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Sunday, December 14, 2014

Yonex Nanoray900 Review

Review Date: 14 December 2014
Racquet Type: Yonex Nanoray900 SP version
Specs: 3UG5
Flex: Stiff+
Balance: 285mm (Head Light Balance)
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax
Tension: 25lbs, pre-stretched using Yonex ES5PROTECH
Grip: Yonex cushion wrap + original grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology: Super HMG, Nanopreme & X-Fullerene etc.

First Impression:

This racquet made its debut early this year around May and is the main racquet of choice by Muhammad Ahsan and Hendra Setiawan. A successor to Nanoray 800 and arguably the Nanoray Z-Speed. It occupies the niche of a fast attacking doubles racquet. The colours and physical shape can be found in Yonex Website.

Final comprehensive review

I played mostly doubles (and half court singles)

TOC (time on court) when making review:

total of 20 hours of game play.


Warm Ups:
Warming involves baseline to baseline forehand clears.
Clears are long and far owing to the aerodynamics of the racquet and how fast the racquet swings.
If one word is to describe this racquet is 'sharp-shooting'. My reason is it's stiff yet fast owing to the repulsive nature of the frame, with a unique frame design, which claimed to create steeper angle of smash.

When contacted on the sweetspot, the force imparted on the shuttlecock can be felt acutely on your hands, i.e. the repulsion. Although, these could also be attributed to the strings you used.

Drives are pretty fast owing to the 'aerodynamic' slim frame and shaft. The racquet is very manoeuvrable and hence very good for fast reaction.
The racquet shaft is similar to Nanoray Z-Speed and felt that the stiffness is the same. However, Yonex claimed to make the frame of the Nanoray 900 different which will give the smash steeper angle. I do feel that the racquet cuts differently when slicing the shuttle or hitting downwards. Eventhough, Yonex specification gave me the hindsight, the frame definitely feels different when I perform an overhead stroke.
Perhaps it's the effort of the designers to improve the power of a headlight racquet. The 'kickpoint' is move higher up to the frame,


Game Time:
I won't go into detail each and every shot tried.
Generally since I am playing doubles, receiving of serve and serve are great as expected for a fast and light racquet.
The headlightness of the head of this racquet is apparent, as one can comfortably and easily whip the racquet to hit shuttle comfortably with the backhand strokes for fast jabs.
Owing to the head lightness, this racquet is very easy to handle, easy to go short handle grip to long handle grip.
Not much fatigue felt on my hands after an hour of game.

Front court: Aerodynamics of the racquet and the slim shaft of the racquet allow quick and fast reaction to perform netshots, netkills and crosscourt net shots. Racquet cuts very fast through the air.

Midcourt: This racquet plays good in the mid court range area as it is both good in attack and jabs. The fast handling and aerodynamics allows fast reaction. As for drive shots, this racquet can rival the best headlight racquets, that I have used particularly Nanospeed 9900. Backhand drive is excellent. A smash at midcourt is almost a guaranteed kill; especially when connected on the sweetspot, one can feel the repulsion and the focus of the impact on the racquet driving the shuttle to the floor.

Back court:
Basically smashes, drops and clears in backcourt. This racquet is great at the back, pumping smashes and full length clears. However, I feel a lack of momentum compared to headheavy racquets when doing the full swing. Extra pronation of the wrist needed to generate power.

Control is excellent, slicing (normal and reverse) and checked drops are precise, fast and relatively accurate. However if the pace is faster, control suffers owing to smaller sweetspot and mistiming issues (racquet swings too fast). This is a common issue among the latest model racquets with smaller frame.

Conclusion: 
An improvement to Nanoray 800 with more repulsion more aerodynamic slimmer frame. A head light racquet with a better handling compared to other models. Good for fast strokes, but control is sacrifice at a faster pace (owing to smaller head and timing issues: fast swing).

Feel: 9.0/10

Control: 9.0/10


Power: 9.5/10


Defence: 10/1
0

Maneuverability: 10/10

Pros: Maneuverability on the defence and very fast swing.

Cons: Hard to connect the sweetspot consistently (perhaps improve over time) and control is not as consistent with my other racquet owing to timing issues (racquet swings too fast).

Suitability: intermediate/advanced players 3U and 2U

Player type: Fast racquet for defence and counter-attacking.

Footnote: this review was done as a hobby and as an interest to inform fellow badminton enthusiast. This is my personal opinion and in no form to promote this racquet.

