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The TRUTH about Racket Weight | Gravity Tennis
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- čas přidán 26. 05. 2020
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Here is a 2020 update to the debate on heavy vs light tennis rackets. Above is my full take, but here are a few conclusions:
1) Light rackets can handle soft to medium paced rallies. The ball gains momentum with added speed. Thus, the ball "feels" heavier because it is, practically speaking, actually heavier!
2) Relatively speaking, heavier rackets confer more of their own force to the ball. More mass is basically required at higher levels of play.
3) It doesn't necessarily take an equivalent level of strength to swing a 11.5oz racket compared to a 10oz racket. The secret is learning a more efficient way to swing.
4) As a general rule, players should challenge themselves to play a little heavier.
5) Counterintuitively, reducing racket weight can aggravate chronic injuries by relying too much on the body to provide stability and force. Relatively heavier rackets (*when used correctly*) can assume that burden and potentially reduce injury (not all cases, of course).
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The most useful video on rackets I have watched so far as a beginner. All the things that you said are really common sense but it's so confusing when the mainstream advice goes against it!
Great confirmation. I've always used the "wrong" racquets. I switched from a beginner Prince racquet to a pro staff 85 (!) in 2002. And that's when I started to play better. For context, I'm over 200 pounds with above-average strength. A lighter racquet requires me to swing even faster, which got me injured before. I use the Pro Staff RF now, and I could see it even being a bit heavier!
For a channel that has 760 subscribers, you seem like a very natural and confident speaker.
Thanks, Peter! Hopefully it'll have more soon!
@@gravitytennis Hi, can you do a video of playing 1-2 hour tennis with different weight racquets starting from your normal heaviest going lighter every 10 minutes as your arm would get tired, as an exercise, does it feel any different than sticking to the heaviest racquet? Thanks
Great info! I discovered some of the same truths in the pre-youtube days when trying to understand the onset of tennis elbow with my trusty Wilson Stretch Hammer 6.2. I ended up adding weight to the handle and the issue disappeared. Since then, I have only bought heavier, head-light racquets.
Also, nice job getting clean audio on a windy day. That's an underrated part of video making.
Thanks for your comment! So true. As for the wind, I hid the mic behind my collar for this video.
Excellent presentation! I tell my students to “take as much weight as they feel comfortable with”. My racquet is a Babolat Pure Strike 16 x 19. The weighs 305g unstrung. I have added 6 grams to the handle and 4 grams to the hoop at 3 and 9. I think racquet companies in both 16 x 19 & 18 x 20 should offer a 305g AND 315g versions.
I say the same to my students. Yes, it's too bad we don't more consistent weight and string pattern choices from our manufacturers. I'd like prostocks available to buy as well!
I can relate so much to this. It took me a month and a half to learn what you effortlessly outlined in a 4 minute video. I was using a 270g racket and was very comfortable playing short punches and since I don't have a coach on the rare occasion I did play drives I miss hit thereby going back to punches. Also I did eventually suffer a wrist injury after a few months and after going back to play after 5 months of rest and a green signal from my physical therapist then pain returned soon enough. Luckily I saw a video on Tennisnerd about Babolat Pure Control and went ahead and bought one. Needless to say ever since my game has been so much better and pain much more manageable. Thanks for the amazing content !
Thanks Saifuddin! Yes, I had a similar revelation a few years ago, myself; I'm grateful for the current era where good information is so easily shared. Glad my video was of help to you, and thanks for the nice words!
This video is 3 years old but cleared my misconceptions, thanks 👍
Excellent video. You kinda covered it,but definitely worth remembering that heavier "player" frames will be more flexible and therefore more arm friendly aswell. As you say, light racquets are really only for those truly incapable of swinging anything heavier.
Thanks, and great point!
It is exactly like you said.
I played with a 290 gr racket and I did great with it, however I sometimes felt like I was rushing the ball and swings.
I bought a new racket weighing 300 gr and did the same thing. I used a bit of lead tape and an overgrip to make it heavier and balance the racket out evetually the racket now weighs 350 gr strung.
At first I was horrible with this racket. I was either hitting the balls in the net or hitting them far out. I was way too tense.
I look at my technique again and realised I was not swinging full motion. Because a heavy racket is not as forgiving as a light racket I realised this.
After I made a few chenages to the way I play I felt that the racket was way better than the 290 gr I had.
It forced me to reconsider my swinging technique and gave me a lot of poer and control in return.
TLDR : Switched from a light racket to a heavy one. The heavy racket made me realise my technique wasn't good. Now I adjusted and play better then before.
Count one more subscriber! COVID tennis noobie, but having trained in other sports, I actually started off with an old heavy racket from the 80s - leading to me upgrading to an RF97 Autograph when I started taking things a bit more seriously. I can certainly feel how "unwieldy" the racket is when my technique isn't there - out of position, footwork not there, getting jammed, etc. But I'm more afraid of developing bad technique with a lighter racket that would let me "cheat", and this video summarizes everything I've suspected as I've worked on my game over the past few months with the RF97. Hoping all this work will help produce more consistent skills in the long run.
