You do not hit the shuttlecock with the racket. You hit the strings on the badminton racket. If the strings are out of shape, you will not get the most out of your racket.
Over the internet and on the court, you will find beginners discussing rackets and shuttles but rarely taking tension about the string tension. If you are serious about your badminton game, you need to understand the strings on the racket and how to get the best performance out of them.
Here are the most common questions and doubts that cloud the minds of new badminton players.
1. Why Do My Strings Break Often?
I use 28 lbs on my Astrox 77. It is according to the recommended string tension. However, they are breaking down every couple of days. In the last month, I restrung my racket thrice. Why do they break so many times?
Often, strings break when the racket is strung inaccurately or at a very high tension. If you are stringing the AX-77 at the recommended string tension, the problem is something else. Do you always go to the same stringer? Do they face the same problem with others? It is common for stringers to clamp the racket tightly. And it can damage the string when taking it off the machine.
When the stringing service is not the issue, change the string in question. The thinner gauge strings break easily. So, go for thick gauges in the range of 0.68mm to 0.72mm diameter. Yonex BG65 Titanium is one of the most durable strings for hard hitters. A similar option is NS700 Pro with a 0.70mm gauge and hard feeling upon contact. It is good for players who constantly break their strings. Additionally, you can try BG80 Power with 0.68mm and Ashaway ZyMax 68 TX badminton strings.
2. How Often Should I Re-String My Racket?
I play badminton once a week at the local club. My playing style is aggressive, and I like to hit hard smashes. How often should I change the string on my racket?
You must re-string your racket as much as you use. When you play once a week, you can restring it twice a year, especially if you are a beginner. For advanced and intermediate players, the number may increase per your intensity and style of playing.
Usually, beginners and recreational players opt for default factory strings that do not deliver accurate shot placement and racket experience. If you are looking for a beginner-friendly and recreational player-adjacent badminton string, the Yonex BG 65 string can be a good alternative.
3. How To Tell If My Racket Needs Restringing?
Every time I restring my racket, the stringer charges me ₹400-₹550. Is it necessary to restring every month when I play several days a week? Are there any clear signs to know it is time to restring my badminton racket?
When you are an avid player and play the game of badminton regularly, one recurring cost that affects the budget is the restringing of your racket. However, it is not necessary to restring your racket every month, even if you play several days a week. Although you may need to string it every 2-3 months, you must also look for other signs:
- Opt for a new string if you lose control over your shots.
- Are you finding it more difficult to generate power and flick the shuttlecock with force? If your answer is yes, your racket needs restringing.
- Check what kind of string you are using. Often polyester strings lose tension faster. Opt for multi-filament badminton strings with a durable external coating.
- If you have experienced some stiffness or pain in your arms and wrists, a freshly strung racket can help you alleviate the issue. Usually, rackets that lose string tension lack tautness and feel limp in your hands. It pushes you to generate more power and leads to injuries.
- If you like to play an aggressive game, you need to look out for your racket even more because hard hits can cause damage to the strings.
- If you see visible damage on the string or find several grommets broken, it is time to take your racket to a professional stringer.
4. What String Tension is Best Suited for a Beginner?
I have recently taken badminton to incorporate some kind of workout into my routine. I play casual badminton games most evenings with my friends. I am curious as to what string tension works best for a beginner like me.
Badminton is an intense form of full-body workout. It is a great way to improve your fitness. As a beginner, you can avoid focusing on the higher string tension of your racket. A good starting point can be 20-22 lbs to ensure a bigger sweet spot. It will be more forgiving and allow you to generate more power and control over your game. Yonex BG 65 is a beginner-friendly string. You can also try Li-Ning No. 7 and Ashaway Zymax 66 Fire Power for similar results.
One thing to also consider for a beginner is the feel of the racket. Do you enjoy a soft feel when hitting or require a hard-hitting sound when the shuttlecock contacts the racket? You can try the NS700 XT for a softer feeling.
5. Do I Need to Restring Backups Too?
I carry multiple rackets to my games. I use Yonex Astrox 88D as my primary, but I also have Astrox 100 ZX and an old Astrox 99. Do I need to restring all rackets every time I string the Astrox 88D Play?
Most badminton coaches and experts will recommend you to restring your backup rackets every time you restring your primary one. It is because even if you do not play with backups regularly, they will still lose tension (albeit at a slower rate). You do not want to find your spare racket slow and your shot placement inaccurate.
If you find the recommendation overindulgent, check your spare rackets every time you restring the main one. If you find any issue with the backup ones, opt for restringing them.
Tips to Improve Your Badminton Game
Whether you are a beginner or a recreational player, your goal is to improve your badminton skills and become a better player. The quality of the racket strings will play a crucial role in enhancing your game. However, the answer does not lie in choosing the most expensive badminton strings.
Understand your playing style. Introspect your game and pick badminton strings that complement you. By learning more about your skills, you will find which badminton strings and what string tension works best for you.