Tension and spin

[Starred]

Does string tension have an effect on the spin potential of a string?

 

[toby55555]

I had always thought higher tensions produced more grip and spin as the ball flattens out on the string bed more than the catapult effect of looser strings. However Jack sock produces more spin than almost anyone and his rackets are strung at 38-40lbs so I will be interested to read what others have to say.

 

[mikeeeee]

I had always thought higher tensions produced more grip and spin as the ball flattens out on the string bed more than the catapult effect of looser strings. However Jack sock produces more spin than almost anyone and his rackets are strung at 38-40lbs so I will be interested to read what others have to say.

Sock also has an extreme motion to his swing that produces a lot of spin. I've never thought about tension vs. spin so it's a great question. My first instinct was lower tension allows the ball to sink into the string bed and thus more of the main strings can grip it to produce spin. But Toby's comment makes sense too because the ball flattening out would touch more strings. Any physicists in here??

 

[Moonarse]

the ball flattening out would touch more strings. Any physicists in here??

Not a physicist here, but I think that string movement plays a better part in the prodution of spin than the area of contact with the ball. Lower tensions seems to allow the strings to move around better, alowing this snapback effect.

 

[WarrenMP]

I know there are two parts to spin - Swing Technique and String Properties. I would say that depending on your swing technique (eastern grip vs. western grip, long swing vs. short swing, fast swing vs. slow swing) would determine the amount of naturally produce spin you get. When you talk about string tension, not all the time a low tension will produce more spin based on your swing technique.

For me, a hybrid poly/synth gut at a mid/low tension provides me max spin. I have a semi-eastern grip with a long mid pace swing. I had to change from a western short fast swing because of wrist issues. When I use to hit with a western grip, I loved a full bed of poly at 55 to 58 lbs. This provide me with max spin.

Playing with tension is something you have to do to find the holy grail spin that works for you.

 

[CopolyX]

yep, way to much focus on ..I like to buy some spin please.

As WarrenMP clearly stated, find the tension and the strings that works best for you, your frame and your game.
Work on technique and form....done...have fun and practice smart/hard...it will come
no easy button here

 

[ricardo]

Does string tension have an effect on the spin potential of a string?

Yes.

Tension influences how vigorously the mains 'snaps back' into its original straight position.
The more vigorous the mains snaps back, the more additional spin you are able to generate (higher tensions).
If the snapback is slow/anemic, there is little or no additional spin generated (lower tension).

Before the mains can snapback, you first have to move it sideways at ball impact (using spin generating stroke, not flat-ball stroke).

If you have high RHS, use higher tensions to generate a more vigorous snapback.
If you have low RHS, use lower tensions because your RHS may not be sufficient to move the mains sideways.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Yes.

Tension influences how vigorously the mains 'snaps back' into its original straight position.
The more vigorous the mains snaps back, the more additional spin you are able to generate (higher tensions).
If the snapback is slow/anemic, there is little or no additional spin generated (lower tension).

If that were true, it would also imply that higher tensions produce greater ball speed. Which is not the case.
Looser tensions are better for snapback spin.

 

[ricardo]

If that were true, it would also imply that higher tensions produce greater ball speed. Which is not the case.
Looser tensions are better for snapback spin.

Snapback generate more spin, not necessarily more ball speed.

The highest ball speed occurs when you hit flat because you are applying all/most of the energy directly to the ball (horizontal stroke).
When you hit with spin, you are just brushing the side of the ball. If you hit vertically, you generate tremendous spin, but very low ball pace.
I always balance my stroke to generate enough spin to keep the ball in and enough ball pace so my opponent cannot easily/can hardly return the ball.
You hit flat to put the ball away or you hit with spin to keep the ball in.

If you just want ball speed, hit flat and tension lower.

Not all snapback are created equally.
Only vigorous snapback generate additional spin.
Anemic snapback can actually reduce spin instead of increasing spin.

 

[Tommy Haas]

If your RHS is slow, the ball compressing against the tight stringbed would have already deflected off before you even brush up to add spin.

If your RHS is fast, then you have more options because good technique can compensate for equipment disadvantages or enhance equipment advantages.

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

Snapback generate more spin, not necessarily more power.

The highest ball speed occurs when you hit flat because you are applying all/most of the energy directly to the ball (horizontal stroke).
When you hit with spin, you are just brushing the side of the ball. If you hit vertically, you generate tremendous spin, but very low ball pace.
I always balance my stroke to generate enough spin to keep the ball in and enough ball pace so my opponent cannot easily/can hardly return the ball.
You hit flat to put the ball away or you hit with spin to keep the ball in.

If you just want power, hit flat and tension lower.

Not all snapback are created equally.
Only vigorous snapback generate additional spin.
Anemic snapback can actually reduce spin instead of increasing spin.

Snapback spin IS POWER. In the vertical plane. Snapback spin is generated by the exact same trampoline effects as ball speed. Just in a different plane.

 

[chunlimeyers]

This should be stopped and made a STICKY!!!.. Finally all the bs theories on spin are not mentioned, and ricardo and Tommy Haas have got it! If you swing fast, you make alot of power AND SPIN. Its the slower swing speed guys that notice, "Wow, I make alot of spin with this low tension setup!"
Anyone curious about "snapback", just do what i did, copy the experiment TW did. They strung every other cross. I did this on a super tight 18x20 string pattern head Microgel Midplus, my main racket a couple years back.
It was AWESOME! didn't have to swing that fast, made gobs o spin, serve kicked like crazy!.. And, the strings?.. they lasted.. 1 day. haha 2 MAX!
I was about to try KEVLAR next, as i loved it soo much, but then the 95s came out and i used that, not nearly as radical as my "radical" string job. But strings lasted 1 MONTH vs day (*previous same string job using all the holes on microgel, lasted 3 to 6 MONTHS! haha) (btw i use something between a eastern forehand and semi-western forehand, so, yes, more federer DRIVING spin vs the Nadal pure heavy spin just purely based on grips)
And then I learned about "launch angle", even though i won more than my fair share of hitting heavy looping topspin deep to frustrate the pushers who used to frustrate me!(still think i should keep one in my bag just for the pushers, but don't! haha) And demoed the Yonex AI98 and never looked back!
I can swing as insanely fast as I can with this racket, and the higher i string my racket, the more a)power, b)spin, c)control I get. I am now stringing at 72/68 which averages out after the strings break in to about 63 and then a couple weeks later to like 58.
This is what Pete Sampras knew. If u take a flexible string, and string the hell out of it, and can provide the FORCE necessary to MOVE it, one makes MUCH MORE FORCE(aka power) than the lower strung string(the visual that goes through my head is a bow and arrow setup). I had an all poly setup, but it made almost too much spin, not enough driving past my opponent power, so I did the same with a multi cross, and I am DONE! Just the perfect string setup.. for me. For Joe the pusher that slowly blocks and swings his racket?(I have given this to him/her just to see what would happen), no, nothing, nada, can barely get the ball over the net! haha

 

[Attila_the_gorilla]

ROFL.

 

[Aretium]

Lower tension has definitely more spin potential. BUT, high tension will control it better, so you get plenty of spin but more of an idea where the ball is going. I played for a while with low tensions, but it is just too unpredictable. It is fine when you have time to set up and on serves/returns.

 

[Slash007]

Bottom line, less tension equals more spin but not more balls in ( there probably is a max before a decline).

However, the perception on the court will probably be just the opposite because you will get more control going tighter ( the ball will be slower and you will get more balls in).

Just pick a comfortable tension overall and practice, practice ...