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Keeping Your Squash Rackets in Top Shape
An intense sport such as squash depends on its players' own energy as well as the energy of the tools that they use. Every piece of equipment used at the game, from the shorts and shirts to the equipment, has to perform well. A well-maintained squash racket will deliver the desired control and power on the court, and will also last longer. Squash rackets made from materials such as fiberglass and carbon fiber are made of great materials that are strong and flexible, but with no maintenance, these attributes will be lost. Based on years of testing different materials for rackets and collaborations with some great professional squash players, the conclusion drawn is that the biggest difference in racket performance and lifespan comes from some daily maintenance habits.
Frame Protection
A racket's frame is critical to its structure, and carbon fiber frames are particularly susceptible to damage from sudden impacts and poor framing. A common error players make is hitting the frame against bathroom stalls or leaving the racket on the floor among other players while taking breaks. This cause frame cracks to develop over time. Even professionals mimic this mistake, and will put the racket inside its cover after taking a break. This is unfortunate because extreme hot and cold temperature can cause the frames to peel apart and is very difficult to repair. A rackets frame can be damaged when the store. Experts in the industry tell us that the carbon fiber, the rackets frame will be the most flexible when the temperature is consistent between the 10 to 25 ranges. Once a damage is found, the player can repair the her old racket. Once a racket is damaged from a certain impact or collision, the day is meant to be a fixed interval; this is done in order to preserve the frame's stability and the rest let collision or impact the racket can be brought back from that damaged day.
String Tension and How to Maintain It
The string tension affects a player’s control shot power and, even high quality strings, lose tension with time, even when the racket is sitting idle. It is noted by professional stringing experts that racket strings lose 5 to 7 pounds of tension, in the first 24 hours of being strung. The more your play, the more the strings lose their tension. Amateurs playing 2 to 3 times a week will need to restring their rackets, every 6 to 8 weeks. Regular players will need to do this every 4 weeks. A common myth is to stop hitting the frame, as this will cause where the strings bed are to have severe tension and cause uneven string tension. When a player breaks a string, they will often leave the broken string in the racket. A single broken string as calm as uneven pressure on the frame and within a few days, a frame can warp. The moment a single string is snapped, that string should be cut immediately to relieve the frame, of any uneven stresses.
Consider your style of play when selecting your strings. Power players usually benefit from lower tension (28 to 30 pounds) because it allows for more movement of the string bed. On the other hand, control players typically need higher tension (32 to 34 pounds) as it gives more precise ball placement. Also, sticking to this range of tension helps prevent unwanted stress on the frame.
Grip and Handle Maintenance
The grip is the sole area where players come into direct contact with racquet handles, meaning worn-out and slippery grips can cause injuries as grips can slip out of control on powerful swing. Grip tap can get slippery but players can get control of the situation by using a quality grip tape, as some models feature a significant moisture absorbing capacity. Pro players have grips taped on the handle replaced every 2 to 3 weeks, or even sooner, and as a rule of thumb, the quicker the grip is replaced, the smoother, worn and slippery the grip is. As for hands with excessively high perspiration, tape is no longer enough and installing a grip tape under grip solution is recommended. Handles can oxidize, swell, or even crack as a result of moisture buildup trapped behind the handle and handle core, and are made of either wood or carbon fiber. To aid in preventing the buildup of moisture and prolonging deterioration of the handle, regularly wiping the handle with a cloth and rarely using water ultra fast drying cloth or water is recommended to clean the handle. When handle loosens, a racket technician is the person to go as loose handle disrupts swing and, as a rule of thumb, a racket with a loose handle can twist and turn uncontrollingly.
Long Term Storage
Storage is one of the most important things when it comes to squash rackets, especially when it comes to the downtime period of the squash season. In which case, players should never leave their rackets in sports bags for long periods, as their rackets get damaged by dust, moisture, and unwanted pressure. Instead, squash rackets should be stored in a soft case and hung in a padded, dry, and cool space, avoiding placing any heavy items on it. For long term storage (more than 3 months), it is best to cut the strings in order to prevent any warping of the rackets, which happens a lot with stored rackets. Also, to avoid any fading in the rackets from sunlight, be sure to not store the rackets where direct sunlight hits them, as this will weaken the racks’ materials. It is best to store them in a closet. That way the rackets do not get damaged and is readily available for use.
Why You Need Regular Inspections
If you want your issues to get fixed before they become a bigger problem, you need to do a 2 minute inspection before every single game you play. You need to check for cracks or chips in the frame, frayed strings or strings that have uneven tension, a worn grip, or a handle that is loose. Even if your racket looks to be in good shape, racket technicians say that you need to get a full professional inspection every 6 months. That is because technicians can see things, like cracks in the frame or internal damage that you aren't going to see. You also need to get your grommets replaced because if you don't, the strings are going to rub against the frame and cause your strings to break sooner than they should. Your racket is going to give you better perform once you are going to need to do repairs, and you won't have to worry about things going wrong when you are playing a game.
An easy way to protect the premium materials and performance of a squash racket is to set up a routine and stick to it. It's not about doing time consuming or complicated tasks. Players that practice good habits will get to enjoy the same playing experience for many years while paying less to replace their equipment. If you own a competitive level carbon fiber racket, the best way to get value for your money is to maintain it.