Of many things

Are you using the right tension strings for your badminton racket?

2012-02-12T22:01:00.000+08:00

That there's one of the questions that many of us ask as we progress in the sport, and I do think that it's one important question to get right.

When you've got yourself a nice racket and great sparring partners to train with, the next thing you'll want to do is to get in the flow of the game and not have to worry about the racket strings not performing like you wanted. Think of it like the scope on your sniper rifle - the gun can still kill without it, but get yourself a good one and you're suddenly feeling good about yourself.

So how should one go about choosing the right string for your racket and playing style? Generally, the hard smashers should prefer the higher tension and harder feel (I got this from conversations I've had with the hard smashers). A good tension to try out for hard smashers is 26lbs. If you feel like you can get more out of the strings then increase it by 2lbs at a time till you find yourself struggling to clear to the back court.

That's right, I judge how much tension my arm can handle by how difficult it is to control the full court clears. A nice tension should allow the ease of a full court clear without much work, and yet have the control to place the shuttle neatly to the sidelines as possible.

Once that's settled, the rest of my shots fall into place. If I can control the four corners with ease, that's the tension for me.

For example, I recently acquired a Yonex Voltric 70, which had Yonex BG66 strung at 26lbs. I took it to the court to try out the higher tension (I'm usually on Yonex Nanology 98 @ 24lbs, but we'll leave the different types of string for later on in the conversation), and found that it was really trying to bring the shuttle to the back court.

The games on that day become a tall order for me, having to use more strength to clear and smash, leaving less time for thinking and movement.

Which brings me back to the string tension being all about ease of play. Find a nice string with a nice tension that allows you to place the shuttle to any direction you want, and still achieve a decent amount of power. I'm not a heavy smasher, so I compensated a little with the lower tension.

I guess what I'm trying to say is, whichever makes the games more enjoyable.

As for the types of strings, to me there're only 2 kinds - hard and soft. I'm currently on Yonex Nanology 98 because they feel a little harder than the BG66, and that gives me a little more feel with my lower tension.

How hard or soft you like your string is also a personal preference. All I can say is to give them a try and hope you get to a nice fit before you spend your family fortune on restringing.

First buy for 2012

2012-02-11T23:07:00.002+08:00

More to come.

Badminton Racket Review: Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC

2012-01-30T22:46:00.000+08:00

I've had difficulty using this racket at first. It was really stiff and heavy so I couldn't get any speed on it. It's also got the honor of being the first racket I've dropped onto to the floor. I was blocking a smash and off it came!

A few months and a little bit of skill upgrade later, I'm able to confidently handle the beast. And I must say it's become quite the weapon. Coming off a Karakal PU Super Grip, I've changed to using only an overgrip (one with ridges for some comfort). Having the thinner grip gave it even more power!

With the two sessions firmly in my memory, I decided to write a review for the second of the World Beating Performance rackets that I own.

This review is from my opinions of the racket and the game of badminton,. Take this with a pinch of salt. If you've got questions on this racket, feel free to ask.

Ok, now on to the review.

Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC
Dry Weight: 86-89g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 24lbs
Flex: Very Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs

I've used this racket only for singles play.

Defense
This racket is heavy, and you can really feel it when you have to concentrate on defending them smashes! I found myself hitting the frame on defense, to me a clear sign of not being able to move the racket head fast enough to intercept the flight of the shuttle.

What's even more drastic is the switching of defense from left to right. You're going to have to depend on your instinct for this one. The weight of the Armortec 900 can really slow reaction down a bit.

However, it's the same weight that gives your returns the solid push and feel that's required to turn defense into offense. Be it a soft block to the front or a hard drive the opposite direction of the court, the Armortec 900 Power delivers.

Attack
While we're on the topic of delivering, I might as well get to the point here.

The racket's got a "Power" to its name. That's got to stand for something. The stiffness of the racket, coupled with the heaviness of its frame, brings a very satisfying attack to your game.

Pushes to the sides of the court were sharp and flat, smashes down were powerful. What you might want to be careful for is a well-placed return. The weight of the Armortec 900 Power leaves you less time for recovery after a hard attack.

Control
I like it when a racket allows me more time to think about where to place the shot than worry about using enough strength to deliver the shot where I want it to. Low-effort rackets like this one makes a game so much more enjoyable.

The Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC offers the ease of power, leaving you in command of the flight of the shuttle. I wasn't in any situation where I found myself having to place thought into putting more power to deliver to the far side, and that is worth a mention.

Looks
This racket's modeled after a fearsome tiger, with stripes coming off the t-joint blending in with the powerful black and yellow head. At the two and ten o'clock positions of the head are the bright blue eyes of the predator, ready to pounce at a loose shuttle. The look's topped off by the white streams atop the racket allowing the word "Power" to be clearly visible.

What a sight.

Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC

Defense: 6

Attack: 9

Control: 8

Looks: 8

Badminton Racket Wishlist for 2012

2012-01-28T15:09:00.002+08:00

I got a closer look one of these a few days back. Think I had a 4U version on hand, and it felt a little light. Reminds me of the Victors that I once had.

Price tag's very steep, so it'll be a long shot if any.

UPDATE: There's only a 3U version of this racket

Defensive Badminton Strategies: The Chisel

2012-01-23T22:38:00.000+08:00

Stop

2012-01-18T01:24:00.001+08:00

Fleeting are the moments we hold so dear - a touch, no more than a brush across the skin; a look, setting your gaze deep; a sound, sudden and sharp.

And we remember these instances, stringing them together and making collages that yield us faith, hope and shallow gratification.

But there they remain - deepest and true in our hearts. They fuel a passion, destructive. They rein a mission, oft elusive. They carve a chapter, unimaginably massive, into the annals of our existence.

And we welcome them wild dreams. For without a purpose, a life is but a forgotten tune.

Badminton Racket Review: Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH

2012-01-14T23:12:00.002+08:00

This is my first serious racket, and it's taken me that long to have a good enough hold on it to write a review confidently. The first impression I had for this very technical racket was its weight. Took me awhile to get used to a 3U one (considering I started out with a 5U APACS), and I even thought it was head-heavy!

Now, a year down the road, my skills have improved substantially and I'm able to properly wield and use this racket to better effect.

This review is from my own opinions of the racket and the game of badminton. Take this with a pinch of salt. If you've got any questions on this racket, feel free to ask.

Ok, now on to the review.

Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH
Dry Weight: 86-89g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 24lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 Ultimax @ 24lbs

I've used this racket only for singles play.

Defense
Being an even-balanced racket, the defense rating for the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH does not disappoint. However, it takes a little getting used to because of the smaller head, which sometimes mean a frame hit here and there.

This special characteristic of the racket allows for quicker swings and harder returns on defense, and that is always welcome.

Switching from side to side was easy, the same I'd expect from an even-balanced racket. Holding the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH, it feels a little longer than the other rackets I have, and that translats to easier reach for netshots. Just a hunch.

Attack
Advertised as the racket that produced the fastest recorded badminton smash in the world, the Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH takes its aerodynamic frame seriously. Cutting across the air with a very crisp sound, the racket gives its wielder very little air resistance when swung.

However, the lack of weight in the front makes the racket lose out to the Voltric 80 in terms of raw power. Comparing it with the ArcSaber 10 PG however, the Z-Slash TH seems to edge out a little bit.

But we don't all win games with smashes, don't we? I noticed that the hits coming off the Z-Slash TH takes advantage of its quick swing speed, delivering the drives and check smashes at a delectable pace.

Control
Here's where this racket shines. When you're able to get reasonably good hits off its small head, the ArcSaber Z-Slash TH offers a very acute level of control. There's not a lot of room for error, but you'll be glad you took the time to tame the beast that is the Z-Slash.

Looks
I've no complaints against most of Yonex's racket designs, and the Z-Slash TH is no different. Taking the official colors for Taufik Hidayat, red and black, the designers added a dash of white and gold for that motion blur effect when you swing the racket head.

Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH

Defense: 8

Attack: 8

Control: 9

Looks: 8

Badminton Racket Review: Bekia Twister X8

2012-01-08T23:02:00.001+08:00

I have a thing for oversized-head rackets. They seem to offer a really good combination of offense and defense. that makes them the Jack-of-all-trades for badminton rackets.

I bought this lesser-known brand after I had the chance to give the racket a go at the recommendation of my regular seller.

Turns out the Taiwanese are good for rackets after all (I still hate them Victors)! Went back to the guy and bought it off with a change of grip.

This review is from my own opinions of the racket, and of the game of badminton. Take this with a pinch of salt.

Ok, now on to the review.

Bekia Twister X8
Dry Weight: 87g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Medium
Strings: Toalson Fire 66 @ 26lbs

I've used this racket for both singles and doubles play.

Defense
True to all head-heavy rackets, the Bekia Twisted X8 responds a little slower when compared to a lighter 4U racket. It's saving grace is its larger head, which gives you more allowance when making that quick defensive return.

That big head of its also improves the quality of the returns by quite a bit. Hitting a drive off a smash was quite a possibility with the Twisted X8.

The shorter handle also makes for faster shot making, what with the player not needing to move his grip much to get that same quicker swing.

Attack
This is what made me buy the racket. Smashes come off this racket fast and furious, often to the extent of being addictive. I find my game gearing towards being fast-paced and destructive with the Twister X8, so I'm seriously considering placing it under my Doubles Racket label.

I've previously written my vote of approval for over-sized heads and short grip handles, and the Bekia Twister X8 has both! Full-on, check smashes, net taps... the works!

Control
Placement of the shuttle at various sides of the court were marginally good, though I had trouble making my backhand shots go straight down the line. The weight of the racket gives a nice boost to your clears and that little more speed when you need it to.

Touches were good, and the net shots proved to be satisfactory. Lifts from the net were reasonably far back, and backhand shots carried a nice distance.

Looks
Fierce; primarily back with red and gold accents. The red strings made it look even angrier. Not very characteristic of the kinds of color palette that I usually go for, but it's nice on the eyes at least.

Bekia Twister X8

Defense: 6

Attack: 9

Control: 7

Looks: 7

Badminton Shoes Review: Mizuno Wave Lightning 7

2012-01-05T01:04:00.003+08:00

Ok, technically they're not badminton shoes. But volleyball and badminton are rather alike in foot movements, so I got myself a pair of these since they were on sale.

And don't they look good!

The thing that struck me first were how light they are compared to the Yonex SHB 101LTD that I have. Mizuno used a lot of mesh in the design of the Wave Lightning 7 and that reduced the weight of the shoe by a whole deal.

On air.

The second thing was how comfortable it was. Once securely tied around the foot, the cushioning in the Wave Lightning 7 was incredible! The shoe wrapped around the foot and gave in to you every twist and turn (that means it's hella flexible as well).

Last but not least, is the bounce that the shoe gives. The wave design on the heel and along the mid-sole basically gives a slot of support to cushion and absorb whatever impact you will incur during the game. Jumping becomes enjoyable, and couple that with the flexibility and light weight movement, the Mizuno Wave Lightning 7 makes for a good combination.

Unfortunately, this is not a badminton shoe. The Mizuno Wave Lightning 7, unlike the 101 LTD, does not come with the lateral claw technology that is incorporated into the Yonex shoe to stop sideways movement of the foot once the sole hits the ground.

Being made of mesh, the right outer-side of the Wave Lightning 7 gives a lot of stretch to my foot. Being the first time I used the shoe, it felt quite different from the Yonex counterpart and kept making me feel like I was going to sprain my right foot.

Having the wave technology in the heel also makes it a tad higher than conventional badminton shoes. The added height took a little getting used it. I don't think I will be able to switch between the two shoes that easily.

While the Mizuno Wave Lightning 7 offers the speed and comfort much needed in Yonex shoes, its reduced durability and increased height makes for a little getting used to.

More to come when I get a few more singles games in.

Badminton Equipment: The Racket

2012-01-03T22:10:00.001+08:00

Pride before vanity, and vanity before skills.

In this aspect we see a lot of players seek out the best racket money can buy, hoping the spirit of world class players will course through the graphite and into their veins.

I'm in no position to touch on skills here, so I'll use this time to state the types of rackets there are and what type of players I think they're suitable for.

I've got an assortment of 15 rackets, ranging from weight to balance and flexibility of the shaft, so I'm making this call based on what I have. Those with more experience and equipment can feel free to add their five cents.

Things to consider when buying a racket

1. Looks
Let's admit it, if it ain't looking good, we won't want to use it anyway. Despite whatever people say about a good racket being more than the design, I doubt you'd want to use a ugly hell piece of graphite (unless you're a Li Ning user).

Choosing something that looks good on the eye does two things, (i) it gives you something to look at when you lose a point; and (ii) it makes winning all the better.

2. Price
Sure, everyone wants a Yonex or Li Ning (why?!), but not everyone can afford one! If you're just starting out and want something that's "tried and tested", I would implore you not to fall into the newbie trap of getting the most expensive racket out there just coz it's used by some pro.

