Butt-cap question ...

[hockeyscout]

What would happen if I Nadal didn't play with his butt?

[GeoffWilliams]

It can affect confidence, feel, and fly out of your hand on a serve, ie. Or it may have no effect if you decide it won't.

[tntenniswhiz]

I've had a butt cap to break off before and tried to use the racquet without it. I found the difference to be significant. I was amazed at how having that raised end provided a racquet control mechanism that I consciously wasn't aware of. It's been some time ago this occured, and my game now is completely different than it was then, but that's what stands out to me about no end cap.

Are you thinking you might have a little more versatility with the racquet without it??? In other words: WHY?

[hockeyscout]

Just wondering

[hockeyscout]

Anyone

I am curious ... Could someone try playing without the butt and tell he what happens or what you notice?

[gzhpcu]

If you look at historical pictures (beginning of 20th century) you will see that even then rackets had a butt cap. The butt cap does must give back a physical feedback, else it would not have been in evidence for so long... I like the feeling of the butt cap. I suppose people using a choke grip would not notice, but normal players need the butt cap.

[stroke]

How about Gasquet's.

[worldsbesttenniscoach]

The great Russian player Yevgenie Kafelnikov used to attach a device to his grip, essentially raising an extreme butt cap to higher on the handle. It is like he was using it as an aide to choke up on the racket a little bit. That is probably a good idea for most players to maintain better control of the racket during their swings. This advice is especially crucial for players such as seniors or others who are not as strong as they used to be.

I have noticed many great players in tennis who choke up on the racket. John McEnroe chokes up on the racket. Locally, there was Berry Kessinger, who was successful at the Men's Open level, & dominated in men's age-group events, with his fascinating, unusual game.

You could talk about choking up on hockey sticks. That discussion would help our understanding of tennis. I know many good baseball players choke up on their bats.

[worldsbesttenniscoach]

A butt cap on the end of the racket adds a tiny bit of overall weight, & makes the racket a slight bit more head light in balance. (The light butt cap's effect on racket balance & on overall weight might be almost unnoticeable, certainly by novice players. I am not sure.)

A butt cap on the end of the racket has the purpose of encouraging the player to keep his or her whole hand on the grip of the racket, rather than let the heel of the hand slip off the racket handle, as Bjorn Borg used to play. I think it is an individual preference whether you like to keep most of the hand on the grip, or let some of the hand slip off the grip during the stroke. But where you place your hand on the grip has effects on your control & racket speed.

A butt cap on the end of the racket also has the purpose of keeping the wrapped grip on the racket handle better. If there is no butt cap, it seems so easy for the racket grip to become unraveled, & slide off the racket handle.

In my old age, I try to build up the butt cap, thereby making my racket effectively a little shorter, which in turn allows my fading strength to control the racket a little better.