Racquet Research

<body stylesrc="frmain.htm" bgcolor="#FFFFCC"> <script language="javascript1.2" src="http://www.sitetracker.com/cgi-bin/insert1.js?account=29310"> </script> <blockquote> <p><img name="im" src="http://www.sitetracker.com/cgi-bin/showad.pl?account=29310" height="1" width="1"> <font face="Arial" color="#008080"><strong>RACQUET RESEARCH - Home Page</strong></font><br> <a href="whatsnew.htm">What's New</a>  |  <a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/examiner/archive/1998/09/09/BUSINESS2593.dtl">We're Famous!</a>  |  <a href="site.htm">Site Contents</a>  |  <a href="June99/1999June.htm">Racquet Rankings</a></p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>This site is for the best available <font color="#000000"><em><strong>objective</strong></em></font> data on racquet performance and prevention of tennis elbow.  No vague sales puffery, condescending jocularity, or subjective playtest results -- just hard facts based on measurements and physics. </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>If the physics part sounds scary or boring, don't worry.  It isn't necessary to know a lot of math and science to understand what's presented here, and as you read, you may learn a lot in a fun way.  For a short and simple summary of the main points, read <a href="complete_idiot.htm">The Complete Idiot's Guide to Choosing a Tennis Racquet</a>.   For an introduction and overview of the technical issues, and a description of the criteria used for evaluation, please read <a href="sevencri.htm#Objective" target="main">Twelve Objective Racquet Performance Criteria</a>.   You'll learn there why these criteria are important:</p> <p align="center"><a href="sevencri.htm#sweet spot" target="main">Sweet Spot</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Moment" target="main">Moment</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Torque" target="main">Torque</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Impulse Reaction" target="main">Impulse Reaction</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Longitudinal Torque">Torsion</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Shock" target="main">Shock</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Work" target="main">Work</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Shoulder Pull" target="main">Shoulder Pull</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Shoulder Crunch">Shoulder Crunch</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Elbow Crunch">Elbow Crunch</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Impact Impulse">Impact Impulse</a> | <a href="sevencri.htm#Polar Moment">Polar Moment</a></p> <p>You will also find there the answers to these<br> <strong><em>Frequently Asked Questions:</em></strong></p> </blockquote> <ul> <li><a href="sevencri.htm#What Causes Tennis Elbow?"><strong><small>What Causes Tennis Elbow?</small></strong></a></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#lightweight" target="main">Is a Lightweight Racquet a Good Idea?</a></small></strong></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#The Effect of the Sweet Spot" target="main">The Effect of the Sweet Spot</a></small></strong></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#The Effect of String Tension" target="main">The Effect of String Tension</a></small></strong></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#The Effect of Heavier or Softer Balls" target="main">The Effect of Heavier, Larger, or Softer Balls</a></small></strong></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#head heavy" target="main">Should Your Racquet Be Head-Heavy or Head-Light?</a></small></strong></li> <li><a href="sevencri.htm#The Effect of Mass and of Swingweight " target="main"><strong><small>The Effect of Mass and of Swingweight</small></strong></a></li> <li><a href="sevencri.htm#The Effect of Handle Size"><strong><small>The Effect of Handle Size</small></strong></a></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#lead tape" target="main">The Effect of Adding Lead Tape to the Racquet Head</a></small></strong></li> <li><a href="sevencri.htm#Are Big Head Racquets Better?"><strong><small>Are Big Head Racquets Better?</small></strong></a></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#extra-long" target="main">Are Extra-Long Racquets Better?</a></small></strong></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#two-handed" target="main">Does a Two-Handed Shot Have Any Advantages?</a></small></strong></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#The Effect of String Damping Gadgets " target="main">The Effect of String Damping Gadgets</a></small></strong></li> <li><strong><small><a href="sevencri.htm#The Four Measurements You Need to Know" target="main">The Four Racquet Measurements You Need to Know</a></small></strong></li> </ul> <blockquote> <p>The <a href="formulas.htm" target="main">Formulas for Racquet Performance</a> are generalized in order that the evaluation criteria can be computed for any ball speed, racquet elasticity, etc.  These formulas are general enough to be used for any eccentric impact situation, whether in tennis or elsewhere, such as golf or baseball.  <a href="derivati.htm" target="main">Derivations </a>of these formulas are provided.  