Just like you don't learn driving with a sports car, you should consider placing your faith in a racket that's within a nice cost bracket. Once you get a hang of the sport and is able to determine what sort of game you're comfortable with, you'll be in a better position to know which of the models in the top brands suit you.

Trust me when I say that Yonex rackets can differ in feel between the models. That's what makes them so good, in my opinion. So choose wisely, when you can know what's what.

3. Weight
Here's where it gets a little complicated. Rackets are made to different specifications, and each will appeal to a different person. The best advise I can give you now is to find one that gives you a nice good feel - not too heavy, not too light.

Hold it loosely in your hands and have a swing. You should be able to control the racket just right. A racket is an extension of your reach and should feel right. Don't let the weight of the racket hold back the swing of your arm.

Going into the deep end
(Warning: reading this section may increase your urge to buy new rackets)
So now that you've got yourself a decent starter racket, got a few good hours of court time, am able to hit a shuttle decently without mishits, and am starting to feel an itch to start playing a better game, it's time for you to consider getting yourself an equipment upgrade.

Think of this as a level-up. *bing*

There are a few things when we talk about a racket's specifications, (i) Grip Size (ii) Weight; (iii) Balance Point or BP; (iv) Shaft Flexibility; (v) Length; and (vi) Recommended String Tension.

I've ordered them in order of relevance to your playing experience (in my own opinion of course).

Grip Size
Remember what I said about the racket first being comfortable? You should be used to a certain grip by now, and I don't think there should be a compromise. Luckily most rackets come in varying grip sizes. I've gotten rackets that are one size too big, and they just don't play as well. I can't get the wrist around the large grip sizes and that affected my game.

One way to get around this is to use an over-grip instead of a replacement. That way it won't end up as large a grip size. But be prepared to change grip often.

Weight
U, 2U, 3U, 4U and so on. Each U means how many units of 5g below 100g; a 2U racket should weight more than 90g, a 3U more than 85g, and so on.

Typically, a heavier racket allows more weight transfer between your swings. Deep clears become easier and you'll also notice the control getting better when you use a heavier racket. Expect less vibration as well, but all these at the cost of speed.

Balance
Three kinds, (i) Head Heavy; (ii) Even; and (iii) Head Light. Same principle with weight transfer and speed apply. Factor in weight.

Consider the type of game you play when determining the suitable balance. Use head lights for a quicker counter attack game with fast exchanges, an even balance for net play and wrist check smashes, and head heavys for extra power in that full-on smash.

Flex
For what I've experienced, less flexible rackets are suitable for those who favor the wrist over the arm. Vice-versa.

Tension
Once you've got the above in order, you'll want to experiment with various strings and string tensions to see which one suits you best. Increase or decrease in units of 2lbs.

Higher tensions allow greater control, but you'll need to use more strength to get the shuttle anywhere. Lower tensions give a greater repulsion from the extended string bed, but since there's more extension, control might be affected.

Also, higher tensions give a nicer, more crisp, smashing sound.

And that's the gist of it. Let me know if you've got anything to supplement.

Zebra

2012-01-03T00:12:00.002+08:00

There is a meek smile, paired with eyes
that shine like the midnight stars;
Her lips curl like flower petals
surrendering to the night;
Two arcs on her face carry
the burden of her sweetness;
And although she does not speak,
her song tames the wild beast
that had me locked, gaze and spirit,
on the black and white stripes she dons.

Fat Husky

2012-01-02T20:13:00.001+08:00

Four paws on the hot hot tar,
Fat Husky under the mid-day sun;
Feels so warm he can't move on,
Fat Husky sure ain't havin' no fun.

His fur's so thick and the leash is tight,
Fat Husky he don't know why;
No more strength to put up a fight,
One more step, and Fat Husky dies.

New Badminton Shoe: Mizuno Wave Lightning 7

2012-01-02T15:45:00.002+08:00

Light as hell.

Defensive Badminton Strategies - Punch Clear

2011-12-28T01:31:00.001+08:00

Welcome to another lesson in badminton strategies. I've read some of the stuff on the internet, tried them out and added my little touch to it for your perusal. I've even added in names to make them easier to remember!

This is part three of the Badminton Strategies segment. It'll be 6 parts in all, sans the overview.

If you read the overview you'll understand that I term Defensive Strategies as a way to really drag the game on and make the opponent give you the points through unforced errors or sheer impatience.

Not to say that this mode of playing isn't fun! When you've got control of both your opponent's mind and physique, it gets really interesting.

Today we'll touch on one of those brainless, but strangely wise, strategies - the Punch Clear.

Taking into account the triangle principle that I've covered briefly in the previous strategies articles, the Punch Clear employs the almost exclusive use of back-court clears to move your opponent.

For this to happen, you'll firstly need to be able to send the shuttle accurately to the left or right of the court without giving the point away either with a short clear or by rocketing the shuttle out of the court.

There are two kinds of clears that we'll touch on for the Punch Clear - the Flat Clear and the High Clear.

High Clear - use this to buy you some time to recover to the middle when you've been caught in a fix by a good back-court smash. Once you've got the hang of the game, however, the high clear is used to deceive the opponent in thinking that the shuttle's outward-bound. It sounds risky, but trust me it'll come easy once you've got the right feel.

Flat Clear - this higher-risk move takes your shot into the offensive, used to force faster movement from the opponent in order to reach the shuttle in time. This kind of clear is just out of reach of check smash interception and travels at a considerably faster speed than the lather.

Take note however, that because of the straighter trajectory, the shuttle tends to lose control and sail out more often.

Now that you've got a little knowledge of the two kinds of clears that we'll use in the Punch Clear, how do you use them?

Easy! Use High Clears to tempt the smash or establish a rhythm, use Flat Clears to move the opponent and create a little pressure. Left, right, left, right, right, right, left, left, right, left... you get the drift. Oh, and clear centre when in trouble.

Once your opponent gets bored of your ineffective offensive he'll start raining them smashes or playing the drop shots. Block with Defensive Roulette or punch more clears to the back court after the drop.

Trust me, he'll get bored and end up handing you the game. This strategy takes patience and very good judgement to keep the shuttle in play. Two things should go through the opponent's mind when they're at the mercy of the Punch Clear:

1. How come his shots are always inside the backlines?
2. Maybe I can smash this one down to win the point.

I'd recommend this strategy at the beginning the game to set a slower pace and to test the accuracy of your opponent. It'll be a nice way to hide your smashes and net shots too, what with you going in with nothing but clears.

Coming up next, Defensive Strategies - The Chisel.

The Collection - December 2011

2011-12-26T22:06:00.001+08:00

Hopefully the last shot for the year. I've had my eye on a Sintec Trinity 70 (it's a very well-made clone of the Yonex Voltric 70), so let's hope the will power holds out.

They're placed in chronological order, bottom up:

APACS WREX Punch; Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH; Carlton Fireblade FX8; Carlton Air Rage Tour; Carlton Vapour Trail S-Lite; Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish; Yonex Voltric 80; Yonex Voltric 60; Prince Black Pearl XP; Yonex Armortec 900 Power LC; Carlton Powerblade 9902; Yonex ArcSaber 10 PG; Bekia Twister X8; and Fischer Speed 33

Badminton Racket Review: Fischer Speed 33

2011-12-26T09:54:00.002+08:00

This is a weird one. I've not had a racket feel like this so I thought I'd do a write-up about it. The Fischer Speed 33 is a fine-looking specimen - black and white with silver accented with a matt finishing. Beneath the solid exterior hides a peculiar characteristic, which is a love-or-hate thing with me.

I just can't decide to love or to hate it.

This review is form from my own opinions of the racket, and of the game of badminton. Take this with a pinch of salt, unless of course you're my exact duplicate in which case trust every word with your life.

I'm a low-intermediate level player who enjoys the occasional smashing game, but more entertaining is to see how you can move the opponent around to get that smash. I'd much rather see the shuttle drop to the floor after a well-placed rally than zoom through the air at amazing speeds.

Ok, now on to the review.

Fischer Speed 33
Dry Weight: 87g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Tolsen Fire 66 @ 24lbs

I've only used this racket for singles play.

Technology
Fischer Stability System (FSS)

Defense
I got this racket because I felt it had a good weight. I'm going through a phase in my game which involves more smashing and attacking play so the heaviness of the Speed 33 caught my attention.

The weight of the Fischer Speed 33 seems to be distributed all along the racket, culminating at the head, instead of mostly at the head (like in the case of my good friend the Voltric 80). This characteristic gave it an odd feel after the strings were tied, and I can't for the life of me figure out what to make of this.

Being so freakishly heavy, defense basically took a stumble. Although returns from defensive shots were pleasing and controllable due to the weight, getting the racket head there is the main problem.

With the bulky frame, the Fischer Speed 33 feels a tad slower than my other head-heavy rackets when it comes to delivering the block. I found myself with more frame hits and slower reflexes.

Attack
Again, the strange weight distribution of the racket comes into question here. I'd expect something to heavy to deliver a pleasant smashing experience, but the shuttles tend to lose speed really quickly after leaving the string bed.

Drives and check smashes were satisfactory, but the full-on arm-breakers were sorely lacking in power. I could to much, much better with a Yonex Voltric 80 or my Carlton Powerblade 9902.

Seems to me the Fischer Speed 33 is made more for fast wrist motions than the long swinger. If you're able to generate enough power off the wrist, then I'd dare say that this racket won't disappoint. The stiff bulky frame lends to the stability needed to crack the shaft like a whip without too much flexing to take away the power.

Control
So far so average, but this is where the game turns.

I've experienced a lower level of control with my head-heavy rackets. I love the accuracy of my even-balanced ones (Yonex ArcSaber 10 and Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish to name a few) and found it difficult at times to control the path of flight with my head-heavys.

But the Speed 33 changes the game a little by offering me a level of control previously seen only with the even-balanced ones. It feels right when I hit the shuttle, my arm guiding the bird where I want it to. Clears from back to back felt really easy, and drop shots were coming off the right spots on the string bed.

I know I like a racket's control when I start doing trick shots and they come off ok. The Fischer Speed 33 tested out fine in my singles games, leaving me baffled as to whether it's worth keeping.

Looks
Primarily black with white accents, the Fischer Speed 33 looks elegant with silver streaks down the shaft. The matt finish kind of seals the deal with me - not many rackets decide to do that now. I've got on black strings to complete the look. It's not the sexiest of rackets, but it's pleasing enough on the eyes.

Fischer Speed 33

Defense: 6

Attack: 7

Control: 9

Looks: 7

Badminton Racket Preview: Fischer Speed 33

2011-12-23T01:28:00.001+08:00

Got me a new racket. I've got to stop buying on impulse, but who's kidding?

This one's all black. I think I'll call it the Widow Maker.

As for the performance, I'll quote my good friend on this one, "looks good, sounds great."

More to come.

Basic Badminton Strategies: Defensive Roulette

2011-12-17T02:20:00.005+08:00

The game of badminton has changed quite a bit. From the 15-point system to the current 21-point one, a lot of emphasis has now been put on offense and the hay-maker smash.

Because of this trend, more and more players and their rackets have skewed towards the stiff, head-heavy orientation. Winning the game becomes a game of who can smash harder and faster instead of the more gentlemanly approach of maneuverability and tactics.

And because of this style of play, a lot of players are finding it hard to defend against their opponents. A good defense is vital if you're to play a good game. Not just because you'll present a solid obstacle for your opponent's main point-winning strategy (to smash your face in), but also to convert the defensive shots into opportunities that you can use to get in your very own face-breaker.

Defensive Roulette takes into premise the need to focus your attention to channeling the smashes to directions other than DIRECTLY AT THE SMASHER. Not only does this disrupt the rhythm of their attack, it may at times steal their second smash right from under their noses.

Keep in mind the Triangle Principle, and calm yourself down before you take the shuttle to an advantageous corner away from the attacker.

And always remember to do that split step!

General strategies are the precursor to the offensive or defensive ones, so use these well and you'll be setting yourself up for a combo sooner than you think.

Coming up next: Defensive Strategies - Punch Clear.

2011-12-16T03:04:00.000+08:00

Two inches away, the world would have been perfect.

Black and Gold

2011-12-12T19:00:00.001+08:00

Girl in the funeral dress,
Sunshine laced behind her.
Smiling so sweetly,
That everyone would just stare.

A mismatch so appropriate -
Unfitting of the occasion.
Cast by a misfortune,
Overshadowed by her radiance.

Oh bitter irony, a partner in crime
With karmic resonance
When I uncover, in ill grace,
What will all come in due time.

A meek smile, a hung head;
The girl in the funeral dress,
With many ways to make you happy,
Can only exist in dreams.

Basic Badminton Strategies - The Classic

2011-12-09T07:40:00.001+08:00

Let's get right on it shall we? I've previously mentioned that these are the bread and butter of the game, with their purpose built around the core principles of badminton.

Always have these at the back of your mind. They'll help you guide your shots and make it harder for your opponent to move you around the court.

I'll start with The Classic. This one's pretty simple, and a lot of us will have some semblance of it in our gameplay. The problem is that sometimes its so obvious that we stop committing ourselves to putting in the best shot possible.

