get certified!

[themitchmann]

Originally Posted by bcart1991

Yeah, that's part of the driving force behind wanting to get certified. If I had to travel, it would be out of the question.

It's a great event. I went this past year, though I had already tested. They do have ERSA testing as well.

[bbulla]

From what I read, the test racquet you supply must be no more than 3 years old. But it sounds like they are saying a POG is valid, I guess because it is still being manufactured.

But....do I have to bring in a POG that is manufactured within 3 years, or can I bring one that is 20 years old??

[Lakers4Life]

As long as you bring a grommet set with it, you'll be fine. But bring a back up just in case.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by MAX PLY

Perhaps, but you don't get any extra credit for being fast. It has been a very long time since I passed the certification test but as I recall it, the racquet must be strung with a two piece method and when I took it, we were required to use (cheap) gut on the mains and a mildly textured synthetic/nylon on the crosses--so every burn, kink or other mistake was very visible. The goal of the certification process is to test the applicant on his/her knowledge of many aspects of racquet services and to test the quality of one's abilities.

If I ran a retail shop, I would make sure that all of my stringers were certified because it assures both quality and is a good advertising point. If stringing is only a hobby, it's a good process to learn more about racquet service but it is not crucial. Nevertheless, I would recommend it if you can afford it--it is a good learning experience.

i agree. but according to you then, those tournament stringers who turn around nadal's frame in 13min are not doing a good job then right? fast time does not mean it sacrifice quality.

[Wikky]

Originally Posted by zapvor

i agree. but according to you then, those tournament stringers who turn around nadal's frame in 13min are not doing a good job then right? fast time does not mean it sacrifice quality.

My guess, I'm probably off but hopefully not much, is that there are only 200 stringers in the world who can do a nadal frame to tournament quality standards in 13 minutes or less. Of those 200 there are maybe only 50 who can do that after doing 25 previously that day.

From what i've seen there is... 10 members on this board who fit into the first 200 and I think 4 that fit into the 50. And I wouldn't be surprised at all if none of those 4 had their MRT.

... I had a point I was going to make but I forgot. Oh well.

[zapvor]

you are right. certification does really mean anything. anyone can get certified to teach. i guess federer would be a terrible player to learn from

[fortun8son]

Originally Posted by Wikky

My guess, I'm probably off but hopefully not much, is that there are only 200 stringers in the world who can do a nadal frame to tournament quality standards in 13 minutes or less. Of those 200 there are maybe only 50 who can do that after doing 25 previously that day.

From what i've seen there is... 10 members on this board who fit into the first 200 and I think 4 that fit into the 50. And I wouldn't be surprised at all if none of those 4 had their MRT.

... I had a point I was going to make but I forgot. Oh well.

Close, but no cigar.
I think stringwalla and uk skippy are among the elite and they're both MRTs.

[MAX PLY]

Originally Posted by zapvor

i agree. but according to you then, those tournament stringers who turn around nadal's frame in 13min are not doing a good job then right? fast time does not mean it sacrifice quality.

There's absolutely nothing in my post that implies that. I was merely discussing what the certification test does and doesn't do--my sole point was that speeding through a string job is not what the USRSA is attempting to test. I was not comparing pro tournament stringers at all since it really is not topical. Of course, experienced tournament stringers who can turn around a frame in such a time do a good job--but then again they are all very experienced stringers who have already mastered the quality job and through experience can do it quickly. You are quite right, a fast time does not necessarily sacrifice quality but that is really only generally true for the top notch experienced stringers--not the average applicant taking the certification test.

[Wikky]

Originally Posted by fortun8son

Close, but no cigar.
I think stringwalla and uk skippy are among the elite and they're both MRTs.

Are MRTs or had their MRTs? I'm sure everyone who strings at pro tours has had their MRT but i'm not sure if they renew them every year.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by MAX PLY

There's absolutely nothing in my post that implies that. I was merely discussing what the certification test does and doesn't do--my sole point was that speeding through a string job is not what the USRSA is attempting to test. I was not comparing pro tournament stringers at all since it really is not topical. Of course, experienced tournament stringers who can turn around a frame in such a time do a good job--but then again they are all very experienced stringers who have already mastered the quality job and through experience can do it quickly. You are quite right, a fast time does not necessarily sacrifice quality but that is really only generally true for the top notch experienced stringers--not the average applicant taking the certification test.

i was also directly replying to your post. you never seperated the pro stringers from the others in your original post. furthermore, you said things about 'good advertising point', 'no extra credit for going fast', 'every burn was visible'

advertising point: good players know that certification means less than real experience.
no extra credit: lets just say i have experience with getting extra credit for going fast
every burn was visible: again, you are implying going fast means there will be issues, such as burning,etc. which means you are not at the certain level other stringers have gotten to. which is fine. i dont hit like roger either

[fortun8son]

Experience counts, but what if they've been doing it wrong for 15 years?
The USRSA tests for a minimum standard of knowledge and competence.

