spec me a badminton racket

[Razor-BladE]

Impossible! Do you fly down or something?
I live in COULSDON and it takes me ~20 mins to get there. Haha.

Sometimes it takes me about the same time to get to the end of the street round here!!

Eurgh.. that's the worst when that happens.. especially if you're travelling by bus :/

 

[DB_SamX]

On the back of my shuttlecock thread, another question:
How to you realise what sort of player you are i.e. power, deception, etc? Is it by somone experienced watching you?

I have no idea how I play and don't prefer a style afaik. I do know that I can't really hit powerful shots (but would like to), but not sure if getting a heavy headed on like the MP or Armortec will help or be a waste. As such, the Yonex racquets I'm considering (I basically have their 2010 catalogue so I have all the info in one place):

Nanospeed 300 - £33 delivered (med flex, head light, 85-90g, G3)
Armortec 30 - £34 delivered (med flex, head heavy, 85-90g, G3)
Muscle Power 7 - £17.50 delivered (med flex, head heavy, 90-05g, G4)

On paper, I prefer the first 2, but will try to find somewhere to try them.

 

[fretted]

My thoughts

On the back of my shuttlecock thread, another question:
How to you realise what sort of player you are i.e. power, deception, etc? Is it by somone experienced watching you?

I have no idea how I play and don't prefer a style afaik. I do know that I can't really hit powerful shots (but would like to), but not sure if getting a heavy headed on like the MP or Armortec will help or be a waste. As such, the Yonex racquets I'm considering (I basically have their 2010 catalogue so I have all the info in one place):

Nanospeed 300 - £33 delivered (med flex, head light, 85-90g, G3)
Armortec 30 - £34 delivered (med flex, head heavy, 85-90g, G3)
Muscle Power 7 - £17.50 delivered (med flex, head heavy, 90-05g, G4)

On paper, I prefer the first 2, but will try to find somewhere to try them.

If you have quick movements, use a lot of wristpower, then go for a racquet with a stiff shaft and even balance, otherwise go for a med flex racquet. I wouldnt recommend you spend more than £30, but if i had to choose out of the 3, I would go for the Armotec 30.

I'm afraid to play more powerful shots, you will need to improve technique and the equipment isn't going to make much difference (despite Yonex's claims).

 

[platypus]

Have to say the best racket I've enjoyed in recent times is my Carlton Powerblade.

To hijack the thread a bit more: Recommendations for court shoes? I have hitecs but they just give me blisters (and they are a comfortable fit).

To doubly hijack this thread: anyone got any more tips for smashing? I see a coach every now and again, and he helps me a lot but I seem to have plateaued with my power level.

 

[Hamster]

On the back of my shuttlecock thread, another question:
How to you realise what sort of player you are i.e. power, deception, etc? Is it by somone experienced watching you?

I have no idea how I play and don't prefer a style afaik. I do know that I can't really hit powerful shots (but would like to), but not sure if getting a heavy headed on like the MP or Armortec will help or be a waste. As such, the Yonex racquets I'm considering (I basically have their 2010 catalogue so I have all the info in one place):

Nanospeed 300 - £33 delivered (med flex, head light, 85-90g, G3)
Armortec 30 - £34 delivered (med flex, head heavy, 85-90g, G3)
Muscle Power 7 - £17.50 delivered (med flex, head heavy, 90-05g, G4)

On paper, I prefer the first 2, but will try to find somewhere to try them.

Don't worry about defining yourself into a particular category of player; this isn't helpful and you should be looking to improve all aspects of your game rather than resigning yourself into thinking you're an attacking or defensive player.

Given your own honest skills appraisal, i would definitely go for a medium flex, medium balanced racket, something like a Wilson NForce 400 Gail Emms racket. Forget the fact that it's endorsed by a female player; that doesn't mean anything and it certainly doesn't mean the racket is only for lady players. This racket falls into your price range and the high street catalogue shop has it for £24.95 which is a very good price considering it's around £40 elsewhere.

 

[Hamster]

To hijack the thread a bit more: Recommendations for court shoes? I have hitecs but they just give me blisters (and they are a comfortable fit).

Go to a decent sports shop and try a few pairs on!! Different brands and different shoes in the same brand offer different fits so it's impossible to recommend here. I must have tried about 15 different pairs on before i settled on Asics Gel Blast 2 shoes. Just make sure they are court shoes rather than any other type e.g. running shoes but i'm sure you know that as an experienced player.

To doubly hijack this thread: anyone got any more tips for smashing? I see a coach every now and again, and he helps me a lot but I seem to have plateaued with my power level.

Without watching you prepare for and perform a smash. it's impossible to say what you can improve. There are so many elements to a good smash e.g. movement and preparation, wide stable base, sideways stance, driving of rear leg, correct jumping, correct grip, correct backswing, good forearm pronation, hitting point, follow through, landing etc. Sometimes it can be the racket/string choice and tension that is hindering your progress but that's usually the last thing that needs changing.

Your coach should be able to observe and break your technique down and see where improvements can be made. If your coach can't help, book a session with another coach if you can; all coaches have different styles, methods and observation/coaching abilities. There are also several videos on youtube on smashing technique and they may be worth a look.

HTH