The Yonex Voltric Z-Force

This is the big one. I've never seen a racket sell so well and garner so much attention. So much so that I've been tempted into buying one to try it out for myself and even wrote multiple entries for it here.

The Yonex Voltric Z-Force is the badminton giant's latest attempt to tap on the Asian market's delight for fire power. Boasting a 19KGf smash force on your opponent's racket, the dedicated website for the VTZF even has testimonials from the Malaysian Nationals about how they couldn't resist its temptation.

I knew there was something about the new racket when I noticed World No. 1 Lee Chong Wei adopt an extremely offensive style of play leading to its release at the Yonex All England, and I was proven right when the 10 rackets my stringer got in disappeared in a matter of 4 hours.

Suddenly the badminton world is ablaze about the marvels of Yonex's new haymaker.

But I have other ideas. Not every foot fits in this Cinderella shoe, and this here is one of them.

This review is from my opinions of the racket and of the game of badminton. Take this with a pinch of salt, but feel free to ask me if you have any more questions that my review failed to answer.

Ok, here goes.

Yonex Voltric Z-Force
Est. Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Extremely Head-Heavy
Max String: 26lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax @ 24lbs

I use this racket for singles play.

Defense
As expected given its extreme weight distribution, the racket leaves much to be desired when it comes to defense. The slightly smaller head frame and the weight takes your defense down a notch off the get-go, but once you get used to it the extra weight down the front will end up giving you better returns.

But when it comes to defense, I'm not one to make a game of chance out of it. I'd rather be able to take a beating than give one, and the Yonex Voltric Z-Force doesn't give me a good defensive game.

Clearing from end to end is effortless given the balance, but the loss of control leaves more to be desired as I had to mentally calm myself into making safer shots.

Attack
The Yonex Voltric Z-Force feels like a VT80 on steroids. They didn't increase the weight of the racket much, but boy did they perform an overhaul on the weight distribution! Pushing most of the weight into the head frame made this racket extremely head-heavy.

I'd go as far as to say it's pretty much feels like an 80/20 balance.

The result being a very forceful downward stroke. People with a further downswing on the follow-through should watch their swing lest it starts to drill a hole into the net (or ground!).

With that domineering allocation of weight also comes, in a my opinion, a slightly flexible shaft. This gives drive shots and check smashes a whole lot of power as you which the racket to give you an added boost to speed.

This is one amazing racket to attack with, especially if you like to use the wrist to get it that surprise attack.

Control
But all that speed and power comes at a price of control. You're going to need more concentration to keep that shuttle in play. Feedback from the strings feel lost because of the lower density coming down the shaft.

It didn't feel right hitting the shuttle and I couldn't feel the path of the shuttle as well after it leaves my string bed.

People who like that half smash-fast drop will also find that the shots are taken down a lot steeper than with previous rackets, another resultant effect of top-loading the Voltric Z-Force to hell. I'd push a little more forward than downwards with this racket.

Prepare to lose a few points to control till you get the hang of it.

Looks
Weird, is what I said when I first saw the racket. Yonex went off and removed the shiny coating from their rackets, replacing it with a smooth, matt layer that's often accompanied with shoddy finishing.

The distinctive tattoo markings on a Voltric was also diminished, overshadowed by sharp lines that perhaps reflected the company's focus on delivering a devastating downward stroke.

Green, white and black were primary colors of the Yonex Voltric Z-Force, which in my opinion was a good change away from the angrier colors employed in the VT70 and VT80.

Overall, it's pleasing to the eye if you can get past the inevitable bad finishing.

Yonex SHB-01 Lee Chong Wei - Limited version

Comfort

The SHB-01 is meant to wrap around your entire foot - top and bottom - so as to achieve a non-slip feel as you move around the court. The tight hold it has probably means it's not really suitable for those with broad feet. 

For those whom it serves, it will serve well. The shoes offer very good comfort as they hold firmly. Apart from the feet getting really warm over time (it's not got a lot of ventilation like the Mizunos), the Yonex SHB-01 really did offer a lot of comfort.

One thing I did feel, however, was the tongue cutting into my ankle as I ran around. This was rectified by making sure you pull it right up when you wear em. Prolonged use will also soften it up. 

