My last post was on the benefits of a light squash racquet and I thought it would be a good time to review what the benefits of a heavier squash racquet are. There are definitely players that would benefit from playing with a heavier racquet. I find that a heavier squash racquet helps with several parts of the squash game. It makes it easier to generate power, accuracy is improved and you get more feel on drops. A heavier racquet can really improve a player’s fundamental game.
Power from a squash racquet can be generated by more racquet head speed, by having more mass behind the ball at impact or of course both. The heavier squash racquet helps with having more mass behind the ball. The extra mass of the heavier racquet allows the player to generate pace with a slower swing speed. I also find the heavier racquet promotes a longer more fluid swing. Once you get the racquet back and up and then start the forward part of the swing the weight of the racquet helps it come through to the ball. This more natural fluid motion helps the player hit through the ball on contact which helps with power. Having the racquet come through the ball to the target helps transfer maximum energy to the ball.
Many of the same concepts that help with the generation of power with a heavier racquet, also help with accuracy. The slower more fluid swing helps with being more accurate. You are generating pace without having to generate as much racquet head speed, which improves directional control. When you are hitting the ball, there is a correct spot to hit the ball in the swing path. With a lighter racquet, you are swinging faster to generate pace and you are through that spot much quicker. With the slower swing, you are in the correct spot to hit the ball for a longer time making it easier to control direction. The extra mass of the racquet provides more power, the slower swing provides more accuracy. Your mistakes will also be less drastic and closer to your intended line than if you are swinging faster.
Dropping the ball is another area of the game that I believe a heavier racquet is of benefit. Dropping is very much about feel. The reason I believe that a heavier racquet helps when dropping the ball is that you can feel the racquet in your hand more than you can with a lighter racquet. Having more sense of the racquet and the racquet head, allows you to better control the head which is imperative when playing a drop. Playing a drop is one area of the game where feel is critical. Everyone is different of course but for most people having more sense of the head of the racquet will allow them to better control the racquet and thus be able to drop better.
For a player looking to improve the fundamentals of their game a heavier racquet can be of real benefit. You get easier pace on your drives and you do so while not sacrificing accuracy. Having better length really gives you the opportunity to take the ball short by dropping. Having more feel of the racquet while taking the ball short helps you play better drops. The heavier racquet really helps improve your basic game which will make you much harder to play against.
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