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String Quiz Challenge of the Decade

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

It has been 11 years—September 2000—since our last String Quiz ran in Racquetball Magazine.

While many of the basics haven't changed, there have been a number of important developments in racquetball 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 original 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!

To take this "Challenge of the Decade" quiz and impress all with your racquetball string knowledge, complete and submit the on-line form below.

Completed quiz forms must be submitted by December 31, 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 next Ashaway column. (I 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 the Spring issue!

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

Racquetball String Questions

6. Your choice of racquetball string makes very little difference in how your racquet plays. True False

7. The fastest growing segment of the racquetball 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 racquetball manufacturer? USA China Taiwan France Canada

10. Which statement in this list is NOT relevant to racquetball string? Multifilament construction gives better feel Textured surface construction gives better spin Solid monofilament strings are very stiff

Racquetball Stringing Questions

11. Hybrid stringing (two different types or different gauges of string) is growing in popularity in racquetball. True False

12. The normal breakage point for a racquetball string is a main string in the upper 1/3 of the frame. True False

13. The trend in racquetball stringing is to string at tensions in the 25 lb. range. True False

14. The most popular tension range for stringing racquetball racquets is: 20 - 30 lbs. 30 - 40 lbs. 40 - 50 lbs.

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

String Potpourri

16. A new Zyex-based racquetball string was introduced last summer. It is 1.30 mm in diameter. What gauge is that? 16 gauge 17 gauge 18 gauge 19 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 your favorite racquet sport each week. (Unless your string breaks on a mishit, of course!) True False

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

20. Jack Huczek has won 10 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

The deadline to submit this quiz has passed.