Conflict of interest: None

Reference: Yonex website (accessed @ 17/1/15)

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Voltric Z-Force II, Lee Chong Wei version

I finally played enough hours to write a brief review.

This is a 4UG5 JP version.

There is a serial code written near the T-joint, stating JP Pat. No. 5281767.

Compared to the 4UG5 SP normal version, this LCW JP version felt head heavier a bit but less stiff.

Overall dimensions are the same, materials in the shaft and frame the same.

Appearance-wise this racquet is in a cacophony of colours with dark pink (as Yonex calls it).

Owing to the less stiff  shaft and head heavier specs, the racquet felt easier to whip for overhead shots.

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Badminton Holiday in Osaka, Japan

Although I did not have time to play badminton in Osaka, I managed to get my shopping in on badminton stuff.

Staying at a Hotel in Namba, Shuttlehouse, the online badminton store is only 200meters away on foot.
Unfortunately, the store is rather small and the main focus is online business. Hence there is not much choice for those who walk in and shop. Shoes are pretty limited in stocks and sizes.

No deterred, I went to a larger sports shop called Spotaka.

The badminton and racquet sports are all located in one level, I believed it was level 8 or something.
There is also a tax rebate for tourist at level 6.
Spotted a pamphlet highlighting Japan's recent victory in the 2014 Thomas cup.
The pamphlet highlights the news of Japan's victory over China in the semi finals and over Malaysia in the finals.
Got my hands on a Wilson catalog as well.
As usual, Japan's Misaki Matsutomo graces the catalog together with Sho Sasaki.
A poster with Misaki Matsutomo using the Fierce 2 BLX, Japan Limited Edition.
Here, Sho Sasaki is using the Recon 2 BLX, Japan Limited Edition.

Spotted some school girls with a Yonex bag waiting for the bus.
Seems like badminton is a popular sports for school students, but haven't spotted adults playing badminton.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

Conclusion of BWF World Championship 2014 in Copenhagen, Denmark

This witness a historic event in Spain's badminton.

For the first time, a Spanish player wins the World Championship title.

Spaniard Carolina Marin defeated Li Xuerui of China in a thrilling 3 sets 17-21 21-17 & 21-18.

On the other front, Lee Chong Wei failed in his bid to win the world championship losing to Chen Long in a closed 2 set games, 21-19 21-19.

Lee Chong Wei was trailing most of the time and manage to level the score many times, but an aggressive Chen Long held on to nail his 1st world title.

The other 3 disciplines are domestic affairs:

Mixed doubles and Women's doubles are: China vs. China

Whereas

Men's doubles is South Korea vs South Korea.

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Sports specific equipment-tennis

Recently, I have been picking up tennis again, after stopping for a while.

I got my two tennis racquets restrung @ 55lbs with Yonex strings.

In addition to a tennis racquet, I got myself a pair of tennis shoes.
Asics Gel Dedicate 3. I tried it out, and bought it owing to its lightness and relatively cheap price.

A brief review of this shoe.
Pros: cheap, light weight and good cushioning (Asics is famous for its Gel cushion)
Cons: The ventilation is poor compared to higher end models (feet heats up easily).

The reason I didn't buy a more expensive pair of shoes is the amount of Time I will spend playing tennis is not much, as badminton I play more frequently.

For clothing and socks, tennis is pretty similar to badminton.

Differences and similarities. 

Both are racquet sports, hitting a projective to the opponent's court and scoring points when landed in.

Tennis is very different from badminton in terms of biomechanics and movement on court.

In tennis, majority of strokes (contact point) are at waist level, with the racquet lifting the ball above the net and adding spin. 

Badminton, the majority of strokes in the overhead stroke, using wrist movement or pronation.

In terms of overhead like serve or smash, it is similar to badminton.

For movement on court, badminton's base is center court, whereas in tennis, it is at the baseline of the court (for singles).

More to come when I get better in Tennis...

Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Commonwealth Games-Badminton fix

The recent completed badminton games at the 2014 Commonwealth games saw some new winners.

Notably absent was Men's singles former champion, Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia.

His absence opened some opportunity for up and coming shuttlers to win the gold medal at Badminton's men's singles.

 India's Kashyap Parupalli won the gold medal by beating Singapore's Derek Wong 14-21, 21-11, 19-21.

While Canada's Michelle Li won the Women's singles by beating local Scot, Kristy Gilmour.

Last but not least, The Adcocks won the Mixed doubles by beating their compatriots Langridge/Olver.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Lack of major badminton tournament in the month of July and August

There is a noticeably a lack of super series games in this two months.