For example, if you've already being moved around like a headless chicken, you'd probably not want to try that overhear crosscourt clear from the backhand corner.

The Classic is simple in theory - put the ball where the opponent isn't. It's not attacking, it's more of placing the shots carefully so you can get enough about the opponent to ascertain their strengths and weaknesses.

In practice, The Classic gets a little tougher. We'll need to use this thing called the Triangle Principle.

The longest distance between two points on the court is always right across. From backhand corner to forehand front corner or vice versa.

However, add in the fact that it's also easier to dash in a straight line, and you're suddenly given another alternative - the immediate opposing side of your target corner.

It takes more energy to stop as dash again, so forcing your opponent to make adjustments to their movements is a good way of moving then around.

Add this fact into The Classic, and you're suddenly more in control.

General strategies are the precursor to the offensive or defensive ones, so use these well and you'll be setting yourself up for a combo sooner than you think.

Coming up next: Basic Strategies - Defensive Roulette.

Badminton Strategies: an overview

2011-12-06T17:24:00.001+08:00

It's time to play the game! Whahahahaa

Anyone who watches any sports will know that it takes both brain and brawn to play a winning game.

With the brain, you conceive the moves and power plays to disorientate and trick your opponent. With the brawn, you carry out those moves easier.

That said, each athlete is a different person, and so varying moves will cause different levels of effect - Ken's good at kicks, Ryu's good at punches.

While it might not always work out, it's always good to go into a game with a set of game plans, something you can turn on and off according to how your opponent's playing.

Remember, you're not the only one with brains. You just need to be the one who uses it more.

Strategies, as I have said, are the overall game plan that aim to have a physical and mental effect on the opponent.

In the game of badminton, you're often left with very little time to make decisions, so having these at the back of your head helps when you need to come up with something to counter whatever your opponents throw at you.

I've divided my set of strategies into Basic, Defensive, and Offensive ones.

Basic strategies tend to be in effect throughout the game, and they are based on the most basic principles of the sport. Use them always.

Defensive strategies are used to play a slower game and force your opponents into an error. Use when you find yourself out-paced or in need of recovering some energy.

Offensive strategies use more energy than the rest, and you'll also need a lot more concentration to carry them out. But they're also the fastest way to get points.

One thing in common with all of them though - they're used to establish dominance in a specific area of gameplay. Once that's set, your opponent will be more careful in those areas, making them more prone to mistakes and also limiting their choice of shots.

Next up, general strategies. Keep posted.

Badminton Strategies and Tactics: an overview

2011-12-05T19:01:00.001+08:00

I've always been amazed when I watch Peter Gade play the game of badminton.

The commentators say he's a master tactician, but you'll never know until you've watched a series of his games in succession.

From one game to another, Gade employs a myriad of strategies for different opponents - moving and forcing them into corners before delivering the coup de grace.

Taking him as an inspiration, I've slowed my game down and taken note of the various kinds of games I tend to, or could stand to, play.

I've roughly categorized these into two broad terms: Strategies and Tactics.

The first is the overall game plan, and it comes with a desired result in the physical and mental state of the opponent.

Tactics are like special moves in a fighting game that helps you get that big point in - moves and tricks that helps you attain your strategy's goal.

I'll leave it at that for a moment. Take some time to think about your own strategies and tactics. How many do you have? How many do you use in a game? Who do you use it against?

All very useful questions.

Sailing

2011-12-05T01:48:00.001+08:00

I don't need a picture to remind me of her face, but it helps when I want to pretend she's smiling at me.

For even in my mind, a mere look from her lovely eyes make my lips curl and cheeks flush - like the first burst of sunlight on air conditioned skin.

Welcoming. Captivating. Addictive.

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Yonex ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade

2011-12-04T23:07:00.001+08:00

I've finally gotten the last piece of the trio - the Yonex ArcSaber 10 Peter Gade!

Had about 4 games with it a few days ago, and I must say the feeling is good. The racket delivers on most accounts and even surprised me by having that little bit of magic when the situation called for it.

The ArcSaber is Yonex's even-balanced range of rackets, with the ability to "store power for the shot", which probably means the weight transfer happens to be more gradual given the lower balance point. Anyway, putting marketing jargon aside, the AS10PG seems to do that better than its counterpart, the ArcSaber Z-Slash.

Control was sharp, with shots coming off the string bed pretty easily and wonderfully accurate. While the smashes felt les spowerful than the Z-Slash, the ArcSaber 10 delivered the speed needed to cause some trouble in the opposing camp.

What really caught me off was the speed of the drives. Being caught at the back-right a couple of times, I performed a straight drive-clear to the back to the opponent's court and found the response from the ArcSaber to be very powerful and fast.

Will attempt to have more games with the racket, but in the mean time, it looks really great on my wall.

Unlike

2011-12-03T01:26:00.001+08:00

"That ship has sailed."

I don't believe I actually said that.

World Beating Performance

2011-12-02T23:49:00.001+08:00

It's finally here, the Yonex ArcSaber 10 PG!

Red Umbrella

2011-12-01T22:05:00.001+08:00

Slow he moves - a singularity in the symphony of the rain that hiss at his presence. He trudges on, unaware of the rain's contempt and efforts to discourage his journey. In his umbrella he places his trust, crimson in the monochrome of the afternoon downpour. Heavy, the rain drops fall, bouncing off the red trampoline and onto the flooded pavement.

"No worries," he tells himself, "I'll be there soon."

Too far

2011-11-30T02:31:00.001+08:00

I started a book, and that's never a good sign.

On the way home today I had a thought, nothing new. It had been the same thought that lingers in my head for the past two weeks, but it made me think again.

It's been two months since I've lost myself to an afterthought. That sidebar has now grown into the feature story in my publication, and that's done nothing but distract me.

It's no good, especially when nothing good will come of this. I tried to keep away, but it's just so addictive.

I use the words 'magnetic', 'charismatic', 'weird' and 'captivating', but I know nothing comes near to the inexplicable bath of fulfillment that I am immersed in whenever I'm near.

Too much, too wrong, too deep in to waddle out. I just want the me from two months ago back.

Seconds

2011-11-29T01:11:00.001+08:00

The raindrops slur onto the roof
And he stood still, lost.
A whisk, and he turned;
Caught again by the gaze
That he tries so hard to avoid.
A whisper, and his lips move;
A smile, and his face lifts;
A look, and his eyes are lost.
So far they seem, yet he follows
The trace of perfection
That burn in their wake
Across his imaginary sky.

Trouble

2011-11-25T02:33:00.001+08:00

I've been told that I live my phases, and it can get pretty intense.

To make me lose my attention, it's got to be a wonder. And what a wonder it turned out to be.

I can't stop. I can't concentrate. I can't believe.

Deeper

2011-11-24T21:39:00.001+08:00

They lie black, so deep,
Like the sensuous night sky
Against a bright sun.

Bottomless

2011-11-23T22:23:00.001+08:00

Twice, they seize me,
Caught me falling.
So deep, and yet
I know not how;
So still, and yet
I keep swaying;
So rich, and yet
I still don't know
The true colors
Of when they shine.

I pause and think -
Hands to my chin,
Of the many
Reasons there are
To raise concern
About this thought;
That I should stop
My straying gaze
From falling down
To a dead end.

Into the subtext

2011-11-23T02:02:00.001+08:00

"Never thought of that did you?" he stared me in the eye as the words drawled from his southern tongue.

I looked at the man before me, unshaken by the abuse he's suffered - scars on his face, a broken jaw, quivering hands, and a bad case of dandruff.

If he were off the horse I'd have taken him for a desert bush.

But there he was, mouthing off to me about some abstract alternative that I was gone supposed to have known before I got myself in this here mess.

I tried to look collected as I delivered the retort.

"No, stranger. Can't say that I have."

There was no expression on his ugly mug when he tugged on the reins of his horse and turned his tattered denim jacket back on me.

And off he rode, with me wondering if I had something better to say when I see him again.

Pieces

2011-11-21T23:20:00.001+08:00

I live in a small home, of a small town, in the littlest country. Here, although we're all so small and compact, we've learnt that there are many things that are in abundance.

For instance, there is never enough space for things to go around. I guess that's kinda expected given the amount of land we had to begin with. But then there's the spilling of insecurity; I find it troubling that I can't very well look another person in the eye and trust him with my name.

But last of all, because of all this evil, is the abundance of hope. Such a tragedy this wealth has afforded us - it ruins our lives, takes that of our loved ones, and then as a final insult, someone benefits from it all.

There is a small eating place near my apartment. It lies in the middle of one's journey from the commute to the home and seeks to provide a travelers' rest for those in need of a meal or a quick drink. From all perspectives it seems viable - it's visible from the roads, there is air conditioning (for we are also in no shortage of hot weather), and the food is reasonably good and sufficiently tasty.

But how it suffers! I one day went to buy myself dinner after a long day at work and found the place cleaned out, as it was once before, of tenants. The stores lay bare, stripped of anything that's of value, no doubt by debtors coming to collect. Not even a spoon nor plastic bag remains to give clues of what had existed before.

Overnight - that's how we roll around here. When someone somewhere rakes in thousands and thousands for his culinary showmanship, a family whose main bread was to chop up chicken and place it alongside a humble serving of rice will have to hide out from nasty men looking for payment on the loan he took to start his store.

This is not the first time the eating place will vacate, nor will it be the last. The owners of the land want to collect rent, and there will always be the hopeful who pursue the beaten road, unaware of the mass burial site at the end of the fork.

Hope is a horrible thing, but without it, we all might as well be chickens in a McDonald's poultry farm.

Sunshine in your steps

2011-11-21T00:13:00.001+08:00

If the moon would show tonight,
Then let it be for long;
And in the night time sky, so bright
The crickets will sing their songs.

When they're done, the bullfrogs come
To take away their fun;
With their voices, they will drum,
It's time to greet the sun!

The sky turns blue; the clouds go white;
The shadows start to fade;
As sea and sun and sky unite,
To make a brand new day.

And now it's time for birds to dance,
Flying off with glee,
"Hurry now, let's take this chance!
To the sun, where we want to be!"

Hindsight

2011-11-19T02:09:00.001+08:00

There are many things in this world that drive men crazy, but none more than he himself, when left to his own designs.

That thought would sever sanity from institution, truth from reality, reason from time!

For regret eats at regrets, fending off advances by his sound being to rectify the tilt to his balance. But instead, the fuel squandered on distinctly impossible equations of remotely adequate versions of his reality.

A festering curiosity for the painfully obvious, yet deliberately oblivious.

For don't we all question, "why didn't we?"

Me on Immortals

2011-11-17T22:13:00.001+08:00

I watched Immortals with the colleagues. It inspired me to rant, so bear with me.

Following in the footsteps of the delectable 300, Immortal promises to indulge our Greek Mythology fantasies by way of viscous blood, flying limbs and scantly clad people.

The storyline is simple, as always (for we all know what happens when we try to interject 'storyline' into a testosterone-filled slugfest *cough* *Troy* *cough*) - the overly skilled but underrated lone warrior has injustice served to him, picks up a weapon and off goes to annihilate other-worldly tyrant for the sake of mankind.

Immortal achieves little in terms of visual stimulation. Pure artistic masturbation, what with the over-the-top ways of dismembering a man in slow-motion. Greek gods, mortal men, overkill.

And an actress gets naked for the hell of it. That's always nice to have in a movie about men killing other men.

Surprisingly, it was what Immortal sought to achieve that proved to be it's downfall. With all the promises of violence and bloodbath, the fight scenes were overly simplistic, often not more than the main character impaling his opponents, slicing their throats and then throwing his spear at some soldier stupid enough to jump into an army holding spears.

Even with an opponent like 'The Beast', all it took were two cuts to the knees before the giant lay defeated after 5 pounds to the chest with his own bludgeon.

And of course, the hero cuts off the head off as a trophy, not to scare off would-be attackers but to toss into the ocean with noone else watching.

Oh, did I mention that it was all for a bow which he conveniently discovered while burying his mother? A bow that was used a total of 6 times in the entire 2-hour movie? The God Killer Bow, as under-untilized as the imagination of the scriptwriter.

If any, Immortal served to prove that even the Gods have Monday Blues, as they fought for their lives in juxtapose with the measly mortals they have 45 minutes ago refused to help.

Goes to show that if the powerful do not realize that they should help the weak, they too will have a lot of shit to clean up afterwards.

The highlight of the night came after the curtain call. I got into a conversation about wigs and minahs and mamas - all worth the price of the broken promise that is Immortal.

P.S. trust the movie reviews in My Paper over TNP.

Cold Coffee

2011-11-13T19:50:00.001+08:00

It was a passing glance,
But yet you remember
The face that walked by -

How the pair of eyes so big
Looked into yours and quickly
Turned back to the floor.

Or the sheepish smile
From the momentary
Feeling of awkwardness.

But most of all, you replay
The small of her voice whispering
Something you can't hear.

Back home a hero

2011-11-13T00:27:00.001+08:00

The heavy wooden door closed behind me as I entered the captain's room. It seemed a different world to the one that I stepped out from.

