Padel racket Adidas Drive Black 2026

Racket balance

The balance of the racket is the center of gravity of the racket. It is measured in centimeters from the shoe to the tip of the head. In this respect, the rackets can be divided into: balanced on the head - HH (head heavy), balanced on the handle - HL (head light), balanced evenly - EB (even balance). Two rackets with the same weight but differently balanced give a completely different feeling when playing. Rockets with a center of gravity shifted towards the handle have a lighter head and are more maneuverable. They are great to play with the net. Head-balance rackets usually belong to the group of light rackets. By shifting the center of gravity towards the head, the player can spend less energy to deliver a strong hit. These types of rackets allow for a dynamic "swing" during the game. Rather, they are intended for beginners. Center-balance rackets have an evenly distributed weight. They offer the player a balanced power and impact control. Handlebar balance rackets are rather heavy rackets. Their head is lighter. This translates into a less dynamic "swing" but better controlled strokes. These types of rackets are most often chosen by advanced players.

Profile (thickness) of the racket frame

Rocket frames have different thicknesses. There are those that have the same thickness along the entire length, while the thickness of others is variable. You can classify the racket frames according to the frame profile into three groups: thin, medium and thick:

• Thin frames <23mm - lots of feel and less strength and damping. Rackets with a rather small head area, heavy. For advanced players with a full swing.
• Medium frames 23-25 mm - universal, closer to 23 mm for advanced players and closer to 25 mm for beginners, tennis players with a medium swing.
• Thick frames> 25 mm - low feeling, a lot of own power, for short swing play For beginners with poor technique, older tennis players with minor hand injuries. These are usually rockets with advanced vibration reduction systems during impact.

Head (size) and shape of the head

Rackets have different shapes and different sizes of heads. When it comes to the shape of the head, there is no clear assessment of what shape is ideal and recommended for the appropriate group of players. Most of the heads are in the shape of a "classic egg". There are clearer classification rules for the size of the racket head. The size of the racket head is given in centimeters and / or square inches and refers to the surface area. The surface of the racket head is responsible for the force and precision of the strike.

There are three basic sizes of racket heads:

• Midsize (small) - 85-93 square inches
• Midplus (medium) – 94 – 103 square inches
• Oversize (big) – above 104 square inches

Summarizing, it can be assumed that:

• Beginners - should pay attention to heads with a size from 660 cm² (102 square inches)
• Intermediate people - heads of size 645-690 cm² (100-107 square inches)
• Advanced people - individual selection, but rather, these are heads with an area 645 cm² (100 square inches) i mniejsze.

Racket weight

This is a very important factor in choosing the right racket. The weight of the racket for an adult player may vary between two hundred and three hundred grams.

Summarizing, it can be assumed that:

• Beginners - should look for lighter rackets weighing 270-290 grams (men), 250-270 grams (women),
• Intermediate people - should pay attention to rackets weighing 280-300 grams,
• Advanced people - choose rockets that exceed three hundred grams with the option of individual "weighing" of the rackets through the use of lead tapes attached to the frame.