Which TENSION should YOU choose? || A Coach's Perspective
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- Опубліковано 8 жов 2024
- In today’s video, we’re going to be tackling the topic of which tension is best suited for you.
Join me as I break down everything you need to know about the different tensions and how it performs in terms of repulsion, feeling and durability.
Let me know which tension you think is the best and why! Stay tuned for more videos and thanks for watching.
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I have 25 lbs, for me that's the sweet spot between accuracy and durability.
nice. Whats your favourite stings?
You fell into my algorithms, so I will reply...
Correct, go as high tension as you can manage, however, the risks are not only mis-hitting, it is also injury - tennis elbow, shoulder socket or blade pains, wrist pains.
This is due to improper technique, when your technique is better/correct you have ability to go higher tension without injury.
You can feel it within 1-2 sessions whether or not it is suitable. If not, cut and restring, or not use power while you're on that string. It will go down eventually, unfortunately you will also lose the "spring" in that string as it ages.
Lastly, plastic shuttles, never go over 26lbs, ideally 24lbs is enough due to lack of weight. If you hit that hard you may aswell switch to feathers as feathers last just as long at that point.
when you say "you can feel it within 1-2 sessions". can you describe what one will feel?
@@MoreThanASwing
Feeling wise would be fatigue on the day/day after, tender joints, specifically not muscles.
People may hit progressively less hard throughout the night, or compromise on form to throw the shot forward, weaker cores and/or technique attribute to that.
The output of that will look like more mis-hits, later recovery because over-reaching on the shots for the racket to perform.
28 lbs is the sweet tension for a hobbyist
I like to have higher tension on a thicker string
30 lbs for Exbolt 68 (0,68mm)
28 lbs for VBS-66 nano (0,66mm)
27 lbs for Exbolt 65 (0,65mm)
There is no way I'd go that high. 26 lbs is high enough for me, otherwise it starts to feel like a frying pan.
wow. you even have a tension for every string model. such dedication. haaha
type of string makes a fairly big difference as well - "hard" feeling string vs "soft" feeling string both at the same tension will feel quite different.
i also find that it matters a lot more to me if i play feather - with nylon i don't care as much; i can still tell, but because nylon feels much more similar across string types, i'm less apt to care. currently i string two racquets for feather, and two for nylon:
- nanospeed 6000; 24lb bg65ti (the "i feel lazy and just want to play whatever rec" choice)
- arcsaber 7 OG; 26lb exbolt 68 (the "i kind of want to try for locals" choice)
- two victor thruster k falcon claws, both at 28lb vbs68 (the "we're playing with feathers" choice)
these racquets cover a pretty wide range in terms of flexibility (although aside from the nanospeed, they're mostly balanced feel racquets), but it's my collection and setup that i've found has worked for me over the years.
yes. type of strings, racket, shuttle. they all matter.
Above 28 pounds, the repulsion in gauge makes exponentially less difference. High tension and thin strings are not very budget friendly. Personally I use 29ibs bg65ti with 5% pre stretch on racket with big frames like the auraspeed 100x, then 1 Ibs lower with small frame example hs plus . They consistently last 5 to 6 weeks for me.
If the tension is too high, clearing from base line to base line becomes more difficult than usual, also the hand feels too much vibration. If your technique is very correct, anything under 32 pounds shouldn't give immediate shoulder pain from my experience (I haven't tried above 32, had been playing 2+sessions every week from grade school to now college, so I think my technique is decent enough to use as a benchmark).
its quite rare to hear people use BG65ti for games. you must really like the feeling. and it is probably the most affordable string because its so thick. haha.
I know people who insist on playing with nylon shuttles unless you pay for feather shuttles. They buy a new high-end racket after the launch date. Then they complain nylon shuttles snap their strings too often & they have tennis elbow. They string between 28-30 lbs.
For nylons 22 is about it
Are they Indians?
😅
The main reason for amateur players getting elbow or shoulder pain is poor technique IMHO. The type of shuttle should not make a difference to strings breaking, it's more about hitting the bird off-center when you have a high tension.
Definitely. I think i should invite my physiotherapist to talk about this.
