Squash racket ?

[gib6933]

OK so I bounced a squash ball around a court/small box with a friend on Sunday (while the drink I had Saturday night bounced my brain about my head), and I got into the idea that I would like to take up the sport for a bit of fun.

Now I’m going into this in my usual bull in a china shop way and already looking to buy the kit (all the gear no idea), and that’s my problem I have no idea. Do I get a light racket? One weighted to the head or handle? Or like I normally do get the best looking one with the longest made up words I can afford?

Thanks


Oh and mods please dont move me to the sports section straight away as it looks a bit lonely in there.

[MrGman]

gib6933 said:

OK so I bounced a squash ball around a court/small box with a friend on Sunday (while the drink I had Saturday night bounced my brain about my head), and I got into the idea that I would like to take up the sport for a bit of fun.

Now I’m going into this in my usual bull in a china shop way and already looking to buy the kit (all the gear no idea), and that’s my problem I have no idea. Do I get a light racket? One weighted to the head or handle? Or like I normally do get the best looking one with the longest made up words I can afford?

Thanks


Oh and mods please dont move me to the sports section straight away as it looks a bit lonely in there.

Just like i'd do

[Yakubu]

Head weighted gives more power,
Handle weighted gives more control as a rough guide.

I wouldn't spend too much on a racket just yet as its very likely you will break a few in your early days playing!

[Flintstone]

I thought this would be about the latest Nigerian scam

[gib6933]

Yakubu said:

its very likely you will break a few in your early days playing!

so its normal to whack the wall.
Thanks

[AlexanderV8]

Control is more important as a beginner. Get a lighter racket with the weight/feel in the handle but not too tightly strung. After years of playing, I still prefer the control the lighter racket gives. Power can come later as your timing improves, even with a lighter racket. Tighter stringing also helps give more power when the timing is there, even with light rackets.

Placement is far more important than power IMO.

[dibbly_dobbler]

gib6933 said:

Yakubu said:

its very likely you will break a few in your early days playing!

so its normal to whack the wall.
Thanks

I like Wilson racquets - durable and good power (ignore all the cr*p about technique,touch etc - it's all about power !!) Dont spend too much though as you'll probably break it..

eta - sorry Alexander, wasn't having a pop at you mate !

Edited by dibbly_dobbler on Monday 6th October 20:47

[gib6933]

OK one for power one for control lol, I'm heading for control at the moment i think

[AlexanderV8]

dibbly_dobbler said:

gib6933 said:

Yakubu said:

its very likely you will break a few in your early days playing!

so its normal to whack the wall.
Thanks

I like Wilson racquets - durable and good power (ignore all the cr*p about technique,touch etc - it's all about power !!) Dont spend too much though as you'll probably break it..

eta - sorry Alexander, wasn't having a pop at you mate !

Edited by dibbly_dobbler on Monday 6th October 20:47

No problem double D. Everyone has their opinion on these things .
I just like to get my opponents in the back corners where they can't use their power (if they have any in the first place!)
Cheers

[dibbly_dobbler]

gib6933 said:

OK one for power one for control lol, I'm heading for control at the moment i think

Nah - using 'touch' is tantamount to cheating and your opponents will hate you !

Use maximum power at all times and you will be admired and respected

[gib6933]

Thanks for all your help now i know what dose what. looks like its going to be a trial and error thing.

Thanks again

[ChrisO]

AlexanderV8 said:

Control is more important as a beginner. Get a lighter racket with the weight/feel in the handle but not too tightly strung. After years of playing, I still prefer the control the lighter racket gives. Power can come later as your timing improves, even with a lighter racket. Tighter stringing also helps give more power when the timing is there, even with light rackets.

Placement is far more important than power IMO.

Wot he said.

When I first started playing, I used to run around like my arse was on fire, smashing the hell out of everything and wondering why I kept getting hammered by a 50 year old bloke - then I stopped, watched a few matches and it all made sense.

I'm still crap though...

[jeff m]

One of those sports where a little coaching will get you a long way.
Correct grip and foot placement is essential, unless of course you want to scamper round the court like a headless chicken.

Racket, not the cheapest, strung with gut much better than synthetic.

I'm well past my play by date. Really miss it.

[blackvanman]

I would go for a light racket with the weight in the handle, coupled with a reasonably high string tension - which it probably will be off-the-shelf anyway.

For the same strings,

Low tension = High Power / Low Control
High tension = Low Power / High Control

Most people generally hit the ball too hard, so it's definitely worth trying to focus on control rather than power from the outset.

[Wacky Racer]

I have sold and restrung thousands of all makes of squash/badminton/tennis rackets for well over 30 years, and have never read so much nonsense as some of the advice on this thread.

[whitechief]

Wacky Racer said:

I have sold and restrung thousands of all makes of squash/badminton/tennis rackets for well over 30 years, and have never read so much nonsense as some of the advice on this thread.

If that is true, I might well know you.

[M400 NBL]

I usually buy my rackets from racketworld. They are on ebay, and so far they have always been the cheapest, and deliver within 3 days.

My faves used to be Wilson hammers, but i've recently bought a couple of browning esp 110 ti's, which have been money well spent. If my memory serves me right, I paid an average of £30 for each.

I fked my shoulder up the last time that I played. 1st time in a long time. My usual power game would have been fine for a couple of games....but not for about 10!

[Wacky Racer]

whitechief said:

Wacky Racer said:

I have sold and restrung thousands of all makes of squash/badminton/tennis rackets for well over 30 years, and have never read so much nonsense as some of the advice on this thread.

If that is true, I might well know you.

Why? Are you Jonah Barrington??......

[V8S]

When the hell did racquet become racket in this bloody country?

Racket means a lot of noise. As in:

Rod: "Shut that racket, or I'll apply the electrodes!"

[captainzep]

Never played particularly seriously but a friend who knew his stuff once showed me a few basic pointers (alot about the need to get back to the 'T'). This did more for my game than any racket purchase. -Although I did have a racket. Its fiendishly difficult without one.