The rf97 just really makes u swing properly to make good shots. I love it but i still cant attack slow balls well with it
Glad I found your channel. Was always surprised when people finish a match and barely sweat while I almost die each time. Guess lifting weights is very different than a proper tennis stroke. Going to try to unlearn 30 years of muscle memory
Thanks for your comment. Glad my channel found you as well!
I see a lot of coaches talk about rackets and technique, but few talk about strings. If you are using the wrong type of string at the wrong tension for your racket, you will have to adjust your technique in a wrong way. (think very soft thin gauge bouncy strings in a very stiff powerful racket - you will end up using punchy tight strokes because you just can't put enough spin on the ball to keep it in even with the best technique, and get injured as a consequence)
i feel you i dont understand anything about racket, strings and tension. i had a great coach that gave me all the setup , knowing my playstyle. Now im starting to watch videos 😂
Excellent advise. I used the Wilson ProStaff 6.1 for years, no problem. When faced with a little more age that made me tire more easily, I tried the first Babolat Pure Drive that came out. 300 grams. In the short term I started suffering from tennis elbow. After long rest and recuperation I returned to slightly heavier racquets and problem solved. Not the 330 plus grams of the ProStaff but a solid 320 grams of a Babolat Pure Control of a few years ago and problem solved. Didn´t tire, and didn't obligate my arm to stabilize a very light frame against the shock of the incoming ball.
A little detail that many forget. The racquets have gotten lighter, but the ball still weighs the same. The more pace, the more kinetic energy it brings. More mass in the frame contributes more to the power of your stroke. It's called "plow through" and it is very useful.
Thanks for your comment, Eric! Yes, I found this common among many of the players I knew, which is what inspired me to make the video. I'm glad you found a better frame for your game, and that you were able to resolve your tennis elbow.
I have heavy raquet 310 GM unstrung... Prince tour 100... I am not sure .. I do get some pain... I am not sure it is due to it being handle heavy...
I can tell you from years of playing and severe forearm tendinitis that first you have to start with the racquet weight that you can get head speed and be able to be early with ground strokes, a heavy racquet is useless if you can't get it moving. If mechanics are sound and you have no problem keeping up with your level of ground strokes than move up in weight but remember if a big hitter comes along with higher velocity ground strokes and serves that heavy racquet will be way late and best you keep say a Babolat pure drive lite until your timing improves to the faster speed. As for any tendinitis, it makes a huge difference to lighten the tension and use an arm friendly string like a gut or a hybrid but definitely no luxulon or heavy tension like 65lbs I recommend 55 or less. Remember if you can't keep up with your partner and struggle with reflexes on volley switch to a lighter racquet until it improves. Trying to swing a 350gm racquet requires extreme coordination and timing. Try 260 to 300gm max.
Finally someone who talks wisely......👍👏
key phrase: "The feeling of the inertial momentum and fighting against it" 👌!!!
Thanks, Ze!
I started playing this year with a hand me down racquet. Turns out it was 360g strung, had a 95 inch head, and had a full bed of poly strings lol. But I think it actually made me better! When I use my new racquet now (Ezone Tour), my swing feels way more effortless and I hit the sweet spot a lot more.
Great advice!❤
As someone who has done a lot of sports and started to play tennis a little I just had to google the issue and found your video. Now I feel confirmed. Hated this tall and very light tennis racket I ordered.
i feel you i dont understand anything about racket, strings and tension. i had a great coach that gave me all the setup , knowing my playstyle. Now im starting to watch videos 😂
great explainatiion.. now i get it !
best tennis instruction video I've ever seen
Well explained,,,!
I feel laboured when I use heavier rackets,
Less feel ,not as fast or responsive,,
With light rackets I feel quicker able to snap a shot instantly when needed, better feel ,,I
And I'm older with elbow and shoulder issues???
Great video!
Great video, usefull info👍👍
Thanks!
Thanks! Great explanation! So I was a former pro and I played with a 385 static weight racket with 350 swing weight and 32.5 cm balance. 84” head…now as I’ve returned to pro tennis at age 59, I’m using the 2023 Head Gravity Pro and added lead at top of hoop (2 grams) and 4 total at 3&9. My static weight is 340 grams and 32.3 cm balance and 350 swing weight. Strung at 23/22 kilos full bed Alu power. It’s almost perfect but I want more weight but not to change the balance. I think 15 grams heavier will do it. Any ideas how to do that?!? Thanks!
Bro, this was a good video!
Humble opinions: I wholeheartedly agree. The velocity of your average incoming ball is a factor in how much weight you want to be swinging or using to block back serves etc. I also like to have enough weight at 3 and 9 and in the handle to be able to use more relaxed grip on touch shots. For me at 80 kilos a 360g Wilson Clash is still swinging very quickly, full cuts pulling down inside the baseline, so long as the lead isn't getting too close to the 12 o'clock position.
Thanks for weighing in. I'm also about 80 kilos and I like around 360 grams as well. I use the RF97 and love it!
@@gravitytennis :) got my eye on one of those! (The Clash is now 350g, lead 2 and 10 and working better for me.)
@@3Slippers I love it, but I have to say I'd love to try a weighted Clash!
You are so funny but informative at the same time….you should do tennis stand up!
