Nanospeed 8000, A brief review of older model racquets

Reviewing Yonex Nanospeed 8000

Just got a hold of this racquet.

Specs: 3UG4

Flex: Extra Stiff
Balance point: 285+/-mm (evenbalance-)
Composition: Frame: HM graphite + Fullerene
Shaft: HM graphite + Fullerene
Weight: 3U (85-89) G4/G5
2U (90-95) G3/G4/G5

Feel: 8.5/10
Power: 8.5/10
control: 9/10
Maneuverability: 9.5/10
defence: 9.5/10

Conclusion: A proven racquet that was used by many professionals like Lee Chong Wei (2005-2006), Chen Hong, Xie Xingfang etc.

Pros: excellent defence, excellent for wristy players who use a lot of backhand and has enough power for smashers in doubles. Beautiful colors.

Cons: may not be sexy enough compared to newer high end models.

YONEX/Sunrise sports recommendation for player type:
For advanced players looking for speed in its play together with maximum control & new dimension power

Yonex rating 1-5
Power 5
Control 5
Flex 5
(Ref: Yonex badminton chart)

Wilson K-Lite Review

Flex: low to mid flex
Balance: 295 mm (head heavy)
Composition (Frame): [K]arophite Black
(Shaft): [K]arophite Black
Weight/Grip size: 4U- (78-82g)/G5　
Technology: [K]arophite Black, [K]ontour Joint, [K]onstruction and [K]ap

Date : 14th August2009
Racket Type : Wilson [K]-lite
Specs : 4UG5
Strings: Yonex BG66 Tension: 25lbs ,1 Piece Stringing
Stringing Machine : Pacific Stringing machine
Technology : [K]arophite Black, [K]ontour Joint, [K]onstruction and [K]ap
Grip: Yonex Aerotec grip + overgrip
Shuttle Used: Yonex AS40

First Impression: A classic isometric racquet. Solid silverish color, a mixture of light blue, white and silver. The racquet is headheavy at about 295mm. The racquet has nice swing, being rather flexible and headheavy. This racquet feels solid and well constructed. The unique feature of this racquet is the racquet combines the rare features of being very light, flexible and headheavy. This combination is perfect for a fast counterattacking doubles game.

Warm Ups: The swing of this racquet is extremely fast as it is very light (4U-). It is fantastic when playing netshots and drives. The clears are easy to excecute and smashing is non-tiring with this racquet, even though it's headheavy. Smashing and clearing are no problem with this racquet as it is headheavy enough for the job.

Game Time: Serving is good with this racquet, especially backhand serves. Flick serves and receiving service near the net are fast. Driving is excellent for both forehand and backhand. The clear is also good and so is the smash. For defense, its lightness and responsiveness gives it very high marks. Netkills are easy too with this weapon. Drops and sliced drops are okay with this racquet, thus, the feel is above average with this racquet.

Conclusion: A med-flex racquet that's excellent on the defense and good in counterattacking. One of the better [K]factor racquets produced by Wilson which combines the rare attributes of ultra light weight, head heaviness and flexible shaft.

Feel: 7/10
Control: 8/10
Power: 7.5/10
Defense: 9.5/10
Maneuverability: 9.5/10
Pros: Good driving racquet and has great defence and adequate power.
Cons: None, but violent hard hitters may prefer a stiffer racquet.
Suitability: Intermediate/Advance/professional doubles player

World championship badminton

The week long competition continues.

Major names have progress to subsequent rounds.

Biggest upset so far is the loss of Bao Chun Lai to Dicky Palyama of Holland.

Team England's instructional videos in English

Detailed process of manufacturing of shuttle cocks

Very educational video of RSL's factory in China.

Overhead swing action

The overhead shot is the most important shot in badminton.

Why?

It allows you to hit the shuttle at the highest point, by doing that you
a. will be able to take away reaction time from your opponent
b. allows greater deception
c. allows maximum power stroke, by making full use of arm extension (Lever)

Basically, all coaches will teach this shot as it is the most fundamental stroke. One can hit a drop, clear and a smash from this shot.

The overhead can be liken to a throwing action. Basically you stand on a sideway position and then 'open' up with your racquet arm. Your non-racquet arm points to the direction of the incoming shuttle, this is important for balance and follow through.

Next the sequence is the hitting action. Which can be a drop; which you lightly tap the shuttle slightly in front to force the shuttle to travel near the net.

The clear is you hit the shuttle slightly behind you so that it travels high and far.

The smash is hit with pace and with the wrist in a downward action.

This cartoon illustrates the hitting action of the overhead stroke.

Serving in Doubles

It's important in the game of doubles to tell your partner what kind of serve you are serving.

The prefered serve is the backhand serve.

GIFSoup
For example, one can serve to the 'T' or the front corners.
One can also serve to the back corners called the 'flick serve'. Below is Fu Haifeng doing a flick serve to Tan Boon Heong's backhand corner.

GIFSoup
Another variation is the drive serve.

The server should signal to the back player what kind of service he's doing. For example, if the server did a flick serve, he should communicate to his partner via a signal. When doing the flick serve, both the serving side must be prepared to defend a smash and adopt a side by side stance.

For the serve to the front corner, a simple signal will do, so that the back person gets ready to smash. Here Koo Kien Kiat (MAS) signals to his partner Tan Boon Heong (MAS), the direction of his serve.