Owing to major sporting events like the FIFA world cup and the coming Commonwealth games in Glasgow Scotland, badminton may struggle to compete for viewers and TV ratings.

The next major badminton competition is the World Championship held in Copenhagen Denmark, looking forward to it.

Should I plan a badminton holiday to Denmark? I never visited Denmark before...

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Badminton Holiday in Jakarta: Outside the entrance of the Istora Senayan Stadium 2014.

The scene outside the entrance, there's live band, cut-outs of famous Indonesian players for photo taking and various booths.
                                           Ticket touts/scalpers waiting outside the entrance to sell to those last minute fans who wanted to watch the games.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Badminton Holiday in Indonesia - BCA Indonesia Open 2014 at Istora Senayan, Jakarta Indonesia

Just came back from Jakarta after watching the BCA Indonesia Open 2014 live in Istora Senayan Indoor Stadium.
Istora is a huge complex of sporting facilities, including the Bung Karno football stadium.

That day, there's a huge political rally in the stadium, here are the buses bringing the political party supporters to the stadium.


It is my first time in Jakarta, although I visited Indonesia before, particularly Bali.

Now, I can say that I have watch Indonesia Open at Jakarta.

There any many festivities outside the stadium, felt like a carnival.
This year, the Indonesia Open is sponsored by BCA or Bank Central Asia instead of Djarum.

The courts are blacked out, just like the All-England.
It was raining heavily on the 21st June 2014, a mini flood occurs at the main entrance.

Managed to stay a hotel very near Istora Senayan, which is within walking distance.

The crowd support is very partisan, bordering on nationalistic fervor.
The crowd support to the local players is much stronger than those of Malaysia or Singapore, places where I watched live badminton before.
The crowds began singing and chanting some Indonesian songs.
There were some famous Indonesian actresses in the stadium, and the cameramen kept zooming in on them.

Below a match between Wang Shixian vs Ratchanok Inthanon, with the crowd behind Inthanon.

Below is the match between Cheng Xu/Ma Jin vs Local favourites Tantowi Ahmad & Liliyana Natsir aka Butet. Unfortunately for the vocal crowd, Ahmad succumb to the pressure of expectations and lost to the Chinese pair.
After the game, I managed to sample some of the local Indonesian food.

Tried the Indonesian Nasi Goreng (Fried rice) from their kaki lima (hawker) stalls.
And the Indonesia Sate (BBQ skewered meat) with lontong in a restaurant near the FX mall, Senayan.
I didn't managed to buy a lot of stuff at the booth. Managed to get a Djarum shirt...

I didn't watch the finals live, but watched in the hotel Tv channel Trans 7.

Overall, it was an eye opening experience watching live in Indonesia.

Monday, June 9, 2014

Badminton Holiday

Watching badminton live in another country is a very different experience.

This week is the Japan Open which will be held in the Tokyo's metropolitan gymnasium at 1-17-1 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0051 Japan.

Owing to lack of planning, I would not be watching Japan Open live, but will be going to Indonesia to watch the Djarum Open.

Looking forward to my badminton holiday in Jakarta.   





Sunday, June 1, 2014

Yonex-Sunrise warehouse sales

The warehouse sales has just finished.

It was held at the Jalan Pemimpin warehouse in Bishan.

The layout was better than last year, with the cashier moved to the back of the warehouse instead of the entrance.

Prices are the same as last year.

Absent from the list is Arcsaber 11, selling for SGD 150.

I didn't buy anything this time around as I was hoping to get Arcsaber FB or Nanoray 900.

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Thomas cup 2014-post mortem Finals - Japan 3 Malaysia 2

The Thomas cup finals 2014 is one of the most exciting and nail-biting badminton tournament in recent history.

Held in New Delhi, this is neutral ground for the two opponents.

The game between Malaysia and Japan was very competitive, stretching the teams to the limit.

With the tie at 2-2, the decider fell to the 3rd men's singles, pitting Darren Liew (ranked 66th) vs. Takuma Ueda (ranked 25th).

Takuma played very calmly with minimal errors.
Takuma took the 1st game easily (21-12) as Darren committed many errors by playing passively.

Darren finally woke up in the 2nd game with a display of very good jumpsmashes which he used to win in 2012 France Open finals.

Takuma had no answer to Darren's attacking play and crosscourt net shots, with Darren taking the 2nd set 21-18.

The decider game was like a game of chess, each player played very cautiously. 