Racket strings play a big part in injuries as well. Any racket that comes pre strung usually has crap strings that will make your wrists hurt like no other.
Good point! Which do you recommend?
I love the weight explanation. I use a racket that's 12.4 and people look at me like I'm crazy when I tell them. But I weigh 215lbs. I don't even feel the lighter rackets in my swing.
Thanks man. Yea, people forget to connect racket weight to a person's size. It's weird. Glad you liked the video.
Many racquets nowadays are both ultra light AND ultra stiff (70 / 70+ RA unstrung!), THAT's a recipe for injuries, I think.
I recently discovered I had a hardly used Prince Thunderstick 110 laying around. Now there's a blast from the past!
With fresh new strings, a new overgrip and a little protection tape that sucker tips the scale at 385 grams. Plays terrific! 👌
💪
If you are hitting with a "smaller bunchier stroke" the answer is more control and spin on the ball. Not a heavier racket. I play with a 295g head heavy oversized racket, Wilson Hyper Hammer 5, and hit through the ball. The trick is to use the power, not fight against it. The extra weight balance on the head allows me to follow through the shots better and has added 20mph to my serve. It did take a bit of getting used to admittedly but I am now getting far more power on all strokes and all controlled. The bigger sweet spot gives me less miss-hit shots. My coach laughed when I told him I was getting this racket. Then he saw my match results.
Hey Mal, thanks for your comment. I'm glad your racket weight is working well for you. A question I'd like to explore further is that of racket balance. I currently don't know of any professional players who use a head-heavy racket. I wonder if you were to add weight to the handle to achieve a more even balance, I wonder if this would have a positive benefit. Certainly more balance will add increased racket snap potential, but it may make your shots more erratic if the snap is not properly executed.
I am about 100 pounds and at an intermediate level, I was wondering if a rf97 or a prostaff 97 Mid would be right for me, I feel as though I want a heavier racket but don't know what to pick.
I have a 5 year old Babolat Aero Pro. Am looking at the Pure Aero VS as a replacement. I like the idea of a handle weighted racquet.
If you really like your current racquet and just want some more weight, I'd recommend trying out some lead tape first (amzn.to/2PhnH7b), but of course if you're desire is to buy a new racquet then go for it! However, keep in mind that newer models do tend to tweak weight, balance, materials, etc, so you're not guaranteed to love the new racquet like the old one. I'd recommend you demo it first!
Very interesting information. I’m a much larger than average tennis player, with a good amount of muscle and weight. I’ve always thought it made sense that I should play a heavier racquet. But all the store people say that heavier is only about skill level not size. Really didn’t make sense to me that a 3.0 /3.5 beginner that’s 150 lbs and one that’s 225 lbs should be using the same racquet weight...
Thanks, Curt. Yes, there is truth in what you've been told, but people sometimes forget to consider someones initial size and strength when they recommend a racket. You should absolutely be using a relatively heavier racquet. I would start 11 ounces or 310 grams and play with weights as high as 12.5oz/355grams and see how it feels.
I am 23 years old female I am 168 cm tall and I have played for 10 years now I had a 4 year break I used to play with 295 grams I wanted to go lighter what would you recommend
Can you also include in moderns rackets? Like blade v7 or clash? Their new tech is really interesting to explain
Hi! Your weight recomendation is unstrung or strung?
great explanation
Are you’re weight recommendations for strung, or unstrung weight?
I use an old browning aluminium 354g strung, but very thin frame that is so easy to get power and spin. I cant find some similar raquet nowadays
Wow, that's great! Truly thin frames are hard to find, but I feel the RF97 is the closest thing to the old-school ideal currently on the market. With strings, overgrip, and power pads the weight comes to an average of 364 grams.
Wish I saw this years ago... Same story, light weight and head heavy rackets for years. Now with a much heavier racket, HL and if I manage to keep my swing correctly it's silk smooth and effortless power.
I know what you mean. I hope this video helps some people avoid making that mistake. Thanks for commenting and glad you eventually found the right racket.
Awesome video!! Ty! I have one of the really light pro staffs and I often feel some pain after a session. I also feel like I over-swing too much. Then today i played with an old old wooden racket.... and the pain went away and my strokes were noticeabley better. Less powerful overall because of those garbage old strings but i was expecting to struggle using it. It felt like i was hitting through the ball way more cleanly
Thanks, Zachary! Yes, I can relate to that experience completely. If you want a similar feel in a modern frame, you might consider trying the Roger Federer Signature. It has that amazing plow through, but with modern racket characteristics. Or you can try adding a healthy amount of lead tape to the pro staffs.
@@gravitytennis thanks for the advice! I have the Prostaff 97L and i have been experimenting with the tape.
So i've learned a bit along the way and I want to post my thoughts just in case it helps someone. I realized what you were talking about fighting your own inertia was something i was still doing. I was favoring a part of my grip by squeezing too much in the index knuckle area. I think it was changing the fulcrum of the swing away from my wrist. I was getting a lot of pain and i would like whip my wrist weirdly at times(hard to explain but like i was forcing it). Now that I've been working on having a more even and lighter grip on the racquet, everything has improved. Consistency, spin, power, and no more pain. So my advice to anyone reading this: the racquet weight may be wrong for you, but any pain is also just an indicator of bad technique. Maybe the bad technique is only because of the weight, maybe not. But pay attention to what is bringing you pain and don't keep doing something that hurts. 👍
hey, thanks! but when you are suggesting racquet weight as per human body weight, please mention if you mean unstrung weight?
