One easy badminton scheme often used in singles is to serve long and
high to your opponent's back court. This will force your adversary to
move back to the baseline and open up his forecourt.
hurl in some disguised reduced assist rarely and you might just catch your opponent off guard and win a issue outright.
Nowadays
in professional men's records, you seldom see them use the long assist.
This is because the expert players are exceedingly athletic and possess
large techniques. They can leap really high and shatter powerfully even
from the baseline.
It all counts who you are playing with. If
the high serve turns out to be your opponent's very popular and put you
under force, use the low assist.
Always try to strike the shuttle
away from your opponent and make your adversary move round the court.
One exception to this direct is that when you meet a tall opponent, you
might want to shatter directly to his body to gain an benefit.
Observe your opponent's power, weakness, very popular shots and pattern of play. Use it to your benefit.
Your
aim is to make your adversary play a feeble come back, such as a feeble
backhand shot from the back court. If your plan works and forces a
error or a poor come back which you can make a 'kill', use it again. If
it is not working then have the courage to make alterations. The key is
to be flexible.
If you are in a tough position in the game and
your opponent is not, you need to make time for yourself to get back to a
favorable place. Do this by hitting the shuttle high towards the back
of the court, preferably beside the middle of the baseline. Your
opponent will find it tough to catch you out with acute angled returns
from there.
Remember habitually to get back to your groundwork
position in the midcourt locality after making each shot. This is a
place where you can possibly reach any of your opponent's shots.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Li-Ning Air-Stream N55-III
Had a swing with the racket this evening at a singles session and decided to write a little about it since I managed to get enough play time to get a good first sense.
First off, this is one pretty racket. Along with the rest of the Li-Ning N-III series rackets, the N55-III comes in two variations - Gold / Purple and Silver / Black.
Now that you're done drooling over the sneak peak, it's down to talking about the performance.
The Li-Ning Air-Stream N55-III comes off as a very head heavy racket. Very. I had a little difficulty getting used to the weight, and for about two to three games in I was still thinking that the racket is too heavy for its own good.
And then the jump smash happened.
What's special about this racket is the Air-Stream technology, where holes are cut into the head frame to allow a higher level of aero-dynamism.
First off, this is one pretty racket. Along with the rest of the Li-Ning N-III series rackets, the N55-III comes in two variations - Gold / Purple and Silver / Black.
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| This one here's the Gold / Purple version. |
The Li-Ning Air-Stream N55-III comes off as a very head heavy racket. Very. I had a little difficulty getting used to the weight, and for about two to three games in I was still thinking that the racket is too heavy for its own good.
And then the jump smash happened.
What's special about this racket is the Air-Stream technology, where holes are cut into the head frame to allow a higher level of aero-dynamism.
What it does it it manages to pull off a very fast downward stroke very quickly, which means that the shots come down steep and fast. I managed to pull off quite the angle with my jump smashes today.
Defense-wise it doesn't come off very impressive, what being a monster at the head heavy department and all. I've to test this out in a fast game of doubles before I say anything about this though.
But all in all, the racket surprised me with the steepness and speed of the attacks that it produces. Heavy heads pull off clears quite well so I won't touch on that for now.
More with the review.
New Badminton Racket Launch: Yonex Nanoray Z-Speed
As most of you would have heard by now, Yonex's latest racket has set another world record for fastest badminton hit of 493 km/h. That means at the moment of contact, the shuttle moved at that speed.
We've seen the malaysian men's doubles pair use it in the 2013 BWF World Championship, and here it is, finally unveiled.
Slated for release 13 Sept slightly before the Yonex Japan Open, this stunned in deep orange looks set to top the sales chart and give Li-Ning a run for its money.
This one comes with a whole array of new technologies that Yonex claims can increase swing speed by 10%, hence increasing your smash speed.
One of the more interesting techs is the snap back zone, which means they've made the 3 and 9 o'clock of the head frame a little thinner to allow a sudden snapping motion from your smash, translating that into greater force.
I've extracted these from their site to make for easier reading. All images extracted from www.yonex.com/nanoray
They've even got a nice video to tell you about their new achievement. Watch the video and learn about the technologies behind the Yonex Nanoray Z-Speed.
We've seen the malaysian men's doubles pair use it in the 2013 BWF World Championship, and here it is, finally unveiled.
 |
| Photo: www.yonex.com/nanoray |
This one comes with a whole array of new technologies that Yonex claims can increase swing speed by 10%, hence increasing your smash speed.
One of the more interesting techs is the snap back zone, which means they've made the 3 and 9 o'clock of the head frame a little thinner to allow a sudden snapping motion from your smash, translating that into greater force.
I've extracted these from their site to make for easier reading. All images extracted from www.yonex.com/nanoray
The racket comes in 2U and 3U, and can take up to a recommended tension of 28lbs for the 2U and 27lbs for the 3U. That means you probably can string it to the low 30lbs range if you're the tension crazy sort.
Looking forward to this? More to come.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Yonex ArcSaber 2 Tour
This turned out to be quite a lucky find. I was rummaging through the box of on-offer rackets that the stringer has and chanced upon this "Made in Japan" ArcSaber.
So I got it and put a yellow grip around it to make it pretty. My buddy (who beat me three straight games in singles tonight, kudos!) made a remark that the racket seems a bit light.
And he was proven right when I brought it to the court for testing. The clears weren't coming across during stroking, and the backhands were terrible.
The whole thing just seemed to lack strength.
So the time came for me to take this to the court. Oh how the ArcSaber 2 Tour redeemed itself!
I wasn't able to use much backhand clears (I substituted them with the tight drop shot), but the control that this racket has is amazing.
Anywhere on the court, I could place the shuttle reasonably well. The smashes from this also came off very sharply.
Overall a nice tight racket. I may not recommend a long clearing game with this, but for those players hungry for control this will be a blast.
Of course I'll wait about 6-hours before commiting to a review. We all know how some rackets have a habit of losing their charm after the first impression.
Till soon.
So I got it and put a yellow grip around it to make it pretty. My buddy (who beat me three straight games in singles tonight, kudos!) made a remark that the racket seems a bit light.
And he was proven right when I brought it to the court for testing. The clears weren't coming across during stroking, and the backhands were terrible.
The whole thing just seemed to lack strength.
So the time came for me to take this to the court. Oh how the ArcSaber 2 Tour redeemed itself!
I wasn't able to use much backhand clears (I substituted them with the tight drop shot), but the control that this racket has is amazing.
Anywhere on the court, I could place the shuttle reasonably well. The smashes from this also came off very sharply.
Overall a nice tight racket. I may not recommend a long clearing game with this, but for those players hungry for control this will be a blast.
Of course I'll wait about 6-hours before commiting to a review. We all know how some rackets have a habit of losing their charm after the first impression.
Till soon.
New Strings: Pro-Kennex Pro Flex 63
Saw these while I was at the stringer's today, and got a pair to try because they come in really cool carbon colors.
Got one strung at 25lbs and one at 27lbs. As with the rest of the Pro-Kennex strings, this one offers very good repulsion, and at first try the one strung at 27lbs seemed to offer a bit more control (the shuttle doesn't freely fly off from the string bed when I juggle it).
Problem with this string is that the 0.63mm thickness might make it a little less durable than most.
Will the feel and power from this string overcome the downside of less durability? More to come.
Badminton Racket Review: Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng
First impressions here.
What first struck me was the design of the racket (what else, right?), and also the amount of flex that Li-Ning gave to it. They're a fan of stiff rackets, but this one came across with a medium flex feel, which made me feel good.
About time they made head heavy rackets with a slightly flexible shaft.
The results were notably good, with the N9 performing well in many areas of the court. If you're looking for a slightly flexible N90 without the overly head-heavy distribution of the N90-II, this one might be a choice for you.
The N9 also comes with a rather innovative head shape. It's sword shaped on the top half, but cuts inwards to form a armored shaft ala the Nanoray 700RP. This gives it a very unique feel - it brings the head weight distribution slightly lower towards the t-joint, makes the swings a little faster, but delivers the punch because of the heavier and more stable t-joint area.
This would a lot more welcome if they were to win the BWF World Championships, but this is a good racket that's worth shouting about so here goes.
Note. This review is my opinion of the racket for my use. Take this with a pinch of salt since I don't play the game as well as most of you out there. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with this racket. Comments welcome!
Ok here goes.
Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng
Est. Dry Weight: 89g (3U)
Grip Size: S2
Balance: Head Heavy
Stiffness: Medium
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs
I recommend this racket for heavy smashers (it's made for use by Fu Hai Feng, people).
Defense
Anyone who's ever used a head heavy racket and compared it to a head light one would tell you how it usually swings slower. This slower swing speed is compensated with a heavier block towards the back court.
Remember what I said about the unique head shape of the N9? This comes into play when I try to explain why this racket isn't as slow as I had initially thought it would be.
The Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng feels like an even balanced racket on the defense. This is largely due to the weight distribution closer to the t-joint instead of being at the very top.