Sever was obviously a fan of trinkets, for all matters of tokens were sprawled in every corner. It looked more like a museum than the quarters of a respected seaman.

The man was seated in front of me. He had chosen to take his place behind the desk, away from the small dining table decorated with splendid teapots and serving trays.

There was a parchment lying on the table.

"The brave Mr Cook, back home a hero after the conquest of alien lands!

"That's what they'll be saying of you when we port at Yogava isn't it?" the Captain chuckled.

That a man so mannered would display such a mockery baffled me. I kept silent.

His eyes narrowed, lips curled into a slot as he stated me down, "Do you what that is, Mr Cook?"

The parchment was pushed towards me. It was rolled, but the broken seal was unmistakable; the error of my ways have caught up. There was no need to read it.

"Dear Captain, I believe my offer to bring me to Yagova is a very lucrative one for you and your crew. I expect it to be fulfilled regardless of the consequences," was my answer to Sever.

The Captain stood up, his chair landing hard onto the floor. Heavy footsteps place him towering in front of me. He did not speak, choosing to breathe heavily down my face.

I could not falter, "And I believe I have more than enough to spare you the trouble of calling the British dogs on me."

He smiled. There was a sharp pain in my chest, but still I could see him smile. I looked down and saw a dagger in me, and as he withdrew the blade from my beating heart I could see his smile widen.

"You do not come in to my ship a wanted man, threaten me with your riches, and tell me what to do with myself, Mr Cook," he slid back to his desk, wiping the blade on his trousers.

I buckled to the floor, my knees giving way as the vision stated to blur.

He gave a signal, and the door behind me opened. Heavy boots carrying a heavy man entered the room. There was the smell of death about his, drenching the room with blood and sweat.

"Look around you, Mr Cook. We have no use for your gold out here in the ocean! My men are hungry for a little more than riches."

The Captain turned towards his collection, "That pocket watch of yours will make a handsome addition."

Big hands clamped down on my arms as he dragged me out. I could hear the imbeciles cheering, no longer making fun of the unwelcome guest. They looked at me like wild tigers, after playing with their prey.

Coffee in a lonely room

2011-11-12T15:23:00.001+08:00

A whiff, a stir, a sip;
Taken without expression
when a smile would greet
the welcoming taste.

The weather outside, cold;
The people indoors, hidden;
The air around, filled
with the tingling of a moving spoon.

White is mixed with beige,
Two beings offering little resistance;
Unlike the stinging sensation
that rests in my chest.

Towards the breeze

2011-11-10T22:15:00.001+08:00

Life is driven by greed, and that desire causes people to act unlike themselves, trading their morals for varying acts of misdemeanor warranting varying degrees of consequence.

Of the many thefts, there will come a heist; of the many beatings, there will come a death; of the many lives affect, all will attempt to run.

And here I am, victim of my own greed, escapee from the consequences of my actions, stricken with the burden of my reward from an act of crime too far past to turn back.

"Tis a good day, Mr Cook!"

He is Francis Rivers, crew of the Merry Maker - a vessel I have taken my troubles to. The short excuse of a gentleman has become somewhat of a friend to me over the few days that I have been stuck at sea.

"That, you've been saying for the last two days, Mr Rivers... "

"... and it hasn't gotten any better! Haha!" Rivers cries, completing my sentence, sans my usual sarcasm.

"Haha!" reverberated the crew, listening intently to his foolery.

There should be around thirty of them, a motley crew cast together with the help of a dodgy tavern and the promise of booze and women - of which the former they have no lack of, judging from their lack or sense in gravity or oral hygiene.

And I have become a joke of sorts to them, me with my scent of the civilization that they chose to leave behind. I have become used to this, and the bantering ceases to a sometimes tolerable degree. But they soon pick up another part of myself to ridicule, and the fun goes on again.

That is, until they hear the voice of their captain.

"I fail to see the humor of this situation, gentlemen."

Silence, sniffles and gruff laughter turn coughs as they choke on their fear of the captain. Dressed as distinguished as a life at sea would allow him, Redford Severs helms the Merry Maker.

The name of the ship was his idea, though not one in the crew can convince me of the reason why. There is no hint of merry in the face of Severs, and his treatment of his crew do not tell me otherwise. I've seen fingers chopped off and skin scorched for as much as a look of discontent.

This man commanded discipline, and he will get it.

"Mr Cook, I will see you in my cabin," he said before the heavy oak doors close behind the giant of man.

This is the man who has taken me aboard his ship, and has in his best effort be civil. I follow him, glad to be rid of the company of idiots he calls a crew.

The weight of lead

2011-11-10T20:17:00.001+08:00

Isn't it funny, how the more we don't want something to bother us, the more it does?

It sinks within us, like we're standing on soft sand with lead weights pressed down on our shoulders.

We don't listen, even though in a way we admit that we can't stand any further. Time makes the impression deeper, and the falling rain makes the sand softer so we sink faster.

The longer we stand, the harder we find to step out, the more we want to step out, the more we say we don't want to.

Isn't it funny?

Pansophy

2011-11-10T01:33:00.001+08:00

It hurts, but we move on. In the rain, sound numbs the frozen emotions, lending strength.

Pictures revolve around memories lethal - fast to the point and lingering to ensure. Not much to work with, but artisans are seldom in need of excess.

The real world becomes blurred visions, paintings of what's in front of our unwitting eyes. Windscreen wipers act as hosts to a wealthy pool of reasons. More to come; there is always more.

Unwelcome, unwanted, overrated and all too infamous - the draining substantial from our deepest thoughts. Too diverse to gather, too shallow to drown in, we wander.

Kef from a midnight scribble

2011-11-09T00:56:00.001+08:00

How very wrong, sometimes, the things that feel so right. As the dark deepens and the air stills, emotions stir easy and the mind runs amok.

I am often stunned by the importance of the sun- this blunt truth brought to light (haha) with the aging night.

Familiar sights are lost in the pale yellow street lights, and I turn to relying on my memory to find the way. Rights become lefts, and the way forward seems to take me into another realm.

A thin veil of moist covers the night, mixing with the sweat on my brow as panic seeps into an ill-convinced mind. There is no secret in fear, like how there is no way out once you trespass.

But you power on, forced by the urgency to escape and the insecurity of retracing what you never were sure of in the first place.

And what do you find?

We all have different ways of saying it, but we all know what it feels like - a dull ache in the chest; an uneasy clench of your diaphragm; the cold, choking cough that lingers after the warm drink.

You're addicted, you want more because there wasn't enough to begin with. That's why you're here in the first place - a feverish desire to indulge yourself in the very essence that you know is wrong and unforgiving, living off little victories from the faintest grip on your lost imagination.

And you tell yourself to end it, but yet here you are, throwing out words to complete strangers who will judge you without knowing you at all; in this mist of careless revelations, there can be only one benefit - that I came out and said that I can think of nothing but.

Badminton Racket Review: Prince Black Pearl

2011-11-07T22:41:00.002+08:00

Before all my expensive Yonex rackets were the value-for-money series - Karakal, Carltons, Dunlop, and Prince. These were the underrated rackets that little wanted to try because there was the perceived excellence that is Yonex, Li Ning and Victor.

We know how much I adore Carlton rackets (even more so with the recent purchase of a Powerblade 9902), but I've had the pleasure of using 2 Prince rackets so far, and I've only had good things to say about them.

This one here's for the very pretty Black Pearl. The racket first caught my eye when I was choosing between this and the Black OS - it was nice and shiny (always good to attract attention), but it also was a conventional head shape. I've never had one of these so I got curious.

Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it. If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away as pointers for the next session.

With that said, on to the review.

Prince Black Pearl XP
Dry Weight: 86g (3U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex Nanology 98 @ 25lbs

I've only used this racket for singles play.

Technology:
- Oversize Head
- Triple Threat
- Super Strike Shaft

Defense
Coming with an oversize head means the swings come slower, but this racket isn't very much heavier than the rest anyway so the bigger head comes into play. Defensive shots are clear and precise, with the shuttle reacting the way I want it to. Reaction to drives comes easy with the even-balanced weight and larger sweet spot.

However, having larger head also means that you're left with less shaft. That took my defense down a notch when I reach for smashes down the side tramlines.

I've also recently been host to a lot of body smashes. With the Black Pearl it's less of a problem because of the speed at which I can move the racket and the larger hitting area given by the overhead head. The specifications of the Prince Black Pearl XP makes it a pretty all-rounder in defense - speed from the conventional head and even-balance counters the drag by the oversize.

Attack
The "XP" in the name means "Extra Power", or I'm told. Being an even-balanced racket, I wasn't able to pull off much power from the racket, but what I did notice is the quickness from the sudden snap of the wrist and how that translate to a very fast reply.

My smashes sounded sharp and crisp, landing mostly where I intended them to. Although I found myself using more check smashes with the wrists than the full-on court busters, the feeling of how quick the shuttle came off the strings were addictive.

However, the XP branding really came through when it came to the cross court pushes and fast drives. Not a fan of using those often, I found it amazing how accurate the Black Pearl can be.

Control
This is one to talk about. The Prince Black Pearl XP gives me a lot of confidence when it comes to moving the opponent around the court. Drop shots, net play, drives, pushes, clears and deception came easy with the Black Pearl in my hand, and I'm glad for it.

Although the even-balance of the racket means I'll have to work a bit harder to deliver the distance on the clears, the ease at which that task comes makes the disadvantage negligible.

Perhaps owning to the bigger hitting surface, net shots and drop shots (both of which require you to hit off-centre from the sweet spot) are relatively easier to perform.

Looks
Chrome and gold. Stunning. You can now call me, Gold Finger.

Comparison
I've only had a few other even-balanced rackets, and I'm going to to compare this to the Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish. With the Carlton among my top-favored rackets, the Black Pearl comes pretty close in the control department. Well suited for players like me who like to win the game by having the opponent out-maneuvered, the Prince Black Pearl XP comes in slightly behind the Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish in terms of control and speed.

Prince Black Pearl XP

Defense: 8

Attack: 7

Control: 9

Looks: 9

Something silly

2011-11-06T21:14:00.003+08:00

I saw a little girl today,

She's as cute as can be.

But the moment she had a look at me,

All she could do was scream!!

So off I scamper, so afraid

That she would stomp me flat!

And I if don't go home today

My family would be sad.

For it's been raining fast and hard

In the forest where I live,

And to escape from drowning fast

My shelter I have to leave.

So little girl don't be afraid

Of me, the tiny worm.

For you are a thousand times my size,

So it's me that should squirm!

Misshapen

2011-11-06T07:53:00.001+08:00

How can you miss someone you never knew? Have the image of the person linger at the sound of a tune?

And to keep listening to that same song over and over, just so the image will stay and you don't have to miss them so much and the heart will stop aching.

How can the heart play such tricks on the mind, making nonsense valid and overcome the logical sense of things?

Each beat, each word, each strum of the guitar.

There are limited memories, and to you they are crystal. Holding on in your mind like the tremble of the last string and repeating with the first. Again.

Two words, accompanied with the lyrics of the slow, meaningful chorus.

How can you miss someone you never knew? I guess it's just because you hope to know them so well.

Sentient

2011-11-04T02:30:00.001+08:00

There was the door, and the here I was. The anger tipped my foot closer and closer, sounds of five minutes ago ringing in my mind, feeding the decision, teasing the thought, influencing the eventuality.

"For the end," I could hear myself say.

"It's been too long."

Freedom, and onwards to the light, but the heart paused as I took the last step out. It sinks, it wobbles, it turns the sour of a painful regret.

What pain left behind, pride took over, and the forward movement continued. Aching feet dragged along the shadows of the distorted hallways.

"Don't look back, don't give in," a voice tries to convince.

For a different tomorrow dawns as soon as I left, and that future will be uncertain. I had wanted this, I had made my move, I will follow my decision.

In the days to come, I will realize the truth in my leaving, and the ripples of my actions. But for now, I embrace my bravery and step out.

Slowly, unsure, inconveniently lost; nothing to lose but what should have been lost.

Perspectives

2011-11-04T00:56:00.001+08:00

I guess Bhutan's trending right now, at least on my facebook wall.

As all ignoramus are, there I was minding my own business playing my facebook game when all of a sudden a post about one of our social media-savvy ministers came on.

It was about a written reply to his reference to the small kingdom of Bhutan. I won't repeat what was said because if you don't know by now you're better off reading one of my badminton racket reviews.

With that out of the window, I started asking whether I've actually placed myself in a similar situation as our dear minister - looking at a place with colored shades and wondering why it's all so retro.

Coming from a guy, it can get pretty annoying when someone comes up to you and starts offering advice left and right about how much better your life will be if you'd just start improving the way things are done.

Kudos to the citizen of Bhutan for opening my eyes on the varying degrees of the word 'better'. From the eyes of our minister, who comes from one of the most competitive countries in the world, the slow-paced lifestyle of Bhutan probably means the people are struggling to make ends meet, working their malnourished asses off just so they can afford the latest iPhone.

