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It's Not Too Early For A Pre-Season Tune-Up
By Steve Crandall
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Ashaway Racket Strings
The start of the season is an ideal time to restring your racquet, whether the strings are broken or not. |
The dog days of summer may still be lingering, but it's not too early to start thinking about the upcoming racquetball season. It may even provide a little mental relief from the thoughts of fall chores ahead. Now may also be a good time to clean out your gym bag (oh, that's where those socks went!) and give your equipment a thorough pre-season tune-up.
Start at the bottom and check your shoes. While they do not need to be as bright and clean as they were when you took them out of the box, make sure that the soles are intact. A worn or uneven sole can make maneuvering your way around the racquetball court a risky proposition. A slip can cost points or even cause an injury. You might also want to check out some of the new shoes that have come on the market recently that are designed specifically for playing racquetball. They offer better support for the entire foot and the soles are designed to provide maximum traction on all indoor court surfaces.
Designed specifically for the rigors of racquetball, Ashaway's new 500i line incorporates Anatomic System Technology (AST) which allows the shoe to mold to the natural shape of the wearer's foot, increasing comfort and stability and reducing foot fatigue. Says Ashaway-sponsored World Champion, Jack Huczek, "These shoes really give me the traction I need to romp around the court." |
Also, take a look at the grip on your racquet. Is it worn to the point of compromised performance? Does it still provide both traction and comfort? If your grip has flattened out, you may be holding the racquet handle too tightly. This could throw off your ability to control difficult shots. You may also want to consider a specialized grip that provides shock absorption to reduce vibration and improve feel.
Next stop on your pre-season inspection should be your frame. Check it closely for cracks. A tiny crack that happened last season may have grown, depending on how the racquet was stored during the off season. Improper storage may also account for bent or warped frames. Either of these problems can hinder performance.
If your racquet is structurally sound, you don't need to buy a new one just because the paint is a little scratched or because it's last year's style. However, if you don't yet have a carbon fiber frame, you should probably consider an upgrade. In addition to weight/strength advantages, they offer a number of new features such as "dual cylinder" designs; strategic stringing nodes for enhanced string performance and maximum kinetic advantage; larger "O-port" holes; two-part heads with string "channels" (instead of holes) which increase sweet spots; and other technical wizardry which improves balance, torsional stiffness, and power with control.
While you are surveying your racquet frame, check to see if your grommet strip is intact or whether it needs to be replaced. Worn or damaged grommet strips can cause damage to your racquet and cause your string to break prematurely.
Speaking of broken strings, the beginning of the racquetball season is the ideal time to restring your racquet, whether the strings are broken or not. The general rule of thumb is that - barring any broken strings - you restring your racquet as many times a season as you play racquetball in a week. That means a player who steps onto the court five times a week, will most likely restring five times during the season.
This is also an excellent opportunity to check that you are playing with a string that best matches your style of play. Think back to last season - did your string give you the feel, playability, tension, power and durability you were looking for? If you aren't sure, try playing a trial match or two with the string currently in your racquet. Then, evaluate whether or not your string is giving you the level of performance you desire.
If you want to make a switch, but are unsure about what string might be best for you, ask for help. The racquetball pro at your club is an invaluable resource, and can work with you to determine the right string setup for your style of play. He or she offers a great way to learn about new strings that have come on the market, too. You can also find a professional stringer in your area by here. Either way, finding the racquetball string with the right combination of characteristics for your playing needs just might be the thing to take your game to the next level this season.
This article previously appeared in Racquetball Magazine.
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