🎾 Why Is So Difficult To Play With Control Racket Compared To Power Racket? 🧐

[@whataboutjeff]

Thanks for this great video. As an ambitious beginner I finally understood the main differences between control and power. Still not sure what racket to commit to since I am currently playing with a cheap beginner racket but as you said at the end: maybe not overengineering things. Thank you !

[@sunx2024]

Thanks for the great video. As a recreational player I used to play tennis in the morning with my Blade 98 and now I understand why my days are screwed from time to time. 😂

[@Ilegator]

It took like 2 months for me to get used to the VCore Pro 97D (control racket, 320gr) but now my shoulder is really thankful about the change. I've had shoulder tendonitis for over a year and finally I'm getting out of it. I think heavier rackets are better for the joints, but I think it's necessary to use a better technique.

[@flodar1548]

There is plenty of racket between a Tfight 100, 16*19 vs an heavy customised 960 97 18*20. if you want a powered 98, take an ezone. if you want a precise 100, take a gravity or a blade.... But I agree on the number of racket brand, type, weight, model associated with the number of strings brand, type, gauge, tension make it impossible to find the perfect combo. sticking a an average racket is probably th best.

[@yarivfreed1098]

Thank you for your clear explanation of whether or not to choose a control racquet.

[@Peter-ly9gd]

Ahoj ,super video,Prosím ta čo si myslíš o rakete Head Prestige Mid 2020? Pokračuj v tomto projekte ma to zmysel

[@CzechTennisGuy]

Ahoj, děkuji. Konečně nějaký Čech. Prestige MID už je dneska spíše rarita. Bezesporu skvělá raketa, ale kdo to dneska stíhá a umí hrát s hlavou 600 cm2/93 in2? Ani profíci. Djokovic tuším stále hraje se Speedkou s hlavou 613 cm2/95 in2, ale menší hlava je v dnešním rychlém tenise nepraktická. Na druhou stranu pokud nehraješ na závodní úrovni, tak to může být vlastně neskutečná zbraň proti slabším hráčům, protože budeš stíhat a mít dostatek času na přesné zahrání míčku. Takže proč ne.

[@vagsiaf]

Hey thanx for the video. I have a question if you may: I am returning to tennis after a 5 month injury, and I was planning (after deep research) to go for the Head Radical MP. After watching your video I am thinking to go for the Head Boom MP. I am afraid to lose the control, my previous racket was the Blade V8 18x16 and a lot of my higher level opponents (i ve only started 4 years ago) suggest I play with an easier racket, sounds like what u say on the video.

[@johnaronson5974]

I'm a senior male 3.0 with a history of arm issues. Currently using a Volkl Vostra 4 strung with natural gut. Arm is better but I think the racquet is a little light. Would adding weight help or hurt arm or ease of play? Thoughts?

[@christiansantfournier2794]

Brilliant Video👌👌. I'm not sure what to think to be honest. I only started playing tennis a bit over a year ago at the age of 48. I started with a Pure Drive which i feel is a great go to racket but then i bought a used Pure Strike 98 16x19 and I loved it. It opened up new avenues, I felt i could start targeting areas of the court with it and above all I felt i could get colser to the net with confidence. At first i felt the weight was maybe slightly too much after the Pure Drive because my Drive was aroung 4 grams on the light side and 5mm head lighter than it should be. I have also used a Speed MP which to me feels lovely to handle but feels a bit vague when you push it. Like the ball can overshoot or dip into the net without understanding why. Strangely enough I feel much more confident playing with a Speed Pro Graphene XT that I found recently, than the MP. True it feels like hitting with a board compared with the MP but I feel more confident when hitting with it because i seem to not be surprised by it. I have used a Yonex Vcore pro 97 which is super lovely to use, feels solid and amazing quality feel but maybe slightly lacking in the power department. I have come to admit that it's my Pure Strike Gen 2 that i love the most. When i play with it I find that i'm not thinking abut what is it going to do, I forget about that and I simply focus on the game. For me there are no excuses with my Pure Strike.