At that moment, I think he was placing himself on a higher pedestal.

Read the reply to our minister's perspective and you'll see the values and culture missed out by his city-dweller worldview.

I guess when you earn the paycheck of 30 people in your country, there's hardly space to consider that people can be content with breaking their back and sweating in the fields.

But then again, that's just how I see it. From now, let's all try to understand a few more perspectives before shooting our mouths off aye?

For a better world, and a few more fresh breaths of air.

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Carlton Powerblade 9902

2011-10-30T23:56:00.002+08:00

Sweeeet.

Control - great. Defense - Commendable. Attack - Awesome!

Badminton Racket Review: Carlton Air Blade 30

2011-10-27T23:50:00.002+08:00

I love Carlton rackets. They're not high and mighty like Yonex is, and so their rackets are nicely priced for the amount of quality that they give. I've got a few of them up on my wall, and I've only ever been kinda disappointed by one of them (which I hope to soon fix...).

In the previous tries with this racket I've commented on its speed and agility, but also the lack of power to get the shot done. Here's a more complete view of the racket.

Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.

With that said, on to the review.

Carlton Air Blade 30
Dry Weight: 82g (4U)
Grip Gize: G5
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG6 @ 26lbs

I've mainly use this racket for doubles play.

Technology:
Ti Wire Reinforced

Defense:
This racket is among the fastest I have in my arsenal. Taking action at the net is easy with the Air Blade 30, and it gives me the confidence to be able to step up and stand my ground. The light weight of the racket allows fast movements and increased reaction speed.

The heavy head added to this by giving the added power boost for when you need it. Receiving smashes and sending the shuttle far to the other corner are simpler and effective, though at times I find the drives and pushes a little lacking in distance.

But fast straight drives to the opponent are brilliant because of the maneuverability, and that is what my doubles game is all about.

Attack
The Air Blade 30 comes with a shorter handle, and that makes you hold the racket at the maximum allowed length which translate to the most amount of power when it comes to smashing. Despite being light weight (easily 10-15g) lighter than most singles racket, the Carlton racket packs quite the punch though nowhere as potent as its 3U counterparts.

Another thing that caught my attention was the yellow rubber grommets at the 3 and 9 o'clock positions, which reminds me of the V12 grommets from the earlier Carlton Vapour Trail and Air Rage series. The principle behind this is that the softer grommets allow for more stretching of the string (perhaps to simulate lower tension) which translate to higher repulsion and power from strings even at higher tensions.

Control
Just as you would expect from a Carlton racket, the Air Blade 30 handles with ease, giving you more time to think about strategy than worrying about whether you're hitting the shuttle right.

Carlton has somehow managed to make the racket in just the right way that it gives you the most of everything you need and makes the game a whole lot easier and fun.

Drops to the net and tight net shots come off the arm like second nature. I was able to feel the shuttle right off the strings and confidently move to the next anticipated spot ready for the return.

But the light weight of the racket plays to your disadvantage when you need to send the shuttle far from the backcourt. Often I find myself using more strength than usual and watching a less than satisfactory shot being delivered.

Good thing the speed allows for a little saving grace following the setup for my opponent...

Looks
This is a fierce-looking racket, with red and black as it's primary color set. Yellow streaks run down the head, adding to the fiery image, and the light hint of gold and silver delivers the swiftness. Dark Vengeance.

Comparison
The last doubles racket I used was the Victor Meteor X80, which gave more powerful shots due to its super stiff shaft. The Carlton Air Blade certainly loses out in the power department, but I think the speed that this racket offers kinda of suits a more defensive game in which you plan to move the opponents around the front of the net.

Carlton Air Blade 30

Defense: 10

Attack: 6

Control: 8

Looks: 7

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Carlton Air Blade 30

2011-10-23T21:31:00.001+08:00

I'm sure most of you would have a preferred racket for doubles and singles games. The game of singles requires solid placement and allows you a slower pace as compared the the doubles games. That's probably why so many people swear by the head-light Yonex Nanospeed or simply a 4U racket that gives you the added maneuverability at the cost of power.

I've got a nice mix of 3U and 4U rackets, and I've been gradually trying them out to see if I can find myself a nice staple to settle down on instead of changing rackets (and strings) every other session.

This time round it's fallen onto the Carlton Airblade 30, a relatively light racket with a head-heavy disposition, most probably to minimize the loss of power from the 10g disadvantage the frame brings.

To sum it up, the Air Blade 30's got most of what I need from a doubles game, especially in defense. I was thoroughly impressed by how fast and accurate the racket could go, and it's warranted itself a second go.

Badminton Racket Review: Victor Meteor X80

2011-10-20T23:18:00.003+08:00

I've always doubted Victor rackets. Something about Taiwanese graphite versus Japanese graphite and that whole experience with the Spira 21 left me thinking that it's just a whole lot of marketing by the Korean National Team.

The chance came to get this racket at a reasonable price, and I jumped to see what it could do. The racket was of the lighter build, and I took it to my doubles games.

Initial experiences were pleasant, and here's the full-on.

Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.

I play a mix of aggression and control, alternating between drop shots and sharp smashes to get the job done. I believe that the main goal of the wonderful game is to get your opponent moving so much they can't reach the shuttle eventually, and the loud thunderous smash is just a bonus that you get in between. As such, footwork is key, and technique supplements that so that you get the most out of your strokes.

With that said, now on to the review.

Victor Meteor X80
Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G2
Balance: Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 27lbs
Flex: Very Stiff
Strings: Yonex BG66 @ 24lbs

Technology
- Octablade
- Peakwaves
- Nano Tec
- Carbon XT
- Eighty-80

Defense
Being 4U, this racket was naturally quick on the get-go. There wasn't any need to get accustomed to the weight and swing speed, so I'll say the MX80 is a pretty nice racket to just pick up and go. Very forgiving, and very gentle on the arms despite being very stiff.

The weight in the head can hardly be felt when you swing it, but the moment the strings come into contact with the shuttle you can feel the power from the shaft going to the shuttle; a quick flick of the wrist is all you need to make the shuttle travel to the far ends of the court, and I found myself throwing the angles a little too much sometimes.

That being said, receiving smashes with the Victor Meteor X80 is a breeze. The light weight allowed quicker response from the wrist and the weight transfer upon hitting took care of the distance.

Thanks for the weight transfer, clearing to the backcourts were also easy, even if I were thrown off position and had to force a clear from a lower angle.

Attack
Head-Heavy + very stiff = very good for smashing. Quick drops, fast smashes, check smashes and drives, all good with the MX80. I was comfortable with the speed of the smashes, which were reasonably hard to return.

This coming from a 4U racket is good enough for me. I'm not a hard hitter so this one's not very vital.

Control
I would like to add that the grip size for the MX80 seems a scale lower than the Yonex equivalent. For example, I've found Yonex's G6 to be like Victor's G2.

That's a good thing, because the MX80's smaller grip size gave me loads of control around the court. From performing the deceptive drop shots to placing the smashes down the line, I've got a pretty good grasp of direction as far as the MX80 goes.

One thing I did observe was that because of the lighter weight of the 4U racket, I've seen myself throw the shuttle off the sides a little too much. Might want to take better control of the wrist for future games.

Looks
I also have a thing for cell-shaded graphics, and the Meteor 80 fit right in. Somewhat similar to the Yonex Voltric 80 in color scheme (and some might argue, design), the MX80 is definitely a looker.

Red, black, white and GOLD in a combination of ferocity and swiftness. Quick, sharp edges dominate the principal markings on the racket shaft and head, with the grand touch of gold shaded to accord it the higher.

Comparison
I'm going to pit the Victor MX80 against the Carlton Fireblade FX8, which I find to be more of lass the go-to racket for me if I wanted to have a good game.

The MX80 wins in the speed department; I found myself vexing the weight of the FX8 after I picked it up for a game of singles right off a couple of doubles. From then on, the FX8 just felt too heavy and not very comfortable to use and control.

Using the MX80 for singles games, I felt that I missed the ease of control that came with the FX8. There were instances where I could've pushed the shuttle further and hit a little harder if I had the added weight of the Carlton Fireblade with me.

But since this is a doubles racket, I'd like to compare it with the S-Lite. But first I'll have to get more playtime off the Carlton head-light racket.

Victor Meteor X80

Defense: 9

Attack: 7

Control: 8

Looks: 9

Moving in doubles

2011-10-16T20:59:00.002+08:00

I never really had much experience in doubles despite being part of the school team back in primary school. But then again back then all you had to do was stand there and hit back (though I think it's evolved a lot more since then).

So I had a nice conversation with a nice man today who told me the basic rule of doubles movement. Once again, it all comes down to footwork and coordination, and I wouldn't have it any less.

"If your partner backs off, cover the empty space in front of him."

Sounds easy enough, but wait till I attempt to put it into action...

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Victor Meteor X80

2011-10-10T16:38:00.001+08:00

I had about an hour and a half of doubles using the racket yesterday, and I must admit it gave quite a good impression!

Originally I didn't think I'd like the extreme stiffness of the MX80, as with previous experience with my Victor Spira 21.

During stroking I had a little trouble with sending the shuttle back-to-back, but the quickness and accuracy were more or less present as you would expect from a 4U racket.

Then it came to testing the power and the smashes that the MX80 was known for. Korean champion Jung Jae Sung seemed to have a good time using the racket, so I was expecting something crisp, loud and of course, fast.

And the racket didn't disappoint. The angles I managed to get were impressive, even more so when I switched to using wrist smashes. The speed was acceptable, definitely since it's 4U, and the sound was amazing.

Went on to doubles games and the racket continued to shine. Control, power, speed - all came pretty close to the Yonex Voltric 60.

The next session's in Wednesday, and I'll try to clock in more playtime so I can give a more accurate review.

Because the Spira 21 seemed amazing at first glance too.

New Racket: Victor Meteor X80

2011-10-08T23:28:00.000+08:00

This here's another cult favorite - the Victor Meteor X80.

I used to own a Spira 21. I didn't like it very much. Let's hope the X80 has a different feel to it.

Oh by the way, it's for sale.

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Prince Black Pearl XP

2011-10-08T22:25:00.001+08:00

Coming off the Voltric 60, I've developed a very high standard for control-rackets. Unlike the powerhouses like the Voltric 80, I've grown to love the slightly lighter and in exchange more nimble rackets.

The Prince Black Pearl XP was purchased because of its very sleek chrome finish and its oval shaped head. I've had a lot of isometric and optimetric rackets lately and it's fresh to see one traditional-shaped for a change.

I brought the racket along when I took the VT80 out for its first run, and I must say it's a bad way to start it off. The Black Pearl was soon placed back into the bag since the VT80 was so addictive a racket.

So I gave the racket a shot today with a 2-hour singles session, and I have good things to say.

The XP in the name means extra power, but sadly I own a VT80 and there's very little rackets out there that can compete with that one on power. So not surprised that the Black Pearl didn't meet expectations on the smashing power department.

But I'm more of a control player, and that's where the Prince racket shone!

My buddy who played with me that day said something that gave the rackets extra points - headless chicken.

Will do more rounds with the racket and give a full review soon.

For tomorrow

2011-10-07T22:57:00.001+08:00

This here's the Prince Black Pearl. I've had this racket in the rack for awhile now, and I think tomorrow's the time for the debut.

First Impressions soon.

In the rush of the rain

2011-10-06T21:12:00.000+08:00

I am a snail.

When you think of me, you think of slow things. When you see me I am usually crushed and run over by ants, or on a tray with butter and garlic garnished with coriander.

Other than that you do not see much of me. I like to be hidden, away from the rest of you, because when I appear and you see me it's usually not a good end for me. Like you, I dislike dying.

I slither. I slide. I move slow. I like it when it's slow; it's a nice pace to see the world, and there is so much to see. You don't know I'm there, watching, because you're too much in a hurry to notice me. It's amazing how much you don't see when you're rushing off wanting to see everything.

I like it when it rains. I get to feel fast because when it rains the world becomes slower than I am. In my snail eyes, I see the world stop.

And when it gets really heavy, it becomes like in those old movies, where streaks of white blaze down the monochromatic scene, cutting the single frame into millions of small segments, each a different size than the others. The sound breaks, screeching and scratched by the falling raindrops hitting the pavement.

Now you're thinking that I can't hear. But I can, and I do. You should try seeing the world from un-you. Then you probably can see me.

In the black and white of the rain, I see people standing, looking up expecting to see something there that would make it all stop. There are those who walk in the rain, like I do. It gets wet you see, and for someone who breathes through their skin I need to get to higher ground or I die again.

Those that walk in the rain, they look out for me. It's nice to be noticed.

I am a snail, and you see me when it rains. Not because I come out, but because you wanted to.

Something unexpected

2011-10-05T00:41:00.002+08:00

Pearl Harbored
US /ˈpɜrl.hɑr·bər/ phrasal verb [M]

Definition: To have lost the fight before it's begun, or to have been caught so far up the ass you're shitting out your mouth to keep your feet straight.

Mum totally pearl harbored me with this rant about how we don't respect her enough after we took her out for her birthday that weekend.