Takuma played a safe game and prevented Darren from setting up his deadly jumpsmashes.

Darren Liew possessed a very good attacking play and was overcame by his numerous unforced errors.

At a crucial point with Takuma leading 17-15, Darren allowed a high lift to land at the baseline, thinking it was out.

This unforced error allowed Takuma to lead 18-15. 
Above is the eagle eye replay of a misjudge by Darren Liew, where Takuma's lift landed on Darren's baseline giving the Japanese 18-15. 

The difference between Takuma and Darren, is the number of unforced errors.

The 1st singles was between Lee Chong Wei and Kenichi Tago, which saw the Malaysian taking the game easily in straight sets, giving Malaysia the lead 1-0.

The 1st doubles was a critical game. The Japanese top doubles pair of Endo and Hayakawa won 12-21, 21-17 and 21-19. 

The scratch pair of Tan Boon Heong and Hoon Thien How put out a tough fight, stretching the game to rubber set. 

The energy sapping 3rd set maybe a bridge too far for the Malaysian pair especially given the high BMI of Hoon Thien How, which affects endurance.

The third tie was 2nd singles between rising star Kento Momota vs Chong Wei Feng. 

Momota easily took the game 21-15, 21-17, giving Japan a 2-1 lead.

The 2nd doubles was perhaps the most nail biting, with Japan poised to eliminate Malaysia. 

Japanese supporters celebrating.

The Japanese took the 1st set 21-19, putting enormous pressure on the scratch pair of Tan Wee Kiong & Goh V Shem.

The Malaysians held their nerve and won the second set 21-17 giving Malaysia a brief lifeline. 

The 3rd set, the Japanese caved in due to perhaps to excitement of finishing off the Malaysians quickly. 

The attacking play by Goh V Shem was pretty deadly with Tan Wee Kiong controlling the net.

The Japanese tried to prevent the Malaysian's attacking play by playing drive or flat shots, but the Japanese committed errors owing to their tactic of not lifting with little margin of the shuttle clearing the net chord, hitting the flat shots into the net instead.

The victory by the 2nd Malaysian doubles set up perhaps one of the best Thomas cup ever.

The margin of victory by Japan was very small, winning by 21-17 in the rubber game of the 5th tie.
Japanese team members celebrating the win.

But at the end of the Day, Japan became the fourth country to ever won the Thomas cup. 

おめでとう日本 。



Friday, May 23, 2014

Japan upsets China in Thomas Cup semi-finals

Wow!huge upset. My prediction was wrong.

Japan have just beaten China in 3 games.

Nobody would have believe it! What happen?


Yonex Nanoray 900

Yonex just launched Yonex Nanoray 900, which was used by Saina Nehwal in the Thomas/Uber cup.

The flex is stiff and comes in 2U and 3U.

The recommended maximum tension is 25lbs for 2U and 24lbs for 3U.

The color is called iron gray, looks quite similar to Taufik Hidayat's limited edition Arcsaber 11.

May think of acquiring this racquet, we'll see.

The Ad featuring Ahsan and Setiawan, "We are Nanoray'

Thomas Cup 2014-New Dehli India

The Thomas cup is in the semi-finals today.

The semis will see powerhouse China vs. Japan.

The other exciting match will be traditional rivals, Indonesia vs. Malaysia.

Malaysia recently pulled off upsets against Denmark and Korea after years of underachieving.

Led by a rejuvenated Malaysian's mens doubles, the Malaysia team began to win some games against superior opponents.

Stay tune for Semi-finals and the finals.

Prediction: Winner-China

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Taufik Hidayat Arena

Recently, I got to know that Taufik's academy is up and running and has a badminton-training for adults.

This is like a holiday to Jakarta, a real badminton holiday.

The Taufik Hidayat arena can be found here:

There's also a Malaysian academy that offers courses to holiday makers.

Monday, April 14, 2014

Cheers for Lee Chong Wei at the stadium.



The atmosphere was more lively when the main stars hit the courts like Lee Chong Wei during the Singapore Open semi finals.

Crowds were shouting," Lee Chong Wei!, Lee Chong Wei!..."

The Indian nationalistic fans were shouting support for Srikanth by shouting,"Srikanth!, Srikanth!..."

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Musings of Singapore Open 2014

At the Semifinals, Lee ChongWei takes on Srikant K.
Li Xue Rui vs Sung Ji Hyun.

The semifinals was pretty interesting, with many upsets and good matches.