Surprisingly, this is happening to strong players who have good technique. The issue is that they do not test the shuttle speed. So they hit it harder when the shuttle is too slow. When I am forced to play with nylon shuttles, I just play lifts & drops. At the club meetups, I go to 95% play with feather shuttles. 3 of 4 players on court want to play a doubles game with feather shuttlecocks. 1 person says she/he has more rights to play with nylon shuttles than everyone else after we took a vote. 🤦♀️🤦♂️ There are some players who will cheat, argue, & take shortcuts rather than work on improving their skills. 2 players recently had their racket broken at the net. Opponent obstruct their follow through. Players immediately stick up & wave their racket before the shuttle goes over the net. Then they mock you when they think they win the rally after obstructing you. Then it is a "you problem" that your racket is cracked, but if you break theirs on a clash when partnered with them, you must buy them a racket. 🤦♂️🤦♀️ My friend embarrasses himself. He leaps towards the net as if he is blocking a 3-point jump shot.
im a 32 lbs user...
my pov exactly the same
once u try a >30 lbs u'll never go back at lower tension
the crispynest, accuracy, and powerr was superb
just try it guys
especially u're using a thick string or exbolt (forget 63)❤
ooooo... one day i will try....... 40 lbs!!! lol.
At first, im using 26lbs, it feels great but after a while i find it become loose and try 28 lbs, at here i find myself hitting too hard to obtain long range and make myself injured. But then i try 24-26lbs, i find it not as accurate as 28lbs. Sometime the shuttlecock flew away very high and long but the direction is off. Either too high, or to the right or left.
For me the 26lbs still the best for me, or maybe i will try 26 - 28 lbs next 😁
you can also try one tension up or down.
you can also consider how often you play and restring. if you dont play often, you can tie a higher tension because it may drop one or two pounds over time. not the best advice for good output. but an advice that favours practicality and affordability.
Can try 26lbs with 10% pre stretch
All strings will loose their tension after a while, some more than others. If you pre-stretch, it will affect durability.
I assume your 24-26 is 24 main x 26 cross, which averages out 25 lbs. The 26x28 will average out to 27 lbs.
I've tried 28, 26, 26x28, 25x27 and just 25 on differently rackets.
Currently, I'm on (25 or 26 lbs, can't remember ) with my 58 g (9u) racket, play doubles game only, don't have a strong smash, and finds this setup is just right for my game (better control, faster reaction). I started with 3u, 4u rackets, then moved to 5u, 7u and now 9u.
Most of my rackets are head-heavy. I don't play well with even-balanced rackets. My 2nd choice is head-light rackets.
My go to is now the 9u, but depending on my opponents, I will switch to the 4u/5u for some games.
I've improved my grip/wrist techniques and finds that the 9u (I have 4 of the same), head-heavy at 25 or 26 lbs to be the most suitable.
It also depends on your string.. thicker strings like bg 65ti that having softer feeling, you want to strung it at 28++ lb for better repulsion and feel.. even at 31 lb (i tried my coach racquet), the feel is same as bg 66 ux strung at 27lb imo
yes. if you go to every detail, of course the racket and the grip will matter too.
but in every video, we focus on just one or two aspects. in this case, just the tension.
I find it surprising how people say "hi tensions will tire you out" or "vibrations" or "low tensions more power" etc when I find tensions 30 and above MORE repulsive and smoother to play. anything below 28 feels a little dull or even slow and I can very clearly tell with just my lifts and clears. maybe I just grew up around a lot of 30lb only rackets lol
What string are you using and racket balance? I'm sure those would make a difference. Interested to know as I use head light so I believe it will be more taxing on producing same power at high tension
@@nfreddyyy I've used heavy 3u rackets and right now an almost even balanced 5u. all 30lbs or more. it's extremely easy to produce power and "pop" especially with my 5u racket cuz the fact is, it's the rack "sudden speed", high tension and thin gauge that produces that power.
@@ryanreviews8566 wow. Which racket is that? I've only ever seen 5u head light. Never considered a 5u balanced. That would be a great combo. However 30 tension? :0 and such a low gauge, will break very often!
@@nfreddyyyI haven't broken it at all. most modern strings won't break so easily unless you're a high level pro with a bomb smash and playing against other bomb players. or you play everyday.
It's not really even balanced. it's a head heavy 5u Dunlop racket with 2 layer grips on it which makes it more balanced so I get the best of both worlds of speed plus power.
of course every factor will affect the output. in this video, we kept all other variables the same so that we can look at how the tension affects the outcome.
I switched from a low end, flexible racket at tension 23 to a Nanoflare 1000z at 28lbs. And my first week of playing it was a pain.
Thankfully, it was just an adjustment process and now I'm hitting solid clears and smashes with better control over the net.
thats a really big jump. and glad you could adjust to that.
The problem, tension & power is not linear.
At certain range of power output the bending of stringbed & the repulsion is optimally transfered to the shuttlecock.
Add more power output, the shuttlecok would sunk far deeper end up absorbing the power.
Or reduce the power output, the shuttle dont have enough force to bend the string thus less repulsion.
{Similar logic when changing string tension)
So, as each player had different swing speed & strength, each of us had different optimal tension setup.
As for the test, as the parameter changed is the string only, it only picture your condition, not accurately apply to other.
Hey, i like your explanation.
can you suggest a few ways i can test this theory?
or can you suggest how does one find the optimal tension then?
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@@budisaputra6453 yes totally … @morethana swing u can test this by going low like 19-21 or lower and u will find that even if you swing harder n faster the shuttle will not go faster to travel as far but if you slow down it will go further n faster… however the max limit of the shuttle speed will increase if your tension increases eg: 24 provided you can input the higher swing speeds required but after a certain Swing speed Limit you will find the same behaviour with 19/21 … the higher the tension will provide more power provided your swing speed can keep up
@@MoreThanASwing adding 1 more parameter which is the player. Look for totally beginner player with totally bad swing, an ok player with correct swing but not physically strong, & last a well trained player that trained both technique & physical strength.
Let each 3 player to play with those 3 different tension racket. That would do the test.
i use 24lbs with exbolt 63 and i find its perfect for my skill level. any higher sweet spot is too small for me and i find i have to put more effort in hitting the shuttle. by the end of the night my forearm, wrist and fingers are so fatigue
nice. i secretly feel happy when people are aware of themselves and enjoy the game. Some people compare themselves with others and mindless increase their tension to "fit in".
Agreed. Some ppl try and copy pros and string it at 30 31 and struggle to play. I bought a used 88D pro gen 3 recently and the seller had BG68 strung at 26lbs. I was able to play but still felt like I had to put extra effort than usual each hit. Felt more tired than usual.
what is the white racket you use ah? looks so good the plain white one
nanoflare nextage.
yes it looks good. hehe.
i switched to a stiffer racquet (TKF Ultra) and higher tension string 25lbs from 23lbs. i noticed some aching in my shoulder between tricep and bicep. its getting less now as i am getting used to the stiffness and higher tension.
i feel that too. but i really wonder how much is placebo, or self fulfilling prophecy. Since my supplier told me that could happen, i may have been manifesting it.
its so tough to tell.
Tqvm coach for the info ❤
Happy to help. What was helpful for you?
I have both high and low tension of the same kind of racquet… when I am lazy and lacks focus or not in a good physical form I’ll use low tension and hit safer shots and generally take it easy… when I am on point there’s no replacing high tension for precision, power and control …. Btw I string my own racquets… 34lbs vs 27lbs
oooooo.... it sounds nice to have options.
but would this affect your timing and your technique?
@@MoreThanASwing with the higher tension one yes I would need to be more focused to hit and adjust to the sweet spot… 29-32lbs with the lower one 25-27 … it’s a lot easier…. With the lower tension generally go for harder shots and safer placements….. rather then aiming for the line maybe just roughly in the general direction if things get too fast… with higher tension there’s a certain satisfaction to aim for the line exactly especially on flick serves 😝
You find the 28lbs more repulsive and less effort because you are a trained athlete and coach. You have the experience, technique and timing to utilize that tension to get the high repulsion. I bet the result would be different if you gave that 28lbs to a beginner or even intermediate player. So, in my opinion, I think repulsion is highest at lower tension for beginners, and this will change as the player improves technique and timing. But that begs the question, how low is too low and how high is too high?
yes indeed. that question (how high or how low) is really difficult to answer.
and i was hoping someone could suggest observable signs when the tension is too high.
just curious, what racket are you doing the test with ? =)
nanoflare nextage!