The effects of proper footwork

2011-10-03T15:44:00.001+08:00

I've been having some 1-to-1 training for about 2 months, and there've been some noticeable improvements to my game.

But none more than the higher level of efficiency that I possess to get to the shots. And for this I have footwork to credit.

Before every session there's a footwork drill to warm the muscles up and also to put into practice the steps that it takes to move around the court with less effort.

Though some of the ok habits still remain, I'm still glad I got started on the lessons.

One more bonus perk - my knees no longer hurt in the morning.

Badminton Racket Review: Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish

2011-10-02T22:35:00.002+08:00

I remember the day I saw this racket. It was one of those that made you say "I'll buy this one." The weight feels good and the design's great - what else is there to ask for?

When it was time to take it to the courts, it only got better. The most impressive shot I managed to perform with the Vanquish was a cross court backhand from corner to corner. I've since changed the strings to a 24lbs BG66 instead of the original 26lbs BG 66 Ultimax, and it's impacted my game positively.

Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.

I play a mix of aggression and control, alternating between drop shots and sharp smashes to get the job done. I believe that the main goal of the wonderful game is to get your opponent moving so much they can't reach the shuttle eventually, and the loud thunderous smash is just a bonus that you get in between. As such, footwork is key, and technique supplements that so that you get the most out of your strokes.

With that said, now on to the review.

Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish
Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G5
Balance: Even
Max String Tension: 28lbs
Flex: Medium
Strings: BG 66 @ 24lbs

Technology
- Pro V12 Grommets
- Bi-Axel Dynamics
- Optimetric Head Shape

Defense
Fast. Fast. Fast. I'll start by crediting the slim head shape that Carlton calls 'Optimetric'. Basically it's an in-between of the isometric and the oval, and it gives a nice slim top to the head, kinda like the Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash.

That allows the faster swings and response time needed for defensive players like myself. The slightly larger head area and sweet spot (compared to the ArcSaber Z-Slash also allows better control and less mistakes). Add the lightweight 4U frame into the mix and you've got yourself a nice and fast racket in the Vapour Trail Vanquish.

I've a personal liking to shorter grips, and the Vanquish follows in the fashion of the Carlton Fireblade FX8, offering up a grip that fits my hand perfectly and allows a very fast grip change for when you need it most.

Attack
If you've had the chance to hit a proper smash with the ArcSaber Z-Slash and saw how fast the shuttle can go, then you'll be left with the same experience when you hit a smash with the Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish. Smaller head and shorter grip ensures the player's smashes are optimal and sharp; all you've got to do then is watch the opponent pick up shuttles from their side of the court.

The guys I played with also noticed a nice sound when I hit smashes with the Vanquish. That's a plus point for most players I guess.

Control
The last time I wrote about the Fireblade FX8 I praised it's high level of control and how it allows me to worry about tactics instead of whether the shuttle's flying off-course.

The Vanquish actually gives slightly more control than the Fireblade FX8 because of the even weight distribution. While punching clears might require a little more elbow grease, the accuracy trade-off is well worth it. Drives left and right that I use to throw opponents off-axis are easily executed without fear of the shuttle going out the sides or the back.

Net shots are compromised slightly because of the smaller head size, but the quickness of the racket allows one to give more allowance when attempting the trickier ones.

One more thing to add is the nice and small cap that allows people with smaller hands more comfort when handling the racket in defense.

Looks
The Carlton Varpour Trail series of rackets all come in the same design, so it's just the color-code that separates one from the rest. The Vanquish is a combination of yellow, lime green and olive, and it turned out pretty ok to have had me say yes to parting with my money from the get-go.

While Yonex tends to use tribal marks and swishes into its current range, Carlton's sharp and short curves makes the design stand out more to me. Selective chromatic finishes to the text also give a level of depth absent in the other rackets that I've seen.

Comparison
The Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish is one of the rare rackets that I'll use for both singles and doubles play. Because of the flexibility of the racket, I'll rate this among my most favourite rackets, probably next to the Fireblade ahead of the Voltric 60.

But mind you, that's not by a lot either. The Vanquish made my games fun, calculative and very dangerous at the same time. I was able to slow my game down and consider more adventurous shots when the others rarely give me the chance.

Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish - the racket with the slow-mo button.

Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish

Defense: 10

Attack: 8

Control: 10

Looks: 7

This one.

2011-09-26T21:56:00.003+08:00

I've made space, so here's the good luck and a bit of patience.

The Collection - September 2011

2011-09-26T15:02:00.000+08:00

I know, I have too many.

From left to right:

APACS WREX Punch, Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash TH, Yonex Voltric 80, Yonex Voltric 60, Yonex Armortec 900 Power LCW, Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish, Carlton Vapour Trail S-Lite, Carlton Fireblade FX8, Carlton Air Blade 30, Carlton Air Rage Tour, Prince Black Pearl XP, Dunlop Aerogel 4D Tour, RSL M10 Heat 700

Badminton Racket Review: Yonex Voltric 60

2011-09-24T20:47:00.004+08:00

White blue and hot all over. This racket just calls out to be reviewed, and I obliged like a drunk walking into a 7-11.

The design of the Yonex Voltric 60 appealed to me first of all, and then the G6 made to take a second look. The racket feels really light, and cuts through the air with a nice and crisp swoosh.

On first use, the level of the control that the VT60 gave was amazing, and it continued throughout the testing period for the review. I must admit that the play time that the racket got wasn't as much as the rest, but good things can't wait, and here I am writing about it.

Let me first state that I am no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it, If anything, I'm a low-intermediate level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.

I play a mix of aggression and control, alternating between drop shots and sharp smashes to get the job done. I believe that the main goal of the wonderful game is to get your opponent moving so much they can't reach the shuttle eventually, and the loud thunderous smash is just a bonus that you get in between. As such, footwork is key, and technique supplements that so that you get the most out of your strokes. Power is nothing without control, and control is nothing without the proper strategy.

With that said, now on to the review.

Yonex Voltric 60 (New Hotness)
Dry Weight: 84g (4U)
Grip Size: G6
Balance: Slightly Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 24lbs
Flex: Medium
Strings: BG66 @ 24lbs

Technology
- Tri-Voltage System
- Super Slim Shaft
- Sound Filter (BOOM)

Defense
I like to play a nice defensive game instead of a strong attacking, mostly because I don't think I'll have the strength to carry on with the smashes and drives and clears and smashes and drives and clears... The Voltric 60 gives me the perfect excuse to lift and wait because the racket just delivers when it comes to taking the hits.

Lightweight frame and quick swing speed gave me such quick response time. Couple that with the small grip size that allowed me to use more wrist to give variation to the returns, and it's a great defensive line-up that brings lifts, drives and net blocks to wonderfully enjoyable level.

Attack
This guy is no Voltric 80, and it shows in the speed of the shuttle off the smash. The light weight just doesn't cut it when you want to deliver a fierce check smash to unnerve the opponent. I found myself relying on the excellent control factors of the Voltric 60 to move the opponent instead of kicking the game up an offensive notch.

But the sound filter seemed to have gotten an upgrade with the VT60, as I noticed a "bark is louder than its bite" effect coming off my smashes.

Control
The Yonex Voltric 60 is a sniper when it comes to placing shuttles. The ease at which I could move the opponent around the court is amazing, and the accuracy rating of my shots skyrocketed once I started using the VT60. 6 corners, varying speeds - amazing.

Net play was superb, with tumbles and fast drops and net returns comparatively easier than with the other rackets that I brought to the game.

The increased confidence from the control also gives me more chances to try the trick shots and double motions that I've been meaning to practice on, so that's a plus I guess.

Looks
Holy crap this racket looks good! A more elegant version of the Voltric 80, the VT60 takes away the brutality of the heavier racket and replaces it with the cleanliness of thinner lines and more white space on the shaft. Turquoise and gold lines stream up the shaft to the head from the silver cone, ending near the YY logo at the T-Joint.

The frame continues the sleek design from the shaft, away from the louder tribal swerves of the VT80. Clean lines and short curves dominate the design, turquoise and a slight tinge of gold dominating the color palette.

The racket's strung with turquoise strings, and it completes the look. What a gentleman's racket.

Comparison
The Voltric 60 offers probably the highest level of control that I've experience from my rackets, with the Carlton Fireblade FX8 coming in at second. The ease of control translates into better footwork and a clearer mind when playing, and this affects the game a lot more that we usually give credit for.

I think that from watching international competitions, we're all sort of attuned to the overly offensive nature of the game. It's time to revisit the strategic aspects of the beautiful game of badminton and start thinking about making your game play an art form instead of chasing after loud smashes and snapped strings.

And what better way to start than getting yourself a Yonex Voltric 60.

Yonex Voltric 60

Defense: 10

Attack: 6

Control: 10

Looks: 10,000,000,000

Badminton Racket First Impressions: RSL M10 Heat 700

2011-09-22T00:45:00.004+08:00

Redemption. This was the racket that proved me wrong; I had it on eBay and the forums, but it won't move. Everyone gave up on it and I was about to send it to the scrapyard of secondhand $50 deals.

So I took it out today to have one more swing, and it took the opportunity to win back my favor.

Zero Air Resistance (ZAR) is the technology employed in this racket that made me put out money for it. The design didn't appeal to me at first, but the weight and the feel made it acceptable. I wanted something shiny anyway.

RSL rackets are held in high regards around the world (except the popular forums where Yonex and Victor reign), and this one is no different. Well made construction from the tapered shaft to the ZAR hole in the T-Joint made this a breeze to swing about.

Shots came heavy and fast despite the 28lbs tension that I've strung on the M10 Heat 700. The tight strings also helped the net play, which surprised even my opponents. Drop shots were a problem as I struggled to put enough energy on the slice to clear the net, but this is a player problem and it'd be unfair to blame it on the racket.

Having a hole in the T-Joint decreases drag and air resistance, which sorta translated to the faster swings that came from my defensive shots. I swung fast and furious with the M10 Heat 700, and I can't be happier.

Perhaps the only thing I can now complain about is how the chrome finishing peels off at the cone after a few good smashes...

Badminton String Tension

2011-09-18T23:11:00.000+08:00

So after I've done myself a big favor and chose a nice standard string for all my rackets, I went and experimented with string tension to see which one I'm most comfortable with.

This came about when I started using the Voltric 80 at 24lbs and found it a darling to smash with. Then came the weekend game with the test run of the Voltric 60 with BG66 at 24lbs. I also brought along my Carlton Vapour Trail S-Lite which was strung at 26lbs with BG66 Ultimax, as well as a Prince Oversize Black strung at 26lbs with BG66 Ultimax.

So two head heavy rackets at two different tensions and one head-light one at a higher tension.

The result was conclusive - I had better control and ease of play when I use the Voltric 60. There was less effort overall, and I ended up with better results against my opponent.

So today I went and cut the strings on the S-Lite, replacing it with BG66 strung at 24lbs.

Second phase of the test comes Wednesday.

Vanishing Act

2011-09-18T07:20:00.001+08:00

The shutters were closed, dust starting to settle on the crevices. The flooring was contact and the sign board was still there so we concluded that it was a recent thing.

I remember the wooden steps up - two flights separated by a middle landing where you could look back down to see the baristas making coffee. The next flight would bring you to the cozy corner where friends would sit over board games and noisy chat.

Our seat was at the window, overlooking the soccer field and the busy traffic of the main road. The triangle building was also in sight, but that's another story for another time.

All the way in, to right. I sat closer to the wall and good things happened. Thrice we came, but there won't be a fourth.

There's the wooden flooring, huge cutlery, over-used menus, typical teen kitchen foodfare and the nice, nice coffee; none I would miss more than the warm head resting on my shoulder.

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Yonex Voltric 60

2011-09-17T15:24:00.001+08:00

If the Voltric 80 is power, then the gentler and more elegant-looking Voltric 60 has got to be control. One of the first things that I noticed is that lack of power from the racket, it's smashes not speeding as fast and it's clears not as high. But a few more games in I started to notice the beauty of the racket. It's found a niche in the area of control previously occupied by my Carlton Fireblade FX8. With a light tap of the wrist, I could make the shuttle respond to my every command, controlling the game with much more ease than with the other two rackets that I bought to the game.Smashes had to be even more precise given the lack of power, but the advanced level of control that the racket offered made it as east as clapping my hands. It looks like I will enjoy using the Voltric 60. One last thing that I noticed is that the Voltric 60 allowed me to play at my usual style - a more controlled and slow pace, where the Voltric 80's immense strength gave me the urge to attack more. I think I'll grow to like this light blue wonder a whole lot.

New Hotness

2011-09-17T09:18:00.002+08:00

Some things you just can't say no to.

Badminton Racket Review: Yonex Voltric 80

2011-09-11T18:58:00.000+08:00

I thought this day would never come. A few months ago I was deciding between the Voltric 80 and the ArcSaber Z-Slash for my racket, and I eventually chose the lather.

Which was a good decision because I've come quite a way in terms of skill and technique and I wouldn't have been able to handle the Voltric 80 back then.