I've not gone to take the test and I may not, but I know I could pass.
Does this make me a top- notch stringer?
Not at all, but at least I know not to string all of the short side first, pull two strings at once, and tie off with a single half hitch.
Many stringers get faulty instruction and practice their lousy technique for years.

I've seen many a horrible stringjob and weights placed willy-nilly on the frame.
Some of them by teaching pros who know just enough racquet tech to be dangerous.

[kkm]

Before mounting the racquet at least pretend to inspect it for damage.
And hold the grommet in place when tensioning the first string on each side which exits the lower frame outside the throat.

[ten11]

Originally Posted by kkm

Before mounting the racquet at least pretend to inspect it for damage.
And hold the grommet in place when tensioning the first string on each side which exits the lower frame outside the throat.

Thank you very much. That is what I like to hear. I was thinking about the first part as well. Just like take a driving test, gonna adjust the seat and mirror. But second point is valuable. Out of all the rackets I have strung, only the latest blx95 16x18 need to do it, but now I am going to try to do it on every single racket and make it a habit. (otherwise natural gut could already snapped before you realize you need to hold on it. I think the test is valuable! It is all about good practice.)

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by fortun8son

Experience counts, but what if they've been doing it wrong for 15 years?
The USRSA tests for a minimum standard of knowledge and competence.

I've not gone to take the test and I may not, but I know I could pass.
Does this make me a top- notch stringer?
Not at all, but at least I know not to string all of the short side first, pull two strings at once, and tie off with a single half hitch.
Many stringers get faulty instruction and practice their lousy technique for years.

I've seen many a horrible stringjob and weights placed willy-nilly on the frame.
Some of them by teaching pros who know just enough racquet tech to be dangerous.

i think you are missing my point. let me try to say it this way then. certification is not a good reflection of one's ability. it's only one method of measurement. for example, 95% people pass the driving test. how many % are actually good drivers? 50%? being certified in driving does not reflect real world action. same for teaching. a certain % passes teaching certification. how many good teachers are there? all of them that passed the test? same for everything else. some guy gets certified in computer sci. there's 14yr old kids out there not have never read a single page of a exam prep book that are hacking into way more tough things than the guy with all the computer certifications. i can go on forever. certifications are just that.

[domosborn]

Anyone here know much about the UKRSA? Heard that Liam who runs the course is a good guy but I'm a bit concerned I won't be able to keep up with the course, I'm a OK stringer (I think) Nothing amazing but I can do a few knots, patterns etc and decent consistency- worried about the adjusting weight/building grips etc, anyone do this course with or without previous experience, I am not a complete beginner to this but nearly, would I able to keep up?

(as I student think i would prefer a written exam a la MRT haha :P )

[Lakers4Life]

Originally Posted by domosborn

Anyone here know much about the UKRSA? Heard that Liam who runs the course is a good guy but I'm a bit concerned I won't be able to keep up with the course, I'm a OK stringer (I think) Nothing amazing but I can do a few knots, patterns etc and decent consistency- worried about the adjusting weight/building grips etc, anyone do this course with or without previous experience, I am not a complete beginner to this but nearly, would I able to keep up?

(as I student think i would prefer a written exam a la MRT haha :P )

I think you want to contact Liam directly and ask him. I heard he has stringing seminars, all over the UK, but don't quote me on that.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by domosborn

Anyone here know much about the UKRSA? Heard that Liam who runs the course is a good guy but I'm a bit concerned I won't be able to keep up with the course, I'm a OK stringer (I think) Nothing amazing but I can do a few knots, patterns etc and decent consistency- worried about the adjusting weight/building grips etc, anyone do this course with or without previous experience, I am not a complete beginner to this but nearly, would I able to keep up?

(as I student think i would prefer a written exam a la MRT haha :P )

you will be fine. as long as you are into it and want to learn it will come easy

[fortun8son]

zapfor, I get your point and I don't disagree.
Just having the cert does not make one a good stringer.
OTOH, a good stringer is aware of the techniques that they test for and probably uses them.

[Dags]

Originally Posted by domosborn

Anyone here know much about the UKRSA? Heard that Liam who runs the course is a good guy but I'm a bit concerned I won't be able to keep up with the course, I'm a OK stringer (I think) Nothing amazing but I can do a few knots, patterns etc and decent consistency- worried about the adjusting weight/building grips etc, anyone do this course with or without previous experience, I am not a complete beginner to this but nearly, would I able to keep up?

(as I student think i would prefer a written exam a la MRT haha :P )

TT poster Ash_Smith knows plenty about UKRSA - he may have even gone as far as teaching some of the courses. You could try leaving him a message in the general UK thread:

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=353491

or drop him an email. He's a super-helpful guy.

[zapvor]

Originally Posted by fortun8son

zapfor, I get your point and I don't disagree.
Just having the cert does not make one a good stringer.
OTOH, a good stringer is aware of the techniques that they test for and probably uses them.

cool man. sorry for misunderstanding