How to break strings faster

T

TennisKid1

Semi-Pro
I know that I shouldnt think about it while I play, but my Racket was restrung 6 months ago with Pro Hurricane tour and it feels terrible. The feel has long been gone and my Dad insists that I dont restring until a string breaks. Any tips on how to break a string harder or fake a broken string (wire cutter etc.) I know faking a broken string is bad because it puts stress on the frame so hopefully I can get tips on breaking strings faster
 
DownTheLine

DownTheLine

Hall of Fame
Make a notch in your strings and then the next time you play it'll break.

If you want to do it by yourself play more, hit with more spin, and maybe with a little more power.

Don't change your game to break a string though.
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Yeah, swing as fast as possible, especially on first serves and forehands. I normally break strings about 3 weeks, because I'm small and old. When I was younger, about twice as often, but I was stronger then too. Talking 15 gauge nylon, not the girlie 17 gauge stuff.
 
jazzyfunkybluesy

jazzyfunkybluesy

Banned
DownTheLine said:
Make a notch in your strings and then the next time you play it'll break.

If you want to do it by yourself play more, hit with more spin, and maybe with a little more power.

Don't change your game to break a string though.
Click to expand...

Thats a good idea, your sneaky. Take a knive and make the notch deeper on one of the main where one of the mains hit a cross string. There should already be a notch there after 6 months of playing.
 
mikro112

mikro112

Semi-Pro
Take a small stone and hit it. When I was younger, I wanted to try how far I could hit a stone. It flew very far, but my string broke. :shock: :rolleyes:
 
mikeler

mikeler

Moderator
Will your parents buy a drop weight stringer ($150) for you? It pays for itself after just a few string jobs.
 
mikeler

mikeler

Moderator
TennisKid1 said:
that's not a bad idea... we're not poor or anything but is there a difference between drop weight and an electric stringer?
Click to expand...


The difference between drop weight and electric is time, not quality. If you have the time, it will save you a ton of money. I regret not buying mine sooner. I paid for string jobs for 5 years before college and 4 years in my 30s. Once I bought mine 2 years ago, I have never let anybody else touch my sticks. Worst case, if you get hurt or give up tennis in a few months, you can resell it and recoup most of the money.
 
T

TennisKid1

Semi-Pro
do you recommend that I have a dummy racket to work on first before I work with my Match frames so I know how to string properly?
 
M

Manus Domini

Hall of Fame
I would do that if I were you :)

you wouldn't want to damage anything vital :)

also, if there is someone you know who strings rackets, ask them if you can watch and learn :)
 
ManuGinobili

ManuGinobili

Hall of Fame
Are your dad present every time you play tennis?... if not, just cut the whole string out and tell him it broke and people at the club cut it out for you.

If not, just hit like marat safin on every ball: as hard and you can, as off center as you can ...
 
C

Carlito

Semi-Pro
I don't get it. Why don't you just cut the string and tell him that you broke it hitting, rather that mess with the string?

I have a feeling you have never broken a string before and just want to know what it feels like. Don't feel bad that you don't hit hard enough to break strings. And pro hurricane is pretty hard to break. I know a lot of very hard hitters that just cut it out.
 
Funbun

Funbun

Professional
I used to play with Pro Hurricane strings and they lost tension way too fast. I've heard the Tour versions lose tension faster. Why not get some CF or SPPP strings?
 
T

TennisKid1

Semi-Pro
Carlito said:
I don't get it. Why don't you just cut the string and tell him that you broke it hitting, rather that mess with the string?

I have a feeling you have never broken a string before and just want to know what it feels like. Don't feel bad that you don't hit hard enough to break strings. And pro hurricane is pretty hard to break. I know a lot of very hard hitters that just cut it out.
Click to expand...

I broke a string once and that was because i got some Prince top spin so when we went to the stringer my dad asked for the most durable string. I started to use it all the same racket for a long time and lately ive been rotating my rackets around hoping that the strings will break on this frame.
 