[@greenpeaks]

27:55 I'm confused.. są softer are more control oriented, but people come back to stiffer because they give more sensation.. so if they give more sensation that means more control.. so why softer give more control?! ..and can u give examples of soft racquets among current pro players?? I usually play six one 95 blx 18x20 which is heavy, medium stiff, control oriented racquet and sometimes switch to kfactor which is stiffer and for me even more control oriented.. but I also have comparably very soft Prince 95 325gr. 18x20 (version without grommets).. for me it's soft, comfortable, nothing special about control and even less control than my current racquet.. so I don't know where do you see control there and most pro players play medium to stiff frames.. none Pro Staff racquets are soft; RA at least 65.. so which pro racquets do you consider soft??

[@gladiola541]

been using tr960 16x19 for a year now. 335gr in total, such a pain in the a**! lol but once u pull of crazy spin out of it, deadly flat down the line and beautiful drop shots, it was amazing!

[@marcinsobolewski7984]

I’ve got question. I have opportunity to buy 2 Babolat Aero Pro drive 2013 n very good condition. They looks like someone kept them under the blanket. My question sound maybe stupid but I’m courious if that racket loosing some properties or playability when is not in use for 11 yers let’s say. I can buy even 1 generation which is looks like brand new.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

It doesn't lose any properties if it wasn't used for 10 years. The only thing that would worry me is whether it's strung or unstrung. If it was kept strung for 10 years, that's probably going to affect the frame rigidity little bit because having strings in the frame for such a long time can pressure a deform the frame little bit. But if it was stored without strings in it, the racket should be fine.

[@jesuscamargo6820]

The video is simply wonderful!!!! very good experience, I have been changing rackets every month for just 1 year... 😥, I played with the pure aero 2019 and decided to change to the pure aero 2023 with a tighter pattern, after 3 months I change again because it creates a lot of lack of control and now I'm thinking of going for the blade v8 16x19 or the aero 98 2023, which of the two do you recommend? If neither of these two works for me, maybe I'll go back to the 2019 version... thank you very much for your wonderful videos!!! and your great kindness

[@christiansantfournier2794]

Pure Strike comes to mind reading your post.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

I recommend the Blade v8 16x1, because it's a great mix of all features like spin, feel, control and precision. This racket has it all plus very good comfort.

[@TennisLBowl]

I just bought a Head Boom MP, it's supposed to be in their power racket category but it also feels soft and flexible. Is it really a power racket?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

That's the hidden beauty of the Boom series. It was marketed as a power racket, but in real life it's a well balanced mix between power and control. It's a racket that allows you to swing super fast and still have very good control and precision with it. Unlike other rackets in this category, you will rarely shoot outside the lines with this stick. Feel is also on the more sensitive and crisper side. Head created something really unique with the Boom series that people still discover. I blaim Head for wrong marketing, because the Boom series is capable of great tennis even for advanced players with good skills, yet people don't know about it. It's similar to Vcore Pro 100 racket from Yonex in my opinion in terms of power/control ratio.

[@TennisLBowl]

@@CzechTennisGuy Wow that's awesome, glad that I chose the Boom MP, and thank you for the insights!

[@bmanbusee3812]

I have the new boom mp and Percept 100(vcore pro 100 basically). Author mostly right but the boom mp has more power and spin while the Percept has better control. Note the boom mp is very light and won’t hold up well against better players unless you modify it with weight. But yeah, good all around stick

[@rds4629]

interesting discussion. I have tried to pick up more powerful racquets but I've found my best success w the head prestige tour (95"). The difference comes down to the FH... w/ the Babolats (Pure Rafa, Pure Aero) I feel like I have to hold back and this hurts me in big points. I should like the babolat b/c I have a western FH and use a fair amount of spin... Ironically I actually like the easy power on volleys and it's much easier to defend hard hit shots w/ the babolat. Finally although the serve is easier in terms of less effort again it seems like I hit better serves w/ more kick using the Tour (according to my receivers)... Caveat to this is I have a limited time to test out a demo racquet (we have to return it w/in a week) so maybe if I committed a month to it, I'd get that confidence in my FH and adjust my serve as well. I have even tried using a control/power hybrid racquet and that is the least satisfying b/c it doesn't have the free power and doesn't give me the confidence to swing out.