Heavy racquets keep me from swinging too hard. I discovered this by accident when I picked up a racquet after someone asked me to let them try mine.
Same here
Thank you! Very useful information.
Is the weight you're talking about strung or unstrung?
Thanks! In this video I'm referring to strung rackets.
I have played with every version of the Wilson 6.1. Each one was 12+ ounces. Right now I have the RF97.Lighter rackets feel awful. I find it easier to get depth and pace with a heavier racket. Of course the downside is that you are punished for using a heavy racket if you have poor footwork.
I love most of those, esp. the 6.1 95, which is still widely in use on the ATP tour!
@@gravitytennis I restrung my 6.1. I noticed a difference between it and the PS 97. The PS97 is 11.4oz and 8 points headlight. The 6.1 is 11.7oz and 12 points headlight. The 6.1 plays slightly heavier and has more power. The PS97 with more weight in the head is easier to produce topspin.
Very useful video, I am a beginner 40 year old, can you guide me whether to use 285 gm or 300 gm be ok . I am going to buy babolet pure drive
Thank you Rupesh. That's a good question. After you add strings, 285 gm is a reasonable weight for a 70 - 80 kilo man. You can always add lead tape to make it heavier, so I would recommend that one.
So, restarted playing in Sept after taking around a 20 yr break lol.
After a couple of months I was using a Head Extreme MP 300g
I upgraded to the pro staff v13 315g version.
The problem I am having now is that my arm is fatiguing. Right now it's after a good hour of hitting. I love the weight but the recent fatiguing makes me worried that it is too heavy? I'm around 142 lbs.
So, basically it really could be that I need to improve my technique?
Hey Edward, As I said in the video, there is a limit to how much weight one can handle before it becomes a problem. Still, if it initially feels good, and then you tire, it's possible that the degree to which you fight with the racket's inertia/momentum is what is causing most of the fatigue. I will be making more videos and courses on how to utilize heavier rackets without fatiguing. In the meantime, the technique videos I've made do address this as well. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for your useful video, could you please advise, I got pain of sholder, elbow & wrist after change the racket from Wilson Protaff 97ULS (270g) to Head Radical Touch MP (295g) after playing 2 times. How long should I rest and what I should do to get recover soon? In these day, I watched a lot of youtube video and realized many faults in my technique, but should I change another racket such as Yonex Ezone 285, Protaff 97L 290 or any advice.
Thank you very much, I appreciated.
Hi Bao, heavier rackets have the potential to help you relax, but they can also do the opposite if you try to force them. One thing you can try is focusing on preparing earlier for the shot - often a player will visually register the shot without also turning. Preparing late means you end up fighting with the momentum of your backswing, and this will end up with injury. Hope that helps!
I am 53 6 ft 225lb My racquets range from ( RF spec)~368g 9pts H/L RF 97A, Blade 98, 93, PS 95,95s Head Radical Pro, Youtek, Yonex 95, Duel G 97,~372g 9pts H/L Wilson PS-90 ~384g 7pts H/L Wilson PS-85. The most important thing when adding weight is keeping the H/L balance close to the manufacturer's spec or slightly more H/L so they remain maneuverable. I would strongly recommend any 4.5 or above player adding weight to their racquet. I have had no injuries playing with 368-384g for 6 years.
Very good info; thanks for your comment!
Hey Carlos, Tanks for sharing your experience. This is Will. Can you please let me know: Did you change from regular weight straight away to heavy(ier) weight or did you work in stages.
#2: Can you share your experience on H/L balance for Head Radical and how heavy do/did you use Head Radical.
Thank you in advance. You could also email me at beerasia@yahoo.com. Thank you lots. Will
I experimented for 3 yrs with 350-384g and balance between 3-10 pts H/L. The Radical Pro and MP youtek i have @368g 9 pts H/L, the Pro has a wrap around pro-grommet/bumper so needs less lead to make spec, 3 months after i went with this set-up i found it is the same as RF 😁 also i have gone to higher string tension because of mass and power increase of racquets.60-67 lbs.
Great info, totally agree
Thanks, terence
dope, straight to the point
I was almost afraid to watch this, even though I know a lot of it. But I was not sure what you were going to say. If you prepare properly (early) the weight is not a big factor with maneuverability 90% of the time, from the baseline, but, as a middle aged player, it lets me use the racket's inertia to turn an opponent's power into a heavy, penetrating shot, with less effort than it would take with a light racket. And without hitting long, as so many of my opponents do with their lighter more powerful rackets..An advantage being more plow through, and not getting pushed around as much by the hard shots and serves of strong young players.
I'm so glad I watched this, because even though I used Pro Staffs most of my life, including the Sampras
signature 88 inch, and now use a Volkl Mid PB-10 (with lead tape between about 11 and 1), some players
tried to talk me out of getting a heavy frame. But my Volkl is 11.6 ounces even before the tape and strings.
