16x18 vs 18x20 pattern

[uncooling]

what's the major difference between those two patterns?

Which patter is better for serving?


thanks,

[pvaudio]

Neither is abjectly better. The rule of thumb is 18x20 is for control, 16x18 is for power and spin. These rules of thumb are not set even in jello, however.

[esgee48]

Well, you do have more mains and 2 more crosses. JK.

As far as which is better for serving, that will depend on (1) you, (2) tension and (3) string. PV says nominally that you get more spin from 16 mains. But if your technique is fine, you should be able to spin the ball just as well with 18 mains. At the same tension, etc., the 18x20 stringbed will feel stiffer than the 16x18.

[Power Player]

Just came back to 18x20 from 16x19. I like both. The feel is better to me with 18x20. Many of the coveted feel sticks i have played have 20 crosses. Control is better. The spin is a litle better with the 16x19 but it is more about trajectory.

Im hitting a heavier ball with the 18x20 because it is lighter but has a little higher sw. To me this is the best of both worlds..heavy spin..more penetrating trajectory and more control. This is why i think i will end up staying with the closed pattern blx blade even though an open pattern one is coming out.

[NLBwell]

It isn't just the number of main strings that can increase spin but the spacing of the strings. My original Black Ace (86 sq in headsize) with 16 mains has the widest spacing between the strings of any racket I've played with. It gets more spin naturally (w/same strings and swingpath) than the larger-headed POG mid with only 14 strings or my 16 main 95 sq in Prestige Pro.

[fortun8son]

As Say Chi Sin Lo said in one of your other threads:

"Technique.

Just trying to save you the trouble of making 50 threads in search of miracle equipment to give you more pop on the serve, instead of practicing and coaching."

It is not so much about the frame or the pattern or the strings although these are all factors.

[uncooling]

As I mentioned in other thread, I can easily serve at 110mph so I don't have any problem with my technique. But I think those factors matter a lot to advanced players especially, so I'm seeking some advice here. I'm not trying to change my whole serve or improve a lot by changing my equipment, but I know for sure there are some strings/racquet that are more friendly for hard servers and putting more pops on my serve.

In the end, this is what this forum is for, isn't it?

So any more advice is appreciated!!

thanks,

Originally Posted by fortun8son

As Say Chi Sin Lo said in one of your other threads:

"Technique.

Just trying to save you the trouble of making 50 threads in search of miracle equipment to give you more pop on the serve, instead of practicing and coaching."

It is not so much about the frame or the pattern or the strings although these are all factors.

[netguy]

You don't need advice from anybody here if you can easily serve @ 110mph unless you have a low % of first serve. In that case, post a video in the instruction section.
What is your % of first serve?
I agree with fortun8son and Say Chi Sin Lo, ...."focus on technique is the priority in serving"

[red rook]

I think he's agreeing its mostly technique etc. Just seeking knowledge re how string patterns can affect play. This is the string forum afterall.

[uncooling]

Originally Posted by netguy

You don't need advice from anybody here if you can easily serve @ 110mph unless you have a low % of first serve. In that case, post a video in the instruction section.
What is your % of first serve?
I agree with fortun8son and Say Chi Sin Lo, ...."focus on technique is the priority in serving"

hmm.. I have hard time understanding you point... so why would I have to post my video of serving when I'm trying to ask which string gives you more pops?? Why is my % of serve is important as well??

I thought I posted my message to string forums, maybe you got confused??

[uncooling]

Originally Posted by red rook

I think he's agreeing its mostly technique and etc. Just seeking knowledge re how string patterns can affect play. This is the string forum afterall.

thanks for speaking for me! Yeah, I'm not trying to say technique isn't important for serving. But strings also have effects on pops for serves. Otherwise, why would people choose their own string?

This is the string forum, and I don't know what kind of questions would be posted here if I don't get to ask which string gives more pops on serve

[smarulanda]

I've always been curious about the spacing of the string. For example, my K6.1 95" is 16x18, but the string spacing is not evenly distributed; as you get nearer to the sweet spot the spacing gets much tighter.

I haven't hit too many 18x20s, but it seems that the spacing is more evenly distributed. This could mean that if you're hitting the sweet spot you might very well be experiencing the same string spacing at impact for either pattern.

[LeeD]

Most guys drop a couple lbs. tension when using 18x20's.
How much control you gain balanced by how much power you lose might have to do with your actual swing speeds, and skills, of course.
Notice in the pros, players use both.

[netguy]

Originally Posted by uncooling

hmm.. I have hard time understanding you point... so why would I have to post my video of serving when I'm trying to ask which string gives you more pops?? Why is my % of serve is important as well??

I thought I posted my message to string forums, maybe you got confused??

Top ten players serve average @ 105-110 mph...you can easily serve at that speed, and you want more pop..... mmmm? I have a hard time understanding your need for more pop
It doesn't make sense to me....again, what is your first serve %?

[uncooling]

Originally Posted by netguy

Top ten players serve average @ 105-110 mph...you can easily serve at that speed, and you want more pop..... mmmm? I have a hard time understanding your need for more pop
It doesn't make sense to me....again, what is your first serve %?

I want a string with more pop because my serve is key in my game. I usually hit with around 50% first serves in, and I gain a lot of free points with my serve (I measured my first serve speed and it's always around 110mph, sometimes a bit higher, but it depends on where I want to place my serve at) It's usually 95 mph when I'm serving slice serves.

BTW, top ten players hit avg of 120-125 mph when they hit flat serve, not 105-110.

I hope this clears things up.

BTW, do you have any suggestion as for the string? I'd like to hear your opinion as to which string would be better.

[LeeD]

Guys, figure this out....
Federer can hit 130, we'll agree?
He slices his wide duece serves in around 100, dropping those two serves average speeds to 115.
Milos can hit into the 150's. His safe first serve, used againt a non threatening return, when he' thinking of coming to net, might go 110 out wide. Average 130 of those two serves.
Average speed has nothing to do with how fast a player can serve.

[chrischris]

Originally Posted by NLBwell

It isn't just the number of main strings that can increase spin but the spacing of the strings. My original Black Ace (86 sq in headsize) with 16 mains has the widest spacing between the strings of any racket I've played with. It gets more spin naturally (w/same strings and swingpath) than the larger-headed POG mid with only 14 strings or my 16 main 95 sq in Prestige Pro.

Ayay Sir, i agree..
i have a harder time imparting spin with POG mids than with my 86 inch PK B.A.

[netguy]

I think trying to improve your pace by changing strings is a distraction. You should work on technique and set yourself a better %, let's say 60% or even higher that you could achive in a year or two..... By improving your technique your pace will go up naturally without the need of changing strings. Good luck!

[pvaudio]

For a racquet, Bab Pure Drive Roddick is probably the best stick for serving pop. For string, I'm partial to gut mains/poly crosses. On my little speedtrac, I'd average about 2-3mph higher with the gut mains instead of just full poly.

[LeeD]

Have you tried the Plus model's of PD?