The racket suffers less from the slower swing than its head heavier counterparts, but has enough mass at the t-joint to deliver a good lift to the back if needed.
From lifts to blocks and drives, the N9 performs admirably in the games that I've given it. The medium flex might take a little more power from the hard blocks, but overall I was pretty impressed with how fast it responded.
Attack
"TurboCharging" and "Fu Hai Feng" sounds like this racket has steroids imbued into its graphite. The sadistic thing is that it actually feels like it does.
Attacking strokes with this racket feels true and powerful. The heavier t-joint gives you a very good accuracy on the smashes and the drives, and this is always a nice gift to someone who doesn't rely much on attacking like myself.
I've always been a fan of flexibility in the shaft when it comes to giving that long big swing to smash it home. It was made the Yonex Voltric 70 a winner, and it is what makes the Li-Ning N9 such a potent attacking racket.
Very powerful attacks.
Control
Here's when it sounds a little too good to be true. The Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng actually gives you a pretty decent aim, given its propensity to put its users into overdrive berserk mode.
I give kudos to the solid t-joint (I have got to figure out what they call this head frame shape...).
Ok I just checked the racket and it's called the Dynamic-Optimum Frame.
So kudos to the solid Dynamic-Optimum Frame, which grants this racket the accuracy without losing out much on the power. Rackets that feature variations of this technology (i.e. Yonex Voltric series, Nanoray 700RP) tend to also be devastating in both attack and accuracy, and the N9 doesn't come across as any much different.
When I take a shot, I tell myself where I want the shuttle to go, move to the shuttle, swing, and see how it turns out.
The N9 gave me very few surprises. Nice.
Looks
Black and gold adorns the entire racket, making this a very majestic beast. Li-Ning rackets have progressively improve in design (seriously, has anyone seen the first generation N50?), and this is a tremendous effort in making badminton look sexy.
What first struck me was the design of the racket (what else, right?), and also the amount of flex that Li-Ning gave to it. They're a fan of stiff rackets, but this one came across with a medium flex feel, which made me feel good.
About time they made head heavy rackets with a slightly flexible shaft.
The results were notably good, with the N9 performing well in many areas of the court. If you're looking for a slightly flexible N90 without the overly head-heavy distribution of the N90-II, this one might be a choice for you.
The N9 also comes with a rather innovative head shape. It's sword shaped on the top half, but cuts inwards to form a armored shaft ala the Nanoray 700RP. This gives it a very unique feel - it brings the head weight distribution slightly lower towards the t-joint, makes the swings a little faster, but delivers the punch because of the heavier and more stable t-joint area.
This would a lot more welcome if they were to win the BWF World Championships, but this is a good racket that's worth shouting about so here goes.
Note. This review is my opinion of the racket for my use. Take this with a pinch of salt since I don't play the game as well as most of you out there. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with this racket. Comments welcome!
Ok here goes.
Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng
Est. Dry Weight: 89g (3U)
Grip Size: S2
Balance: Head Heavy
Stiffness: Medium
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs
I recommend this racket for heavy smashers (it's made for use by Fu Hai Feng, people).
Defense
Anyone who's ever used a head heavy racket and compared it to a head light one would tell you how it usually swings slower. This slower swing speed is compensated with a heavier block towards the back court.
Remember what I said about the unique head shape of the N9? This comes into play when I try to explain why this racket isn't as slow as I had initially thought it would be.
The Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng feels like an even balanced racket on the defense. This is largely due to the weight distribution closer to the t-joint instead of being at the very top.
The racket suffers less from the slower swing than its head heavier counterparts, but has enough mass at the t-joint to deliver a good lift to the back if needed.
From lifts to blocks and drives, the N9 performs admirably in the games that I've given it. The medium flex might take a little more power from the hard blocks, but overall I was pretty impressed with how fast it responded.
Attack
"TurboCharging" and "Fu Hai Feng" sounds like this racket has steroids imbued into its graphite. The sadistic thing is that it actually feels like it does.
Attacking strokes with this racket feels true and powerful. The heavier t-joint gives you a very good accuracy on the smashes and the drives, and this is always a nice gift to someone who doesn't rely much on attacking like myself.
I've always been a fan of flexibility in the shaft when it comes to giving that long big swing to smash it home. It was made the Yonex Voltric 70 a winner, and it is what makes the Li-Ning N9 such a potent attacking racket.
Very powerful attacks.
Control
Here's when it sounds a little too good to be true. The Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng actually gives you a pretty decent aim, given its propensity to put its users into overdrive berserk mode.
I give kudos to the solid t-joint (I have got to figure out what they call this head frame shape...).
Ok I just checked the racket and it's called the Dynamic-Optimum Frame.
So kudos to the solid Dynamic-Optimum Frame, which grants this racket the accuracy without losing out much on the power. Rackets that feature variations of this technology (i.e. Yonex Voltric series, Nanoray 700RP) tend to also be devastating in both attack and accuracy, and the N9 doesn't come across as any much different.
When I take a shot, I tell myself where I want the shuttle to go, move to the shuttle, swing, and see how it turns out.
The N9 gave me very few surprises. Nice.
Looks
Black and gold adorns the entire racket, making this a very majestic beast. Li-Ning rackets have progressively improve in design (seriously, has anyone seen the first generation N50?), and this is a tremendous effort in making badminton look sexy.
Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng
Defense: 8
Attack: 10
Control: 9
Looks: 10
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng
So this was the other racket that I brought to the singles session last night. And here is my first impressions on this.
The Li-Ning N9 is a slick racket, with black and gold adorning the entire racket from the head down the shaft, fading to an elegant white at the cone.
At first handling the racket felt very heavy, characteristic of the Fu Hai Feng playing style of hard shuttle smashing. The head wasn't very mobile when I tried to juggle the shuttle around, and initial thoughts of a slow defending come to me.
Flashback to when I first started with the Yonex Armortec 900 Power, and all the useless attempts at defense with its ridiculously heavy head.
But then again it's been a few years, and I think the racket makers have learnt a little lesson with head heavy rackets.
The Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng comes with a unique head shape, the top half resembling the sword shape that allows you to cut through the air with ease, the bottom half reversing to an armored frame that resembles the Yonex Voltric series, adding to the weight and stability for the downswing and resultant destructive aftermath.
This gives rise to a potentially powerful racket, and it shows by the lack of effort needed from one to sent the shuttle to the back of the court. From high forehand clears to the backhand straights, the racket does the shots with ease.
The natural downward momentum of the N9 also makes quick drop shots an ease to execute. A small swing is all you need to start the strong, and the pressure applied at the gripping point gives you the length and sharpness you'll need for that deceptive shot.
What didn't come across was the powerful smash. Since it was singles and my playing style really isn't the heavy hitting sort, I can't say much about the racket's power.
However, the Li-Ning N9 does have a natural whip to it, owing to the slightly flexible shaft, and this brings back memories of the Yonex Voltric 70 and it's powerful smashes.
I'll have to take this to doubles tomorrow to find out :)
Review soon.
The Li-Ning N9 is a slick racket, with black and gold adorning the entire racket from the head down the shaft, fading to an elegant white at the cone.
At first handling the racket felt very heavy, characteristic of the Fu Hai Feng playing style of hard shuttle smashing. The head wasn't very mobile when I tried to juggle the shuttle around, and initial thoughts of a slow defending come to me.
Flashback to when I first started with the Yonex Armortec 900 Power, and all the useless attempts at defense with its ridiculously heavy head.
But then again it's been a few years, and I think the racket makers have learnt a little lesson with head heavy rackets.
The Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng comes with a unique head shape, the top half resembling the sword shape that allows you to cut through the air with ease, the bottom half reversing to an armored frame that resembles the Yonex Voltric series, adding to the weight and stability for the downswing and resultant destructive aftermath.
This gives rise to a potentially powerful racket, and it shows by the lack of effort needed from one to sent the shuttle to the back of the court. From high forehand clears to the backhand straights, the racket does the shots with ease.
The natural downward momentum of the N9 also makes quick drop shots an ease to execute. A small swing is all you need to start the strong, and the pressure applied at the gripping point gives you the length and sharpness you'll need for that deceptive shot.
What didn't come across was the powerful smash. Since it was singles and my playing style really isn't the heavy hitting sort, I can't say much about the racket's power.
However, the Li-Ning N9 does have a natural whip to it, owing to the slightly flexible shaft, and this brings back memories of the Yonex Voltric 70 and it's powerful smashes.
I'll have to take this to doubles tomorrow to find out :)
Review soon.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Li-Ning 3D Break-Free 80 Speed
The first time I tried this racket I couldn't get a good feel as I was playing in a really big hall and the shuttle speed really put me off the game.
Everything that came off the Li-Ning 3D Break-Free 80 Speed seemed to lack the power and sharpness that came with it's higher-end counterpart.
But I finally got a chance to put it to a proper test today on the singles court, and I can say that I'm rather impressed with the results.
