Tenis tips and predictions

Tennis Racquet String Tension - Tips on How to Decide
By Chris Greene

Tennis racquet string tension is a commonly misunderstood issue
but a very important consideration for your racquet. What
racquet string tension should I use? Well, when it comes down to
it, it really is a matter of personal preference, but here are
some guidelines and facts to keep in mind. First, there is
generally a tension range that is provided by the tennis racket
manufacturer and is usually located on the throat of the tennis
racket. If you ever find yourself unsure or struggling to decide
what tension, a number smack dab in the middle of the
recommended racquet string tension is usually a good one to
start with. You can then increase or decrease your string
tension until you find something that feels good.

Since all tennis rackets recommend different tensions (they are
generally somewhere in the 50 or 60 pound range), there is not
one tension that can be recommended. You can only use the
following guidelines. Lower tension increase power and higher
tensions increase control. With a lower tension, the racket acts
almost like a trampoline. The ball hits the racket, the strings
quickly form a small pocket (relative to the tennis string
tension) and your swing and strings shoot the ball out of the
pocket. Obviously, this is a little over exaggerated, but it is
a metaphor to how the strings respond with a lower tension. This
all results in a little less control.

Racquet string tension that is on the high side causes the
racquet to act more like a board or "brick wall". This tight
racket string tension causes the ball to flatten out more, which
allows the strings to have a better bite on the ball. This, in
essence, provides more control. Many players prefer tighter
strings but it does have a board like feel that you may not
like. It is also important to keep in mind that racket string
tension will feel different with different rackets. Some tennis
rackets are flexible while others are stiff. Your current
tension may feel very different on a different racket even
though they have the same recommended string tension.

Tennis string tension really becomes a matter of personal
preference and trial and error. And it starts all over again if
you get a new tennis racket. So just remember the basics:

1. Higher string tension means reduced power but more control

2. Lower string means more power but reduced control

Now that I have said all of this, I will throw a kink into the
mix. These guidelines really apply to those tennis players who
are past the beginning stage of tennis and are a more
intermediate or advanced player. A beginner could be hitting
balls all over the place but a higher or tighter racket string
tension is not going to help them out with better control. A
beginner would most likely benefit from a lower tension because
the strings will be more forgiving and help with the number of
off center hits that they have. I would suggest that a beginning
tennis player stick with the mid-range string tension that is
recommend for the tennis racket.

About the Author: Chris is an advid tennis player with over 25
years experience in stringing tennis rackets. For more
information on tennis racket strings or where to find tennis
strings at a discount, please check out
http://www.discounttennisstrings.com Don't miss out on all the
great information there!

Source: http://www.isnare.com

Permanent Link: http://www.isnare.com/?aid=315137&ca=Sports