[@ariurip3751]

So hard yet so much satisfaction when hitting it good. If it is too easy we can get bored.

[@christiannovak-zemplinski9749]

I'm a bit of a masochist I guess. I started playing 2 years ago (at 37) and try to practice and play for the player I want to be, which is someone with good technique, precision and touch. If I just wanted to win points I'd be better of with an easier racquet and safer playstyle (pusher). But I don't actually mind the downside of a control racquet making me miss more when my technique is not perfect, because I believe it helps me fix my technique faster than an easier racquet would, which would "cover" my mistakes. So I'll stick to my PS97 v13 for now until I get good enough to handle it or until I get tired of errors. I also have a one-handed backhand which is usually recommended to play control-ish racquets with.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

The idea behind this philosophy is ok if you meet certain criteria. You have to be very commited to tennis, playing regularly, working hard and trying new things. With a racket like PS97 you have to be very precise and limit the off-center shots by learning flawless technique. PS97 is by no means a racket for pusher. Pushers need stiff power racket with bigger headsize most of the times. They don't take advantage of smaller head, thinner beam and feel that comes from a control oriented racket like this. Most important is having fun when doing any sport. Don't let the equipment control you and they way you want to experience the game.

[@johnnacke4134]

Tennis Guy: Blade 98 16x19 vs Ezone 98 vs Speed MP…. Which one would you take to a match? And which one would best fit this 4.0 senior? Best, John

[@michaelziak]

I think Blade will good specially new green one I think it is a v9 version

[@tamagonbagel6569]

Let's say I'm used to a smaller head size and thin beam because of what I played with when I was younger, but I need more free power now. How much can a powerful string choice overcome the challenges that a control-oriented racquet has?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

Players say that strings are 50% of the performance of a tennis racket, so the strings have a massive impact on how you feel the ball, how powerful are your shots and how much control/spin/touch/comfort you get from your racket. Imagine racket as a platform and string as a fine tuning component that enhances the features of the tennis racket. So if you put a lively string in it, like natural gut or multifilament, you will get crazy amount of power, feel and touch. Hybrids are very popular to take advantages from all of the worlds - feel, touch, comfort with spin, control and precision. Durability will be limited by the softest string used in the setup, but you will boost free power and speed of your shots dramatically.

[@goldencalf5144]

Beginners should play with the scalpel to improve their cutting skills. It takes more skill to perform surgery with a knife than a scalpel. Similarly, I believe beginners should only play with "powerful" racquets once they've learned to hit with proper form. ie once they're no longer beginners. The Pure Drive is an axe BTW.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

I can't disagree more. Scalpel is for professionals. You can't expect beginner to do well with a tool like that. First you need to learn the game, the basics and good technique to move up the ranks of tennis rackets. I agree with the last point - Pure Drive is really an axe in the best sense. I played with this axe over 15 years, with a + (longer) version, which is even more brutal and powerful. I was always very skinny but with this racket the amount of power I got was unbelievable and I could match guys with much more muscle and strenght thanks to this racket. Nowadays I don't need the axe anymore.

[@goldencalf5144]

@@CzechTennisGuy Powerful racquets will usually discourage a beginner to hit full strokes as they will sail long unless there is a lot of topspin on the ball. As a result the beginner will hit with short, abbreviated strokes to keep the ball in and this will be grooved into their muscle memory. Whereas a control racquet encourages the player to use full strokes with proper mechanics as there is little free power. There is also more feedback off the stringbed which acts as a useful self calibration tool for the player. The power response is more linear and predictable. I agree that a tweener frame may be better for a beginner who just plays occasionally for fun. But for a beginner looking to improve their game, a control racquet is the best tool for the job.

