1. INTRODUCTION TO BALL OUTPUT VS POWER
When choosing a racket that is suitable for our type of game, it is essential to know what our style of play is and to look at the characteristics of the racket and what they mean.Two of the characteristics that we should look at before buying a racket are: ” Ball output ” (salida de bola in Spanish) and “power”. Although there are many players who believe that these two characteristics mean the same thing, the truth is that they are two different concepts and that it is worth having clear in order to choose a racket that is suitable for our style of game.
So, we are going to talk about these two concepts to try to clarify what they refer to.
2. THE BALL OUTPUT OF A RACKET
The ball output of a racket is the ability of the racket to release the ball when it hits the racket when the racket is still. In other words, it would be the rebound with which the ball comes out after contact with the racket when it is still.
The amount of ball output that a racket offers will depend on the material it is made of. Bats made of soft rubber, such as fibreglass, Foam rubber… are the ones that will offer a higher ball output.
A real example during the game where you could test the ball output of a racket would be when a player is at the net and makes a block volley against a very strong off (down) the wall shot (bajada de pared). In this case, the only thing the player at the net would do would be to put the bat out and, without moving it, block the trajectory of the ball. If the ball rebounds a lot, it would mean that the racket has a lot of ball output.
Bats with a lot of ball output could be very good:
– To players who suffer from epicondylitis or pain in the elbow, as, by making little effort in soft or normal strokes, the ball would already come out.
– To people who have little strength due to their constitution.
– For players with a style of play based more on tactics and control of the game than on the power of the strokes.
– For players who are more defensive than offensive.
– To perform the shots when we are behind defending or to perform a lob.
3. THE POWER OF A PADEL RACKET
The power of a racket is the speed at which the ball comes out after we hit it hard.
The factors that determine the power offered by a racket are basically the material it is made of and its shape. But in the end, the ability to harness the full power of a racket will depend on the player’s technique and arm strength and acceleration.
Bats that use hard materials in their construction, such as carbon or EVA rubber, will provide more power.
And diamond-shaped bats will offer more power than teardrop or round bats.
Bats with a lot of power could be ideal for:
– Players who prioritise punch over smooth, placed shots.
– Players whose main weapons are power and definition.
– Those who like to go up to the net at the slightest opportunity and surprise the opponent.
– Players who hit powerful backhands, aggressive drop shots or attacking volleys.
4. CONCLUSION
Now that we know what ball output is and the power offered by a racket, we can say that both concepts go in opposite directions. The more ball output a racket offers us, the less power it will give us. And conversely, the more power a racket gives us, the less ball output we will have. This is because, despite the fact that with a racket with a lot of ball output and little effort, the ball comes out faster than with a racket with power, when we hit a shot with a lot of force, such as a smash, the racket will absorb part of our force and so, in the end, the ball will come out at a slower speed. We would feel a sensation of the ball sticking to the racket and not coming out very fast.
However, it is also true that nowadays they have managed to create rackets that offer, at the same time, a very acceptable or remarkable ball output and power.
So, in the end, the type of racket we should play with will depend mainly on our style of play. If we are offensive players, who like to attack and hit the ball hard, we should choose a racket where power predominates over ball output. However, if you are a more conservative player, patient, with a good defence, who likes to work the point by moving the opponents, creating gaps and preparing the point so that your partner can finish it when they have the opportunity, you should play with a racket that offers more ball output than power.
Despite this, beyond what the experts advise about which racket to choose, our recommendation would be that, in the end, everyone should choose the racket with which they feel most comfortable, whether it is because of the weight, the shape, the design or the sensations that we have with that racket when we hit the ball.
And tell us, did you already know the difference between ball output and power? Which racket do you use to play, a power racket, a racket with a lot of ball output or a mixed racket?