The highlight was the eventual winner, Simon Santoso beating Du Penyu in rubber game.

Simon Santoso an unseeded player went on to beat Lee Chong Wei in the finals.

The other great game was the Women's doubles featuring top seeds Christina Pedersen/Kamilla Rytter Juhl beating the Japanese WD, Ayaka Takahashi/Misaki Matsutomo in a rubber game.

The finals featured the biggest upset when Simon Santoso beat Lee Chong Wei in straight sets 21-15, 21-10.

The other games were pretty much anybody's game.

Lee Chong Wei's wife, Mew Choo and Lee Chong Wei's mother and son, Kingston were also present in the stands.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

Badminton Holiday-OUE Singapore Open 2014

This year the Singapore Open is sponsored by OUE instead of Aviva.

The lighting is dark just like Sudirman cup and All England.


The official website is linked here.

Location is still in the Kallang Stadium.

The sports hub complex is still incomplete.

Tickets are rather expensive.

 The spectators are issued fixed seats instead of free seating in the previous years.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Johor Badminton Holiday-POV entering Pasir Gudang Indoor Stadium (Malaysia GP Gold 2014)

Re-entering the Pasir Gudang Indoor stadium to catch the quarter-final games. 

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Badminton Holiday at Johor-29th March 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix Gold

The location of this year's Malaysia Grand Prix Gold is at Pasir Gudang Johor, roughly 40km from JB immigration check point.
The indoor stadium is located nestled around main roads in a sporting hub cluster, next to large soccer stadium.
The address is Jalan Bandar 81700 Pasir Gudang, Johor.
The indoor stadium is named Perbandaran Pasir Gudang Indoor Stadium.
 Pasir Gudang is a large area dotted with factories, petrochemical industrial complexes and large warehouses.
There are housing area near the industrial complexes.
The location of the stadium is such that there is no public transport, and only cars or charted buses can reach the area.
You can imagine the hassle to visit the place from Singapore.
The official poster of the GP gold open, a tiger blue silhouette on a white background.
 As it is a Yonex sponsored event, the stringing machine, strings are well of course, Yonex.
The stringer in blue is a well known badminton stringer at Johor Baru.
Many racquets are strung, from the looks of it, many Nanoray Z-Speed, VT-80, VT-ZF etc.
The ticket is relatively cheap at RM10 for a quaterfinal games.
Bought some socks at the Yonex booth, at RM25 for 2 pairs of 3D-Ergo socks
SG pair of Yao Lei and Shinta Mulia Sari in action against a young Malaysian pair.
The Malaysian pair won in straight sets after the Singaporean pair made a lot of mistakes.
A scratch pair of Tan Boon Heong and Ow Yao Han vs. M.Kido and Giddeon MF.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Yonex Voltric Z-Force II Review

Yonex Voltric Z-Force II

Review Date: 17 March 2014
Racquet Type: Yonex Voltric Z-Force II SP version
Specs: 4UG5
Flex: Extra Stiff
Balance: 295 mm (Head Heavy Balance)
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax
Tension: 26lbs, pre-stretched using Yonex ES5PROTECH
Grip: Yonex cushion wrap+ original grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology: Nanometric, Tungsten Infused Grommet, Sound Filter,Tri-Voltage system
Shuttles used: Yonex AS40


First Impression: 

This racquet made its debut early this year, but was showcased in one of badminton world's biggest event, the 2014 All-England Super Series.
Lee Chong Wei of Malaysia claimed his third All-England with a Voltric Z-Force II.

GIFSoup
My first impression of the looks is a racquet dressed in a grey suit with blue accents, kind of like a business man in grey suit with blue tie.
Doesn't look like a flashy racquet.
A successor to Voltric Z-Force with a slimmer profile, this reflects in the naming of the racquet, Voltric Z-Force, mark II.
Similar in shape and flex to Voltric Z-Force but having different materials at the shaft and the grommets.
It's also much slimmer in the head and shaft than Voltric Z-force.
The head is also much narrower than its predecessor.
This racquet occupies the same niche and has the same specs as the Voltric Z-Force i.e. extra stiff flex and head heavy balance.
To put things into perspective, I am benchmarking this racquet against Voltric Z-Force which is somewhat difficult racquets to use (owing to the extra stiff flex).

Final comprehensive review

I played mostly doubles (and half court singles)

TOC (time on court) when making review:

total of 20 hours of game play.


