Selecting The Perfect Racquet For You by ARUNDHATI PANTAWANE

​You've probably heard the phrase "I'll let the racquet speak for itself!" In any racquet sport, the racquet is the single most critical piece of equipment for any participant. Choosing the ideal racquet for you is akin to selecting the ideal weapon for your armoury.

There were limited choices a few years ago, and my favourite racquet was the "yellow one," Yonex muscle power 99. When I won the All India event, I received this racquet as a prize, and it turned out to be the ideal fit for my playing style. The racquet was well-balanced, with little weight in the head, which was ideal for my attacking game. However, there are so many options on the market these days that finding the right racquet for you is much more challenging.

So here are a few things which you can consider before making a choice for a racquet which can do the talking for you on court. So, before you go out and buy a racquet that can speak for you on the court, here are a few things to think about.

1.Weight and head shape of the racquet​

I recall using HS Prannoy's racquet and thinking, "Damn!" It was really heavy for me, and I finally realized the secret for his extremely powerful smashes.

a.HEAVY WEIGHT RACQUET

A power racquet (2U/U) is defined as a heavy racquet. Because there is more weight behind the stroke, heavier racquets produce more power. Heavier racquets necessitate more strength.

b.LIGHT WEIGHT RACQUET

The majority of standard badminton racquets weigh between 85 and 92 grams. The faster the racquet moves and the more manoeuvrable it is, the lighter it is. Lightweight racquets have a lower power output. They simply lack the weight to thump the shuttle as effectively as heavier racquets.

c.OVAL SHAPE RACQUET

An oval head racquet has a smaller sweet spot. If you hit the sweet spot on an oval head racquet (the part of the racquet string bed that produces the greatest power, the best sound, the best feeling, and the least vibration when you hit on it), you'll get greater power. Oval racquets also provide you more control over the shuttle, allowing you to place it wherever you want.

d.ISOMETRIC SHAPE RACQUET

In comparison to an oval racquet, an isometric racquet features a more squarish head. It has a larger sweet spot, making it easier for newcomers to play more effectively. Because of the large sweet spot, hitting a shot without expending too much energy is easier. So, for beginners, I recommend starting with a light weight racquet and working your way up. The racquet's weight is a matter of personal preference, based on your skill level, playing style, and physical attributes.

2.String tension

​I know most of you are perplexed by the racquet's stringing section. So here are a few pointers to help you out. The sweet spot shrinks and becomes more concentrated as string tension rises.

• For beginners 18 to 21 lbs
• For intermediate 22 to 24 lbs
• For advanced players 25 to 28 lbs
• For professionals 29 to 35 lbs

As a result, the following string tension is advised for players:

3.Grip size

“Any tool is a weapon if you hold it right!” There are several types of grips, which I will discuss in more detail in a later article, but for now, I'll focus on grip size. G4 is the typical grip size on most racquets. The G5 grip size is suited for players with small hands, whereas the G1 and G2 grip sizes are designed for players with larger hands. Smaller grip sizes let you to employ more finger/wrist power and are more suited to net games, whilst larger grip sizes need more arm force and are better suited to offensive games.

Here are the five grip sized with their dimensions:​

• G1: 4 inches
• G2: 3.75 inches
• G3: 3.50 inches
• G4: 3.25 inches
• G5: 3.00 inches
• G6: 2.75 inches

4.Balance of the racquet​

Racquet balance point refers to the weight distribution of the racquet and is determined by where the centre of balance lies in the racquet.

a.Balance type

Head heavy balance type

It has a heavier feel to it on the racquet head and produces more force in smashes. Appropriate for an offensive style of play.

​Head light balance type

These racquets are lighter and easier to manoeuvre than head-heavy rackets. It's best for a defensive style of play.​

Balanced Racquets

These racquets have an evenly distributed weight across the racquet, giving all-round players a pleasant feeling and flexibility.

5.Shaft flexibility​

The shaft is the space between the handle and the frame's string region. The racquet's shaft can be flexible or stiff. The shaft of the racquet can be flexible or stiff. Flexible racquets bend more easily during your swing whereas stiff racquets do not flex as much during a swing. For beginners, flexible racquets are more suitable as they don't have to exert extra power to play strong short since less strength is needed.

6.Material

Badminton racquets are built of a variety of materials, including wood, steel, aluminium, graphite, carbon fibre, and so on. Moving on to the discipline of your play i.e. singles or doubles, here are a few things to keep in mind for choosing your racquet.

Racquet for singles or doubles​

There are no rules prohibiting you from purchasing more than one racquet! You can purchase racquets for either discipline. The reason I bring this up is that certain racquets are better suited to singles, while others are better suited to doubles. Of course, whether you choose to play singles or doubles with your racquet is entirely up to you, and it would be incorrect to categorise racquets solely in this way, but there are certain aspects of each game that may influence your decision, and generalisations can be made.

Singles discipline of badminton is played at a slower pace than doubles. Because the number of shots per rally is lower in singles, a heavier racket delivers more power to players who can use it when they need it. If you use a heavier racquet in doubles, you may become more fatigued as you play more shots in a shorter amount of time. Furthermore, because singles require a little more precision, most players opt for a firmer shaft.

In doubles, however, one may select a racquet that is appropriate for their primary position in the partnership. A head heavy racquet may be preferred by a technically powerful offensive rear court player, whilst a head light racquet may be preferred by a front court player. They must, however, consider other aspects of the game, such as defence, drives, etc... It all comes down to personal preference in the end.

So above all the few things to look at when you want to buy a racquet online which can give you the best feeling and great experience of badminton.

Few more tips

• Don't let your preconceived notions get in the way of finding a better racquet for you.

• Don't gender the racquet; just because one is heavier doesn't mean it's better for boys, and just because it's a certain colour and lightweight doesn't mean it's better for girls.

• Instead, be honest with yourself about your game and justify in your mind which attributes would be better for you and your level.

Good luck!

Thank you.

Arundhati Pantawane.