Smash is one type of stroke in badminton. This punch aims to destroy the opponent’s defense and earn points. Male players usually smash while jumping in the air to produce a sharper angle and make it difficult for the opponent to return.
Smash is not only about power. However, the racket used must also be capable of doing it. Therefore, some badminton rackets are equipped with certain technologies that help players improve their smash.
If you intend to buy a badminton racket that can support smash hits well, you must consider several things, including stiffness, balance point, and string tension.
The stiffness of badminton rackets generally ranges from flexible to extra stiff. It will affect the force and vibration generated when the racket contacts the shuttle.
Well, badminton rackets with high stiffness help players hit the shuttle with less effort, so they can make smash hits more powerful.
Badminton rackets can also be distinguished based on their balance point. Three badminton racket balance types are even-balanced, head-heavy, and head-light.
It would help to choose a head-heavy racket to generate great smash power. That’s because this racket offers a lot of momentum when swinging the racket so that players can hit powerful smashes.
However, remember that swinging a head-heavy racket will require more effort. Players who are not used to it or have weak shoulders can tire quickly when using this racket or even get injured.
Each badminton racket supports a different string tension but can be adjusted according to needs. The tension of a badminton racket string is generally calculated in lbs.
Intermediate players can use string tension from 24-26 lbs to get more power and repulsion in their shots. Advanced players tend to use a tension off 26-29+ lbs, giving them extra repulsion.
The three characteristics above are important to consider when looking for a badminton racket for hard smashes. Some of the recommendations below might help you find the right product.
| No | Racket | Price (USD) |
| 1 | Yonex Astrox 100 ZZ | $260 |
| 2 | Yonex Astrox 88 D Pro | $230 |
| 3 | Yonex Astrox 99 Pro | $290 |
| 4 | Victor Thruster Ryuga | $195 |
| 5 | Yonex Voltric Z Force II | $230 |
| 6 | Li-Ning 3D Calibar 900C | $299 |
| 7 | Mizuno Fortius 30 Power | $135 |