net drops are better against a smash.

    So, unless you played against those said "power players" and are at similar level or higher, you cannot even try to explain why their clears returns are not deep enough just by watching. There can be many explaination:

    Firstly, they may not want it to be deep in the first place. But if they hit back to the "back centre" of the court, it is unlikely they intended that way as high centre-placement of shuttle is strategic-suicide.

    It may be that the smashe is so fast that their defence is relatively slower and the shuttle already gone past them, or into their body, so they are not strong enough, mis-hit or have the skill to clear to the back.

    Many power smashers get addicted to the powerful smash and use head heavy rackets which potentiate the power but results in a slightly slower defence. They don't realise that their wrist is very strong already and their game may benefit more from a head-light or balanced racket. But hey, if you are playing for fun, why care?

    So that's why I like Nano9K, fast defence and reasonable smash.
     
  10. hybridragon

    hybridragon Regular Member

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    That's perfectly true. The thing is, I rarely see anyone pull an actual high defensive clear. They all have to use attack clears to hit it to the back of the court. As for my personal preference, I don't try to hit it with less power so it won't go out. When your opponent is under pressure, they make misjudgements and sometimes even hit those that are out. Well maybe out by an inch or two. Not a feet or two. My only problem is to not hit it too high. I sometimes hit the ceiling or lights hanging from them when I'm clearing it. (The ceiling in our gym is about 30- 40 ft high) And when I say outer limits, I mean between the back doubles service line and the back singles service line.

    Actually, in our high school league, I'd say about 80% of the people I play are power players. The rest either use deception, or are control/placement players. (That's only about one or two people) So yea, I do play against them quite often and this is partially from my experience of playing them. I only use defensive clears if I'm out of position, and not for returning a smash. I usually cross drop or drive it back if it's a flattened smash.
     
  11. Dummey

    Dummey Regular Member

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    I have to agree with Hybridragon about people in our league not being able to clear to the backcourt. It's just not something that is focused on much around here so it seems to be underdeveloped. Most of the games end up being smashing sprees and defensive clears that are too short to the backhand. It might also help to state what levels you guys are playing at since there seems to be a clear difference in proficientcy in basic skills here. And just for the record I refuse to belong to those said power hitters, I belong to the minority placement camp.
     
  12. eizmed

    eizmed Regular Member

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    Yes, most people use highest possible clear when they themselves or their partner is out of position, to get the maximum time to get themselves or partners in position again.

    It is quite interesting that you share this information.

    In fact, these "power hitters" are not "power hitters" at all. They are just SMASHERS but are WEAK as they cannot even clear well, a BASIC skill.

    It is very sad to see any players do three quater court or half court clears while the opponent keep on smashing. As even if these clears are aimed to the back hand, any decently skilled oponent will do overhead smash or backhand smash and finish the point.

    I train with some high school 13-15 year olds, they are competitive players but not super top national players here in singapore. The post-pubertal ones are strong and have basic skills, power and footwork. Most schools here have good program with ex-national players as coaches. So they are very strong generally, not just in smashing, but also clearing, driving... everthing. They are more power players in my view. But these days, the trend is for more POWER and SPEED anyway, just look at the top players.
     
  13. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    I have to revise my list due to recent developments:

    1) DHS Top VS3000
    1) SOTX Woven 11
    3) SOTX D600
    4) Yonex Ti10 2U
    5) Yonex MP100 2U

    I need to test the Top VS3000 head-to-head with the Woven 11. The VS3000 is the stiffest racket I have ever tried. "Man, that thing is a beast, it's a sledgehammer" as my coach Don stated. :p


     
  14. eravalo

    eravalo Regular Member

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    If you have the resources, please include the SOTX STB-9080 in your comparison with W11 and DHS TopVS3000. :)
     
  15. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    Lemme see if Steve from www.ibuysports.com has one... :)
     
  16. CoolDoo6

    CoolDoo6 Regular Member

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    Wow, I like the sound of that stiffness. I need something that is 3U, G4, long length, and balanced or slightly head heavy. Does this VS3000 come in my spec ?

    From this pic:

    http://www.pingpongonline.com/catalog/popup_image.php?pID=441&osCsid=4e8b509658ed84180ddb0b65caec0fc6

    the racket has a bit of the look of Ti-10 too.
     
  17. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    Yep, that's the racket but the picture doesn't do the racket justice. It's more like the MP100 in color and style. I have the 3U version and it swings like a 2U. It's very stiff, and extremely endloaded.

     
  18. CoolDoo6

    CoolDoo6 Regular Member

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    If it's that end loaded, perhaps my extreme mods will only turn it in to a balanced racket. Where do you buy that racket from ?
     
  19. DinkAlot

    DinkAlot dcbadminton
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    I purchased the racket from the local DHS dealer a long time ago. I just didn't know it was that powerful. Maybe I'll take a picture...yes I will...it's Monday, don't feel like working. :p Stay tuned...
     
  20. jerby

    jerby Regular Member

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    head-heavier than an at700? and stiffer than a w11? something like that?

    good lord, I find my 11 more than enough trouble...(in defense, and at bad positions), I cna't imagine....

    wat happened to RSL?:confused:
     

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