So now, with 4 hours of playing time in the bag, I've decided to write a review for this ridiculously overpowered masterpiece.

Let me first state that I'm no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it. If anything, I'm a high-beginner level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.

With that said, now on to the review.

Yonex Voltric 80
Dry weight: 89g (3U)
Balance: Extremely Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 27lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: BG66 @ 24lbs

Technology
- Nanopreme
- Tri-Voltage System
- Ultra Slim Shaft

Defense
This thing is heavy, and I found myself using a little more effort when it comes to defending against quick shots. But that doesn't mean I end up giving away points though - the Voltric 80's high level of control affords its user an increased accuracy when it comes to both offense and defense.

The weight of the head-heavy monster also lends that little ummph when you want to return a lift from your opponent's smashes.

Attack
Straight drives, IMBA. Smashes, ridiculously fast. Get ready to break the sound limit with the Yonex Voltric 80. With every attack you can basically feel the strings wrap around the shuttle head and throwing it out with as much force as the racket can muster. Sweet.

Control
Pinpoint accuracy to every corner of the court, with ease too. Clears and drops come easy, but I found that the brute strength granted by the racket left me hungry for smashes, neglecting the softer approach altogether.

That aside, despite being power-hungry I was still able to get my hits right where I want them (newbie miscalculations not-withstanding).

Looks
Too tribal and wild for my liking, but the white shaft and gold streaks down the side does help a little. Had an idea to wrap around with a purple grip but stuck to the safer black and gold conbination.

Comparison
This racket is used by the World-Class players, and there's a reason why. The Legendary Yonex Voltric 80 Badminton Racket is without a doubt one of the best rackets that I've ever had the chance to use. It's going to be tough for Yonex to top this, but I sure hope as hell hope they'd try.

Yonex Voltric 80

Defense: 8

Attack: 10

Control: 10

Looks: 8

*side note: it's been a day after the shuttle abuse by the Voltric 80, and my arm's suffered some stiffness and aches... looks like it's back to the dumb bells for me!

The Collection: Yonex Voltric 80

2011-09-11T17:49:00.002+08:00

Because it looks sooo good!

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Yonex Voltric 80

2011-09-10T22:14:00.000+08:00

After one single session with the legendary Yonex racket, all I can say is WOW.

The Voltric 80 is shuttlecock brutality. Someone call PETA.

Lucky Number 13

2011-09-10T07:48:00.002+08:00

First Impressions coming soon.

Back to Basics: The Walk

2011-09-08T23:33:00.005+08:00

It all began like most stories began - a guy with his love for the sport just plays, not worrying about the technicalities of hows and whys. But then he gets his ass handed to him and it sparks a need for improvement.

So he takes to his best friend, the internet. So much to learn, yet so many different ways to do it; I was getting advise from websites and videos and blogs (touche) all over the world.

Trial-and-error, and he finds himself getting better at it, catching up to the "expert" and eventually beating him. Then along came a spider, and we're back to the drawing board.

This is my story, and it has to do with footwork.

Do you see yourself struggling to catch the shuttle at a good angle?

You win badminton games by placing shots where your opponents can't reach, and the best way to do that is to reach the shuttle early. Like the early bird catches the worm, the early shuttler gets to hunt more birds with higher success.

What you have to do to reach the shuttle early is to be faster, and since most of us are already fully grown and almost to the limit (or worse still, decline!) of our muscle growth, gaining that speed all comes down to proper footwork.

The Shuffle

We all started out crawling on the ground until we found out that walking's pretty neat; Once we know how to walk, we learn to run; once we start running, we want to learn to do triple somersaults.

Wrong approach! Let's learn how to run (correctly) first shall we?

Here's THE basic step in badminton - the chasse. That's a nice way to reach the shuttle fast and at a good position to do something threatening to the opponent. It's sort of like a triple step - your feet hardly lift off the ground and you catch a good burst of speed by moving your feet in succession.

Problem is you can't get good distance to it.

For a little distance boost, you'll need a little jump to your steps - push off and land on the balls of your feet for the first one or two steps and then resume the chasse when you're closer to the shuttle's path.

More?

That there's the basis of movement. I'm no enthusiast so I'm not going to keep typing and tell you all the different footwork you have to learn (besides I'm still only a third of the way learning them!), but trust me when I say they're all variations of the chasse.

It's a dance move to begin with, and how apt its use in badminton. I liken a game of badminton to a dance-off where two dancers throw moves at each other until one of them can't keep up.

So dance away, my fellow badminton fanatics!

Badminton Racket Review: Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel

2011-09-04T22:54:00.000+08:00

I've been uncertain about this racket, and that has resulted in more games than usual with it before I commit to a review. I've played singles with it for the last three sessions and here's what I have to say about it.

Let me first state that I'm no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experience with it. If anything, I'm a high-beginner level player looking to improve myself by playing more often and taking the lessons that I learn from the court away with me as pointers for the next session.

With that said, now on to the review.

Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel
Dry weight: 70g (6U)
Balance: Extremely Head-Heavy
Max String Tension: 30lbs
Flex: Stiff
Strings: BG66 Ultimax @ 26lbs

Technology
- Superlight Nanographite Titanium Gel
- Muscle-Tec Wide Body Head
- Lightest Isometric Frame in the world

Defense
I expected great things from something this light, and it didn't disappoint. Despite the heavyheadedness of the frame, I could feel the weight dissipate as the racket cut through the air. At 70g, the superlight construction definitely increased my defense capability.

But the light weight does have its set-back. I had a little trouble generating enough power to convert defense into an opportunity to attack. When I try to lift behind the attacker, I ended up giving him a second chance. And when I tried to rectify that with a little more wrist, the shuttle flew out of court.

Control
Which brings me to the next point about control. I've said before that I believe that the weight of the racket affects the amount of control that the player can exert over the shuttle, and for this case it's very evident.

Drop shots, smashes, net shots, lifts, clears and defence - all of them suffered from the lack of control that this rackets gives. I also took into consideration the tension on the strings and 26lbs on a superlight frame might cause a little control loss.

It actually had me thinking more on how to keep the shuttle in than where to put it, and that's a battle lost.

Usually I put out-of-control shots down to my lack of skill, but this one had one too many for me not to put the blame on.

Attack
I wrote on top that the racket is extremely head heavy, and that translates into the smashes, clears and drives that this racket can deliver. Although I feel that if the M-Tec 70 was strung at a lower tension I'd get even better offence, the current state is more than required for a nice game of attack.

Looks
Black and white were always the favorite colors when it comes to badminton rackets, and Karakal delivers with the M-Tec 70. The racket comes primarily white with black tribal markings down the sides of the head, ending off with the logo at the t-joint, with technology decals cascading down the shaft onto the handle.

Comparison
This is the lightest racket that I now have, with the APACS WREX Punch coming in a close second.

I remember I had the same problem with the WREX Punch - lack of control, but the Karakal makes up for it with the high energy hits that it can generate with such little effort.

But when you compare it to the 3U, head-heavy big boys, the Karakal comes out short with its lack of direction and overall ease of mind that the others give me. I guess 6U is too much for me to take.

Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel

Defense: 9

Attack: 8

Control: 5

Looks: 9

Badminton Racket Comparison: Carlton Airblade 30 versus Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel

2011-09-03T23:05:00.001+08:00

Two light-weight, head-heavy rackets, but boy do they play differently.

The Carlton felt too light to be of use when I first played with it a few weeks back., and the Karakal felt really strong for a light-weight racket.

After a two-hour session at the courts today, I've decided on the Carlton being the better of the two, mainly because of the additional control the racket's weight advantage gave it.

My theory on shuttle control gives heavier rackets a little more bias (again, this is my opinion and is largely due to the experience of using the 12 rackets that I have). The Karakal, being 10g lighter, just couldn't measure up to the tight control of the Carlton.

After switching to the Carlton, the Karakal felt like a loose cannon that would deliver powerful shots but not very much on target; I found my clears to the left and right taking a little too much angle and landing out.

I think the extra 10g also helped for the Carlton in producing faster smashes and more accurate swings. I guess I will need to get used to the swing speed of the light-weight Karakal.

What I also noticed is that the strings on the Karakal felt a little tigher than the Carlton's even though they're both strung at 26lbs. I'm hoping to switch to a lower tension for the Karakal after awhile to see how that would help.

I've always wanted to drop tension to about 23lbs, so I guess now's a better time than any.

Congratulations to the Carlton Airblade 30 for besting the Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel.

Expect a review on the Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel soon.

Badminton Rackets: Light and Heavy

2011-09-03T00:48:00.001+08:00

I remember when I first started out playing after a long break of 10 years. I told myself that I had to get a new racket coz the one I used to have has been thrown away.

So I headed to the sports store and got me the cheapest racket in there. The main consideration was color and design.

I ended up with a UG4 Yonex Carbonex DF6000, and it hurt my arm after a two hour session. At that time I was really but a social player, and the skills and thoughts about technique hasn't been instilled into the style.

Now, I've amassed a collection of 12 rackets from different makers and ranging between balance, string and weight class.

I've done a string review before, but tomorrow I will try and compare two head-heavy light weight rackets from two different makers, just for the hell of it.

1. Carlton Airblade 30
82g unstrung (4UG5)
Strung with BG6 (orange) at 26lbs

2. Karakal M-Tec 70 Iso Gel
70g unstrung (6UG5)
Strung with BG66 Ultimax at 26lbs

At first touch the M-Tec 70 seems to be the more head-heavy badminton racket, despite being sold as the lightest racket in the world.

I've also had two straight sessions with the Karakal before and I should be able to write a proper for it after tomorrow's game.

Both rackets will be given an hour in singles games tomorrow, which will then give me enough information to judge them based on defense, attack, and control.

Till later.

Sight

2011-08-30T02:34:00.001+08:00

He is a small man, hardly worth noticing as he makes his way to an empty seat on the bus.

The steps he take are shuffled, weighed by the fatigue of his laborious day job; his punch card flapping carelessly in his side pocket.

His face wore a blank look, no further can he see than his empty bus seat next to the door. His sunken cheeks stands out the most on his weary face, protruding as do every joint on his sickly frame.

He would be refused acknowledgement by the people around him if not for the obvious smell that clung to his cotton polo t-shirt.

To him it is the result of a hard day's work, but for the commute it is a reason to criticize him and look down on the credit that he is due at the end of a long shift.

He ignores them, but turns to his punch card for proof of his usefulness. Large letters carved onto the thick cardboard sheet gives him existence that society refuses to grant.

Narrow gazes from tiny slits steal his dignity one peek at a time - what is his name; where does he work; how long is his shift?

When all they want to know is when he gets off.

His knobby head bounces with the bus, each jerk felt doubly on his starved body. His right hand is scarred, perhaps from work, but it holds strong as he picks up the pen from him pocket to fill in the day's hours.

Carefully he writes, knowing fine well the foreman will ask for a new sheet if he made a mistake. Large clear letters start to populate the empty spaces, and soon he is rewarded with a promise of salary at the end of the working month.

He keeps the punch card, and takes out his mobile phone instead. From the battered device spews songs unrecognized by the people around him.

But there he sits, staring blankly into the lit screen of his Nokia. He listens, now not the insensitive whispers of the more fortunate but to the familiar chords of a place far away.

Above the noise and the prejudice, he presents an avoidance - loud, unbiased music that clears his mind and make him want to stay on the bus.

The screen stays lit, and he looks down at it. The bus moves on, and the people continue to stare.

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Karakal M-Tec 70 Gel Iso

2011-08-29T23:31:00.004+08:00

The first time that struck me about this racket was how good it looked - white body with black tattoos all over the head, ending with the striking red and black Karakal logo at the T-Joint.

The specs of the racket are printed on the 2 and 10 o'clock positions of the racket head, something that I've not seen often, leaving the shaft free for some pretty awesome (insert sarcasm here) decals.

Karakal are known for their superlight rackets, and the M-Tec 70 Gel Iso is among the lightest they have to offer alongside the oval-headed SL70 Gel.

Another observation apart from how nice it looked was the weight difference between the unstrung and strung racket. What felt like 70g unstrung bloated to what felt like a respectable 80-85g after the Yonex BG66 Ultimax was applied at 26lbs.

The racket also came default with a black Karakal Super PU Grip, a nice surprise after the wrapper was torn off the handle.

And the surprises kept on coming!

On the court the racket was a dream, sending clears high and far, drops clean and controlled, smashes fast and hard. The slight complaint I can make is the lack of control that I experienced from the straight smashes and offensive cross-court clears.

Otherwise the Karakal M-Tec 70 Gel Iso is a very pleasant surprise. I spent about 1.5 hours on the court with it, playing mostly singles.

More to come when I get a better feel it the racket.

New Wish List Item

2011-08-23T23:13:00.002+08:00

Yonex Badminton Strings Review

2011-08-22T00:05:00.001+08:00

Let me start off by saying that this review is based on my personal experience with the strings on my rackets, and in no way is an accurate and absolute judgement of the product.

I may also start to sing praises of certain products, but I am in no way sponsored by any company.

