Blog Archives
Happy New Year & Beyond!
The first day of the new year it is important but is past by 45 days so it is essential that we look forward to the many possibilities the new year brings. This can be the year we take control of those possibilities and turn them into wonderful successes.
Happy New Year & Beyond!
Quick Trip to String Thing™
I just returned from SanDiego, CA where Tim Strawn and I met with the StringThing™ team. A really good group of guys! Dave, Scott, Stephen, Mike, Steve, and Dr. Norman made us feel like part of the group!
We went to the manufacturing facility (yes, it is the United States!) and it is impressive in terms of taking an idea from concept to market in the short period of time they have done it.
These are tennis players, each and everyone! They enjoy the sport and it shows in their commitment to this product.
You may have seen my short video on the String Thing™ and there may be other video coming soon. If you have not seen the video please take a look. I believe this product is a good one so I wanted to take the trip to SanDiego to meet the people.
If you have any questions about the String Thing™ please let me know.
The String Thing™ is designed to re-align strings that are out of position.
John
Racquet Stiffness and You
Many racquet manufacturers include frame stiffness in their specifications that are viewed by the consumer. What exactly does that number mean to you?
Well, very simply, stiffer racquets will provide a little more power because the racquet is not loosing the bending energy, and a less stiff racquet may be a little more comfortable.
As a player there is very little you can do to decrease the stiffness other than bashing the racquet into the court then there is no issue!
However, your racquet technician can make your very own racquet feel “softer”! There is a little used characteristic called “effective stiffness” that I calculate for every racquet I do. I am not going into the formula for that stiffness here but if you go for a lower string bed stiffness it will, obviously, create a more flexible “feeling” unit.
So, if you have a racquet with a stiffness of 70 (RDC) and a string bed stiffness of 65 (RDC) you have an effective stiffness of 32.31 (which is pretty high). Now, if that is perfect for you it can be replicated from racquet to racquet. If you know the racquet stiffness you can arrive at the correct string bed stiffness to yield the desired effective stiffness.
Try it!
Low to High
Arrived at Saddlebrook Resort yesterday afternoon and it was cold! Actually about 50 but it felt colder. Some time at the Spa followed by a little red wine and cheese warmed things up considerably!
Today I was walking by a court (one of forty) where a lesson was underway. It appeared to be a husband/wife team. The lady was doing well but the male half not so much! The instructor was trying to get the guy to hit high over the net, or actually over the net at any height!
Finally, the magic words…low to high! The instructor demonstrated the motion, low to high, and fed another ball. To the guys credit he did exactly as instructed and the ball cleared the net and fell into the court!
So when you are trying to hit over the net, and/or generate top spin you simply must hit low to high on most ground strokes. The slice, overhead, and serve are the normal exceptions.
Howard Moore is the Director of Tennis and he could probably hook you up with the same instructor!
Racquet Quest, LLC
