The best racket is the right racket.  With practice and experience, you will develop preferences for the various elements of your racket.  Due to the number of questions I am asked, I wanted to share the following criteria you can use when shopping for a racket.

1 - Weight. 

    The weight is usually indicated on the racket in small print.  Generally, a beginner will want to use a heavier racket to mold your swing pattern.  Heavier rackets also compensate for slower swing speeds commonly associated with a lack of experience.  So if you are learning squash, or your stroke is very slow, the added weight in the racket will actually help you.  As you progress in squash, your swing will quicken (hopefully) and you may want to look for a lighter racket to further increase your racket speed and maneuverability.

2 - Balance. 

    This also is indicated on most rackets in fine print, right next to the weight.  It may read with text saying, “head light” or “head heavy”, or it may provide the specific measurment with a number.  The balance point is measured from the butt of the racket handle and varies greatly, anywhere from 33cm to 38.5cm.  This tells you where the weight is distributed throughout the racket as you swing.  If you want power, you will want a head-heavy racket, with a balance of between 36-38cm.  In this way, as you swing, the weight is transferred to the head of the racket where the force is greatest upon contact with the ball.

    If you are looking for more precision, control and feel, then a balance point of 35.5 or lower is a good choice for you.  In the same way, the weight of the racket will be transferred closer to your hand, which allows for greater control and maneuverability.  I don’t mean to over-simplify:  it takes time to develop your stroke and control the ball, and you can adapt to any racket during this process, but you ought to know why rackets differ. 

3 - Stringbed. 

    Rackets vary on the shape, density and length of the strings.  Generally, the longer the strings (whether mains or crosses), the more power the racket will generate and the larger the ‘sweet spot’ will be.  It is the string’s ability to flex and rebound that creates power, also known as the trampoline effect.  So a longer string naturally will have more flex to it than a short string.  Because most rackets are a similar width, a key indicator of racket power will come in the length of the main strings (running from head to handle).

   

    In the end, your ability to generate power and control come from an experienced combination of your stroke and posture, not your racket. Rackets amplify or compensate your stroke.  If you want power, you’ll want a racket with a larger head, longer main strings and a head heavy balance of 36cm or more.  If you want control and feel, consider the opposite end of the spectrum.

    There are other characteristics worth considering which include materials, beam width, throat, handle, etc., but the above elements are where you want to start.

Next week, I’ll show you how to hold and re-grip your racket for comfort and consistency, key in progressing your stroke.

   

See you on the court,

Will

Answer: The Prince 03 Speedport Silver (left - at 140g, balance of 36.5cm and long main strings) is a power racket.  The Technifibre Suprem NG 130 (right - at 130g, balance of 34.5, dense stringbed and wide throat) is a racket for the player wanting control.