M

masterxfob

Semi-Pro
as others have suggested, a stringer is one of the best investments you could make as an avid tennis player. my only regret about having bought one (klippermate ~$170 shipped) is that i waited so long to do so.

if you do get a stringer, you should experiment with different strings, in different gauges, and at different tensions. since you're not a string breaker, i'd highly recommend staying away from poly. anyhow, once you settle on a string, determine what is an acceptable time frame between string jobs.

for example, i'd like to find a string that never breaks, never loses tension, and feels fresh all the time. since that doesn't exist, i settle for strings that give me 10-15 hours of playing time. that means that i can go a few days in between stringing up a racket but it's not too long that the strings would lose too much tension.
 
C

Carlito

Semi-Pro
TennisKid1 said:
I broke a string once and that was because i got some Prince top spin so when we went to the stringer my dad asked for the most durable string. I started to use it all the same racket for a long time and lately ive been rotating my rackets around hoping that the strings will break on this frame.
Click to expand...

With hurricane, and most polys for that matter, it they lose tension too much they become even harder to break. Just check the notching. If there isn't any, its going to take a lot of effort to break it.
 
tennis005

tennis005

Hall of Fame
I have a set of multi in my racket and I can't break the string. It is already worn to half of it's original diameter. So I guess it's around 8 gauge now. Its been like that for about 8-9 hours of play and I don't hit weak shots either, I have a fast serve and monster forehand and still can't break the strings. Not the first time though. Last time I used "8 gauge" Prince synthetic for 20 hours of play before it finally broke.
 
K

kiteboard

Banned
Your dad is a cheap skate. I cut out strings all the time if they don't feel good, including gut. It's your game, not your wallet, that's important. Tell him you will pay for the new string, and get a stringing machine.
 
AlpineCadet

AlpineCadet

Hall of Fame
Larrysümmers said:
tell your dad that dead string can cause a negative effect on your game and on your elbow.
Click to expand...

Times two to the above post. Also OP, you should have him hit with the frame and ask him if he thinks the frame needs a new string job? Poly dies fast, maybe you should switch to Syn. Gut or a Multi.
 
KenC

KenC

Hall of Fame
You're playing with 6 month old PHT? You do know that those strings went dead 5 1/2 months ago right? If Pop forces you to play with dead strings until they break you should put Natural Gut on, at least it will play better until the strings break.
 
Slazenger07

Slazenger07

Banned
TennisKid1 said:
I know that I shouldnt think about it while I play, but my Racket was restrung 6 months ago with Pro Hurricane tour and it feels terrible. The feel has long been gone and my Dad insists that I dont restring until a string breaks. Any tips on how to break a string harder or fake a broken string (wire cutter etc.) I know faking a broken string is bad because it puts stress on the frame so hopefully I can get tips on breaking strings faster
Click to expand...

I think youre the first person Ive ever seen ask that....
 
Lefty5

Lefty5

Hall of Fame
#1. Stop paying big $$ for Babalot strings.
#2. Once you find a better and less expensive string you won't feel as bad cutting them out, nor will your dad.
 
Power Player

Power Player

Bionic Poster
To break strings, you need to hit hard and also play with people that hit hard back. Then it is real easy. So don't just swing for the fences, make sure your opponents are quality and are giving you pace.
 
athiker

athiker

Hall of Fame
It sounds like you pay for court time. Tell Dad you will skip a session to offset the cost of new strings. This will show him how important it is to you.

Getting into the stringing biz as suggested might kill 2 birds with one stone. Allow you to change strings cheaply in the future, show some initiative w/ Pops that you are willing to do some work to support your interests. If you think you can get some stringing biz from friends, Crai**L*** or the bulletin board where you play then ask for a load from Dad. Tell him you will pay it off with stringing revenue. Look for a used machine on the cheap or buy an less expensive newer one. If you buy used the risk should be small should you have to turn around and resell it. Good luck.

It may also just be a matter of education. Before I got into tennis again a few years back I had no idea about strings...different types, how long they lasted, tensions, etc. We bought rackets at the discount store and the strings were the strings. No one ever broke one that I can remember! Hitting with a lot of topspin wasn't something we really did...Dad is probably from my era. So maybe ask Dad if he'd be willing to read up some on the topic and you can guide him to the info or maybe just a chat down at the club w/ other players, coaches and tennis playing parents.
 