I am a high-beginner level badminton player who plays leisurely with a low to mild attacking style. I like control plays and will focus on placing shots to move the opponent around court instead of causing pressure using heavy attacks.

Now on with the review!

Background
I've never had much regard for the type of stings used until I happened to end up using four different types of Yonex strings.

So I decided to give them a shot over the course of one 2-hour session and attempt to try and find a difference so that I can narrow the choice of string I will use.

The rackets used were all singles-oriented, 3U and head-heavy, and the strings were all strung at 26lbs.

Repulsion
This is what gives the string its power. We'd all want a string with repulsion power like a stinky school uniform drenched in teenager sweat in a bus full of tired office workers.

High repulsion means easier clears, faster smashes, better blocks - generally less effort needed. This is probably to me the most important statistic for a string.

In the area, there's a close fight between the BG66 Ultimax and the BG6.

Both strings were able to deliver a noticeably better experience when it comes to repulsion. Unlike the BG66, on which I felt the shuttle just tends to stay a little longer, and the Nanology 98, on which it felt like the shuttle was hitting a thin piece of wood, the other two performed admirably well.

But the BG6 felt a little better though, so I'm going to give this one to it, though only by a small margin.

1. BG6
2. BG66 Ultimax
3. BG66
4. Nanology 98

Control
Well there's not much use having a fast shuttle without it landing accurately on the opposite side, so control's yet another high-factor statistic when it comes to choosing the right strings.

I can't really say how I think one has better control over the other except with a "it just feels accurate" comment.

Which is true. When my smashes and drives down the side tramlines are landing on the tape more often than not, and my clears and high serves leave opponents wondering and hesitating, control definitely there.

This award has to go to the BG66, with which I found myself landing the most difficult straight smashes and net shots.

1. BG66
2. BG66 Ultimax
3. Nanology 98
4. BG6

Hitting Sound
BOOM. Nuff said.

1. BG6
2. BG66 Ultimax
3. BG66
4. Nanology 98

Conclusion
For being more cost effective, the BG66 will be my string of choice. But the BG6 comes in a close second, and I'll be sure to get that for when I need a little color on my strings.

The string test

2011-08-20T01:15:00.001+08:00

Tomorrow I will try to give a final decision on which strings I will stick to.

Currently my rackets are strung with 4 types of strings - Yonex BG6, BG66, BG66 Ultimax, and Nanology 98.

The test is simple - I have 2 games of singles with each string, and then judge them based on hitting feeling and sound.

Yonex BG6 (0.66mm gauge)
- Strung on the Dunlop Aerogel 4D Tour @ 26lbs
- White in color, but comes in all sorts
- Packaging says it's got a soft feel
- Hits sound duller, I expect less control when it comes to net play

Yonex BG66 (0.66mm gauge)
- Strung on the Carlton Fireblade FX8 @ 25lbs
- White in color, only other option seems to be neon green
- Medium feel
- Sounds like strings should sound? I've had a nice experience with my Fireblade so I'm expecting great things from this string

Yonex BG66 Ultimax (0.65mm gauge)
- Strung on the Yonex ArcSabre Z-Slash TH @ 25lbs
- White in color, with neon green as only alternate
- Medium feel
- Sounds great on the smash, but I personally think it's also for something to do with the racket; best control I've had so far for net play

Yonex Nanology 98 (0.66mm gauge)
- Strung on Prince Black Pearl XP @ 26lbs
- Gold strings!
- Medium feel
- Used it on two occasions and they sound decent; net play was good, but it didn't make me notice there was an improvement.

Badminton Racket First Impressions: Prince Black Pearl XP

2011-08-09T20:15:00.002+08:00

I took the racket out for a test drive today after applying the replacement grip to see how much different it will feel compared to the Oversize Black.

Had about 4 games of singles with it, and it felt more or less the same. I guess it's expected since the specs of the rackets are similar.

I expected a faster swing speed because of the conventional head shape, but it didn't feel like it.

Will give it a more detailed run and get a review out when I'm ready.

The Wish List

2011-08-08T00:06:00.002+08:00

Juggling

2011-08-05T23:18:00.002+08:00

My room's a little cramped, so it's a nice place to practice juggling the shuttle.

The rules are simple - the session is to 500, accumulated, and I have a checkpoint every 50 hits. I can go as fast or as slow as I like, and I can't let the shuttle touch the ceiling.

After the 500 counts I go freestyle and see how much I can go without the shuttle touching the floor - my best is 468 so far.

It's a fun way to train the reflexes and to test out how fast a racket can go (4U rackets have the noticeable edge here), as well as string testing (I currently am deciding between 3 strings - BG6, BG66UM, and NG98).

I'd supplement the juggling with wall hits, but that kills off shuttles really fast in exchange for a great control and reaction training. Also, there're no walls here I can practice on...

NPNT

2011-07-31T22:56:00.004+08:00

Decided to do another shot of my collection since it's changed since I started this whole buying craze...

(From left to right) Dunlop Aerogel Tour 4D, RSL M10 Heat 700, Prince Black Pearl XP, Prince Oversize Black, Yonex ArcSabre Z-Slash TH, APACS WREX Punch, Carlton Airblade 30, Carlton Fireblade FX8, Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish, Carlton Vapour Trail S-Lite and Carlton Air Rage Tour.

Roll Call

2011-07-31T07:44:00.003+08:00

Here's a list of the rackets I currently have in possession:

Yonex ArcSabre Z-Slash TH

Prince Black Pearl XP

Prince Oversize Black

RSL M10 Heat 700

Dunlop Aerogel 4D Tour

Carlton Fireblade FX8

Carlton Airblade 30

Carlton Air Rage Tour

Carlton Vapour Trail Vanquish

Carlton Vapour Trail S-Lite

No more... please! Reviews coming as I use them more often.

Big Carlton fan here

2011-07-30T01:10:00.003+08:00

Nothing new, but I got me 2 more Carltons.

The Airblade 30 is a mid-priced Carlton that I found in the back of some old store in the middle of town. After I dusted it off and asked the grumpy about the price I bought it right off.

The Vapour Trail Vanquish, apart from having a really cool name, was shown to me by my regular stringer and racket pimp... It was too good to resist, and believe me when I said I tried (for the whole of 2 minutes).

AND if all goes well tomorrow, I'll trade my Victor Spira 21 for a Dunlop Aerogel 4D Tour. Did some research and discovered that Carlton is actually the subsidiary of Dunlop; the website confirms it as I caught glimpse of identical Carlton technology used in the Dunlop rackets.

Seems I just can't escape the allure of them Carlton rackets. Best in the world by my books.

Reviews soon.

25 arrested in police sweep

2011-07-29T09:13:00.001+08:00

BREAKING NEWS: 25 people were arrested for slow walking speeds due to smartphone use in an islandwide operation by the police to curb congestion along crowded walkways.

The police operation follows an increasing number of smartphone thefts and vandalism due to frustration caused by inconsiderate smartphone users.

Smartphones are portable devices that require a higher level of intellect and attention span to operate.

"When such requirements are not met, the usual situation would be the slowing of movement as the user tries to operate their smartphone while walking," said Professor Stating Obviously from the University of Life Science.

In a society known for it's hotheadedness, inpatience and total lack of respect, the new police ruling may be a godsend.

But the close to 80% of the populace with smartphones, of which 60% have been guilty of being stupid and stopping abruptly while using their smartphones in transit, saw red with the new ruling.

Perhaps if a school child was hit by a car while looking at her smartphone, the sentiments would be different.

For now, the police advises all singaporeans to be considerate while using smartphones, or face a jail sentence.

Let this be the last!

2011-07-23T22:04:00.002+08:00

New toy.

Specs

4UG5 (85g unstrung)

Head Light, Flexible

675mm in length

Max Tension 28lbs

Badminton Racket Review: Carlton Air Rage Tour

2011-07-23T21:24:00.003+08:00

I got a morning of singles play with this racket and feel like it's enough to write up about it.

Let me first state that I'm no pro, and this is just my evaluation of the racket to my playing style and experiences with it. If anything, I'm a high-beginner level player looking to improve myself by playing more often with people of higher skill level than I am.

I would say this racket is suitable for both doubles and singles play.

Carlton Air Rage Tour Specs

Dry weight: 87g (3U)

Balance: Even

Max String Tension: 28lbs

Flex: Medium

Strings: BG6 (in black coz it looks better) @ 28lbs

Carlton Air Rage Tour Technology

(I won't go into detail coz you can go read on the website)

- Xtreme Tension Frame

- Stabilisor Top Cap

- Pro V12 Grommets

Defense

I have good things to say about the even weight balance of the Air Rage Tour, and I might as well start with the defense capabilities. Even though I found the handle of the racket a little longer than the usual ones I have, it soon because an afterthought with the good defense that this racket gave.

Shorter, lighter swings definitely gave better returns from smashes. The flex of the racket also gave the long straight drives some amount of threat.

I still found myself wishing the handle was a little shorter (I tend to hold upwards on defense and that kinda reduces the reach of this racket in particular), but overall good!

Attack

I gave this racket the nickname of Tiger due to the dominantly yellow design and vicious sounding smash. I credit the strings a little (28lbs!) but I guess a bulk of the credit has to go to the engineers at Carlton for making such a powerful racket.

A visit to the Carlton website will see that they gave the Air Rage Tour a high power rating. I can vouch for that one!

Control

I was surprised that I could clear better with the racket than with my Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash. Although I had a little control loss on the distance occasionally, the power to sent the shuttle back was certainly there.

I also posted a few days back that even-balanced rackets suffered from a little control loss, and it felt that way with the Air Rage Tour. It took awhile to place the shots around the court, and even then I couldn't get a good fix on the distance and direction towards the end of the sessions.

Drops from the back were sometimes missed as well, hitting short of the net at times. I'd say my netplay suffered a significant decrease in accuracy. Service with this racket was also noticeably harder.

I'll put this down to my lack of skills, but then again this review is based on my experience and I found that this racket gave me less control than the others I own.

Looks

Tiger comes with yellow with black and grey markings down the sides of the head. The shaft breaks into a nice grey/yellow/black patterning that ends off with the chrome cap en-lined with yellow paint down the four sides.

Added the black strings and a black grip to complete the look.

Comparison

I don't feel quite as comfortable with this racket than with some of the others I have, and I think it's mainly because of the control issue. I asked my stringer for his advise and he shrugs it off a just a matter of getting used to an even-balanced racket.

I've been on the heavy heads from the start, so I'll be giving this aspect of the Air Rage Tour a little more time for development and maturity.

Hopefully in time I can fully harness the potential of this lovely piece of engineering.

Carlton Air Rage Tour

Defense: 8

Attack: 9

Control: 6

Looks: 10

Time to roar

2011-07-23T00:43:00.001+08:00

After tomorrow's game I hope to be able to write a review for the Carlton Air Rage Tour.

It'll be its third use, and I hope to be able to tame it.

Thus far the smashes are remarkable, loud and fast. I've had trouble with the shifter shots though, on particular the net play.

What potential does this medium-balanced racket have for my game play? I'll find out tomorrow hopefully.

Airballs

2011-07-21T00:53:00.002+08:00

Here's something I experienced today and is definately worth testing out.

I was using the Carlton Air Rage Tour today and saw a lot of my drop shots miss the mark. Then a lot of my serves start hitting net.

So I wonder - does a lighter head make you lose control in exchange for faster swings? It sure does to me tonight!

Will continue to test out the racket and find out for myself.

Yellow Hotness

2011-07-16T16:22:00.004+08:00

It's one of those rackets that you know you just have to get coz it's just so well-designed!

Carlton Air Rage Tour! First impressions soon.

Specs:

3UG5 (87g unstrung)

Even Balanced, Medium Flex

670mm in length

Max Tension 28lbs

The Monster

2011-07-15T01:19:00.004+08:00

The VT5 is no longer my lightest racket.

Following the fervor of receiving the lead tape, and the assumption that my APACS racket is really light, I've added wayyy too much weight to it.

The result being a 2U racket head on a 4U shaft.

Test drive's on Saturday, stay tuned.

Sheesh

2011-07-12T00:50:00.001+08:00

Here's something that I'd never thought I'd say - I am jealous of Harry Potter.

The power of lead

2011-07-10T20:41:00.003+08:00

I had a go with the Zelm Ultimate 700 today and it was phenomenal! So much power from such a light racket!

Am going to give the old WREX lead tape project another shot to try and replicate the effect. I've ordered a roll of lead tape from Australia and will apply it to the APACS racket when it arrives.

Fingers' crossed!

Size matters

2011-07-10T00:21:00.003+08:00

I measure the size of the heads on my rackets -

Prince Oversize Black: 195mm x 247mm
Yonex Voltric 5: 190mm x 241mm
Victor Spira: 190mm x 240mm
RSL M10 Heat 700: 190mm x 240mm
Carlton Air Rage Tour: 189mm x 240mm

Carlton Vapour Trail S-Lite: 189mm x 236mm

Carlton Fireblade: 187mm x 238mm
Yonex ArcSaber Z-Slash: 180mm x 238mm