Like the N80, the 3D Break-Free 80 Speed swings fast and true. The speed I could get off the racket is alarming, and it helped boost the shot strength significantly. However, I do want to note that the clears coming off this racket sometimes seem a little short, and that opens you up to the heavier attacks from the opponent's mid-court.
This is not much of a problem though, what with the increased defense capabilities of the racket.
Having such a fast swing speed also meant that defense gets a natural boost. I can remember a few times when I could throw off the opponent with a well-timed swing following some wicked reflex.
Somehow, I move faster when yielding lighter rackets, and the 80 Speed does weigh in a little less than the N80, so I found moving around the court with the silver racket an ease.
As expected from a lighter racket, the smashes didn't seem powerful enough, thought targeting isn't a problem. I was able to place the shots well enough to get decent second attacks, but the hard hitters were returned without much of a hassle from the opponent.
Comparing that to the N80, it's a world of difference.
Overall I did enjoy the session with the Li-Ning 3D Break-Free 80 Speed. I had another racket with me, but I ended up using this more because I wanted to see where this could take me.
Review soon.
Everything that came off the Li-Ning 3D Break-Free 80 Speed seemed to lack the power and sharpness that came with it's higher-end counterpart.
But I finally got a chance to put it to a proper test today on the singles court, and I can say that I'm rather impressed with the results.
Like the N80, the 3D Break-Free 80 Speed swings fast and true. The speed I could get off the racket is alarming, and it helped boost the shot strength significantly. However, I do want to note that the clears coming off this racket sometimes seem a little short, and that opens you up to the heavier attacks from the opponent's mid-court.
This is not much of a problem though, what with the increased defense capabilities of the racket.
Having such a fast swing speed also meant that defense gets a natural boost. I can remember a few times when I could throw off the opponent with a well-timed swing following some wicked reflex.
Somehow, I move faster when yielding lighter rackets, and the 80 Speed does weigh in a little less than the N80, so I found moving around the court with the silver racket an ease.
As expected from a lighter racket, the smashes didn't seem powerful enough, thought targeting isn't a problem. I was able to place the shots well enough to get decent second attacks, but the hard hitters were returned without much of a hassle from the opponent.
Comparing that to the N80, it's a world of difference.
Overall I did enjoy the session with the Li-Ning 3D Break-Free 80 Speed. I had another racket with me, but I ended up using this more because I wanted to see where this could take me.
Review soon.
New hotness: Li-Ning TurboCharging N9 Fu Hai Feng
Went shoe shopping and ended up with a new racket from Li-Ning's latest series. Branded as Fu Ha Feng's racket, the N9 comes with a rather flexible shaft and a heavy head. Comes paired with Cai Yun's N7 counterpart.
Looks awesome too.
Looks awesome too.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Victor Thruster K8000
So I took the new toy out for a spin and here's how it felt. I had mix of singles and doubles games lasting about 3 hours in total.
Right off you can feel that it's got that natural weight that will save you a lot of energy when playing, especially singles. It's a little whippy than the other Victor rackets (which can be stiff as heck), and you really can see that from the very long clears that I can get from my backhand strokes.
I didn't get a chance to restring my racket after procurement, so the feel's a bit off when I try the more intricate shots like the net drops and the drives. Smashes came off ok, the catapult system from the TK8000 working like a charm.
The Thruster K8000 didn't feel sluggish in defense, in fact it weighs a little less than what my impression of a 3U racket would be. This made the shots a little easier to pull off, and I found myself sticking to the racket for my singles game that day.
Overall the Victor Thruster K8000 performed well. I got it restrung at the end of the day and will await the next session so I can test it out for a proper review.
Right off you can feel that it's got that natural weight that will save you a lot of energy when playing, especially singles. It's a little whippy than the other Victor rackets (which can be stiff as heck), and you really can see that from the very long clears that I can get from my backhand strokes.
I didn't get a chance to restring my racket after procurement, so the feel's a bit off when I try the more intricate shots like the net drops and the drives. Smashes came off ok, the catapult system from the TK8000 working like a charm.
The Thruster K8000 didn't feel sluggish in defense, in fact it weighs a little less than what my impression of a 3U racket would be. This made the shots a little easier to pull off, and I found myself sticking to the racket for my singles game that day.
Overall the Victor Thruster K8000 performed well. I got it restrung at the end of the day and will await the next session so I can test it out for a proper review.
New hotness: Victor Thruster K8000
It's nice to get my hands on a new racket. It's even nicer to get to know a fellow enthusiast in the process.
Thanks for the nice conversation Calvin! I'll give this a swing tomorrow and hope your ankle gets better!
Thanks for the nice conversation Calvin! I'll give this a swing tomorrow and hope your ankle gets better!
New record-breaking racket from Yonex?
Saw this on their website. Looks like they're trying to break another speed record.
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| http://www.yonex.co.jp/smash/ |
Badminton Shoe Review: Yonex SHB-01 Limited
My second pair of Yonex badminton shoes! And aren't these a beauty.. Couldn't resist the purple and green combo.
When you can't play a very good game of badminton, at least you can make them look at your shoes in envy!
Note: This review is my opinion of the shoe from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how the shoe feels and if it added to the game. Comments welcome!
Comfort
The SHB-01 is meant to wrap around your entire foot - top and bottom - so as to achieve a non-slip feel as you move around the court. The tight hold it has probably means it's not really suitable for those with broad feet.
For those whom it serves, it will serve well. The shoes offer very good comfort as they hold firmly. Apart from the feet getting really warm over time (it's not got a lot of ventilation like the Mizunos), the Yonex SHB-01 really did offer a lot of comfort.
One thing I did feel, however, was the tongue cutting into my ankle as I ran around. This was rectified by making sure you pull it right up when you wear em. Prolonged use will also soften it up.
Stability / Grip
The soles of the shoe look like they're of some mid / low end range. No more of the complex sole mechanics that came with my previous SHB-101LTD. This one's more of a two-piece, no nonsense make. Not that it doesn't get the job done, but you get the feel that Yonex was probably pulling your leg about the previous one.
Those who are used to a broader shoe (I'm talking to the Li-Ning users out there), watch your step with these narrower tips.
One the court
I constantly find myself looking down at the shoe to see how nice they were. Other than that I don't feel any need to worry about my footing.
The Yonex SHB-01 Limited gives a very good grip, with excellent stability and a nice firm hold on your foot. Non-slip, fast-paced.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Victor Meteor X Jung Jae Sung and Li-Ning Woods N80
I recently got my hands on these two rackets and took them out on a test in this evening's game of singles. While the MX X JJS only had a one-game run, the N80 stood out more and had the opportunity to be tested further. I'll write for both of them anyway, since I've got quite a good experience from the two rackets.
Victor Meteor X JJS
From what little time I had on the court with this (about one game actually), I can probably only say that this racket can smash! When you first hold the racket it didn't feel as head-heavy as you think it is. Even on the swing you're probably looking at an even-balance racket at most.
But all that chances once the shuttle hits the stringbed. The Meteor X JJS produces a relatively fast swing, which translate to a really satisfying crack at the shuttle when you get behind it. It made me want to smash even more. And I did, though I did notice that the shuttles came off harder than faster.
Defense seemed to suffer a little, but that one will have to be tested more. On hindsight, the Victor Meteor X Jung Jae Sung felt a little like a Li-Ning Woods N90.
Li-Ning Woods N80
First off, I want to just say that this racket looks like a dream. Gold and silver mixed in just right to form a very elegant piece of art.
The Li-Ning N80 swings heck of a lot faster than the Meteor JJS. The sword-like design cuts through the air with a very satisfying swish. Add that to the slightly flexible shaft and you've got yourself a pretty good weapon.
I found the N80 quick on the defense but more importantly, wonderful in control. It seemed to be able to put out the shots that I wanted, easily and without my wrist taking too much trouble. Straight drives down the side tramlines were effortless, as were wrist smashes that could cover both sides of the court.
The racket feels good to hold, and is really quite an experience to play with.
From the get-go it seems like the MX JJS will be more suited for doubles, while the N80 will be a really good singles racket.
Looking forward to reviewing them both.
To all the readers
I'd like to start this post by thanking all the readers who have come to give my blog a view. I started this blog wanting to share my passion for the sport and the many sorts of equipment and strategies out there.
From the start till now, I've purchased and traded a lot of rackets (the current number I've got stashed in my room stands at 53), and I do hope that I get to review all of them one day.
I thank all who take time to read my writing, all who have asked me questions, all who have given feedback, and for those who have said words of encouragement.
We've crossed 280,000 views, and I've never really expected to so many people come to the site. As we move onwards to explore the wonderful game I'd bed,I think please feel free to let me know if there's anything you'd like to see on this site.
Here's to more fun times! Arthur, out.
From the start till now, I've purchased and traded a lot of rackets (the current number I've got stashed in my room stands at 53), and I do hope that I get to review all of them one day.
I thank all who take time to read my writing, all who have asked me questions, all who have given feedback, and for those who have said words of encouragement.
We've crossed 280,000 views, and I've never really expected to so many people come to the site. As we move onwards to explore the wonderful game I'd bed,I think please feel free to let me know if there's anything you'd like to see on this site.