Last edited:
M

masterxfob

Semi-Pro
just an fyi, but the higher the number, the thinner the string. so an 17g string is thinner than a 16g string, but thicker than an 18g string.
 
P

Pioneer

Professional
I had Pro Hurricane one of my racquets and it never broke. I hit REALLY hard, trust me. It lasted for almost a year of playing and the tension seemed to be in the low... 10s :D so I just cut it out
 
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Gotta agree with Kiteboard here.
Even I, at 61 and oft injured, can break my 15 gauge tourney nylon within about 12 hours IF I hit hard against a hard hitter. And that's with 18x20 on a soft frame and head.
 
LuckyR

LuckyR

Legend
KenC said:
You're playing with 6 month old PHT? You do know that those strings went dead 5 1/2 months ago right? If Pop forces you to play with dead strings until they break you should put Natural Gut on, at least it will play better until the strings break.
Click to expand...

Best post in the thread...
 
Six.One.Tour.90FAN

Six.One.Tour.90FAN

Professional
TennisKid1 said:
I know that I shouldnt think about it while I play, but my Racket was restrung 6 months ago with Pro Hurricane tour and it feels terrible. The feel has long been gone and my Dad insists that I dont restring until a string breaks. Any tips on how to break a string harder or fake a broken string (wire cutter etc.) I know faking a broken string is bad because it puts stress on the frame so hopefully I can get tips on breaking strings faster
Click to expand...

nice to see someone in the EXACT situation......here's my idea WHICH WORKS

scissors are mans best friend.....get your strings look at where you hit the ball most.....now make slits near where the strings cross ON THE MAINS ONLY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......5 slits will give about 10-15 mins of play and SNAP
....happy days.... :)
 
athiker

athiker

Hall of Fame
I guess you could pick a spot where two strings cross and spend an afternoon sliding them back and forth across each other till the notch is such that there is barely any string left, maybe a little filing to help things along. Then go ask your Dad to have a hit with you. :evil: Good luck not getting caught though...as a parent we aren't perfect...we do sometimes have our ways.
 
Last edited:
S

SlapShot

Hall of Fame
You could always say that a restring is much less expensive than a doctor visit for elbow trouble from using dead strings....
 
rk_sports

rk_sports

Hall of Fame
I consistently break strings hitting near the top of the frame and if it's a smash (for used strings), then surely it's history
 
adlis

adlis

Professional
TennisKid1 said:
I know that I shouldnt think about it while I play, but my Racket was restrung 6 months ago with Pro Hurricane tour and it feels terrible. The feel has long been gone and my Dad insists that I dont restring until a string breaks. Any tips on how to break a string harder or fake a broken string (wire cutter etc.) I know faking a broken string is bad because it puts stress on the frame so hopefully I can get tips on breaking strings faster
Click to expand...

Stop being a pu$$y and man up to your father.
 
Last edited:
L

LeeD

Bionic Poster
Almost all strings I've broken, and that would be waaaay over 50, I'd say I hit the sweetspot exactly, mostly on forehands, rarely on serves, sometimes on overheads, never on volleys or backhands.
Forehands have to be flat against a fast mover.
 
T

teppeiahn1

Rookie
LeeD said:
Yeah, swing as fast as possible, especially on first serves and forehands. I normally break strings about 3 weeks, because I'm small and old. When I was younger, about twice as often, but I was stronger then too. Talking 15 gauge nylon, not the girlie 17 gauge stuff.
Click to expand...

15 guage and 17 guage NYLONS last about the same. if were talking about 15g poly vs 17g nylon, huge difference.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Fabresque
Guaranteed way to break a string?
Replies
22
Views
807
LocNetMonster
L
Searah
Why don't i break strings?
Replies
38
Views
4K
user92626
user92626
M
My strings just won't break!
Replies
46
Views
6K
athiker
athiker
tonysk83
How often do you break strings?
Replies
10
Views
650
mig29
M
A
how come I can't break strings?
2
Replies
81
Views
6K
TalkingTennis91
T
Top