Stability / Grip

The soles of the shoe look like they're of some mid / low end range. No more of the complex sole mechanics that came with my previous SHB-101LTD. This one's more of a two-piece, no nonsense make. Not that it doesn't get the job done, but you get the feel that Yonex was probably pulling your leg about the previous one. 

Those who are used to a broader shoe (I'm talking to the Li-Ning users out there), watch your step with these narrower tips. 

One the court

I constantly find myself looking down at the shoe to see how nice they were. Other than that I don't feel any need to worry about my footing.

The Yonex SHB-01 Limited gives a very good grip, with excellent stability and a nice firm hold on your foot. Non-slip, fast-paced.

Yonex Arcsaber 11

Racquet Type : Yonex Arcsaber 11 SP version
Specs : 3UG5
Flex: Stiff
Balance: 285 mm (Even Balance)
Strings: Yonex BG80 Power
Tension: 27lbs, pre-stretched using Yonex ES5PROTECH
Grip: Yonex cushion wrap+ original grip + Toalson overgrip
Technology : (New) Sonic Metal, T-Anchor and CS Nanotube Neo
Shuttles used: Apacs Aeroflight 700

First Impression: 
I won't described the colors or the looks of the racquet as the manufacturer's website and badmintoncentral.com has plenty of those.
A successor to the flashy but difficult to use Arcsaber 10.
Similar in shape and flex to Arcsaber 10 but having different materials at the frame and the T-joint.
This racquet occupies the same niche and has the same specs as the Arcsaber 10 i.e. stiff flex and even balance.
To put things into perspective, I am benchmarking this racquet against Arcsaber 10 which is somewhat difficult racquets to use for the majority of non-competitive players.

Final comprehensive review

I played mostly doubles (and half court singles)

TOC (time on court) when making review:

total of 20 hours of game play.


Warm Ups:
Warming involves baseline to baseline forehand clears.
Clears are long and far owing to the aerodynamics, repulsion and the flex of the racquet.
If one word is to describe this racquet is 'comfortable'.
Drives are pretty fast owing to the 'repulsive' (Sonic metal) frame. The handle of the racquet is the same length as the Nanospeed and Nanoray range, hence very good for holding the racquet higher up the handle for faster reaction. 
The racquet shaft is similar to Arcsaber 10 and felt that the stiffness and kickpoint is the same.

The major difference I felt is that Arcsaber 11 have a more solid feel and more repulsive string bed.
Perhaps it's the effort of the designers to improve the somewhat lame duck feel of the frame of Arcsaber 11.
Cup stacked nano tube was originally design like (a spring) to provide a trampoline effect whilst (improving control?).
Quote,'Increased durability and improved flexibility allow the frame to return back to its original shape faster. Positioned at the sides of the racquet, CS Carbon Nanotubes improve the frame’s elasticity, holding the shuttle on the string bed for enhanced control at the point of impact.' -Yonex.com.


Game Time:
I won't go into detail each and every shots tried.
Generally since I am playing doubles, receiving of serve and serve are great as expected for a fast and stable racquet.
The ease of use of this racquet is apparent, as one can comfortably whip the racquet to hit shuttle gently or violently.

Front court: Aerodynamics of the racquet and the long handle of the racquet allows quick and fast reaction to perform netshots, netkills and crosscourt net shots.

Midcourt: This racquet shines best in the mid court range area as it is both good in attack and defence. As for drive shots, this racquet can rival the Nanorays in fast reactions, heck (it shares the same material as the king of drive aka Nanoray 800) Long handle and comfortable control support cap helps in using finger power (Thumb and grip tightening) for sharp compact backswing in backhand drives.

Back court:
The control and power suffers a tiny bit as it it not heavy nor stiff enough like Voltric Z-force for power smash and power clears to the back court.
Nevertheless, the sweet spot is rather large and felt very easy to whip this racquet as the kickpoint is leaning towards the handle.
Control is excellent, slicing (normal and reverse) and checked drops are precise, fast and accurate.

Conclusion: 
This racquet's playability is great as it is very comfortable to wield this racquet both forehands and backhands. An improvement to Arcsaber 10 with better repulsion and ease of use.
Feel: 9/10

Control: 9.5/10

Power: 8.5/10

Defence: 9/10

Maneuverability: 9/10

Pros: Ease of use and generally an all rounder racquet.

Cons: Almost none.

Suitability: intermediate/advanced players 3U and 2U

Player type: All rounder.

