Racquet Service Interactive — Contents
Introduction
- How to navigate this course
- Learn more about this program’s creators: Wilson Sporting Goods Co., The U.S. Racquet Stringers Association, FSU Professional Tennis Management, Ferris State University
Selecting Racquets
(Factors to consider when selecting a frame for yourself or a customer or student.)
What First: Racquet or Play Style?
Frame Categories
- Game Improvement Frames
- Players’ Frames
- Intermediate Frames
Player Types
- Short/Slow Swings
- Moderate/Medium Swings
- Fast/Full Swings
Frame Characteristics
- Power
- Maneuverability
- Spin
Understand Specs
- Length
- Headsize
- Stiffness
- Weight
- Balance
- Swingweight
- String Pattern
- Other Specs
Spec Effects
- Length Increase
- Headsize Increase
- Stiffness Increase
- Weight Increase
- Balance Point Increase
- String Pattern Density Increase
- Considerations for All Changes
- The Selector Guide
- The Racquet Selector Chart
- The Racquet List
Selector Software
Price & Color
Demo, Demo, Demo
Considerations
Selecting Strings
(Factors to consider when selecting a string for yourself or a customer or student.)
- Importance of Selection
String Characteristics
- Stringbed Stiffness
- Spin Potential
- Durability
String Specs
- Materials
- Gauge
- Construction
- Tension
String Spec Effects
- Materials
- Gauge
- Construction
- Tension
Concept of Power
- Looser/Tighter?
- Constant Speed
- Trajectory
- Stringbed Stiffness
- Dialing In Tension
Demo, Demo, Demo
- Shop Demo
- Double Racquet
Restring Frequency
- It’s Broken
- Time Intervals
- Check with Tools
Considerations
Stringing Machines
(Information about Stringing Machines that everyone in the tennis industry should know.)
Anatomy of a Machine
- Tension Head Assembly
- Tension Jaw Assembly
- Tension Head Brake Lever
- Tension Setting Knob
- Tension Head Crank
- Tension Head Track
- Tray Table
- Clamps
- Mounting Posts
- Tray Table Locking Lever
- Tool Tray
- Stand
Tension: Reference vs. Actual
Lockout vs. Constant Pull
Tools of the Trade
- Calibrator
- Needle Nose Pliers
- Diagonal Cutters
- Awl
- Starting Clamp
Important Features
- Mounting System
- Clamping System
- Flying Clamps
- Fixed Clamps (Swivel)
- Fixed Clamps (Non-Swivel)
Tensioning System
- Drop Weight Machines
- Hand Crank Machines
- Electric Machines
- Linear Pull and Rotational
Stringing
(The basic concepts of stringing and things that stringers should be aware of are explained.)
Pre-Stringing Inspection
- Inspecting Strings and Grommets
- Wear Signs
- Broken Strings
- Where it Broke
- Normal Topspin Wear?
- Broke Near a Grommet
- Inspecting Frames for Damage
Cutting Strings
- Diagonal Intersections
- Independent Cuts
- Safety Tip
Inspect/Repair Grommets
- Grommet Grinder
- Tubing
Inspect/Repair Rattles
- How To
Mount Frame to Machine
- Proper Mounting
- Types of Mount Systems
- Centering the Frame
- Securing with 6 Points
- Securing with 2 Points
- Adapters
Determining Pattern
- Looking up a Pattern
- How to Read the Listing
- Special Procedures
- Counting Holes
- No Listing Available
Preparing String
- Uncoil, Measure, Cut
- 1 or 2 Piece Stringing?
- 1 Piece Stringing
- Grooves
- 2 Piece Stringing
Preparing Clamps
String the Mains
- Where to Begin and End
- 1 Piece vs. 2 Piece
- String Preparation
- Start the String
- Pull Tension
- Release Tension Head
- Tension Second Left
- Tension First Right
- Don’t Double Pull
- Stop Grommet Slip
- Main Skip Holes
- Final Inspection
- Tie off the Ends
- Trim the Knot Tails
- Keep Going
- String the Crosses
- Before Starting
- 1 Piece Start
- 2 Piece Start
- Weaving
- Tension First Cross
- Friction
- Blocked Holes
- Crossovers
- Weave One Ahead
- Final Inspection
- Tie Off Crosses
- Trim Knot Tails
- Straighten Strings
- Removing
- Around the World
- How it Works
- Technique
- Staggered Patterns
The Unknown Frame
- USRSA Members
- Old String Pattern Intact
- Determine Proper Tension
- Tie-Off Hole Locations
Gripping
(How to regrip and resize the handle of a racquet, an often over-looked area of service.)
Determining the Right Size
- Try Out Different Sizes
- Hand Measurements
- Method #1
- Method #2
- The Towel Wrap
Removing the Grip
Changing the Grip Size
- Size Increase
- Add-On
- Heat Shrink Sleeves
- Weight Considerations
- Size Decrease
- Which Ones Can Change?
- Shaving a Handle
- Butt Cap Considerations
Reshaping the Grip
- Shape Changing
- Add Bulk to End Cap
Wrapping the Grip
- Tools Needed
- Right or Left Handed?
- Lining Up the Grip
- Wrapping
- Trimming
- Finish
- Leather Grips
Grommets & Guard
(Procedures and things to be aware of when replacing bumperguards and grommet strips.)
Got the Right Set?
Removing the Old Set
- Stuck Grommets
Installing the New Set
- Throat and Side Strips
- Bumperguard
- Heat Gun
- Cable Ties
Stenciling
(Stenciling a freshly strung racquet can add a professional finishing touch.)
Why Stenciling?
Stenciling Equipment
Stenciling Procedure
Customizing
(Customizing a racquet can make it truly unique to its owner and improve their game.)
Touring Pros' Racquets
What is Customization?
Most Changed Specs
- Weight
- Balance
- Swingweight
Reasons to Customize
- Matching Frames
- Improving Performance
Tools for Customizing
- Classic Tools
- A Modern Tool
Effects of Adding Weight
- Starting Point
- Adding to the Butt
- Adding to the Balance Point
- Adding to 3 & 9 o'clock
- Adding to 10 & 2 o'clock
- Adding to the Tip
- Multiple Locations
Adding Lead Tape
- Calculations
- Preparations
- Adding to the Handle
- Adding to the Frame
- Improve the Appearance
- Wash Your Hands
Customizing Example
- Gather the Specs
- Choose Modifications
- Use the Customizer
- Get the Lead Tape Ready
- Applying the Lead Tape
- Check the New Specs
Service Errors
(Things to look for when evaluating the professionalism of racquet service.)
Stringing
- Misweaves
- Crossovers
- Notches
- Loose Strings
- Empty Holes
- Cracking/Warping
- Scratches
- Damaged Strings
- Crooked Strings
Bumperguard/Grommets
- Damaged Grommets
- Grommets Seating
- Partial Replacement
- Loose Particles
- Scratches
Gripping/Handle Resize
- Correct Wrapping Directions
- Seam Overlap Consistency
- The Butt Cap
- The Top of the Grip
- Evenly Enlarged
- Feel the Bevels
- Exposed Add-On Material
Stenciling
- Ink on the Frame
- Ink on the Strings
- Fill-In Areas
- Globs of Ink
- Wrong Position
- Wrong Sides
Take a Quiz
Now that you have gone through all the chapters in this interactive course you can take a quiz to test your knowledge.
- Take Beginners Test A — 25 Questions
- Take Beginners Test B — 25 Questions
- Take Beginners Test C — 25 Questions
- Take Advanced Test A — 25 Questions
- Take Advanced Test B — 25 Questions
- Take Advanced Test C — 25 Questions