Here's to more fun times! Arthur, out.
New Hotness: Victor Meteor Jung Jae Sung
Yet another limited edition racket in my collection :)
Took a bite at an opportunity that arose from the BC Forums and got this one at a reasonable price. Thanks to the kind soul (come to think of it I never got your name) who passed this beauty on, and all the best for your driving lessons!
First Impressions and Review soon (I hope).
Took a bite at an opportunity that arose from the BC Forums and got this one at a reasonable price. Thanks to the kind soul (come to think of it I never got your name) who passed this beauty on, and all the best for your driving lessons!
First Impressions and Review soon (I hope).
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| Source: http://www.yumo.ca |
Badminton Racket Review: Yonex Armortec 900 Technique
First impressions here.
This one has been sitting around for quite a bit because there's really too much rackets in my bag to want to bring this out for a test. I've also recently went back to the trusty old Yonex Nanogy 98 and have been putting the Armortec 900 Technique until I can get the strings replaced.
But I decided against it and took the racket out for a swing with its current string. Surprisingly this racket is probably one of the few rackets that can bring out a powerful smash from the NGB99. I had a very good impression of the racket, and didn't have to bring out my spare racket for the day until the grip gave way from too much smashing.
Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from my use. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with this racket. Comments welcome!
Ok here goes.
Yonex Armortec 900 Technique
Est. Dry Weight: 97g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 99 @ 25lbs
I recommend this racket for doubles play.
Defense
I rate defense above all in the game of badminton, and this racket does not disappoint. It's got a fast swing for a head-heavy racket, and the blocks that come off the racket are pretty good. I was able to take on most of the smashes coming at me, the Yonex Armortec 900 Technique providing enough power behind the lifts and stability off the blocks.
One thing I found really enjoyable with this racket was intercepting flat smashes with a drive defense. Those who play with me regularly will know is one of my favorite moves, and the AT900T really pulls this off well. It may not be as fast as the other lighter rackets I have, which makes blocking at the net a little more cumbersome, but it's fast enough to be lethal if you get yourself a flat enough smash to turn around.
Attack
Head-heavy racket, fast swing speed, the rest is up to your deduction.
Even at 25lbs, the racket was able to pack quite a punch to its smashes from the back court. I had a lot of fun thumping down the smashes and throwing in a few angles here and there.
Even with the overhead smashes the Armortec 900 Technique performs admirably. I could get quite a bit of power into the overheads, even more than my usual amount.
Drives with this racket are enjoyable as well, though not as brutal as those you get from the Voltrics. Taking aim at the body and whipping in a good one seems easy enough to want to do over and over.
Another thing I noticed, and I'm giving the strings quite a bit of the credit here, are the excellent level drop shots that I can get off this racket. The Yonex Armortec 900 Technique is able to take shuttles late enough and still keep it close enough to the net for a threatening soft shot.
I seldom write that much about a racket's attack, but the AT900T's really made it enjoyable to take the offensive with.
Control
This is one more for the strings since I think the NBG99 are really good for control (they're marketed that way to begin with - extra braided to get that extra grip on the shuttle).
Quite a number if higher-skill shots I performed today were pulled off without much punishment from the opponent. The weight transfer in the racket felt just right, whether I was going for the cross-court drop shot off a good serve return or if I was a little late in getting to that flat lift and I wanted to give a drop shot down the channel.
Lifts to the back court were done without a glitch, and the excellent defense from this racket made me feel confident that I could take on most smashes and drops.
Even with the long clears, there isn't much drag from the racket when performing an overhead, and that allows you to take to the next position quickly.
Good stuff.
Looks
White has always been a popular color with shuttlers, and the Yonex Armortec 900 Technique is no less classier. Alternating bands of white and grey line the base of the head frame, leading to the T-Joint where the boxy font of the Armortec series comes in.
The 3 and 9 o'clock for the head frame adds to the color with signature red and black, rounding up at the top with the customary "technique" typography right at the top against a silver-grey coat.
This one has been sitting around for quite a bit because there's really too much rackets in my bag to want to bring this out for a test. I've also recently went back to the trusty old Yonex Nanogy 98 and have been putting the Armortec 900 Technique until I can get the strings replaced.
But I decided against it and took the racket out for a swing with its current string. Surprisingly this racket is probably one of the few rackets that can bring out a powerful smash from the NGB99. I had a very good impression of the racket, and didn't have to bring out my spare racket for the day until the grip gave way from too much smashing.
Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from my use. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with this racket. Comments welcome!
Ok here goes.
Yonex Armortec 900 Technique
Est. Dry Weight: 97g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 99 @ 25lbs
I recommend this racket for doubles play.
Defense
I rate defense above all in the game of badminton, and this racket does not disappoint. It's got a fast swing for a head-heavy racket, and the blocks that come off the racket are pretty good. I was able to take on most of the smashes coming at me, the Yonex Armortec 900 Technique providing enough power behind the lifts and stability off the blocks.
One thing I found really enjoyable with this racket was intercepting flat smashes with a drive defense. Those who play with me regularly will know is one of my favorite moves, and the AT900T really pulls this off well. It may not be as fast as the other lighter rackets I have, which makes blocking at the net a little more cumbersome, but it's fast enough to be lethal if you get yourself a flat enough smash to turn around.
Attack
Head-heavy racket, fast swing speed, the rest is up to your deduction.
Even at 25lbs, the racket was able to pack quite a punch to its smashes from the back court. I had a lot of fun thumping down the smashes and throwing in a few angles here and there.
Even with the overhead smashes the Armortec 900 Technique performs admirably. I could get quite a bit of power into the overheads, even more than my usual amount.
Drives with this racket are enjoyable as well, though not as brutal as those you get from the Voltrics. Taking aim at the body and whipping in a good one seems easy enough to want to do over and over.
Another thing I noticed, and I'm giving the strings quite a bit of the credit here, are the excellent level drop shots that I can get off this racket. The Yonex Armortec 900 Technique is able to take shuttles late enough and still keep it close enough to the net for a threatening soft shot.
I seldom write that much about a racket's attack, but the AT900T's really made it enjoyable to take the offensive with.
Control
This is one more for the strings since I think the NBG99 are really good for control (they're marketed that way to begin with - extra braided to get that extra grip on the shuttle).
Quite a number if higher-skill shots I performed today were pulled off without much punishment from the opponent. The weight transfer in the racket felt just right, whether I was going for the cross-court drop shot off a good serve return or if I was a little late in getting to that flat lift and I wanted to give a drop shot down the channel.
Lifts to the back court were done without a glitch, and the excellent defense from this racket made me feel confident that I could take on most smashes and drops.
Even with the long clears, there isn't much drag from the racket when performing an overhead, and that allows you to take to the next position quickly.
Good stuff.
Looks
White has always been a popular color with shuttlers, and the Yonex Armortec 900 Technique is no less classier. Alternating bands of white and grey line the base of the head frame, leading to the T-Joint where the boxy font of the Armortec series comes in.
The 3 and 9 o'clock for the head frame adds to the color with signature red and black, rounding up at the top with the customary "technique" typography right at the top against a silver-grey coat.
Yonex Armortec 900 Technique
Defense: 9
Attack: 9
Control: 9
Looks: 8
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Yonex ArcSaber Flash Boost
This racket grew on me. The longer I looked at it the more I wanted to buy it. And now that I did, I'm glad to say that the Yonex ArcSaber Flash Boost has performed admirably in its first test.
With more of my singles game played using this racket, I was able to get a good feel of what the players on the forum were talking about.
There were mixed reviews on this racket - I had a friend telling me how this racket will seriously screw up our swing and hitting, what with the light weight of the racket and the slightly hollow feel. There were people on the forum who were raving about how wonderful this racket is.
And so now, after a good two-hour session of singles, I'm able to give a little comment on the nicely designed racket.
Dubbed Yonex's lightest racket to date, the Flash Boost comes in at a modest 76g unstrung. The people at the marketing department calls this weight category the F weight.
When you first hold the racket, it indeed felt like you ere holding nothing at all. I am familiar with this sensation however, of Karakal BN60 fame.
First swings with this racket produced quite satisfactory experience. The shuttle was able to come off nicely from the swing and the shots produced were solid and well-placed.
On to the games, and the feel actually got better. Smashes were nice and steep, requiring next to no energy to pull off. I found myself at ease quite bit throughout the matches.
Light weight rackets usually favour the backhand stroke, but the ArcSaber Flash Boost seemed to come of a little different. I had difficulty pulling off a good backhand clear, and I attribute it to the swing speed of the racket.
Defense was great, however, and I found myself taking a step back from being too anxious. It's a good thing, and the returns were of high calibre.
Another notable problem came through when I wanted to use the racket to block a smash. Often times the weight of the racket doesn't allow you to get decent energy into the hit, resulting in disappointing net hits.
But that won't spoil my mood. The Yonex ArcSaber Flash Boost gives me a good feel so far, and I'm going to try it out against a nice doubles to see how fast I can go with this.
