16x18 vs 18x20 pattern
- Thread starter uncooling
- Start date
esgee48
G.O.A.T.
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.
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
Bionic Poster
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.
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.
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
Hall of Fame
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.
"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
Semi-Pro
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,
In the end, this is what this forum is for, isn't it?
So any more advice is appreciated!!
thanks,
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"
What is your % of first serve?
I agree with fortun8son and Say Chi Sin Lo, ...."focus on technique is the priority in serving"
R
red rook
Guest
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.
Last edited by a moderator:
uncooling
Semi-Pro
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
Semi-Pro
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
New User
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.
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.
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
Semi-Pro
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.
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.
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
G.O.A.T.
Ayay Sir, i agree..
i have a harder time imparting spin with POG mids than with my 86 inch PK B.A.
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!
anubis
Hall of Fame
OP: Perhaps placement should be your goal then. If 110mph is no big deal to you, then work on placing your serve better. That will do more damage than increasing the speed slightly.
But back to your original question, a more open string pattern has a greater deflection amount. That is, when the ball hits the strings, it can be deflected away from true perpendicular by a greater margin than a closed string pattern.
This gives you more spin, but less control. Without proper technique and practice, a ball bouncing off an open patterned stringbed will likely bounce in a higher trajectory than a closed pattern.
For my money, I'd rather be able to put the ball where I want to, so I rely on the lowest possible deflection amount: a closed string pattern and a tight string bed.
But back to your original question, a more open string pattern has a greater deflection amount. That is, when the ball hits the strings, it can be deflected away from true perpendicular by a greater margin than a closed string pattern.
This gives you more spin, but less control. Without proper technique and practice, a ball bouncing off an open patterned stringbed will likely bounce in a higher trajectory than a closed pattern.
For my money, I'd rather be able to put the ball where I want to, so I rely on the lowest possible deflection amount: a closed string pattern and a tight string bed.
corbind
Professional
I have to say thumbs up on that
I think the real answer is it depends on the day. I think most of us aren't good enough to serve well all the time with either patterns