[@CzechTennisGuy]

@@goldencalf5144 Some of your points have logic in it but it's not that easy and it all depends on many other things. It depends whether we are talking about child, junior, adult or senior. And as you mentioned, it depends also on the result the player wants to achieve. If he is just playing for fun 1x per week, he doesn't need a control oriented racket. If he wants to improve and get better every time a lighter more control oriented racket can work pretty well for him. Most important in this case is the weight of the frame (swingweight) and headsize of course. You can grab Blade 100L and learn the game very easily for sure. But in this video I was talking about advanced control oriented rackets that have 98-97 inch2 head and weight is over 300g. And they are for sure not suitable for a beginner. I can't imagine a single couch that would put Blade 98 or Pro Staff 97 to the hand of a beginner. There can be examples that can work for sure, but for 9 cases out of 10, this would not work.

[@goldencalf5144]

@@CzechTennisGuy I agree that kids need smaller racquets and older players with mobility issues benefit from lighter, powerful racquets. But 20 years ago, 95-98 sqi was considered mid plus. And back in the 70s and 80s, most racquets were much smaller and heavier. What did beginners do back then?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

@@goldencalf5144 Technique has developed from flatter shots to spin shots. Smaller head is even smaller when you try hitting the ball with a top spin. With flat shots the smaller head is not limiting the shot as much.

[@victorsrpapacoy5602]

Control Rackets are those 18x20 right? I bought one and I got injured, I had a severe tennis elbow. I bought a 16x19 and strung it at 35 and it became my medicine racket. Cured my tennis elbow.

[@federicorusso4378]

Not really. That's just a tighter string setup which offers more control. Control rackets tend to have thinner beams. Think of prestige, pro staff, blade, cx200, pure strike, etc.

[@bigdaddy812]

Check your technique. Control raquets have lower RA rating (stiffness) which helps to prevent arm injuries. I don’t think it was the raquet unless you had super stiff tension,

[@victorsrpapacoy5602]

@@bigdaddy812 I was using pro stuff 90 Before switching to the Head prestige 95! I think the 18x20 really injured my elbow. Because when I switch to the Prestige mid 16x19 it was softer on the Elbow and it was Producing more topspin

[@CzechTennisGuy]

The 18x20 string pattern is stiff as board so lower your tension to get the softness from it. I prefer 16x19, it's perfect for most players out there.

[@pawelfronczyk1579]

Swingweight and balance of the racquet makes all the difference, you look so tired and unhappy hitting with Artengo especially on the backhand side because you don't get enough racquet head speed.

[@romainalbertcorsi]

Hi Tennis Guy. According to you is the Blade 100 a control oriented racket or more a versatile racket for all days ?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

Hi Romain, the Blade 100 is definitely one of the most versatile rackets on the market. It ticks all the boxes - power, spin, control, feel, easy to use of, manooovrlbity. Overall a great tweener racket for a huge audience. With most other 100 in2 rackets you get only great power and spin, but not the feel and touch. With the new Blade V9 you get also the touch and feel with all the other features.

[@romainalbertcorsi]

@@CzechTennisGuy hi thanks for your answer ! And i have the possibility to have the v8 in a good Price do you think the v9 has a Big improvement?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

@@romainalbertcorsi I would say the V9 is better, probably the best one in years. Is it worth the extra money? Once again it depends on how much do you play tennis. If it is your main hobby and you play let's say regularly 2-4x times a week, go for the V9. If it is just one of your many hobbies and you play just 1x time a week, go for the V8.

[@romainalbertcorsi]

@@CzechTennisGuy in fact I play 5 Times a week 🤣🤣 it IS very strange I really like the v8 on training ! But on match I Lost my last 2 matchs on some opponents who are not so good as usual. I want more power and I have the impression that v9 has that ! Or perhaps shift ?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

The thing with the V9 is that it feels a lot easier to play with compared to the V8. I still have the V8 very high on my list among control/feel oriented rackets. But the V8 felt quite heavy at moments and it doesn't produce that much easy power and easy spin as the V9. In training you swing more freely without worrying of making a mistake. So the V8 feels more capable when not under pressure of the scoring. But in match people mostly feel more tight, stressed and firm. The V9 helps to reduce the stress by helping a little bit more with the free power and spin potential. It's also more forgiving. You can practice with the V8 and switch to the V9 in a match situation and you will probably feel the relief and helping hand.

