DO YOUR STRINGS GIVE YOU THE CREEPS?
Choosing the right string tension is one of the most important equipment decisions a squash player can make. It used to be a relatively easy one in the ‘old days’ when all rackets were made of the same material (wood), all racket heads were the same shape and size, and there were fewer types of string to choose from. At that time, all rackets were strung between 30 and 40 pounds of tension. In other words, there was a spread of just 10 pounds, so you couldn’t go too far wrong. But rackets now come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, made by different methods using a variety of high-tech materials. Action ranges from ultra-stiff to quite flexible, and recommended stringing tensions range from 20 to 40 pounds. The spread has increased to 20 pounds, which means there’s twice as much room for error. Or, to look at it in a positive light, there’s greater opportunity to ‘tune’ your racket to suit your playing style by adjusting the string tension. The basic equations are these: Higher Tension = More Control; Lower Tension = More Power. Strings at low tension stretch more when they contact the ball, and then quickly snap back to their initial length. This ‘trampoline effect’ (also known as resilience or rebound) adds power to the shot. If the racket is strung at a higher tension, there’s less stretch left in the string to provide power. On the other hand, tighter strings remain flatter, so it’s easier to control the direction of the ball and to impart spin to it. But long strings stretch more than short ones under the same loads. This is the main reason why the new long-head rackets have more power than the old round-headed ones. Thus string tension should be in proportion to head size. In general larger heads call for tighter tension than smaller ones to achieve comparable playability. A racket loses roughly 10 percent of its tension by the day after it was strung – and that’s if it’s not used. The tension continues to drop gradually over time, and more rapidly if it’s used often. Loss of tension is due to ‘creep,’ or stretch at the molecular level, and it’s a fact of life; work with it, don’t fight it. Think of stringing tension in terms of initial or ‘reference’ tension. Learn what reference tension works best for you and go with that. The construction of the string also affects tension and performance. Nylon monofilaments are relatively stiff, but are subject to a fair degree of creep. Multifilament strings are more flexible, but may be even more subject to tension loss. Strings made of Zyex® fibres are both highly resilient and creep-resistant – which makes them very good, but not necessarily the best for every player. We’ll examine string construction in more detail in future issues. The main point I’d like to make here is that your choice of string and tension should be guided by many factors. It’s always a good idea to discuss your needs with a professional stringer who understands squash. But remember that much will depend upon your personal preferences. If you’re a power player, you might want to add control to your game by stringing tight. Or you might want to make your shots even more powerful by stringing loose. Or you might choose something in between for a balance of control and power. If you’re a finesse player, you can use string tension to maximize your advantages, minimize your liabilities, or strike a happy medium.http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/magazine/string_matters.htm
Choosing the right string tension is one of the most important equipment decisions a squash player can make. It used to be a relatively easy one in the ‘old days’ when all rackets were made of the same material (wood), all racket heads were the same shape and size, and there were fewer types of string to choose from. At that time, all rackets were strung between 30 and 40 pounds of tension. In other words, there was a spread of just 10 pounds, so you couldn’t go too far wrong. But rackets now come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, made by different methods using a variety of high-tech materials. Action ranges from ultra-stiff to quite flexible, and recommended stringing tensions range from 20 to 40 pounds. The spread has increased to 20 pounds, which means there’s twice as much room for error. Or, to look at it in a positive light, there’s greater opportunity to ‘tune’ your racket to suit your playing style by adjusting the string tension. The basic equations are these: Higher Tension = More Control; Lower Tension = More Power. Strings at low tension stretch more when they contact the ball, and then quickly snap back to their initial length. This ‘trampoline effect’ (also known as resilience or rebound) adds power to the shot. If the racket is strung at a higher tension, there’s less stretch left in the string to provide power. On the other hand, tighter strings remain flatter, so it’s easier to control the direction of the ball and to impart spin to it. But long strings stretch more than short ones under the same loads. This is the main reason why the new long-head rackets have more power than the old round-headed ones. Thus string tension should be in proportion to head size. In general larger heads call for tighter tension than smaller ones to achieve comparable playability. A racket loses roughly 10 percent of its tension by the day after it was strung – and that’s if it’s not used. The tension continues to drop gradually over time, and more rapidly if it’s used often. Loss of tension is due to ‘creep,’ or stretch at the molecular level, and it’s a fact of life; work with it, don’t fight it. Think of stringing tension in terms of initial or ‘reference’ tension. Learn what reference tension works best for you and go with that. The construction of the string also affects tension and performance. Nylon monofilaments are relatively stiff, but are subject to a fair degree of creep. Multifilament strings are more flexible, but may be even more subject to tension loss. Strings made of Zyex® fibres are both highly resilient and creep-resistant – which makes them very good, but not necessarily the best for every player. We’ll examine string construction in more detail in future issues. The main point I’d like to make here is that your choice of string and tension should be guided by many factors. It’s always a good idea to discuss your needs with a professional stringer who understands squash. But remember that much will depend upon your personal preferences. If you’re a power player, you might want to add control to your game by stringing tight. Or you might want to make your shots even more powerful by stringing loose. Or you might choose something in between for a balance of control and power. If you’re a finesse player, you can use string tension to maximize your advantages, minimize your liabilities, or strike a happy medium.