---

String Quiz Challenge of the Decade

By Steve Crandall
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Ashaway Racket Strings

It has been 10 years - January 2001 - since our last Racquet String Quiz ran in Squash Magazine. While many of the basics haven't changed, there have been a number of important developments in squash string since then. So I thought it would be a good time to publish an updated quiz. A few questions have been included from the 2001 quiz, but overall, this quiz is a bit harder: I figure, after an additional decade of reading this column, you all ought to be experts by now!

Take this "Challenge of the Decade" quiz and impress all with your squash string knowledge. Please limit one entry per household.

Completed quizzes must be submitted by March 31st, 2011. All those receiving a passing grade of over 70 will receive a free set of one of Ashaway's new strings. 100%+ correct will receive a special mention in the April column. (I’ve added in the extra credit question to give you a little boost.) Please try to complete the quiz on your own. Referring to past columns is okay, but please don't discuss with your friends or stringer. Good luck and stay tuned for answers in my next column here on the web site, or in the April issue of Squash Magazine!

General String Questions

1. If you want the ball to explode off your racquet with greater power, you should string your racquet at a higher tension.  True False

2. Many new fibers have been used in racquet strings over the last 10 years. Which of the following fibers has NOT been used in a commercial racquet string? Aramid Kevlar® Zyex® Vectran® Spectra®

3. In general, all racquet strings are pre-stretched before stringing. True False

4. What is the standard diameter range for an 18 gauge string? 1.00-1.05 mm 1.10-1.15 mm 1.20-1.25 mm

5. Which property is not monitored by Ashaway's Quality Control Lab and does NOT affect string durability? Tensile strength Knot strength Loop strength Shear strength

Squash String Questions

6. Doubles squash is growing in popularity every year. Squash stringers normally string doubles racquets with strings that are thicker and more durable. True False

7. The fastest growing segment of the squash string market is the Zyex-based string segment. True False

8. Zyex is represented by which of the following chemical acronyms? UHMWPE PEEK PTFE

9. Which of the following is NOT home to a squash string manufacturer? USA China Taiwan France Canada

10. Which statement in this list is NOT relevant to squash string? Multifilament construction gives better feel Textured surface construction gives better spin Monofilament construction gives better durability

Squash Stringing Questions

11. The trend among tennis professionals (Federer, Nadal, etc.) to string their racquets with solid monofilament strings is the same trend seen in squash among squash professionals (Matthew, Palmer, etc.). True False

12. Hybrid stringing is not at all popular for stringing squash racquets. True False

13. The trend in squash stringing is to higher tensions. True False

14. The most popular tension range for stringing squash racquets in 2011 will be: 20 - 25 lbs. 25 - 30 lbs. 30 - 35 lbs.

15. All squash racquets have the exact same stringing pattern. True False

String Potpourri

16. A new Zyex-based squash string was introduced last month. It is 1.05 mm in diameter. What gauge is that? 20 gauge 19 gauge 18 gauge 17 gauge

17. The biggest (largest unit volume) string market in the world is associated with which sport? Squash Racquetball Tennis Badminton

18. The general rule of thumb is that you string your racquet as many times each year as you play squash each week. (Unless your string breaks on a mishit, of course!) True False

19. A thin gauge and textured surface is desirable in a squash string since it grips the ball better for control and spin. True False

20. David Palmer has won 4 British Opens and 2 World Championships playing with Ashaway string in his racquet. True False

Extra Credit (you may need it - and please don't get this one wrong!) Ashaway is the only brand of racquet strings manufactured in the United States. True False

Name:
Address:
City
State / Province	Postal Code:
Country:
Telephone number:
E-mail address:

The deadline to submit this quiz has passed. The "Submit" button has been disabled.