Only high school algebra is required to understand the formulas and derivations.  Basic physics is helpful but not necessary, because enough background is provided to learn basic mechanics and first year physics as you read.  </p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>To facilitate meaningful and concrete comparisons of different racquet models, two <a href="benchmarkconditions.htm">benchmark conditions</a> were established, with given ball speeds before and after impact, impact point 16 cm from the tip, a common axis of rotation on the stroke, and string tension, ball bounce, and racquet stiffness, etc. such that the coefficient of restitution is the same for all racquets (0.85).  <a href="formulas.htm">Formulas</a> were applied, using the constants supplied by the benchmark conditions and the variable values given by measurements of the racquets, to get values under the performance criteria, then the rankings under the performance criteria were used to determine rankings under the macro criteria of <a href="June99/ElbowSafetyJune99.htm">Elbow Safety</a>, <a href="June99/ShoulderSafetyJune99.htm">Shoulder Safety</a>, <a href="June99/PowerJune1999.htm">Power</a>, and <a href="June99/ControlJune99.htm">Control</a>.   Finally, these four macro criteria determined the <a href="June99/Overall%20by%20Rank%20Order/OverallTop30.htm">Overall Rankings</a>.  Here are the <a href="June99/1999June.htm">June 1999 evaluations</a>.</p> <p>Look up how your racquet ranks:  <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/Blackburne-Cayman.htm">Blackburne and Cayman</a> | <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/Dunlop-Fischer.htm">Dunlop and Fischer</a> | <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/Gamma-Gosen-Head.htm">Gamma, Gosen, and Head </a>| <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/Kneissl-Mitt.htm">Kneissl and Mitt</a> | <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/Prince.htm">Prince</a> | <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/ProKennex-Slazenger-Spalding.htm">ProKennex, Slazenger, and Spalding</a> | <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/Toalson-Volkl-Wavex-Weed.htm">Toalson, Volkl, Wavex, and Weed</a> | <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/Wilson.htm">Wilson</a> | <a href="June99/Manufacturer%20Overall%20Rankings/Wonderwand-Yonex.htm">Yonex and Wonderwand</a></p> <p>One result of applying the principles discussed here to racquet customization can be found in the superior performance of a Wilson Hammer 6.2 95 extended an inch by a heavy butt cap.  To see these results, click <a href="June99/CounterweightingEffect.htm">here</a>.   Another useful guide for customizers is the <a href="balancetip.htm">table showing the results of adding lead tape</a> to the tip of a Wilson ProStaff 6.0 85.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Data used for evaluations and ranking is from published measurements done by the technicians of the US Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA), for strung and gripped racquets.  These measurements can be seen at the <a href="October%2099/measurementsOct99.htm">Racquet Measurements Page</a>.  To find the sweet spot on your racquet, click <a href="June99/SweetSpot.htm">here</a>.  Now go to the <a href="sevencri.htm#Objective">Introduction</a>.</p> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p>Racquet manufacturers are invited to send accurate strung and gripped racquet data, or other information, for inclusion in future updates.  Players and researchers are cordially invited to correspond.  Mailing address is:</p> <div align="center"><center><table border="1" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" width="200" bgcolor="#00FF00" bordercolor="#00FF00" bordercolorlight="#00FF00" bordercolordark="#00FF00"> <tr> <td width="180">Wilmot H. McCutchen P.O. Box 689               Orinda, CA 94563</td> </tr> </table> </center></div><p align="center">e-mail to:</p> <div align="center"><center><table border="3" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="3" width="25%" bgcolor="#00FFFF" bordercolor="#00FFFF" bordercolordark="#00FFFF" bordercolorlight="#00FFFF"> <tr> <td width="100%"><a href="mailto:yowilmot@pacbell.net">yowilmot@pacbell.net</a></td> </tr> </table> </center></div> </blockquote> <blockquote> <p><strong><font size="2">All of the material on this site is copyrighted 1998 - 2000 Wilmot H. McCutchen.  All Rights Reserved.  No warranties are made, express or implied.   Your comments and questions are welcome.  Thanks for visiting.</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="2">This site first appeared May 31, 1998.</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font size="2"><em>Last updated:</em> </font><font size="3">January 13, 2000</font></strong></p> </blockquote> <script type="text/javascript"> var gaJsHost = (("https:" == document.location.protocol) ? "https://ssl." : "http://www."); document.write(unescape("%3Cscript src='" + gaJsHost + "google-analytics.com/ga.js' type='text/javascript'%3E%3C/script%3E")); </script> <script type="text/javascript"> try { var pageTracker = _gat._getTracker("UA-746665-6"); pageTracker._trackPageview(); } catch(err) {}</script> </body>