Well, after thinking about it for about 6 years, I just ordered a Wilson RF97 (used V.11, 2015) on eBay, and was already starting to have doubts, because of what a coach who strings my rackets - and whose brother is a junior in the top 20 nationally - was saying to me when I told him. And I haven't even gotten it yet!
But this is what I told him. I am not making time to be a really competitive player. I am past my prime,
and like to have fun. And I have used heavy rackets to help me stay honest with mechanics, and build muscle. I practice with them against a wall. On a wall the ball covers half the distance it would on a court, so with half the time and a heavy racket.. such drills keep me strong and fast enough to even hit a lot of aces, (for groundstrokes you do not even have to swing as fast as with a lighter racket if your opponent puts pace on the ball, but generating racket head speed for serves is another thing altogether, and with a heavy racket is one of the biggest challenges, I think). I feel that if I played three days in a row, and am tired of swinging a heavy racket after two and half hours, I can always just take a lighter one out of my bag, that day. It's not like I'm playing for money.
I think I'm going to love it, and plan to prove to them on the court it was a good choice. So, thank you!
Well said, and I am subscribed today.
Coincidentally, for me it was between an RF97 and the racket that Alain Broulliard has: a Babolat
Pure Strike 16 x 19 (from earlier comments). It was very close.
Good post. I'm 47 and just posted. I got two pro staff v13 315g. Noticing today that my forearm is fatiguing. But, now I am thinking that I am "trying" to generate too much power rather than taking a good stroke. I love the higher weight for the plow thru but a little discouraged with the recent fatigue.
Hey Michael, thanks for your comment: To affirm this instinct was a reason I made this video! I agree with everything you say, including you thoughts on training with a heavier racket, but keeping a lighter one in your arsenal. I do this myself, and plan to make a video describing this process as well. Take care!
Hey Edward, there is an inevitable tradeoff between plow through and racket head speed, and I'd encourage you to keep trying out weights and balances that has the optimum balance of the two for your game. I myself habitually find myself reaching for different racket weights depending on my mood and my opponent. I default to the RF97 (365g) but I also love my modded 2010 Aero Pro Drive (330g). Best of luck!
Ive always used 330g+, recently switched to a 310g speed pro recently and it feels great. I get way more RHS and more consistency.
I switched from 310 unstrung to 320 unstrung 320 BETER BETER SOLID FEEL
@@stylistxxx yeah I agree 315-325 is the sweetspot for me. I've since weighted up the speed pro a bit to around 318 unstrung. Feels fantastically solid like a prestige
I've been playing 45 years and am 65 years old. My current Ezone 98 rackets are 340 grams strung with dampener and over grip. The swing weight is 333 and the balance is 6+ head light. I've added 4 grams to the handle, and 6 grams to the head. It plays much better and is more comfortable with the extra weight. I've been customizing my rackets for the last 15 years and my experience is every racket I've added weight to plays better with a SW between 330 and 340 versus the lighter stock swing weight. It is easier to get power and additional spin with the higher weight for me. A bonus is the racket is more comfortable as it is more stable at impact and absorbs shock much better. The final advantage is the sweet spot is larger if you add weight to the tip and sides of the racket.
Yup
Good info, I have a volkl V Cell 10 320 gr and trying a new volkl c 10 EVO 305 gr both unstrung, the first is 8 headlight and the second 4 headlight, but both have same swingweight …my shoulder feels good with both but the V Cell is less maneuverable, will use your advice in not fighting with its own weight momentum, thank you !
You're welcome! Best of luck
Do you have any advice for applying lead tape in a way to make the Babolat Aero Pro Team (GT 2010 version) to match the standard Aero Pro?
This may partly not be possible depending on the "Twist Weight," which may be different. Consult this list for more info: www.google.com/search?q=tennis+warehouse+twist+weight+list&oq=tennis+warehouse+twist+weight+list&aqs=chrome..69i57.4777j0j4&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8
very helpful intro thanks
thank you, appreciate your comment!
Good vid. I am only 130 pounds, and ppl think im crazy saying 11 ounces is too heavy, but it is for me. Maybe someone who is 200lbs might find it light. It's relative.
Wonderful explanation! I was using a 260 g racket. Could that be the reason i was mis hitting the ball constantly and couldnt generate power and spin even though my swing was good?
Thanks, Starman Oddity! I would try adding a little lead tape to the racket, maybe 30 g. I may make a video on how to do this. I’ll keep you posted!
Dynamic Tennis Method im thinking of buying a new racket. But i only had that question i asked for a long time. Ill be grateful if i could get an answer. Subscribed!
@@starman3533 yes, that is the reason you miss the ball and cannot generate power even with good strokes. With a full extention and flexibility in your neck, shoulders, and back, and minimal swing, you should be able to hit any balls without any excelleration. For example watch federer practice and notice he doesn't even swing the racquet during practice and just holds the raquet stationary, while generating so much power.