Review eventually.
With more of my singles game played using this racket, I was able to get a good feel of what the players on the forum were talking about.
There were mixed reviews on this racket - I had a friend telling me how this racket will seriously screw up our swing and hitting, what with the light weight of the racket and the slightly hollow feel. There were people on the forum who were raving about how wonderful this racket is.
And so now, after a good two-hour session of singles, I'm able to give a little comment on the nicely designed racket.
Dubbed Yonex's lightest racket to date, the Flash Boost comes in at a modest 76g unstrung. The people at the marketing department calls this weight category the F weight.
When you first hold the racket, it indeed felt like you ere holding nothing at all. I am familiar with this sensation however, of Karakal BN60 fame.
First swings with this racket produced quite satisfactory experience. The shuttle was able to come off nicely from the swing and the shots produced were solid and well-placed.
On to the games, and the feel actually got better. Smashes were nice and steep, requiring next to no energy to pull off. I found myself at ease quite bit throughout the matches.
Light weight rackets usually favour the backhand stroke, but the ArcSaber Flash Boost seemed to come of a little different. I had difficulty pulling off a good backhand clear, and I attribute it to the swing speed of the racket.
Defense was great, however, and I found myself taking a step back from being too anxious. It's a good thing, and the returns were of high calibre.
Another notable problem came through when I wanted to use the racket to block a smash. Often times the weight of the racket doesn't allow you to get decent energy into the hit, resulting in disappointing net hits.
But that won't spoil my mood. The Yonex ArcSaber Flash Boost gives me a good feel so far, and I'm going to try it out against a nice doubles to see how fast I can go with this.
Review eventually.
Yonex ArcSaber 100 Limited Edition - the long wait is over
Finally got my hands on one of these...
The Yonex ArcSaber 100 Limited Edition was released to commemorate (and make money from) the 100th All England Tournament.
It has to be one of the best-designed Yonex rackets to date.
The Yonex ArcSaber 100 Limited Edition was released to commemorate (and make money from) the 100th All England Tournament.
It has to be one of the best-designed Yonex rackets to date.
Sprained Wrist
Sustained an injury that got worse over the last few games. I'm thinking it's a combination of my wanting to get steeper angles from smashes and a higher string tension that I'm trying out.
Either ways it got an extent where I can't even pull off a proper clear without hurting my wrist.
So off I went to a recommended Chinese Physician. He fixed my arm, so here's a shoutout to Practitioner Ong.
Consider checking him out if you're hurting. He did me some good.
Either ways it got an extent where I can't even pull off a proper clear without hurting my wrist.
So off I went to a recommended Chinese Physician. He fixed my arm, so here's a shoutout to Practitioner Ong.
Consider checking him out if you're hurting. He did me some good.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition
Got a chance to give this racket a try during an hour's session that I have with this promising young lad. He's been improving nicely and I'm seeing his tactical awareness grow in addition to his stamina and speed.
All-in-all, I think once he gets a hang of throwing the occasional power play, I'll be in big trouble.
So on the courts today I took the opportunity to put the AS11TH to the test. My wrist was hurting a little from a few vigorous doubles sessions and this won't be a good judge, but I felt like the experience was worth mentioning.
First off, I will go and mention that racket performs admirably when you're looking for control. As characteristic of Yonex's ArcSaber series of rackets, the AS11TH felt good to swing around and to make shots with.
Most of the shots that I attempted sailed smoothly across the net and landed neatly where I had wanted the shuttle to go. This saved me a lot of effort in movement since I could calculate where to run as a result of my shots not wavering off course.
Net play with the ArcSaber 11 TH was remarkable. There was so much control that it became a staple of my games today. I found myself throwing in the fast drop so I could tempt the opponent into starting a tight net shot challenge.
Clears and smashes weren't the name of the game because of the injured wrist, so I won't comment on them here.
But from what I've felt, the Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition gives me a great sense of confidence in my game.
I will write a full review after the wrist recovers and I'm able to do a more complete analysis.
All-in-all, I think once he gets a hang of throwing the occasional power play, I'll be in big trouble.
So on the courts today I took the opportunity to put the AS11TH to the test. My wrist was hurting a little from a few vigorous doubles sessions and this won't be a good judge, but I felt like the experience was worth mentioning.
First off, I will go and mention that racket performs admirably when you're looking for control. As characteristic of Yonex's ArcSaber series of rackets, the AS11TH felt good to swing around and to make shots with.
Most of the shots that I attempted sailed smoothly across the net and landed neatly where I had wanted the shuttle to go. This saved me a lot of effort in movement since I could calculate where to run as a result of my shots not wavering off course.
Net play with the ArcSaber 11 TH was remarkable. There was so much control that it became a staple of my games today. I found myself throwing in the fast drop so I could tempt the opponent into starting a tight net shot challenge.
Clears and smashes weren't the name of the game because of the injured wrist, so I won't comment on them here.
But from what I've felt, the Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition gives me a great sense of confidence in my game.
I will write a full review after the wrist recovers and I'm able to do a more complete analysis.
Badminton Racket Launch: Yonex ArcSaber 11 Taufik Hidayat Limited Edition
Got my hands on one of these, and I must say it's a nice fulfilling end to the career of a legend. Thank you Taufik!
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion
I got my hand on one these a few months back with a help for a reader from the blog (thanks mate!). The colors of this racket is amazing, and that is more than enough reason to get a hold of one.
The racket seems very soft at first. I had it strung at 25lbs and the frame sort of misshapen a bit so I had to down the tension to 23lbs with a Yonex BG80 Power.
This significantly lowered the performance of the racket, since I've already started to try my hand at higher tensions. The low tension from the strings doesn't make for much feel in the shots that I'm used to.
But that being said, the Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion is a very fast racket, able to twist and turn at your whim to deliver the shots that you want. The smashes with this racket was surprisingly steep, and the movement through the air is something you'll have to feel for yourself.
The Aermet Explosion is very well made; you can feel it when your shuttle comes into contact with the racket. Every shot will come off well (disclaimer: this will also largely depend on the skill level of the player), and you'll learn to enjoy your game with this racket.
The racket is recommended for stringing at 20-25lbs according to the Gosen Japan website, so I'll give it a try at 25lbs with my Yonex Nanogy 98 and see what happens.
For now, here's a glimpse of the racket.
The racket seems very soft at first. I had it strung at 25lbs and the frame sort of misshapen a bit so I had to down the tension to 23lbs with a Yonex BG80 Power.
This significantly lowered the performance of the racket, since I've already started to try my hand at higher tensions. The low tension from the strings doesn't make for much feel in the shots that I'm used to.
But that being said, the Gosen Roots Aermet Explosion is a very fast racket, able to twist and turn at your whim to deliver the shots that you want. The smashes with this racket was surprisingly steep, and the movement through the air is something you'll have to feel for yourself.
The Aermet Explosion is very well made; you can feel it when your shuttle comes into contact with the racket. Every shot will come off well (disclaimer: this will also largely depend on the skill level of the player), and you'll learn to enjoy your game with this racket.
The racket is recommended for stringing at 20-25lbs according to the Gosen Japan website, so I'll give it a try at 25lbs with my Yonex Nanogy 98 and see what happens.
For now, here's a glimpse of the racket.
Badminton Racket Launch: Victor TK IM3 Limited Edition
This would be a first - a movie tie-in with a sporting brand.
Say hello to the Victor TK IM3. A re-paint of their Thruster K8000. Comes with big bag and a small pouch.
I'm a sucker for limited editions, so this will be worth a look.
Say hello to the Victor TK IM3. A re-paint of their Thruster K8000. Comes with big bag and a small pouch.
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| http://www.victorsport.com |
I'm a sucker for limited editions, so this will be worth a look.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Victor Bravesword 10 (2nd Gen)
Finally got a chance to take this baby out for a swing. The Bravesword 10 has been on my wishlist for the longest time, and it felt really good when I got my hands on one.
Right off the Bravesword 10 felt really stiff, but despite that the racket still swings fast and true, cutting through the air with a very satisfying whish.
The Victor racket was tested out in about four game of singles, and it performed quite well. The stiffness of the racket gave the advantages without laying on too much of the weaknesses. Clears were nice and long without too much effort (it is an even balanced racket after all) and the attacking shots were accurate enough to make me happy.
The Bravesword 10 also put up in defense mode. The fast swing speed gives some pretty good blocks and the occasional lift to the back when I called for it. What stood out has to be the power from the racket without the need for a lot of swing, making my shots that much more deceptive.
But the lack of weight in the head eventually showed, and I had to switch for a head heavy racket to make the games less tedious. This is a problem with most even balanced or head light rackets with me, so I won't put it down to the Bravesword 10.
The racket performed admirably, and I think I'll be interested in testing it out some more.
Review soon, I hope.
Right off the Bravesword 10 felt really stiff, but despite that the racket still swings fast and true, cutting through the air with a very satisfying whish.
