Have you ever seen a badminton player change a racket in the middle of a match? We assume it’s because of the faulty instrument. But sometimes, they just want a different racket that will better serve their playing style.
Attack strategy requires different rackets than a defense strategy. How are these attack and defense rackets different? We are going to see that in this article. And if you read till the end, you will find my top 5 recommendations for attack rackets.
What is an Attack Badminton Racket?
An attack badminton is designed for someone who needs more power in their shots. It’s called an attack racket because it is well-suited for an offensive playing style.
It is ideal for delivering powerful smashes, aggressive drives, and leading rallies. It’s also excellent for fast-paced games.
An ideal attack racket has the following qualities:
- It is heavy, so that it can handle the rough gameplay.
- It has a stiff shaft that helps you take powerful shots with precision. The player doesn’t have to worry much about shaft reflex because of this stiffness.
- It could be oval or isometric but it should have a small sweet spot. This smaller sweet spot helps to focus on power and precision. However, not everyone is able to handle this.
- It is usually head heavy in balance which means the head part of the racket is heavier than the rest of the body.
The smaller sweet spot and head heavy nature of these rackets is not everyone’s cup of tea. Only intermediate and advanced players are competent to handle this nature.
I won’t suggest these rackets for beginners. However, I have a list of really good badminton rackets for beginners that you can view here.
What is a Defense Badminton Racket?
A defense racket is designed for players who focus more on controlling their shots over power. These rackets give a chance for better maneuverability so players can have complete control over where their shots land.
An ideal defensive racket has qualities such as:
- A flexible shaft that is easier to handle. It gives you room to learn how your arm and racket swings could vary how your shot lands.
- A larger sweet spot so that you get a wider area to take effective shots.
- These rackets are usually even-balanced or light head so they are easier to handle and you can focus on landing precise shots.
These rackets are ideal for players who want a more forgiving nature in their equipment. So, these are ideal for beginners and intermediate players.
That does not mean advanced players don’t use it. Several international players do use a defense racket because their playing style demands the flexibility of a defense racket.
Differences Between Attack and Defense Rackets
The table below highlights the major differences between attack and defense rackets.
| Features | Attack Rackets | Defense Rackets |
| Weight Distribution | Heavier head for powerful smashes | Lighter head for quick reactions |
| Shaft Stiffness | Stiffer shaft for precise, powerful shots | More flexible shaft for easier handling and control |
| Sweet Spot Size | Smaller sweet spot for focused power | Larger sweet spot for consistent returns |
| Playing Style | Most suitable for players who prefer power and aggression in their shots | Most suitable for players who prefer control and deception in their shots |
Best Attacking Badminton Rackets
Based on my research and all the new equipment, I highly recommend the following badminton rackets if you are planning on playing a lot of attack rallies.
| Victor Thruster Ryuga II | Check on Amazon |
| Yonex Astrox 88D Pro | Check on Amazon |
| Li-Ning G-Force Superlite Max 10 | Check on Amazon |
| Yonex Voltric Z-Force II | Check on Amazon |
| Yonex Astrox 100ZZ | Check on Amazon |
Victor Thruster Ryuga II
The Victor Thruster Ryuga II first came out in 2022 and immediately became the favorite racket of Malaysia’s singles badminton player Lee Zii Jia. He loved the WES 2.0 technology that enabled him to hit shuttlecocks at a sharp downward angle in offense.
Why do I recommend Victor Thruster Ryuga II?
The shaft is easier to handle than most medium stiff ones. It’s because of the free core handle that swings feel light and nimble. So, if you prefer a bit flexible but head heavy racket, this is the perfect choice.
It’s also perfect for smashes and mid- to backcourt drives. It can easily hold its own in double fast-paced rallies. It is much better on offense than its predecessor, Ryuga I.
Yonex Astrox 88D Pro
The Yonex Astrox 88D Pro uses a combination of the Rotational Generation System and 2G Nanomesh Neo so that players can get unparalleled power and control in their shots.
The Rotational Generation System enables a smooth transition between powerful shots and 2G Nanomesh Neo gives the shaft a quick flex and snapback so the shot power is maximized.
Why do I recommend the Yonex Astrox 88D Pro?
As it is a head heavy racket, Yonex took the opportunity and made its shaft extra slim. This extra slim shaft makes it easy to slice through the air and doesn’t create much resistance. So, it becomes easy to put more power into the shots.
The power assist bumper makes things better by configuring the weight directed into the shuttlecock with a tungsten-infused nylon bumper. This makes the Yonex Astrox 88D Pro an excellent choice for attacks.
Li-Ning G-Force Superlite Max 10
The Li-Ning G-Force Superlite Max 10 is completely made from superstrong ultralight carbon fiber. The material significantly improves the frame strength and rigidity of the entire racket. So, it’s not just light in weight but also has great strength to achieve the desired power.
Why do I recommend the Li-Ning G-Force Superlite Max 10?
The racket is structured in such a way that you will get an enlarged sweet spot even under high string tension. This gives you more control over your shots and an expanded area to get the right shot.
Plus, the Compressed Groove Technology reduces the air drag of the racket. This means even with a head heavy profile you can take easier swings.
Yonex Voltric Z-Force II
The Yonex Voltric Z-Force II is one of the most powerful rackets in the Yonex Voltric series. The entire series is designed for an attacking play style. The Z-Force II makes its impact because of the combination of the Tri-Voltage System and the New Grommet Pattern.
Why do I recommend Yonex Voltric Z-Force II?
It has a special Tri-iBumper system. These are tungsten-infused grommets attached to the head of the frame. These ensure that the contact time between the shuttle and string is maximum.
Because of this increased contact time, there is maximum transfer of power to the shuttlecock. So you can hit high-impact shots easily. The Tri-Voltage System also helps in this process by limiting the flexibility of the shaft.
Yonex Astrox 100ZZ
If you are an advanced player who wishes to maintain a rally with a relentless attack on your opponent, then the Yonex Astrox 100ZZ is an ideal racket for you. It has a Hyper Slim Shaft with a solid graphite core which provides extra resilience and greater power transfer.
Why do I recommend the Yonex Astrox 100ZZ?
With the right posture (relaxed shoulders) and accurate grip, this racket can do shots that are so fast that sometimes it’s even difficult to spot the shuttlecock. If you master the right technique, you can hit some really powerful shots.
You can even achieve approximately 30 km/hr increase in swing speed than other Yonex rackets that don’t use the Nanometric material. That’s a significant bump for advanced players. You can easily rely on this racket to compete in big tournaments.
Final Thoughts
These are some of the best rackets for an offensive playing style. There are many others but I have listed just a few with different price ranges. Click on their respective links for the current prices. You should also check out the entire Yonex Voltric Series. This series has all head heavy rackets which are excellent choices for attack rackets. For defense rackets, I’ll write a separate article soon. Stay tuned.
Declaration: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. I may earn a commission when you click and make a purchase from these links. You do not bear any extra cost by clicking on these links.
FAQs
What type of racket is better suited to defensive play?
A lighter racket with a flexible shaft is best suited to defensive play.
What is the best tension for defense badminton?
The best string tension depends on the racket you are using. Different rackets come with different stringing advice and you need to string your racket in that range only.
How can I improve my defense in badminton?
You can improve your defense in badminton by regularly practicing your moves. Here are some of the best ways to practice badminton.
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