How to Determine the Headlight Balance on a Tennis Racket

A well-balanced tennis racket can mean the difference between a score or a flop. Since not all tennis rackets are created equal, you have to pay particular attention to the racket's distribution of weight. That is, you must know whether the racket is head heavy or headlight. A headlight racket means the head side of the racket is longer, when evenly balanced, than the handle side. Whether you are an experienced tennis player or are just starting out with the purchase of your first racket, it can enhance your game to look for rackets of a particular weight distribution, and that are comfortable for you to swing.

Things You'll Need

  • 1/2-inch dowel
  • Ruler
  • Marker
  • Measuring tape
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the 1/2-inch dowel on a flat surface.

    • 2

      Balance the tennis racket on the 1/2-inch dowel. You will see the racket teeter-totter, which means it is not at the balance point where the weight is evenly distributed on both sides. Keep moving the racket forwards or backwards until the racket holds steady and balanced.

    • 3

      Measure the distance between the 1/2-inch dowel and the end of the racket's handle. Use the ruler to figure out the measurement in inches.

    • 4

      Mark the spot on the racket where the racket is evenly balanced. If you do not want to mark up your racket, use a piece of tape to identify the place.

    • 5

      Measure the entire length of the racket with measuring tape. Find the middle of the length. For instance, if your racket is 24 inches long, the middle point is 12 inches.

    • 6

      Compare the halfway point and the balance point. Calculate the difference between the numbers by counting by eighths of an inch. For a headlight racket, it means that the balance point will be closer to the butt of the handle. So you would say that the racket is three points headlight if there are only 3/8 inch difference between the numbers.