Now give federer a frying pan, or a ping pong paddle and that is not happening. Do you see how going to either extremes disarms even the best player in the world? Give federer a $20 racquet and he'll barley be able to get the racquet accross the net. There is optimal specifications based on a ball that is so many oz's heavy traveling at a typical speed with x-xy rotation and that racquet needs to meet the standard to perform better than its competitors. I don't think ppl understand how important their tennis racquet is, before then even start to understand their technique. The whole sport is a lie designed to make ppl spend as much money as possible through misinformation and trial and error
Just purchased a Head Speed MP great weight…I’m 6’4 250 and my shoulder is not in the best of shape so I went lighter and it hurt more this racquet it 317 and I switched back to a Eastern grip and flattened my stroke problem solved
I let my racquet loose while initiating the swing but at end after finishing the shot on the left I find myself with tight grip of the racquet ,is it natural or I should have loose grip at the end too.
Think fluid with full extension rather than loose and you'll figure it out.
Really well explained 👏
I'm nursing a torn rotator
Would you recommend heavy or light?
Thanks, John. Regarding your torn rotator, can you tell me a little more about the injury?
I also have a video on repetitive stress tennis injuries, if that helps: czcams.com/video/fuXsB5IU5dE/video.html
Thanks for your reply
I tore my rotator 4 years ago I never thought I could play but had 1 session acupuncture and cupping,,,, next morning pretty much full range getting better all the time as long as I treat it good
Some experts are discouraging me from buying the Dunlop CX 200 Tour 18x20 since I'm a beginner. But I was swinging people for a long time since I was a Judo
player in College, and I naturally have long swings like what you have explained here. Thanks to your video, I'll go and buy that racquet. Subscribed.
Great stick but be aware, nothing comes for free, you have to swing it hard to get some power; also make sure you play with soft strings if not you may find it stiff
Real experts or internet experts? I don't see anything wrong with a racquet like that if you take the time to learn good technique and want a racquet you can grow with for a long time.
@@kernelCR thank you for the tip. Can you recommend a string and tension that worked for you? 🙂
@@rsmith02 lol! you got me. I guess, internet experts . I agree with you. Coming from an RF K Factor 90, I feel like this (CX 200) and the Yonex Vcore 95 are better suited for me rather than jumping to the 100 inchers. Cheers!
Demo it- everyone is different.
Spot on. I feel more comfortable with a heavy racket, I'm just under 200ibs.
Thanks!
Sampras high strung his little ProStaff and weighted it up. Dense string pattern. Higher tension. Added weight. More powerful shots. Better racquet stability.
Funny, I have been having this suspicion for a week because I've had a little breakthrough in my swing, and part of what I realized was that feeling of using momentum. And that got me thinking about wanting to add weight to my racquet (Wilson Clash 100). I'm maybe a 2.5/3.0 and relatively new, but I think there might be benefits of learning on a heavier racquet because it almost "forces" you to use momentum and good technique. Great video, I'll be experimenting with weight on my racquet I think.
Thanks! I'll be making a video on adding weight soon, for now let me recommend you add the according amount of weight in the handle (perhaps even a little extra) so that the balance of the racket stays similar to where it was, or even a bit toward the handle. You don't want too high a proportion of the added weight in the head.
I recently have gone down the rabbit hole of customizing my racket. What’s your opinion on the trend of mfrs coming out with relatively head heavy rackets that have lighter static weight but much heavier swing weight, vs head light rackets that are heavier? Which type of racket would you say fits better with your Dynamic Tennis principles of working with gravity? I’ve had my eye on the Tecnifibre Tfight 305 series but recent generations seem to be getting more and more head heavy… but that seems like you’re sacrificing maneuverability in the name of less static weight?
Great questions. I don't have strong opinions on trends except to say 330 - 350 is becoming more the trend among current gen male players. For really feeling momentum and gravity, I love rackets on the heavier side. If you can handle it (and your an adult male,) I'd even give the RF97 a try, at 365 grams. I've played with the technifibre and its also a great choice.
Finally a smart coach. So tired of junk talkers on youtube.
Thanks Dmytro, I try
I weigh 134 lbs and use a 360~378g PS85 for years. Now I am getting old, and moving towards 340+ rackets
This is solid advice
im 16 and 65 kg I have a 275 and 300gram rackets which one should I use
Short answer, use the one you feel more comfortable using. However, I like having heavier rackets on hand to train with. The more fluid your form, the more easy and helpful you’ll find a heavy racket.
good stuff
Thanks!
squash is opposite, head light ,stiff frame and 27 lbs tension.
This is very helpful and we'll explained. I'm thinking of upgrading from 265g to 295g racket and not sure if this is too big of a jump. I'm in my late 30s and do not find the weight of the rack an issue.
If you are a male and in your late 30s, 265 is very low. Consider at least around 285 gram unstrung for the minimum weight
Thank you. I agree with Joost. In fact, I'd even try 300-310g and see how you like it.
I am at 169 pounds of weight, been playing with a ProStaff with 315 grams, been feeling kind of tired, thinking to switch to a Babolat Strike of 305 grams, is the difference worth the change? Thanks!geat video.
Hey Ricardo, as I explained in the video, you will probably notice a positive difference at first, but I wonder if the reason you tire is from too much muscle tension. You may want to check out some of my tutorials, as they focus on showing you how to use your racket weight more effectively.
Work on technique and conditioning instead?
On point.
Thanks
Are you talking about the weight with strings or without them?
