FLEX?

[badminton rookie]

just a quick question for all you uber knowledable badminton folk.

What difference does flex make to a raquet?

[Volkine]

Spot the spelling mistake, rookie.

[Phil McBride]

That's more like it

[smashin']

I'm sort of wondering why we're finding faults in his spelling instead of answering his question....

From my understanding the flex of racquet's shaft has a lot to do with it's characteristics.
1) The stiffer the shaft then the more power it can generate. However, you also have to be stronger to make a really stiff shaft 'snap'.
2) I've read that the stiffer the shaft sometimes the harder the control, i.e. with net shots. However, I guess this could be a problem with too 'soft' shafts.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that's basically what I've gathered from what I've read.

[Phil McBride]

From my understanding the flex of racquet's shaft has a lot to do with it's characteristics.
1) The stiffer the shaft then the more power it can generate. However, you also have to be stronger to make a really stiff shaft 'snap'.

WRONG, The stiffer the racket the more power it can generate? You need to be stronger to generate the snap?

A more flexable racket flexes during the swing generally giving you more head speed in your racket for those who can't generate it for themselves, a stiffer racket weighs more because the shaft is reinforced, the flexable shaft is not as it has less material ie, stiff rackets tend to be 2U-3U (ie MP 100, MP99) and flexable rackets tend to be 4U (MP88, AT700)

Strength has nothing to do with your ability to use a racket, you need the proper racket that fits your playing style, in your theory the worlds strongest man uses the stiffest racket ever made whereas all children would use the whippiest racket available, when people get stronger they would need to go with a more stiff racket and move up the racket evolutionary scale.



2) I've read that the stiffer the shaft sometimes the harder the control, i.e. with net shots. However, I guess this could be a problem with too 'soft' shafts. .

Nonsense, it's all about technique not the racket, the worlds top pros are given different rackets by Yonex to promote, many went from MP100 => AT700 when it was released. 2 completely different rackets, how were they able to adapt?

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but that's basically what I've gathered from what I've read.

Hope it clarifies things, TECHNIQUE, nothing else.

[smashin']

I'm glad somebody stepped in and corrected me, for it seems I was way off. The only reason I've developed those views is from reading threads on BadmintonCentral about MP100 vs. MP99. They all seem to say that the MP100 is more powerful because it's stiffer, and that the MP99 is easier to use because it's not as stiff. I'll try and quote some of the discussion below.

As for your question, the Muscle Power 99 is more of an all-around racquet well suited for doubles while the Muscle Power 100 is very offensive since it is the most stiff and powerful racquet that Yonex has ever made making it better suited for single. I have four Muscle Power 100s (three 3Us and a 2U) and a Muscle Power 99 (3U). The MP-99 speed is faster than that of any of my MP-100s which is good for doubles play since the game is faster. The MP-100s sacrifice some speed for a bit more power.



So it seems that most of u like the mp100 because of the power that it can generate

The advantage of the Mp99 over the Mp100 is in its control. It has a much more stable face than the Mp100....the 99 is one of the best "control" racquet I have used. Net shots are much easier with the 99.

MP-100 = Ultimate power / Offensive player / Use better in singles then doubles game

MP-99 = Excellent power / All around player-racquet / More for doubles games then singles

There are lots of threads to give you information, if you do a search. So I'll keep this to a brief summary:

Mp100 is probably a more powerful racket, but the Mp99 is almost as powerful. The Mp99 is considered by most connoisseurs to be a much better racket in terms of control and is more manoeuvrable.

I recommend you get the Mp99, which is a great all-round racket that also delivers a lot of power. The Mp100 is like a brick - it lacks all subtlety! But if you really don't care about anything but power, the Mp100 may suit you better.

u really need a strong wrist to play with mp100

The MP-100 is very crazy in terms of power. It still remains as Yonex's most powerful racquet to this date. I think the MP-99 is more user friendly.

So from the above, I think you can easily see how I came to the conclusion that a stiffer shaft makes a racquet more powerful but harder to play with. But now, you said that has nothing to do with; so I'm confused again!! Can you clear this up for me?

Thanks!

[Phil McBride]

A flexable racket covers up for you giving you more power (the flex generated head speed for you)

A stiff racket is only good if you have the technique to use it, in otherwords you generate your own head speed not from powerful swing but from TECHNIQUE.

[yido84]

very true and i agree.
i am an ex county player and use the mp77's and the extra flex does help me with my smash-which is the weakest part of my game by far! :D