The Victor racket was tested out in about four game of singles, and it performed quite well. The stiffness of the racket gave the advantages without laying on too much of the weaknesses. Clears were nice and long without too much effort (it is an even balanced racket after all) and the attacking shots were accurate enough to make me happy.
The Bravesword 10 also put up in defense mode. The fast swing speed gives some pretty good blocks and the occasional lift to the back when I called for it. What stood out has to be the power from the racket without the need for a lot of swing, making my shots that much more deceptive.
But the lack of weight in the head eventually showed, and I had to switch for a head heavy racket to make the games less tedious. This is a problem with most even balanced or head light rackets with me, so I won't put it down to the Bravesword 10.
The racket performed admirably, and I think I'll be interested in testing it out some more.
Review soon, I hope.
Badminton Shoes First Look: Mizuno Wave Tornado 8
I like Mizuno shoes. Somehow they've not given me as much problems as the other brands I've tried.
The Li-Ning is sturdy but hard as hell at the tip. The Babolat is thin at the tip and gives me toe problems in prolonged games. And Yonex shoes just don't look good enough to buy anymore.
The Mizuno Wave Tornado 8 joins the Wave Fang VS and Wave Lightning 7 on my rack. It's half a size smaller so I'm guessing I either got the size wrong or this shoe comes in a bigger cut.
Will try it soon, but for now I'll just stare at it in admiration. So pretty.
The Li-Ning is sturdy but hard as hell at the tip. The Babolat is thin at the tip and gives me toe problems in prolonged games. And Yonex shoes just don't look good enough to buy anymore.
The Mizuno Wave Tornado 8 joins the Wave Fang VS and Wave Lightning 7 on my rack. It's half a size smaller so I'm guessing I either got the size wrong or this shoe comes in a bigger cut.
Will try it soon, but for now I'll just stare at it in admiration. So pretty.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Toalson Camblade Axe 13
At least that's what it says on the shaft.
Combining the Camblade grooves and aerodynamic axe head frame, this demo racket came my way on Thursday, and was given a fair shot on the courts against some very delectable players.
The stringer snapped one of demos from the force of his swing, so that didn't leave me with much to be desired. It was a demo racket after all and there was bound to be some defects here and there.
The Camblade Axe 13 comes with a longer head frame than most (it's about 3mm longer), reducing the length of its shaft, which then adds to its offense. The problem with this longer head frame is the instability that comes with it.
Every hit gives you the feeling that the head frame will snap... and that being the case (I was there when it happened) I was really careful on my first few test swings not to mishit.
But it all went away when I felt the force of the smashes this racket could produce. Easily one of the highest I've come across. My racket was strung with NBG98 at 25lbs, a little lower than my Pro Kennex Pro Flex 85 at 27lbs, but it still managed to cause quite a bit of threat.
Drives with this racket were amazing, and the defence wasn't that shabby either.
Overall a good experience, but I still wonder if the head frame problem exists in this design...
Combining the Camblade grooves and aerodynamic axe head frame, this demo racket came my way on Thursday, and was given a fair shot on the courts against some very delectable players.
The stringer snapped one of demos from the force of his swing, so that didn't leave me with much to be desired. It was a demo racket after all and there was bound to be some defects here and there.
The Camblade Axe 13 comes with a longer head frame than most (it's about 3mm longer), reducing the length of its shaft, which then adds to its offense. The problem with this longer head frame is the instability that comes with it.
Every hit gives you the feeling that the head frame will snap... and that being the case (I was there when it happened) I was really careful on my first few test swings not to mishit.
But it all went away when I felt the force of the smashes this racket could produce. Easily one of the highest I've come across. My racket was strung with NBG98 at 25lbs, a little lower than my Pro Kennex Pro Flex 85 at 27lbs, but it still managed to cause quite a bit of threat.
Drives with this racket were amazing, and the defence wasn't that shabby either.
Overall a good experience, but I still wonder if the head frame problem exists in this design...
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Victor Bravesword Lee Yong Dae
Those who have come here before will know of my experience with Victor rackets. They appear to be good at first, and then they crap out on you.
And yet I keep getting myself more of these to try out! Call me a sucker, sheep, follower and just plain stubborn.
So the flavor of last year was the Bravesword Lee Yong Dae, championed by the uber popular Korean doubles player. He used the racket for his stint in the Olympic games and came off with a bronze
User reviews for this racket on the forums came off pretty good too, so I finally got one to try out.
When you first hold the racket, it feels cheap - like it's made by some cheap machine in a cheap factory in the cheapest country in the world.
And after hitting it around for a few games it still feels cheap. Guess that's what it is; ain't even made in Taiwan!
The Bravesword Lee Yong Dae comes off as an attacking racket, with smashes feeling strong and solid. The frame feels funny hitting any shuttle (because it's cheap and made in a cheap country, remember), but the force coming off the racket is commendable.
Other than the increased attacking power, the racket comes off as unmemorable and commonplace. Good for a senseless game of shuttle-flattening, but I wouldn't want it in a game where I need to accurately hit corners.
Did I mention that it felt cheap?
And yet I keep getting myself more of these to try out! Call me a sucker, sheep, follower and just plain stubborn.
So the flavor of last year was the Bravesword Lee Yong Dae, championed by the uber popular Korean doubles player. He used the racket for his stint in the Olympic games and came off with a bronze
User reviews for this racket on the forums came off pretty good too, so I finally got one to try out.
When you first hold the racket, it feels cheap - like it's made by some cheap machine in a cheap factory in the cheapest country in the world.
And after hitting it around for a few games it still feels cheap. Guess that's what it is; ain't even made in Taiwan!
The Bravesword Lee Yong Dae comes off as an attacking racket, with smashes feeling strong and solid. The frame feels funny hitting any shuttle (because it's cheap and made in a cheap country, remember), but the force coming off the racket is commendable.
Other than the increased attacking power, the racket comes off as unmemorable and commonplace. Good for a senseless game of shuttle-flattening, but I wouldn't want it in a game where I need to accurately hit corners.
Did I mention that it felt cheap?
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Dunlop Graviton 7600
Where I am, Dunlops are rare rackets to find. They're also made by the same peeps who develop Carlton rackets so they're pretty much ok to begin with.
When the 2012 Graviton range of rackets from Dunlop became available at my stringer, I jumped at the chance to try out some of their more recent Developments.
Basically the Graviton range of rackets are the light weight models for the racket maker. There Are 4 rackets that were available - 7600, 8000, 8200, and 8400.
I got myself the 7600 because it seemed to carry the heaviest swing weight from my casual testing. It reminded of me a slightly heavier BN60, and when I got home it did indeed feel heavier on the swing.
Weighing in at 76g before stringing, the Graviton 7600 is the lightest of the range of rackets from Dunlop, and boasts a head heavy balance with a very flexible shaft.
That's another characteristic of Dunlop - they've probably got the most flexible shafts of any racket out there.
Initial testing of the racket was in doubles games, and the racket performed very well. It's very suited to players who like to use a snap of their wrists to generate a sudden burst of power.
Smashes were nice and steep, and the drives were amazing. But what stood out mosts was perhaps the countering ability of the racket.
Being so light, the racket is able to turn smashes into nice steep drives in the opposite direction. I found myself lifting on purpose so that I could turn the game around with a nicely timed counter to their attack.
Definitely for those who enjoy turning the shuttle left and right.
Oh, and did I mention that the Dunlop Graviton 7600 is a wonderful shade of silver, lime green and raw black graphite?
More to come!
When the 2012 Graviton range of rackets from Dunlop became available at my stringer, I jumped at the chance to try out some of their more recent Developments.
Basically the Graviton range of rackets are the light weight models for the racket maker. There Are 4 rackets that were available - 7600, 8000, 8200, and 8400.
I got myself the 7600 because it seemed to carry the heaviest swing weight from my casual testing. It reminded of me a slightly heavier BN60, and when I got home it did indeed feel heavier on the swing.
Weighing in at 76g before stringing, the Graviton 7600 is the lightest of the range of rackets from Dunlop, and boasts a head heavy balance with a very flexible shaft.
That's another characteristic of Dunlop - they've probably got the most flexible shafts of any racket out there.
Initial testing of the racket was in doubles games, and the racket performed very well. It's very suited to players who like to use a snap of their wrists to generate a sudden burst of power.
Smashes were nice and steep, and the drives were amazing. But what stood out mosts was perhaps the countering ability of the racket.
Being so light, the racket is able to turn smashes into nice steep drives in the opposite direction. I found myself lifting on purpose so that I could turn the game around with a nicely timed counter to their attack.
Definitely for those who enjoy turning the shuttle left and right.
Oh, and did I mention that the Dunlop Graviton 7600 is a wonderful shade of silver, lime green and raw black graphite?
More to come!
Badminton Racket Review: Toalson Ti Max Power Axe
It's been awhile since I had a review out, and I've been trying quite a few of the rackets that got left behind. There was this one particular one that I've been wanting to buy, but didn't get enough conviction of acquire... until the store gave me a good discount :)
It's got a bad design, but I managed to convince myself that it bears the colors of Captain America (and so it got its nickname) and that gave me some peace in terms of its looks.
