VS Longying (Dragon Shadow)

Karry September 21, 2024 0

The base color of this racket is avocado green, with a smooth and glossy piano lacquer finish. It features an asymmetric design incorporating elements of the dragon from the Chinese zodiac year. From the Qilin to the Youlong (Soaring Dragon) and now the Longying, it’s clear that Weichen is deeply inspired by traditional Chinese ink art and national style elements in their designs.

The new colorway of the Longying retains the same specifications as the old one, featuring a 6.0mm ultra-thin shaft, which is the main selling point of this racket. The frame adopts a fluid box-like design with 76 holes and full grommet strips on a compact head. When comparing the frame to a certain famous Yonex racket (the ZZ model), there’s more than a slight resemblance, though the ZZ model has a 6.3mm shaft. The gift box includes extras like the Xue Song training manual, Weichen V3 high-elastic strings, wristbands, four Weichen 101 overgrips, and a special Dragon Shadow racket bag.

— Feel on First Use

The Longying in 4UG5 has a dry weight balance point of 300mm. When hitting the shuttle, you can feel a concentrated force at the sweet spot, while the sides of the racket provide a more wrapped sensation, combining rigidity and flexibility, which enhances control. With the solid 6mm shaft, the most noticeable aspect is the undeniable sense of swing. It’s easy to borrow power and return the shuttle with a rebound. However, when whipping it hard, the stability of the Longying might be slightly lacking, and it’s easy to hit out of bounds. But the low energy requirement makes it easy to use, so the benefits outweigh the drawbacks.

— Attack

Thanks to the 300mm high balance point, the Longying excels at downward smashes. The 6.00mm slender solid shaft whips smoothly, bending significantly during smashes. The concealment of point attacks is strong, and it’s easy to generate power. However, the shaft’s rebound stability can sometimes be unreliable, leading to more shots into the net, especially during front and mid-court finishes. It’s essential to be cautious with your strokes, as overly aggressive movements can backfire.

— Defense

The smaller frame naturally reduces the margin for error, so mishits and frame contact are to be expected. Fortunately, the racket has good elasticity, making it easier to lift high defensive shots without much concern.

— Recommendation Summary

The Longying is a forgiving racket, not picky about the user’s technique. Even if your core strength isn’t well-developed or if you’re a beginner, you’ll still find it easy to get accustomed to this racket. It provides solid assistance for improving your attacking and smashing skills.

However, for more advanced amateur players, fully mastering or understanding the nuances of this racket can be challenging. It has the potential to deliver great results with sharp, fast strokes, but fully unlocking its potential requires a deeper level of skill and familiarity.