Tip: Easy way to install your Racquetball Wrist Tether

We are often asked how we install a wrist tether into the handle of a racquetball racquet.  It can be a bit fussy, especially on certain racquetball racquets like E-Force racquets where there is a tiny opening for the tether.  Here are a couple of tips that will help you get that tether in, out and tied off in no time. 

Use a thin tether
Some wrist tethers are very thick.  If you begin with a narrower tether it will make the process easier.  We like the E-Force Skinny Wrist Tether.  Pick up a couple and keep them on hand so you have them when you need to change yours out.

To install the tether into your racquet handle
Unfold a paperclip until it is straight; then bend one end into a tiny U shape. Insert the end of the tether without the slip knot into one side of the opening in the butt cap.  Use an awl or another narrow tool to poke the tether down into the hole a little ways.  Insert the bent end of the paperclip into the opposite side to "hook" the tether and gently pull it out the opposite side. Pull roughly two inches through and tie it off using a "self-tightening" knot. Finally, we like to tuck the tail end back down into the hole for a finished look.

New Ashaway PowerNick 19 - the thinnest squash string ever

Ashaway Racket Strings has introduced PowerNick19, the thinnest string ever to grace a squash racquet. The new 1.05 mm string utilizes a monofilament core, based on a special formulation developed for Ashaway by Zyex Limited. Designed to provide improved power and performance for both amateur and professional players, PowerNick 19 provides excellent resilience and response, along with a dramatic increase in the ability to grip, cut, slice, and work the ball.

"Ashaway PowerNick 19 is an evolution of the core construction we developed for its popular stablemate, PowerNick 18," said Ashaway's Steve Crandall. "Unlike our UltraNick series, which uses a multifilament Zyex core to provide softer feel, PowerNick strings use a specially constructed core of multi-stranded Zyex monofilaments. PowerNick strings, and especially this new 19 gauge, are designed to provide superior power and playability."

PowerNick 19's Zyex monofilament construction prevents tension loss while the ultra-thin 1.05 mm gauge maximizes ball control. The specially designed outer spiral braid provides good gripping action—enhancing spins and slices—while a proprietary outer coating improves stringing and enhances durability.  "However," added Crandall, "in order to make a string this thin perform the way we wanted, we had to do some real magic in the lab. And we had the help of Zyex Limited, which developed a special proprietary monofilament material just for PowerNick 19."

And perform it does, according to David Palmer, a long-time Ashaway string user who used the glossy black PowerNick 19 to good effect in September's prestigious British Grand Prix and October's Commonwealth Games in India, as well as in a number of other recent PSA tournaments. "This new PowerNick 19 string gives me the power to play hard and fast, but also gives me nice touch and control at the front of the court. So depending on my opponent and how I am physically, I can use it to my advantage."

Gloss black in color, Ashaway's new PowerNick 19 is available in 30 ft sets or 360 ft reels. Ashaway recommends stringing PowerNick 19 only up to 30 lbs tension and about 10–20 percent less than you would string a standard squash string.
 

Buy it Now:

Ashaway PowerNick 19 - 30 foot set
Ashaway PowerNick 19 Reel - 360 foot Reel

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 Send us your squash racquet to have us install Ashaway Powernick 19 for you!

7 Tips for a Healthy Week on and off the Court

Could you use a few simple techniques to help you feel more refreshed from Monday to Sunday? Couldn’t we all?

Tip 1 – Start your day with a stretch in bed!
Before getting out of bed in the morning, lie on your back and gently pull one knee into the chest. Work slowly and smoothly, as the muscles and nerves are not yet fully awake and are often stiff and more vulnerable at this time. Hug the knee to your chest to begin opening up the leg and back, do a few squeezes of your upper body towards the leg (i.e. on your exhales), then lie back, relaxing your neck while you do ankle circles both clockwise and counterclockwise. Repeat on the other side.

Tip 2 – Learn to use your eyes to measure your meals
At meal time, nutritionists recommend that you cover at least half your plate with fruits and vegetables. Fill the remainder with high protein items including lean meats, seafood, grains or legumes.

Tip 3 – Keep moving!
A recent report from Epidemiologists finds that sitting for extended periods shortens your life span. Standing, walking or otherwise moving burns calories, helps insulin lower glucose and activates an enzyme that sucks fat out of the bloodstream. For those of you with “standing” jobs you’re automatically helping prolong your life…wow!

Tip 4 – Bring that good luck charm with you
Good luck charms give you an advantage – if you believe they work. Experiments have shown that those who carried such a charm set higher goals and felt more confident. It’s that confidence (not magic) that makes the difference. Psychologists agree that it can really make a difference in sporting event or other test of our endurance and will and studies have proven the outcome!

Tip 5 – Laugh a little (or even better, a lot)
Laughter has been shown to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Also, for those coming off a cold or illness experiencing a loss of appetite, laughter can trigger a rise in the “hunger” hormone ghrelin which may help you get your appetite back so you can get your body back in working order. So if you can’t get to the court or the gym today, at least laugh it up a bit with your pals at the office or your family and you should all feel a bit better!

Tip 6 – Check your shoes
Are you wearing the right shoes for your sport? Are they in good condition? Research has shown that amateur athletes playing court sports are some of the worst offenders by not wearing appropriate court shoes for their sport. Especially noted for this violation: Pickleball and tennis players in their sixties and seventies wearing old fashioned “tretorn” style shoes with little or no padding or wearing running shoes on a court and thinking they’re protected? Think again!

Tip 7 – Wash your hands
Often, and for 20 seconds minimum to remove pathogens that cause colds and flu. Use standard soap (antibacterial is NOT more effective at reducing bacteria in the long run).

Playing in pain? Is it tennis elbow?

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