Warm Ups:
Warming involves baseline to baseline forehand clears.
Clears are long and far owing to the aerodynamics, head heaviness of the racquet and how fast the racquet swings.
If one word is to describe this racquet is 'focussed-power'.
When contacted on the sweetspot, the force imparted on the shuttlecock can be felt acutely on your hands.
Drives are pretty fast owing to the 'aerodynamic' slim frame and shaft. The racquet is very manoeuvrable and hence very good for fast reaction.
The racquet shaft is similar to Voltric Z-Force and felt that the stiffness is the same and kickpoint is slightly different from Voltric Z-Force.

The major difference I felt is that Voltric Z-Force II has a smaller head and somewhat flexible shaft with a different kickpoint (Nanometric on VTZF2 vs Nanopreme on VTZF).
Perhaps it's the effort of the designers to improve the somewhat uber stiff kickpoint feel of Voltric Z-Force's extra stiff shaft.


Game Time:
I won't go into detail each and every shot tried.
Generally since I am playing doubles, receiving of serve and serve are great as expected for a fast and stable racquet.
The heaviness of the head of this racquet is apparent, as one can comfortably and easily whip the racquet to hit shuttle violently with momentum.
Despite the head heaviness, this racquet is very easy to handle, easy to go short handle grip to long handle grip.
Not much fatigue felt on my hands after an hour of game. (Ok maybe it's a 4U effect)

Front court: Aerodynamics of the racquet and the slim shaft of the racquet allow quick and fast reaction to perform netshots, netkills and crosscourt net shots. Racquet cuts very fast through the air.

Midcourt: This racquet plays good in the mid court range area as it is both good in attack and jabs. The fast handling and aerodynamics allows fast reaction. As for drive shots, this racquet can rival the headlight racquets, but very hard hitting on the forehand drive. Backhand drive is ok. A smash at midcourt is almost a guaranteed kill; especially when connected on the sweetspot, one can feel the momentum or the focus of the impact on the racquet driving the shuttle to the floor.

Back court:
Basically smashes, drops and clears in backcourt. This racquet is great at the back, pumping smashes and full length clears, don't hold back,go for the full swing all the way.

Control is good, slicing (normal and reverse) and checked drops are precise, fast and relatively accurate. However if the pace is faster, control suffers owing to smaller sweetspot and mistiming issues (racquet swings too fast).

Conclusion: 
An improvement to Voltric Z-Force with faster swing and with more focus power. A head heavy racquet with a better manoeuvrability compared to other models. Good for fast strokes, but control is sacrifice at a faster pace (owing to smaller head and timing issues: fast swing)

Feel: 9.5/10

Control: 8.5/10


Power: 9.5/10


Defence: 9/1
0

Maneuverability: 9.5/10

Pros: Focus power on the smash and very fast swing.

Cons: Hard to connect the sweetspot consistently (perhaps improve over time) and control is not as consistent with my other racquet owing to timing issues (racquet swings too fast).

Suitability: intermediate/advanced players 4U and 3U

Player type: Niche hard hitting attacking racquet that focuses on fast attacking shots.

Footnote: this review was done as a hobby and as an interest to inform fellow badminton enthusiast. This is my personal opinion and in no form to promote this racquet.

Conflict of interest: None

Reference: Yonex website (accessed @ 17/3/14)

Sunday, March 9, 2014

The Voltrics: Voltric Z-Force II, Voltric Z-Force, Voltric 80 and Voltric 70

Just acquired Voltric Z-Force II.
Have collected Yonex Voltric series since Voltric 70.
Have acquired most of the voltric 70s and up. Unfortunately, didn't have the Voltric 60, 50 and i-force.
The Frames of the Voltric have increase in thickness since Voltric 70. This created more mass on the head.
The frame is much thicker of Voltric Z-Force II vs. Voltric 70
The shaft of Voltric Z-Force II is also thinner than Voltric 70

Thursday, February 27, 2014

Footwork for badminton jumpsmash-1 step block jump


GIFSoup
Wonder how the pros can get to execute the smash so fast, it's all in the footwork...

Lee Chong Wei 's footwork for jumpsmash.

Split step, one big step backwards (with racquet leg), load up on racquet leg, push off backwards.

As he's falling to the ground, he can hook the shuttle downwards with his body weight using gravity to transfer the potential energy to accelerate the shuttlecock.

Similarly Lee Yong Dae here performed a similar footwork. He just takes one big step backwards with the racquet leg, load up and jump backwards.


GIFSoup

This jump is necessary as it takes longer time to take 2 steps to reach the midcourt in a normal footwork.