Wednesday, 5 September 2012

A Guide for Choosing the Best Tennis Racket

When looking at the best tennis racket for your game, you'll find great number of choices you can choose from. Not all rackets are designed the same and a few of the small differences can produce a big effect on your match results. Use this guide when researching tennis rackets to assist you in making the best selection for your game.

Racket Groups

We'll first discuss the 3 racket types and discuss the precise attributes of tennis rackets.

1. Power Rackets

The power rackets category (sometimes referenced as game improvement rackets) are for players who might possibly have short or slow swings but nevertheless desire to produce a substantial amount of power on their shots. The most distinct feature is their oversized heads (107" or greater). Additionally, power rackets are going to be light (fewer than 10 oz.), long (over 27"), and be balanced heavily toward the head.

2. Intermediate Rackets

Intermediate rackets are designed to be a mixture between a power racket and a player's racket. They sacrifice some power by having a smaller head size (fewer than 102") but add maneuverability by being lighter and having a more evenly distributed weight. These rackets are great for intermediate players within the 3.5 to 4.5 NTRP (National Tennis Rating Program) range.

3. Player's Rackets

Player's (or control) rackets are rackets normally utilized by advanced tennis players (4.5+ NTRP) in college or professional ranks. Power shots are created by the player rather than the racket in these models as the head sizes are generally smaller (100" or less) and the weight is very balanced. With an overall heavier weight, these rackets lose some maneuverability but provide the player total control of their shots.

Racket Features

Make use of these attributes to compare and contrast rackets and then decide which one will perform best for you.

Head Size - The bigger the head size of the racket the greater the power you should have. The sweet spot of the racket will be larger so players who sometimes hit off-center will still be able to generate power. The disadvantage of a large head size is that you lose some control.

Stiffness - Rackets have various frame stiffness, which is how much bend the frame has when striking the ball. Stiffer frames will deflect the ball more, boosting the power in contrast to more flexible frames which dampen the impact of the ball and therefore lower the power.

Weight - Heavier rackets deliver more power and lighter rackets give more maneuverability and swing speed. Heavier rackets offer less shock than lighter rackets when the ball is struck.

Balance - A racket could possibly be weighted more heavily in the head to provide extra power while other rackets may have a more distributed weight. Evenly balanced rackets have less power but more control.

Length - Permissible tennis rackets may not be over 29" and the most popular length is 27". The primary advantages of an extended racket include more reach on groundstrokes and better leverage on serves. Longer rackets can provide more power but may also lose some maneuverability.

Pattern - String patterns on rackets are either 18 mains by 20 crosses (18x20) or 16x18. 18x20 patterns give a more open pattern that allows for extra spin on the ball. The problem with this pattern, however, can be a decrease in the durability of the strings. The tighter 16x18 pattern may offer less spin but extended string durability.

Hone your options by trying to find a racket classification that suits your level of skill (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) and game type (power or control, spin or flat shots). After you decide the category, start looking over the different features to decide exactly which racket will be the best for you. Do you want a head heavy racket for more power or balanced for extra control? Perhaps you want a smaller head size for additional feel. Using these pointers will help you obtain the most suitable tennis racket to help you win many matches.


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