It's got a few technologies that I like - the sharp head frame that's characteristic of the Victor Bravesword series, and the tapered inner core from the Yonex Armortec series. These two, coupled with a nice thick and stiff shaft adds to quite a power boost.
Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!
Ok here goes.
Toalson Ti Max Power Axe
Est. Dry Weight: 85g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head Heavy
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Pro Kennex Pro Flex 85 @ 27lbs
I recommend this racket for when you need extra power in your attacks.
Defense
For something with the word "axe" inits name, I wouldn't start off by expecting its defense to be any good. Top heavy, stiff shaft and high tension basically adds to my worries of a glass cannon racket which can only attack and will start giving away points on the defensive.
But looks can be deceiving! The Ti Max Power Axe is able to generate quite a good speed on its swing, and that allows you to bring the weight of the racket along swift enough to take on most defensive shots you like to make.
People who play with me know that one of my favorite shots is the backhand return drive, where I place a smash from my left side down to the opposite side of the court. The Toalson Ti Max Power Axe does that with ease.
However, the racket does fail on its drive defense. I found it slower the the upwards lift and downward swipes, the weight of the racket coming through evidently when kept in the horizontal position for extended periods of time.
Attack
Axe. The word comes into play again when we talk about power. This racket is raw power. Raw. Power. That means it hits hard. Well.
A fast swing speed generated from the head frame shape brings along the power and reinforcement from the tapered inner core and the stiff shaft to create one of the hardest-hitting racket I own. This puts quite a bit of force onto the receiving racket, which weakens the quality of the reply and opens them up for the second stronger attack.
From jump smashes to a full arm destroyer (like what they do in women's singles / doubles matches), the Ti Max Power Axe performs superbly.
Though the same problem applies for the drives. Somehow the racket doesn't yield properly in the drive shot position.
Control
When you're running on so much power there really isn't a need to aim much, is there? I just place my sights somewhere in the middle of the court and let loose. They know it's coming, but getting it back well is a whole different ball game.
When it comes to the more delicate shots, expect a little inconsistency from your hands because they're likely more used to blasting the shuttle away by now. I managed to control the shuttle pretty well around the court, but it's just not one of those rackets that you'd want to use for a control-type game.
Looks
Captain America colors. But fugly otherwise.
It's got a bad design, but I managed to convince myself that it bears the colors of Captain America (and so it got its nickname) and that gave me some peace in terms of its looks.
It's got a few technologies that I like - the sharp head frame that's characteristic of the Victor Bravesword series, and the tapered inner core from the Yonex Armortec series. These two, coupled with a nice thick and stiff shaft adds to quite a power boost.
Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!
Ok here goes.
Toalson Ti Max Power Axe
Est. Dry Weight: 85g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head Heavy
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Pro Kennex Pro Flex 85 @ 27lbs
I recommend this racket for when you need extra power in your attacks.
Defense
For something with the word "axe" inits name, I wouldn't start off by expecting its defense to be any good. Top heavy, stiff shaft and high tension basically adds to my worries of a glass cannon racket which can only attack and will start giving away points on the defensive.
But looks can be deceiving! The Ti Max Power Axe is able to generate quite a good speed on its swing, and that allows you to bring the weight of the racket along swift enough to take on most defensive shots you like to make.
People who play with me know that one of my favorite shots is the backhand return drive, where I place a smash from my left side down to the opposite side of the court. The Toalson Ti Max Power Axe does that with ease.
However, the racket does fail on its drive defense. I found it slower the the upwards lift and downward swipes, the weight of the racket coming through evidently when kept in the horizontal position for extended periods of time.
Attack
Axe. The word comes into play again when we talk about power. This racket is raw power. Raw. Power. That means it hits hard. Well.
A fast swing speed generated from the head frame shape brings along the power and reinforcement from the tapered inner core and the stiff shaft to create one of the hardest-hitting racket I own. This puts quite a bit of force onto the receiving racket, which weakens the quality of the reply and opens them up for the second stronger attack.
From jump smashes to a full arm destroyer (like what they do in women's singles / doubles matches), the Ti Max Power Axe performs superbly.
Though the same problem applies for the drives. Somehow the racket doesn't yield properly in the drive shot position.
Control
When you're running on so much power there really isn't a need to aim much, is there? I just place my sights somewhere in the middle of the court and let loose. They know it's coming, but getting it back well is a whole different ball game.
When it comes to the more delicate shots, expect a little inconsistency from your hands because they're likely more used to blasting the shuttle away by now. I managed to control the shuttle pretty well around the court, but it's just not one of those rackets that you'd want to use for a control-type game.
Looks
Captain America colors. But fugly otherwise.
Toalson Ti Max Power Axe
Defense: 8
Attack: 10
Control: 7
Looks: 3
Badminton Racket Review: Li-Ning Flame N36
Those looking for an ArcSaber 11 review or an ArcSaber FB review may have to wait for awhile. The two rackets, though very popular on my search ranking, have yet to appeal to me. (Although I have to state officially that the ArcSaber 11 with the yellow strings are awesome).
I will take this chance to revisit an old racket of mine that I've not been able to use. I took it out to court this morning and felt that it was about time to write a review for this gem.
The Li-Ning Flame N36 was my first Li-Ning racket. Prior to this, I have had a lousy impression of the brand. To me it was lacking in research and all it did was throw together some graphite into a mound.
This racket changed everything.
Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!
Ok here goes.
Li-Ning Flame N36
Est Dry Weight: 96g (3U)
Grip Size: S2 (Yonex G5)
Balance: Even
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs
I recommend this racket for shot accuracy and control.
Defense
Being even-balanced basically means that the N36 is fast to swing, and offers a little more power than head-light rackets. I had little difficulty blocking smashes with this racket, and with a little proper footwork I do see myself directing the shots into empty areas of the court.
Lifts to the back court might take a little beating though, since the weight of the Flame N36 is a on the lower end of the 3U scale. I found myself missing the back lines a couple of times, but at least the speed of the racket in defense gives me a better bet when the shuttle comes flying down.
Drive defense is great. I could turn the shuttle downward and with good speed, thanks to the lack of gravitational forces pulling down the head of the racket.
Attack
Here's where the Li-Ning Flame N36 lacks. I was able to get a good angle on my smashes, but the speed and power were sorely lacking. There just isn't enough weight to get a good punch in.
I would recommend using drives as your main point clincher, since the racket excels at the flat exchanges. I was able to get a very good pace on the drives, much better than how I performed on the smashes.
If you're a fan of drop shots, then this racket might just make your to-buy list. Thanks to the very good control rating, the Li-Ning N36 allows you to perform almost any sort of drop shots you want.
Control
If there was any racket that could practically hit any corner of the court, this would be it. I felt very at ease with the N36, and the shots that I performed showed it.
The best plays were when I was casually throwing the shuttle around, picking and dropping the pace when I wanted to. There was no fear of losing control of the shuttle because it became so easy to place. From forehand clears to backhand drops, there was no shot that felt out of control.
This quality supplements the lack of punch in its power play, allowing you to win points through superb placement and by simply out pacing your opponent.
Looks
Gold and red go very well in the Li-Ning Flame N36. The oriental motifs around the head frame give it a very asian feel, and is seldom seen in rackets these days. The usual sleek lines and illustrations are replaced with tasteful curves and shimmer.
I will take this chance to revisit an old racket of mine that I've not been able to use. I took it out to court this morning and felt that it was about time to write a review for this gem.
The Li-Ning Flame N36 was my first Li-Ning racket. Prior to this, I have had a lousy impression of the brand. To me it was lacking in research and all it did was throw together some graphite into a mound.
This racket changed everything.
Note. This review is my opinion of the racket from using it in my games. Take this with a pinch of salt since we all play the game differently. I'm here to tell you, in as much accuracy as I can, how my games went with the racket. Comments welcome!
Ok here goes.
Li-Ning Flame N36
Est Dry Weight: 96g (3U)
Grip Size: S2 (Yonex G5)
Balance: Even
Stiffness: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 25lbs
I recommend this racket for shot accuracy and control.
Defense
Being even-balanced basically means that the N36 is fast to swing, and offers a little more power than head-light rackets. I had little difficulty blocking smashes with this racket, and with a little proper footwork I do see myself directing the shots into empty areas of the court.
Lifts to the back court might take a little beating though, since the weight of the Flame N36 is a on the lower end of the 3U scale. I found myself missing the back lines a couple of times, but at least the speed of the racket in defense gives me a better bet when the shuttle comes flying down.
Drive defense is great. I could turn the shuttle downward and with good speed, thanks to the lack of gravitational forces pulling down the head of the racket.
Attack
Here's where the Li-Ning Flame N36 lacks. I was able to get a good angle on my smashes, but the speed and power were sorely lacking. There just isn't enough weight to get a good punch in.
I would recommend using drives as your main point clincher, since the racket excels at the flat exchanges. I was able to get a very good pace on the drives, much better than how I performed on the smashes.