With
Nice vid. Most youtube tennis racquet vids are horrible but this one is dead on. That light OS wilson Hyper Hammer 5.3 stretch is the racquet I am currently using.....but I add over 100g to it to make it 372g
Thanks shroud, I appreciate it. Wow, that's a heavy stick!
@@gravitytennisat 402g now with a sw of 469.
But 285kg without the strings racquet is light. I am a woman that weight 60kg and i have Wilson blade like that. I don't understand...
By light racket I mean under 265grams unstrung
I am a 38-year-old male who had rotator cuff, labrum repair, and then Mumford procedure done to my right shoulder and I can be the first to tell you that the heavier the racket I use the more destroys my shoulder 🤷♂️ Usta 4.5
I think it depends on the type on injury. Rotator cuff is directly involved in swinging motion and a heavy racket will make it difficult for it. Meanwhile injuries such as tennis elbow benefits from heavier frames
Thanks for your comment, PK. There is of course a curve here - a baseball bat amount of weight it too much. However, a great part of the equation is learning to play with less tension. If you simply add more effort to more weight, you will indeed injure yourself further.
should we consider the burden of practising serves and overheads?
Hey Kit, Serves and overheads also may be helped by allowing for the racket to drop in order to initially accelerate. This is formally known as the power loop. As I said in the video, however, there is a law of diminishing returns when it comes to weight. Don’t use too much!
If you can''t swing fast enough to generate spin it's too heavy
im 115 pounds and use an rf97, should I switch?
You may want to try a slightly lighter racket, in the 340 gram range. As an RF97 fan, I like the Pure Strike as a lighter alternative. However, keep the RF97 around. I may make a video on exactly this topic, thanks for the idea!
@@gravitytennis I’ve been using it and like how much power i get from it but and don’t get any pain so I’m sticking with it.
Been playing for nearly 50 years and I know that a lot of my biceps tendonitis, forearm and wrist soreness, and shoulder issues have come from holding the racquet too tightly. Old school tennis sucks....especially with a continental grip. :(
Ooph, continental is rough. If you adjust just a tiny bit at a time you can make the transition and you'll love the results! Good luck!
@@gravitytennis Thanks. Been trying, but muscle memory is so incredibly hard to break. I can start with an eastern-to-semiwestern, and after the first shot or two, I keep finding myself in continental. Great for serving, though. Will definitely keep trying. :)
I am exceptionally strong, but not big 135lbs. using an 11oz racket.
c tellement vrai ! Je conseil au jeune de ne pas utiliser des raquettes avec un tamis 100 pour gagner en précision et en contrôle ! un tamis 98 ou 97 est très bien avec un poids correct et surtout pas trop léger ! Une raquette plus lourde améliore la technique et ensuite la puissance facile arrive !
Merci Lito!
I like your videos 🤝
Thanks Steven
Are you at Silver Gull Beach Club?
Ken Harris Nice spot! I absolutely am. How did you recognize it?
@@gravitytennis Thanks! I use to be a member there!
@@gravitytennis Are you teaching pro or just an avid player? I am a 4.0-4.5 player that lives in Sheepshead Bay section of Brooklyn.
Ken Harris I am a USPTA certified teaching pro. I was Silver Gulls/Breezy Point’s head pro last year
Ken Harris I actually teach near sheepshead bay these days
Great
Thank you, Benjamin!
Great truth, even though i'm only 140 pounds, i play much better, more power, more spin, more comfortable with 339g wilson prostaff BlX 90, than the its 320g asian version. Not to mention the earlier and lighter raquets like ncode 6.1 team (95sq. in, 289g), nor the wilson hammer 3.5 (108 sq. in, 268g), those beginner racquets made me suffer a lot from elbow problem. The stiffness and their headheaviness were the crux.
Thanks for your comment, I'm glad this video confirmed your suspicions!
Frequent use of a heavy racquet with a small head will put hair on your chest
2:13 Mmmm... Disagree. It depends on your playstyle. A light racquet is good for correct extreme top spin movements.
A heavy racquet works FOR YOU, but only for a more straight flat hitting gameplay, like Sampras for example.
If you try top spin with a Sampras racquet, you get so many rim hits, but hitting flatter with a big light racquet, many balls will go into net, or out.
Power is nothing without control, and control nothing without power. Top spin with a heavy racquet, can cause just as much injury, like with a light one.
Actually , you can't achieve an extreme top spin technique with a heavy racquet, like you can with a light one.
An extremely good top spin requires possible tilts arround all axes at all times. A heavy racquet reduces some rotational axes drastically.
You don't get this whip effect into the movement, using a heavy racquet. But if you still try, that's where injuries come from.
I think, where the misunderstandings are coming from, is, top spin is not top spin. There are 2 types of top spin.
The simple top spin, where it is only about giving the ball, the spin forward, or the extreme top spin, with the whip movement during the stroke.
For the second, faster, more powerful, and more consistent one, you definetly need a light racquet, while the first one is also achieveable with a heavy racquet.
The normal top spin, is the whole arm swinging. For the whip top spin, there is a wrist movement involved at the right time.
You can not do that wrist turning with a heavy racquet, and still maintain the correct turning movement, that technique is demanding.
