Balance Point: Head Light vs Head Heavy
What the balance point means, how points head light / head heavy are calculated, and how balance interacts with weight and swing weight.
The balance point is where a racquet would balance on a fulcrum — its centre of mass along the long axis. It's one of the most commonly cited specs, but also one of the most misunderstood when taken in isolation.
How It Is Measured
Balance is measured in mm from the butt end. A standard racquet is typically 685–690 mm long. The "neutral" balance — the point exactly halfway along the racquet — is therefore around 342–345 mm from the butt.
- Head Light (HL): Balance point is closer to the handle than the mid-point. More weight in the handle relative to the head.
- Even Balance (EB): Balance point is approximately at the mid-point.
- Head Heavy (HH): Balance point is closer to the head than the mid-point. More weight in the head.
Points Head Light/Heavy
The "points" system expresses balance relative to the midpoint in units of ⅛ inch (3.175 mm):
Formula:
Points = (balance_mm − midpoint_mm) / 3.175Positive = head heavy, negative = head light. 8 pts HL means the balance is 1 inch closer to the handle than the midpoint.
| Label | Typical mm | Points | |---|---|---| | 12 pts HL | 305 mm | Very handle-heavy | | 8 pts HL | 317 mm | Distinctly handle-heavy (control racquet) | | 4 pts HL | 330 mm | Mildly handle-heavy | | Even | 343 mm | Balanced | | 4 pts HH | 355 mm | Mildly head-heavy (power racquet) | | 8 pts HH | 368 mm | Distinctly head-heavy |
Values for a 685 mm racquet. Actual midpoint varies by racquet length.
Balance vs. Swing Weight
Balance point alone does not predict how a racquet swings. Two racquets with the same balance can swing very differently if their mass distributions differ:
- A heavy racquet balanced at 4 pts HL will have a much higher swing weight than a light racquet at the same balance.
- Conversely, a light head-heavy racquet and a heavy head-light racquet can have similar swing weights despite very different balance points.
Info: Balance is a static measurement. Swing weight is a dynamic one. Both together (along with weight) tell you much more than either alone. Arcus always presents all three.
Effect on Play
Head light racquets (4 pts HL or more):
- Maneuverable — quicker swing through the air
- Lower swing weight for equivalent total weight
- Common in player's/control racquets
- Better for net play and volleys
Head heavy racquets (head heavy or even balance):
- Higher swing weight for equivalent total weight
- More "effortless" power — the head does more work
- Common in power/game-improvement racquets
- Can contribute to arm fatigue over time
Customisation Interactions
Adding weight to the head makes the balance more head-heavy. Adding weight to the handle makes it more head-light. Adding equal weight to both extremes (butterfly lead) leaves balance the same but increases swing weight and twist weight.
See the Lead Tape article for specific gram amounts and their effects on balance, swing weight, and twistweight simultaneously.