Jayce
The 2018 Malaysia Open officially kicked off yesterday, with participants beginning to face their first-round matches.
The competition was fierce, with each player striving to perform at their best. In such a high-stakes environment, how can a player bring out their full potential? Is it about timing, location, or the right mindset? One crucial factor is the correct string tension.
Is Lower Tension Just for Beginners?
Does a higher tension mean a higher skill level?
Are all international players using high-tension rackets to showcase their strength? Should you be using high tension too?
The strings of a badminton racket are the only part that comes into direct contact with the shuttlecock every time you hit the birdie. The quality of each hit is transmitted through the strings to the racket, then to your hand.
Therefore, choosing the right racket, string, and string tension according to your playing style and technique is crucial. Even the slightest difference can affect your performance on the court.
Comparing High and Low Tension
Generally, when the string tension is high, you get better control but less elasticity, whereas lower tension provides more elasticity but less control.
With higher tension, the string bed is stiffer, so the shuttlecock’s contact time with the racket face is shorter. A shorter contact time means the strings have less impact on the hit, thus offering better control over the shuttlecock.
Advantages and Disadvantages of High Tension Stringing
Advantages:
- Better control over the ball.
- Faster hitting speed, offering an advantage at the net.
- Less elasticity in the string bed, resulting in less interference during hitting.
Disadvantages:
- Requires more effort for long shots.
- Demands higher wrist and arm strength.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Low Tension Stringing
Advantages:
- Greater elasticity in the string bed, making it easier to use force effectively.
- Less effort required for long shots.
- Reduced strain on the wrist and arm.
Disadvantages:
- Less control over the ball.
- Power can disperse more easily during hitting.
Excessively high tension may lead to slower ball speed due to reduced string bed indentation and shorter contact time, especially if explosive power is lacking. Conversely, excessively low tension can cause excessive indentation, lengthening contact time and preventing full power transfer to the ball.
String Tension Should Not Be Too High
While high tension offers certain advantages, it also brings inevitable side effects. The most direct impact is the increased demand for explosive power as tension rises. Therefore, selecting the appropriate string tension is not about going as high as possible but rather choosing a tension that matches your ability and technique.
It’s important to note that both excessively high and low tensions will require extra effort with each shot. If you feel that your current tension requires more effort than usual, it may be time to restring and adjust the tension.
How to Choose the Right Tension
When choosing the appropriate string tension, the main consideration should be whether your power can handle it. Once you have sufficient explosive power, you can then consider the impact on control.
The suitable tension is not a specific number but rather a range. Even without external factors, string tension begins to drop as soon as the stringing process is complete. Many players may feel that their racket can perform well for a long period without the tension feeling too low. This is because each player’s optimal tension falls within a range, such as 22-26 lbs or 25-29 lbs.
Case Study
For a player suited to a tension range of 22-26 lbs, using a racket with either too high or too low tension will result in different experiences.
When Tension is Too Low:
- During offensive shots like smashes, the power may feel dispersed and not concentrated, resulting in an unsatisfactory hitting sensation. To achieve a shot that should require 10 units of force, you might need to use 12 units, leading to increased physical exertion.
- During flat drives, the shot speed may feel slower and not proportional to the effort exerted.
When Tension is Too High:
The contact time between the racket face and the ball is too short, preventing the power from being fully transferred. Although 10 units of force are used, only 8 units reach the ball, making long shots feel laborious, with the ball not traveling as far as expected.
Thus, not everyone is suited for high-tension rackets, and using a high-tension racket doesn’t necessarily make you an expert. The key is finding the right tension that suits you, allowing you to maximize your potential.
- The size of the racket frame can also affect string bed tension at the same tension level. Larger racket faces typically require higher tension to achieve the same string bed tension as smaller racket faces.
- If you’re used to high-elasticity strings and want to switch to stiffer strings, it’s recommended to initially lower the string tension to make the transition easier.
- To quickly and effectively find your ideal tension, a suitable badminton string and an excellent stringer are essential factors.
