Howdy all,

In this email I am attempting to answer a couple of questions and
comments made regarding string tension.  I would like to first apologize
for taking so long to get back to this discussion,  unfortunately I have
started school and it takes up so much of my time that it is difficult to
get to non-school items.

	Following this email I am reproducing an article from the spring
1996 issue of Badminton USA (distributed by the USBA {now called
Badminton USA}).  The article is written by Steve Crandall, vice
president of sales and marketing at Ashaway Racket Strings.  In the
article, Steve Crandall points out that "Higher Tension  =  More
Control..... Lower Tension  =  More Power." 

The 1996-1997 U.S.R.S.A. stringers digest manual points out these "Basic
Facts About Frames & