Racket

Come to a important equipment in badminton and that is badminton racket. Without a racket, don't even think about getting the game start!

Racket itself has different type of

• stiffness
• length
• grip size
• frame
• balance point

For this week, i will cover on the stiffness of the racket.

Stiffness

Stiffness of racket is mean by how stiff the shaft is. There are a few types of stiffness available for a badminton racket and they are

• Flexible
• Medium
• Stiff
• Extra Stiff

For most starters or beginner, it is better off to start with flexible racket as it is more gentle on your elbow and shoulder joints. Flexible racket allows user who has weak arm to easily generate a powerful shot. As time goes by, if you feel that you are much stronger then you can use a more stiffer racket.

Flexible

As mention earlier, due to its flexibility, this allows weak arm player to generation powerful shots. But if a strong arm user uses racket this type of flexibility, it will make their powerful shots LESS POWERFUL. Another thing to take note is that the control of the racket may not be as good as other racket with higher stiffness.

Medium

Just one level stiffer than flexible. Allow user to generate decent shots as well as control. Some of the beginner uses this stiffness to start off playing the game. Most of them can easily adapt to the stiffness as well as more forgiving. However the risk are still there. If the user cannot take the stiffness, most likely will cause the shoulder joint sore after ending your session.

Stiff

Most low intermediates to high intermediates like to use this level of stiffness. Most 'arm' and 'wristy' player prefer to use this stiffness. Due to the stiffness of the shaft, when player 'flex' the shaft it allows players to maximize the power and control of the racket with fast swing. After you 'flex' it, the shaft will quickly return to its original position faster than flexible racket. This the reason why it was able to produce more power shot than using flexible racket.

Extra Stiff

Most demanding and stiffest of them all. Require user to have strong arm as well as wrist to 'flex' this racket. Once it 'flex' successfully, the power and control are much more powerful then using the stiff racket. Most professional player like to use extra stiff racket for this purpose.

If you can't really understand the stiffness concept, it is no surprise. To understand the concept well, what you need is to see strong player to 'flex' the racket infront of you. (Don't come look for me to demostrate for you, i'm still a beginner. haha)

Alright, that's all folks! Check out my update soon!