[@derekpappas1556]

You do not look agile with the artengo . Do you feel that the head size is to large to get around you properly ? Control racquets should perform with nimbleness and as an extension of the self . To perform with the Dunlop CX 200 tour 18x20 , you need to be highly athletic , own yourself and be free . 3 hours in a row would be difficult , unless you own the game .

[@CzechTennisGuy]

I think I chose the wrong part of the training with this racket as a video comparison. The biggest difference is during a match, where the Artengo is quicker, because my effort is also around 30% higher compared to casual hitting from the middle of the court. I will try to make some compilation of my best shots with the Artengo, later. And it really depends on the particular day. As you said, when you feel the game and you own the game, the Artengo is simply wonderful to hit with. On the bad days it can be a pain in the a$$ for sure.

[@derekpappas1556]

@@CzechTennisGuy Thank you for the reply . I did not want the comments and question to sound rude and yet there was a 50/ 50 chance that it may be interpreted that way .

[@yili9725]

I am wondering what's your level? I don't think anyone should have 2 different rackets, 1 for good day and 1 for bad day. my take out is that, only if you are advanced armature or pro level, you cannot use control oriented rackets. I am not even sure advanced armature should either. for me, i am under 4.0. I have played for many years and at least tried to perfect my techniques. I realize many techniques taught on youtube channels are simply not for armature players. for me, for forehand example, I do a full swing and not a pusher type by nature. I don't think I have a high percentage hitting with sweat spot. i guess for me i would use a power oriented racket, the only question is how much control i should want in that racket. any ideas/suggestions of rackets?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

Control oriented rackets are mostly for advanced and experienced players in a club who play tennis as their main sport. It can be hobby or even semi-professional, but you should give it all to use a control oriented racket. For weekend warriors and pure amateurs I always recommend rackets with max. 300g weight and 100 inch2 head size. Playing with other rackets requires hours of training weekly and a very good technique. I consider myself a decent club level player, I play competition matches every year in Czech Republic and Austria. I have a 30+ year experience with tennis racket in my hand, coaching tennis etc. I would say I can play with any racket up to 320g of unstrung weight and 98 inch2 head size. Here is one of my matches against a decent club level junior: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZnbhGireJp6r9ksi=tlTn_D1txynijOHr

[@akbarberlian]

So is it better to learn tennis with power racket? Or control racket? Im beginner playing in second year, age 31 183cm height. I use prince tour 100p that I use everyday. Also have ezone 100 285. I like the prince since it is easier to hit flat. But I have to commit every shot. Shouldn’t it good for my development?

[@CzechTennisGuy]

It's better to learn tennis with a racket you have 100% in control and you feel good with it. I suggest 100 inch2 rackets with 290-300g unstrung weight for men.

[@johncharles2357]

Do you like to win? When you play a match, are you really trying to win and is that all you think about? Or do you care more about growing and learning? I know people who care a lot about winning and that is what makes tennis fun. They want to learn/grow but they will not sacrifice winning for it. If you care more about learning/growing, play with whatever is most fun for you and what you feel will make you a better player (even if that means losing most of the time).

[@JrJVintage1956]

8 minutes in and you still haven't started getting to the point of the video... I wish I had all day to wait for the subject of your video to come up in the video.... uggggh

[@CzechTennisGuy]

I know that my videos take time to watch but that's the way I do it. I don't like videos that are cut to 5 minutes with just the "important" info because I can't process the info that fast. I like the slower pace and little bit more background talk that will eventually lead to the core of the problem. I think people can absorb that info and think about it in a much meaningful way.