That whip snap is happening at such high speeds, you can only control that using a light racquet.
Light racquets keep beginners being beginners. That's so not true.
It is, again, depending on the playstyle. A well trained player, can do magic with a light racquet.
What you are talking about, are training strokes, with not many angles covered, basic strokes.
You say only players in there 70s need light racquets. If it was true, that these cause the injuries, then older people would not use them.
Btw, you can also use a light racquet, the way you show it, using gravity. Simply learn, to grab it tight, while keeping the arm ( elbow and wrist ) loose.
This way it does not spin in the hand but you still have, gravity using, strokes, with the correct angles.
Most people tend to make the whole arm stiff with light racquets. THAT's the mistake.
If you get it right, you create your own needed directions of gravity, so you are not only using the gravity of the earth, from lifting up the racquet before the stroke.
A light racket definetly offers more possibilities. It is not easy.
A heavy racquet feels better for everyone, because it gives more power immediatly.
But does it make you a better player ? No. It narrows you down to do basic strokes, because that is where it works best.
And it is also the kind of strokes you are teaching people the most.
What about the lesser angles you cover. What about the more stop balls, you put into the net or too long easy reachable, or ground strokes going out, because of the power.
Some strokes require just a little bit of power, more feeling, and that is where a lighter racquet really shines.
It is definetly more work, but with more possibilities of how to hit the ball, to achieve the angles you need.
A heavy racquet only feels easier, if you only do simple ground strokes all the time.
A short cross court for example is way better and easier with a light one, if trained well.
But you can never ever achieve the same extreme angles, with a heavy racquet, because the extra power you describe, is also causing the ball, always wanting to go more straight, than angled.
And it has less top spin, but also, and that is also important for the angles, less SIDESPIN, because you use the earth's gravitiy from dropping the racquet downwards more, before hitting.
With a light racquet, you can rotate the gravitiy more to your liking, depending on what you need in the situation.
Especially on clay court, where the ball often bounces unexpectetly different, you can adapt better and faster with a lighter racquet too.
Well. I hope i could explain well, what the benefits of a lighter racquet are. I used both over time.
The most important thing is, to make a decision of how you want to play, and then stick to it, or find a racquet that is in the middle, and try to get the best of both worlds.
I guess that's why we have top spin players, hard hitters, and allrounders ( like Federer ).
Yes, totally agree with everything you said, especially with +70 age folks, 10 oz >150 lbs, 11oz >175lbs, and 12oz >200lbs.
BUT, fluid movement imo is neither about technique nor lose grip. I wouldn't agree that these better technique will prevent tennis elbow or correct pain in the arm, and I think it's all link to a tailored approach to racquet setup, in particular, finding the right string tension, correct grip size, and ultimately the correct frame for a person's bone structure, musculature, and athletic ability.
What I found in myself was that at 150 lbs, the blade 98 was a great racquet for me, however injury occurred as my strength and skill increased and I did not add weight, specifically at the 12 o clock position. Fast forward 70 lbs later at 220 lbs, the rf97a with 18 grams at 12 o clock has allowed me the best possible setup.
Now some might be shocked to hear 18 grams at 12 o clock, but this setup worked for me and has taken my game to a much higher level.
I just ordered a h22 so fingers cross. I think your exactly right about beginners needing to play with advanced racquets and play around with adding weight. An advanced player would not be able to play with a "beginners racquet" which is precisely the reason a beginner should stay away from bad frames in general. My 2 cents..
Hi DaleKim24, Thanks for your comment. Some great points. I actually think we mostly agree. I believe adding the proper amount of weight is needed to make correct technique possible, especially during the technical development process. As to how much weight, I find that at 170 pounds, the sweet spot for me is somewhere between 340 - 365 grams, or 12 - 12..7 ounces.Between the extremes there's a definite tradeoff between maximum swing speed vs extra plowthrough, and I'm still trying to find the best fit for my body and game. When it comes to adding weight, like all things, there are no right answers, only pros and cons, but in general I believe light rackets are over used, and make mastering tennis harder for many people.
THIS IS TRUTH
Thanks Olof!
basically sales tactic of getting mediocre equipment out of shelves and having you realize it's shit and then pay more for a piece of better equipment, they do this in every sport
Yup
Nothing you said was untrue. Although I’m actually using a lighter weight racket because I need more control and less power on my shots.
I'm in your choir. My rackets weigh 13 ounces. 93 square inches. 73 years old.
Your a NATURAL MATE.. AND All to true; dont use stiff light frames or your muscles and tendons will ache..Let the racquet swing weight through the ball by taking the racquet back and drop it through the ball
Thanks!
Great video, I totally agree that beginners would be better off playing with a smaller, heavier racquet as it encourages proper stroke mechanics. My own game improved dramatically once I switched to a 90 sq inch racquet. I then switched to the 85 sq inch Wilson Pro Staff 6.0 and it was the best tennis coach I ever had. I'm now trying to go back to a bigger frame, but it's hard to control all that free power. I end up just shortening my follow through.
Thanks, GC. If it's not broken, no need to fix, right? But if you do go up a head size (e.g. RF97) you can try high spin, low power poly's like RPM blast. Then work on maximizing your topspin
Awasome
Thanks!