YONEX NanoSpeed Excel

I'm very excited to be reviewing the redesigned Yonex Nanospeed Excel today; an intermediate racquet with an added bonus. 

Fans of Yonex will know the Nanospeed series is being phased out, so apart from the Nanospeed 9900, which has a strong fanbase, is the last of the series breed.


The Nanospeed Excel comes in a standard cover, however it is a full length one, which is unusual for a racquet in this price category.






The Nanospeed Excel comes in a dark metallic Orange and grey colour scheme, with a few flecks of white. While it does look good, it doesn't stand out too much. 

Like all other intermediate and beginner racquets from Yonex, the Nanospeed Excel is made in China. This already will put off a lot of purchasers due to the volatile manufacturing standards of Yonex's Chinese factories. Buyers should look out for the Yonex stamp authenticity sticker and only purchase from approved stockists. 

Like all Nanospeed racquets before it, the Excel is headlight and is terrific around the net. It doesn't have the poise or shuttle direction changing ability of the top of the range Nanospeed 9900, but then at this price point, that's asking for a bit much.

The BONUS... I feel the Excel is a test racquet for Yonex to test a new material called Excel Alloy (hence the name). It is made by combining titanium with aluminium creating a strong and flexible frame. It means strings can be strung to higher tensions and strikes can be hit with greater repulsion. 

The shaft is stiff on the racquet so power generation is through your own swing, however I must say I feel the Excel alloy has an effect on return speed of the shuttle.

This is a great swan song for the Nanospeed series and considering the abilities of the racquet, it is terrific value for money.

Lin Dan intensive physical training

Lin Dan is the greatest badminton champion of all time. In this video, we will see how Lin Dan fitness.

Great physical exercise example from Lin Dan. Lin Dan executing modern sports methods with physical trainer adding resistance while doing crunches and modern gym equipment's. I guess that's what makes a champion.

Dropshot in badminton

Badminton Drop Shots are delicate badminton shots that can win you points outright if executed well with deception. These shots can be played both on the forehand and backhand sides.

Use the badminton drop shot to move your opponent to the frontcourt. It will create space in the midcourt and backcourt for you to exploit. Wrist action is essential in providing the disguise and element of surprise. The optimum hitting zone is located somewhere above the central area of your racket. You can play two types of Badminton Drop Shots, Slow Drop Shot and Fast Drop Shot. A slow drop shot shall land in your opponent's frontcourt area, as close to the net as possible. The point of impact is above the racket shoulder. It is intended to move your opponent to the frontcourt, hopefully forcing a weak return to your midcourt for you to kill A fast drop shot shall land in the front of your opponent's mid court area, preferably to the sides. Hit the shuttle slightly further in front of the body to produce a shallower trajectory at a faster speed. It is intended tocatch your opponent off balance and have less time to respond. Forehand Drop Shot The forehand overhead drop shot is similar to the action of throwing a ball. If you can throw a ball well, you shouldn't have problem playing it. You can always practice throwing with a shuttle first before stepping on to the court. Here are some pointers for playing a forehand overhead drop shot. - Adopt the forehand grip. - Turn your body and stand sideways to the net with your non-racket shoulder facing the net. - Shift your weight on to your rear foot. - Bend your elbow and lock your wrist preparing to swing forward. - Raise your non-racket hand and point at the shuttle to improve timing and balance. - Contact the shuttle as high as possible and out in front of your body. - Straighten your elbow as you hit the shuttle. - Slice or tap the shuttle as you hit it, reducing the speed of the racket head. - The angle of the racket face will determine the direction of your shot. - Follow through with your racket and shift your weight from your rear foot to your front foot. - Move back to your base position. Backhand Drop Shot It is not easy to play a backhand overhead drop shot. Even experienced players have problem with this badminton stroke. You shall always try to play an 'around the head' forehand drop shot whenever possible. However, it is important that you know how to play the backhand overhead drop shot. There are times when you just can't play the shuttle with your forehand. Here are some pointers for playing a backhand overhead drop shot. - Adopt the backhand grip. - Turn your body so that your back is facing the net. - Lead and shift your weight to your racket foot. - Lift your arm from the shoulder with the forearm parallel to the floor. - Hold the racket across your body with the racket head pointing down. - Keep the racket arm and elbow close into your body. - Contact the shuttle in front of your body and as high as possible. - Slice or tap the shuttle as you hit it, reducing the speed of the racket head. - The angle of the racket face will determine the direction of your shot. - Push your body back to your base position. Around the Head Drop Shot This is actually a forehand overhead badminton drop shot played at the non-racket side of your body. Try to use it whenever play permits as a forehand stroke is always better and more accurate than a backhand. The techniques for hitting this shot are about the same as the forehand overhead stroke with only some minor adjustments. Here are some pointers for playing a forehand around the head drop shot. - Stand squarely to the net. - Bend your upper body sideways to your non-racket side as your arms come through. - Shift your weight to your non-racket leg. - Bend your elbow and bring the racket behind your head. - As you swing forward, your forearm will brush the top of your head before straightening. - Transfer your body weight rapidly as your non-racket leg pushes your body back to your base position. An important thing to note here is that whether you are playing a badminton drop shot, a clear or a smash, your wrist plays a key part in creating deception. The basic preparations for these badminton shots are the same, only the angle of the racket face, the speed of the racket head and the point of impact is different. Keep your opponent guessing. Remember...Practice is the only way to improve your Badminton Drop Shots...