If you're a fan of drop shots, then this racket might just make your to-buy list. Thanks to the very good control rating, the Li-Ning N36 allows you to perform almost any sort of drop shots you want.
Control
If there was any racket that could practically hit any corner of the court, this would be it. I felt very at ease with the N36, and the shots that I performed showed it.
The best plays were when I was casually throwing the shuttle around, picking and dropping the pace when I wanted to. There was no fear of losing control of the shuttle because it became so easy to place. From forehand clears to backhand drops, there was no shot that felt out of control.
This quality supplements the lack of punch in its power play, allowing you to win points through superb placement and by simply out pacing your opponent.
Looks
Gold and red go very well in the Li-Ning Flame N36. The oriental motifs around the head frame give it a very asian feel, and is seldom seen in rackets these days. The usual sleek lines and illustrations are replaced with tasteful curves and shimmer.
Li-Ning Flame N36
Defense: 9
Offense: 7
Control: 10
Looks: 10
First Look: Adidas Badminton Rackets
Looks like the badminton world is crazy over the Adidas brand of rackets. They've not come to my country, but I've managed to dig something out from their Facebook page.
Split into categories, they've divided us players into four separate colors - Red for power, Yellow for speed Bronze for precision, and Green for versatile play.
With these four categories, you'll pretty much find every variation of weight / flex distribution. Expect the stiffer head heavy rackets in the red zone, while the light-weights will be yellow and the evens in the bronze.
Also on their Facebook are specifications for some of their rackets. I've included some of the top end ones, probably the ones I'll be looking for when they hit my shores.
Nothing new in the technology, but I'm more interested in the Precision and Zeros - these are the rackets more suited to my style of play. The head-heavy but light weight Precision Pro might actually be worth considering, while the Precision series offer one of the best designs in the range that they're let us preview so far.
The power rackets and the versatility aren't really a game-changer for me. There's loads of head heavy rackets around and I frankly think it actually takes less skill to make a head heavy racket than a useful light-weight one.
RSL tried their hands on the EVO series, offering up switchable weights around the rackets to give you the option of changing. But who cares, really.
Check out more rackets on their Facebook page, and also an interview with their first capture from the Yonex lineup - Viktor Alexsen.
Split into categories, they've divided us players into four separate colors - Red for power, Yellow for speed Bronze for precision, and Green for versatile play.
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| Full range of Adidas badminton rackets All images from the Adidas Badminton Facebook Page |
With these four categories, you'll pretty much find every variation of weight / flex distribution. Expect the stiffer head heavy rackets in the red zone, while the light-weights will be yellow and the evens in the bronze.
Also on their Facebook are specifications for some of their rackets. I've included some of the top end ones, probably the ones I'll be looking for when they hit my shores.
Nothing new in the technology, but I'm more interested in the Precision and Zeros - these are the rackets more suited to my style of play. The head-heavy but light weight Precision Pro might actually be worth considering, while the Precision series offer one of the best designs in the range that they're let us preview so far.
The power rackets and the versatility aren't really a game-changer for me. There's loads of head heavy rackets around and I frankly think it actually takes less skill to make a head heavy racket than a useful light-weight one.
RSL tried their hands on the EVO series, offering up switchable weights around the rackets to give you the option of changing. But who cares, really.
Check out more rackets on their Facebook page, and also an interview with their first capture from the Yonex lineup - Viktor Alexsen.
Preview: Adidas Badminton Rackets, Shuttlecocks and Strings
A first look at Adidas badminton gear from the great guys at BC. Got this off their YouTube channel.
New Racket Launch: Yonex ArcSaber 11 and Yonex ArcSaber FB
No, it's not a Facebook page.
Yonex continues its long-standing tradition of over-the-top marketing with two rackets in its ArcSaber series. Rather than going the way of the Armortec and Nanospeed, they seem to have decided to keep the ArcSaber name instead of throwing in a whole new one.
Known for their agility on the court without compromising too much speed, the ArcSaber could very well be the most-loved rackets in the Yonex armory. The even-balanced ArcSaber 11 and ArcSaber FB continues to be the control-freak rackets of choice, set to inherit the fame of the Z-Slash and ArcSaber 10.
Yonex positions the two rackets as ultimate control rackets, with the term "Smash-back". Turn your opponents' attacks against them with precision drives and control.
The ArcSaber 11 drums on frame flexibility, offering more touch time for the shuttle on the string bed. The use of Sonic Metal on the sides of the head frame gives a stronger response (and also a sharper sound to unsettle opponents), and a new T-Joint composite (T-ANCHOR) gives more stability and reduces torque when returning off-centre shots).
The ArcSaber FB is Yonex's lightest racket. They've even given it a whole new weight category "F". This one comes with the promise of superior swing speed (up to 30kmph faster).
The racket comes in at 73g, and with a new shaft design that gives it the same strength by using a "breakthrough in nanoscience technology", NANOMETRIC. This new technology allows stronger bonding of the carbon fibers without using too much material.
In comparison with the other Yonex rackets, here's where the two add up.
Personally, I'm not too hot on the ArcSaber FB. It appears to be a head-light, flexible racket, which hasn't played well in my experience. I'm happy with Karakal rackets when it comes to lightweight.
And the ArcSaber 11 seems to be too much like the ArcSaber 10 to justify the high price tag.
Will look out for them. Might try them. Not really that interested, unless they're smoking hot.
Stay tuned.
All images from www.yonex.com/arcsaber
Yonex continues its long-standing tradition of over-the-top marketing with two rackets in its ArcSaber series. Rather than going the way of the Armortec and Nanospeed, they seem to have decided to keep the ArcSaber name instead of throwing in a whole new one.
Known for their agility on the court without compromising too much speed, the ArcSaber could very well be the most-loved rackets in the Yonex armory. The even-balanced ArcSaber 11 and ArcSaber FB continues to be the control-freak rackets of choice, set to inherit the fame of the Z-Slash and ArcSaber 10.
Yonex positions the two rackets as ultimate control rackets, with the term "Smash-back". Turn your opponents' attacks against them with precision drives and control.
The ArcSaber 11 drums on frame flexibility, offering more touch time for the shuttle on the string bed. The use of Sonic Metal on the sides of the head frame gives a stronger response (and also a sharper sound to unsettle opponents), and a new T-Joint composite (T-ANCHOR) gives more stability and reduces torque when returning off-centre shots).
The racket comes in at 73g, and with a new shaft design that gives it the same strength by using a "breakthrough in nanoscience technology", NANOMETRIC. This new technology allows stronger bonding of the carbon fibers without using too much material.
In comparison with the other Yonex rackets, here's where the two add up.
And the ArcSaber 11 seems to be too much like the ArcSaber 10 to justify the high price tag.
Will look out for them. Might try them. Not really that interested, unless they're smoking hot.
Stay tuned.
All images from www.yonex.com/arcsaber
Weight Training with my Yonex Carbonex 6000DF
If you've not heard of the racket model before, it's because it's a $40 racket.
Steel construction, ultra stiff, ultra heavy - just the right racket if you want to give your muscles a good workout!
Had a go with it yesterday, for about 4 or 5 matches, and it felt kind of good! The swings were a little slower and the shots weren't as hard as normal (the racket can only go up to 20lbs of tension), but I managed to get a hang of the weight and was soon up to a fairly good speed.
Problem with that was the morning after. The muscles ached a little more than usual, but I took it as a good sign. May they grow stronger!
Looking forward to the next time I get to play with the 6000DF.
Steel construction, ultra stiff, ultra heavy - just the right racket if you want to give your muscles a good workout!
Had a go with it yesterday, for about 4 or 5 matches, and it felt kind of good! The swings were a little slower and the shots weren't as hard as normal (the racket can only go up to 20lbs of tension), but I managed to get a hang of the weight and was soon up to a fairly good speed.
Problem with that was the morning after. The muscles ached a little more than usual, but I took it as a good sign. May they grow stronger!
Looking forward to the next time I get to play with the 6000DF.
Badminton Racket First Impressions: Pro-Kennex Nano X-Power 750
Wrist players rejoice! This here's another one of those magical rackets with a wonderful whip in its swing that lets you go wild on the courts!
Used the Pro-Kennex Nano X-Power 750 for a few games of singles on the court today and it impressed me with its fast racket head and the flexible spiral shaft technology. Basically the shaft is made out of graphite that's been molded into a spiral pattern, which lends to its stiffness. Giving this a slightly flexible shaft grants the magic touch.
Power and speed at the same time. Guess it's another racket that I'll have to try on the doubles court.
Review soon!
Used the Pro-Kennex Nano X-Power 750 for a few games of singles on the court today and it impressed me with its fast racket head and the flexible spiral shaft technology. Basically the shaft is made out of graphite that's been molded into a spiral pattern, which lends to its stiffness. Giving this a slightly flexible shaft grants the magic touch.
Power and speed at the same time. Guess it's another racket that I'll have to try on the doubles court.
Review soon!
Poll: The most important thing in badminton
The poll's ended. Thanks all for participating! Let's see if I can put up any posts that help with improving technique.
