As with any racket sport, when people start playing racketball, the first item most players will purchase is a racket, and for good reason. Your racket is undoubtedly the most important item when it comes to how well you play, so it makes sense to prioritise getting a good one.
The problem is many people don’t fully understand what they should be looking for in a racket and can often end up purchasing one that doesn’t match their style based on name recognition alone.
That’s why we’ve broken down everything there is to know about racketball rackets below, with everything from how different components effect performance to who each option is best suited for. This will hopefully give you all the information you need, to select a racketball racket that matches your style and ability and takes your game to the next level.
Types Of Racketball Rackets
Head Light
A racketball racket with a light head is designed to give players maximum speed and manoeuvrability. This is ideal for beginners, as it will allow them to adapt to the speed of the game, while it is equally beneficial to those with less upper body strength.
Even
Racketball rackets with an even weighted head give a balanced output of speed, power and manoeuvrability. They can be effective for players of all abilities and are a good choice for anyone who hasn’t developed a particular style to their game yet.
Head Heavy
Heavy racketball rackets allow the player to generate significant power with less effort, however they do so by sacrificing speed and manoeuvrability. They are best suited to players whose games rely on power and people with great levels of upper body strength, as well as professional players, as they will have a much better ability to judge where a ball is going to land.
Things To Consider
Frame Weight
Frame weight dictates the speed, power and manoeuvrability of a racket, so make sure to select one with the characteristics that best match your style of play.
Swing Speed
The speed of your swing dictates the power you strike the ball with. You need to make sure you select a racket that has a weight you can comfortably swing, in order to generate sufficient power.
Swing Height
Much like above, the height of your swing is again greatly determined by the weight of your racket. Your ability to swing the racket high enough will determine if you can effectively perform a lob shot, so make sure you don’t select a racket that you are limited by, based on your physical ability.
Grip Size
Grip size directly relates to the hand size of the user. You want to ensure you select a racket that you can comfortably get a good, firm grip on, which will allow you to play to the best of your ability.
String Tension
The greater the tension in the strings, the more power you will generate in a shot. Make sure you have a level of tension in your racket that allows you to play in the style you desire.
Skill Level – Advised Rackets For
Beginner
For beginners, I would recommend either the Head MX Fire or the Head MX Cyclone Racketball Rackets. Both of these are light and have large heads, which are ideal for helping new players pick up the speed of the game, while their reasonable price tag won’t be off-putting.
Intermediate
For players of an intermediate level, I would recommend the Head Radical Edge Racketball Racket. It features an even weight to the head, which produces a well-rounded style of play, and is made by one of the top manufacturers, so you can be assured of its quality. It is also in the midrange price bracket, so you won’t be left feeling ripped off or like you’ve cheaped out.
Advanced
For those at the top end of the game, I would highly suggest the Dunlop Hyperfibre Ultimate Racketball Racket. It’s from a make and line that are both highly regarded in the pro circles for their quality and performance, while its slightly heavier head will allow for maximum power in your shots. Despite a slightly higher price tag, it is still reasonable compared to some options and will be worth the money for players competing at an elite level.
Your Budget
Make sure to set yourself a clear budget right from the start. As racketball rackets can get very pricey, you don’t want to waste your time analysing or falling in love with a racket that you can’t afford in the first place.
Racketball Racket Maintenance
The primary maintenance required on a racketball racket, or a racket of any kind for that matter, is ensuring the strings maintain sufficient tension. With time and use, the tension in the strings will decrease, leading to significantly less power in your shots. To avoid this, you must restring your racket whenever you notice a visible reduction in tension. Sometimes you will only be required to replace a few affected strings, while in other instances you will need to restring the entire head.
The other area that may require maintenance is the grip. Grips can wear out over time, simply due to the physical nature of their job. This can lead to lower levels of comfort, as well as a significantly impaired level of play. That’s without even mentioning the aesthetic effect it can have.
Outside of this, the only other thing worth mentioning is to keep you racket clean and dry when not in use, as this will help to extend the life of the product.