Li-Ning Woods N90-II

Est Dry Weight: 90g (3U)
Grip Size: S2 (eq. Yonex G5)
Balance: Head Heavy
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanogy 98 @ 24lbs



Defense
At first handle, I shudder to think what my defense with this racket would be like. I remember when I first used the Yonex Armortec 900 Power and how the weight of that racket totally destroyed my reaction speed.

The N90-II comes heavier and bulkier than the AT900P, but when it came to swing the racket in the face of a drive or smash, the Li-Ning racket comes off very well. It's able to deflect most of the attacks that come at me with as much finesse as it has power.

The good thing about the weight is the way it helps you deliver a good block or defensive drive to the back of the court without the use of much energy.

On the softer blocks, the weight of the racket head also helps when you want to pull off all those tricky dropping net shots that hug close to the net. A light touch is what it usually needs to tip the shuttle over.

I don't know how Li-Ning does it, or if it's because I got lucky with the weight distribution of this one, but the N90-II is insanely easy to use on the defense, far outclassing any of the other head heavy rackets that I've come across.

Attack
The first smash I threw with the N90-II got a compliment from my playing buddy. I remember how nice it felt coming off the string bed, and how good it sounded. I'm not a power player, so my shuttles don't carry a lot of speed, but the Li-Ning Woods N90-II delivers a rather satisfying speed with the shuttle.

The well-made racket also boasts a nice driving speed, with the shuttle moving a fast speed away with the lightest of touches. Wrist players will especially enjoy this as you get a high yield with very little effort.

Swings on the racket come off really fast as well, and the added weight in the head gave me a very good angle with the natural follow-through that came with the downward swings.

However, I did feel a gradual loss in speed when it came down to the flat exchanges. The wrist won't be able to support the weight of the racket or as long as your other rackets that for sure. The slightly whip-like nature of the shaft helps in this situation, allowing better energy transfer when you need it.

Control
Have you seen Lin Dan throw off shot after shot of impossible angles and velocity? Well, using the Li-Ning Woods N90-II made me feel like I could pull off some of those shots if I wanted to.

The slightly larger head frame of the racket delivers the promise of a wide assortment of shots into your arsenal. Larger string bed, larger surface area to play shots around with.

Need a tighter spin on your net drops? Take aim a little off the center for a harder feel. Want the repulsion to push the shuttle off the the back line? Take the shuttle with the enlarged sweet spot to get maximum distance without using too much arm strength.

Once again, I'll have to credit the heavy head of the racket for the wonder drop shots that it's managed to pull off for me. The shuttles spin off the string bed and seldom fails to find it's way sharply towards the other side.

I judge how good the control is for a racket by how much I'm able to direct the play of a game. The more I can walk around the court, the more control I feel I am getting, the more comfort I'm feeling, the better my shot quality.

The Li-Ning Woods N90-II really made my games a breeze.

Looks
I call this the dragon. It's primarily red, with white yellow and gold streaks running down the head frame and onto the shaft, where gold writing completes the majesty of the Li-Ning Woods N90-II.

Like an emperor sitting on his throne, my N90-II sits domineeringly on my shelf, a power resting within waiting to be unleashed.