by Alistair Prades
ARC Badminton Coach
There are many different rackets on the market and choosing one can feel daunting! Whether buying your first racket, or upgrading to a new shiny one, hopefully I can shed some light on what it all means and what you should be looking for.
There are three main qualities to look for when buying a racket - weight, balance and stiffness.
Weight is measured in grams, and rackets usually fall into the following categories: 3U (85-89 grams); 4U (80-84g); and 5U (75-79g). It is usually easier to generate power with a heavier racket, as there is more weight and therefore force impacting the shuttle. Lighter rackets on the other hand are easier to manoeuvre, and provide more control for soft shots. At the professional level, 3U is popular among singles players with 4U being popular in doubles.
Balance has a similar effect - this means the distribution of the weight (how head heavy or head light the racket is). Head heavy rackets are useful to generate more power, for instance with smashes and clears. Head light rackets offer more speed and manoeuvrability, useful for defence and forecourt play.
Stiffness, or flexibility, means just that - how much the racket bends and twists. A very stiff racket provides excellent control as there is minimal shaft movement, but sacrifices some power. On the other hand a flexible racket provides more repulsion and power, but does not offer as much control or accuracy.
Prices range greatly but you can usually find a suitable racket in all different price ranges - it is typically the quality of materials and consistency of manufacturing which contributes to higher costs. At the very least I would recommend choosing a racket with a built in T-joint, as well as an isometric head shape.
It is a very personal choice and depends on your play style, but if in doubt, for beginner/intermediate players I would recommend an even balance racket with medium flexibility. These are all-round rackets which offer good power and control without sacrificing anything too much.
Popular brands include Yonex, Victor, Forza and Li-Ning among others.
It's always worth trying as many rackets as you can before buying - ask a friend or another ARC player if you can try their racket for a few rallies!