Playing at very low tension with a flexible racket shaft is one of the dumbest beginner traps in badminton. It makes sense for someone just starting out, but given a player has played a while and has enough power to clear baseline, they should never be playing at low tension and they should ideally get a racket with a stiff shaft. A lot of badminton players don't have the best interest of other players at heart when they tell others they are beginners and should therefore use worse gear. Gear choices should be made on a personal bases, not because of what anyone else tells you.
wow. you sound like you've seen some injustice there.
I started playing badminton a year ago I started with 25lbs and currently strung at 27X29 lbs. The birds go faster when you smash . Easy to control.
Regarding the shoulder pain I don’t experience at all when I increase the tension.
looks like you can handle the high tension.
why not go higher then ?
For smashes, was the difference in speed on the shuttle based on tension?
If you are asking me a general question, the speed of the smash is determined by many different factors. The technique, the strength, the string, the racket, the shuttle, and even the condition in the court.
but if you are asking in the context of my video, I find that 28lbs gave the best output. with the condition that i hit the sweetspot.
@@MoreThanASwing Yes sorry I meant based on the different tensions, which one you felt had most power 😁. Thanks for letting me know!
Can you review newly launched victor thruster f ultra?
ooooo.... i would gladly do it if they send me a racket. :)
If one is not a pro, the higher the lbs, the more is the tension. no matter you are a sixteen or sixty. 😂😂
hahahaha. i dont know how to respond to this without being rude.
ok yes. you are correct, the higher the lbs, the higher the tension.
For plastic shttles?
Plastic shuttles are not a popular choice in Singapore. I dont feel like i have enough knowledge and experience to comment on that.
You should know better as a coach. You generalised too much and only tested from your own point of view, making this video very biased. For a start, your consistency will likely be much better than your students. Also, I've seen pros actually say that they use higher tension to produce a louder hitting sound which makes it sound like they are hitting harder than they really are. It's their high consistency and strength training that allows them to wield higher tensions, which they use for *control*.
You report that you are able to send the shuttle further at higher tension, but you fail to consider that you are playing regularly at your own tension, so muscle memory is trained to play optimally for that. In contrast, you only played with lower tension during your "review" and never played consistently with the lower tension at least a few weeks. Therefore, you gave no chance to adjust your hitting technique/action for the lower tension, resulting in your skewed view of the lower tensions.
You look at Akane Yamaguchi, she uses 24x26lbs and sends the shuttle without any problems. Also, you will notice pro players reduce their string tension as they get older, as higher tensions require more muscle strength and endurance to use.
hi, please share how you would do it. :)
Yeah, I too like it when it sounds like an explosion ;)
@@MoreThanASwing Honestly, it would be better to repeat this exercise with your own students. You guys run an Badminton Academy and your channel should be about not just promoting your Academy but helping learners improve their game and knowledge about all things badminton.
Therefore, if you are providing information that is relevant to yourself, who is the coach and likely at a much higher level than your students and other learners, I feel it makes the information much less relevant and relatable. As a plus, it would make it much more fun to involve your students in your videos if they are willing to participate.
You could sort your students into groups of varying ability, from beginner to more intermediate levels. Then repeat the same exercise you did personally, but gauge how your students perform with different string tension levels and also listen to their feedback on their preferences.
🤔🤔🤔👍👍👍👏👏👏
@@evokaiyo isn’t it also misinformation if it’s reported the other way around where lower tension sends shuttle further? 🙈🤔
My mentality is get a high tension racquet if you are an intermediate player and if you don't level up your skill set - lose your racquet!
brutal bruh.
@@MoreThanASwing gotta do what a man's gotta do