How many Types of badminton rackets?
You must choose a reliable racket because only with a perfect racquet will be able to play excellently. It becomes strenuous sometimes to know which types of badminton racket are best for you. One racquet may be more suitable for one player but may not be the same for another player. There are different types of badminton racquets. Your proficiency in playing and your style determine which racket you should choose. These types vary based on:
- Weight location
- Shaft flexibility
- Grip of racket
- Tension in racket string
- Head shape of the racket
Different types of badminton rackets based on weight location:
Balance of the racquet is of supreme importance when choosing rackets. The position of the center of the weight is crucial because it tells you whether the head is heavyweight weight or lightweight. There is another type in which the weight center lies in the center of the racket. Here you will find which kind of racket is precise for you.
1- Rackets with massive Heads:
You should select rackets of this category if you want more vitality in your blows. As the name implies, these rackets have heads of enormous weight. “Power rackets” is another name we mostly use for racquets of the heavy head because they deliver a large force to the shuttle. Power rackets are suitable if:
- you are a power player or an offensive player
- who likes to play from the posterior of the playground.
- You like aggressive hits.
- You want to attack the opponent all the time.
An unpleasant aspect of heavy-headed races is that they will slow down your speed of playing. It is not convenient for beginners. The reason behind this is that a heavy head racket makes it difficult for a player to recover quickly.
2- Rackets with light head:
Light head type of badminton rackets is more suitable for you if you want speed in playing badminton. The recovery time of these rackets is much better than heavy head rackets. These rackets are satisfactory if,
- You are a control player or a defensive player
- You want more and more smashes in a short time
- You like to play in the net area
- You want a speed advantage
- You play short swings
You will feel these rackets lighter after hits. The only disadvantage of the light-head racquet is that you will not be able to blow powerful blows. The momentum of your smashes decreases.
3- Even balanced rackets:
You have to go for these rackets when you are a rounder player and like to play from the midst of the ground. Such racquets boost your performance because they are best for powerful blows and smashes. You can easily handle them is the foremost benefit of even balanced racquets.
You can also prefer these rackets if you are a beginner. You can throw clears (high overhand shots), smashes( downward shots), and drops( soft hits) using these rackets.
Types of badminton rackets based on flex:
When selecting the type of badminton racket, it is supreme to keep in view the flexibility of the shaft. It specifies the acceleration of the swing of the racquet. There are two types of badminton shaft.
1- Stiff shaft:
Rackets with stiffer shafts produce fast swings. To handle a power shot, you must have a stiff shafted racquet because slow speed may result in stamina Loss. These are best for you if you have enough vitality. The rigid shaft provides you best control. Your blows will be more precise stiff rackets will prove a weapon if you are a single player. Stiff shaft racquets are advantageous, but too stiff shafts may cause injuries.
2- Flexible shaft:
You can pick out a flexible shaft badminton racket when you have to defend the powerful shots. You must know the meaning of flexibility, and the extent of shaft bending. The flexible shaft bends more easily. When you get an aggressive blow, large sloping will provide more time for a defense. A long time, it takes to overturn the shuttle’s path.
An additional advantage of a flexible shaft is that it does not require much power of muscles to hit the shuttle. That’s why it will not harm your arm. Beginners also feel comfortable using flexible rackets because shots are easy to deliver.
Types of badminton rackets based on the grip:
There are different types of badminton rackets, which we categorize based on the nature of racket grip. You have to choose the best grip. It will give you more control while playing. When the grip of the badminton racket is not suitable for you, it will result in a loss of power in smashes and shots.
1- Rubber badminton grip:
Mostly badminton rackets have a rubber grip. People prefer to change it according to their own choice. That’s why the stuff used in rubber grip is not satisfactory. Your hands will not get enough control over the racket because cheap material makes a racquet slippery. Moreover, this material does not cement rigidly with racquets. These racquets are worse for you if your hands are sweaty.
A good quality grip made of polyurethane can replace it. Now the question arises, when do you have to choose rubber grip rackets? You can prefer them if,
- You don’t want the smell in your hands
- Your hands are dry
- Your palms are not sweaty.
The rubber grips may be ribbed or none ribbed. Selection depends on your style of playing and the type of your hands.
2- Towel Badminton grip:
Artificial rubber blanketed with a cotton layer makes these grips. You can go for these grips when your hands are oily or sweaty. The cloth layer will absorb oil and sweat, and provide more control over the racket.
The quality of the towel grip also matters a lot. If the cloth is not good, it will not properly absorb sweat. It may become stiff after some time. Good quality stuff will remain soft and absorbent for a lengthy period. The disadvantage of towel grip is the smell from hands. Don’t prefer it if you don’t like the smell.
3- Badminton overgrip:
It is a papery material that we rap over the handle. It is not spongy. You can rap this material numerous times over the handle. You can adjust the thickness of the shaft according to requirements.
Types of badminton rackets based on string tension:
Tension in the string also matters much in a player’s performance. There is a sweet spot on the racket, which is the point when the shuttle hits, providing it enormous power. The loose string tension will be best for you if you are a beginner. For advanced players who know the techniques and only motive is to get control and power. They know how to hit the shuttle with sweat spot. The stretched string will provide you with control and strength.
1- Loose string rackets:
They have large sweat spots. Why do we recommend it for beginners? The reason behind this is when you don’t know the methodology, you will make many wrong hits. Loos strings also provide much momentum to the shuttle with our small power. These strings also have more flexibility hence chances of breakage are also reduced.
2- Rigid string rackets
You have to hit precise shots because of the smaller sweet spot. Any wrong hit may result in the breakage of string. Moreover, you should have more strength to provide momentum to the shuttle. Less bending of the racquet string gives you control and precise blows. Therefore these rackets are proposed for expert players who know all the skills.
Different types of badminton rackets based on head shape:
Two kinds of head shapes of racquets are available in the market.
- Oval shape rackets are those in which a sweat spot is present near the top.
- Isometric rackets are those in which sweat spot is equally divided over the head.
Isometric rackets are the best choice because a big sweat spot is more beneficial. It will be easy for you to make smashes, clears, and drops. Oval-shaped rackets will only be reliable for expert players who will be able to make right whacks.
Conclusion:
for you. You can select a racquet according to your level and style of playing. The question of the length of the badminton racket arises. It does not matter much in your performance. The typical length is 665mm to 675mm. Length can be up to 680mm, but these rackets fall in the category of long racquets. The only advantage is more power with long racquets. Beginners can also prefer lightweight rackets of 80 to 84g, while progressive players usually select heavyweight racquets of 84to 89g. The best choice of the racquet will make you the best player. Your performance will boost up.
