Racquet
Rackets are often classified by Beginner, Tweener or Advanced, but these are not set in stone as often beginners are more comfortable with a Tweener racket. Beginner rackets are often powerful, strong and can be hard to control if you are new to sport.
If you are a beginner you should avoid a:
• Heavy, head-light, low-powered rackets (advanced players)
• Light and powerful rackets (meant for players who don’t play often)
Key things to consider when buying a racket are:
• Price - you can buy an adequate beginner racket for less than $60
• Material - aluminium is used in the cheaper end rackets, but it is too flexible for a player that hits hard if you are in that position, consider a graphite racquet.
• Power - the main factors that determine power are head size and frame flexibility, lower string tension can also increase power/make the ball fly further.
A cheap racket will be pre-strung with mid range tension, mid range is a good idea for your first custom stringing too. A larger head gives you more power and a larger sweet spot, but less control. Most rackets come in 3 basic sizes:
- Midsize: a hitting area of 85”-95”
- Mid-plus: a hitting area of 95”-105”
- Oversize: a hitting area greater that 105”
If you are quite athletic choose mid-plus, otherwise choose an oversize up to 155 square inches. Oversizes rackets are designed for beginners, with intermediate to advance players preferring midsize and mid-plus.
More flexibility in the racquet gives you a little less power and less control, aluminium racquets are a bit flexible but graphic racquets range from stiff to extremely flexible. Normally the thicker the side profile the stiffer the frame.
• Length - standard length for an adult is 27”, anything shorter is junior, there are rackets longer than 27” which aim to give players more reach and leverage but they also result in less manoeuvrability.
• Weight - too light and most of the shock of the ball hitting the racquet will be transferred into your arm. The stronger you are the heavier you’ll be able to handle, but between 280-320g is good for beginners.
• Balance - is where the weight of the racquet is distributed, either toward the head (head-heavy) or the butt (head-light). Advanced players tend to prefer head-light heavy racquets for manoeuvrability, but they are less table. Beginners should go for a balance of within five points (5/8”) either way.
• Play-testing - you should always try a test run with the racquet before buying, the more expensive racquets will allow for a test, but the cheaper ones probably not, when testing ask yourself:
- Does the racquet feel solid when it hits the ball?
- Are there any noises or vibrations?
- Is it too heavy when serving or used overhead?
- Is it manoeuvrable?
- Does it hit deep but not out?