Head-Light vs Head-Heavy: Which Should You Choose?
Updated 5 July 2026 · 5 min read
Balance — whether a racket is head-light or head-heavy — is one of the biggest factors in how it feels to swing. It is also one of the easiest things to change with lead tape. Here is what the two mean and how to choose.
What the terms mean
Balance is where a racket balances along its length. A head-light racket carries more of its mass towards the handle; a head-heavy racket carries more towards the tip. It is usually measured in centimetres from the butt, or in "points" (each point is one eighth of an inch) head-light or head-heavy from the centre.
How each one feels
- Head-light: quick and manoeuvrable, easier on the arm, better for fast hands at the net — but less plough-through. Typical of heavier player's rackets, which counterweight the handle.
- Head-heavy: more power and stability from the tip mass, easier to generate depth with a slower swing — but slower to manoeuvre and more tiring. Common in lighter rackets that need mass up top for stability.
Balance is not the whole story
Two rackets with the same balance can feel completely different if their swingweights differ. Balance tells you where the mass is; swingweight tells you how heavy it feels to swing. Always look at both together.
How to change balance with lead tape
To go more head-heavy, add weight in the hoop (the higher, the stronger the effect). To go more head-light, add weight in the handle — this is called counterbalancing, and it lets you add total mass and stability while keeping the racket quick. See where to add lead tape for each position, and model the change in the tool before you commit.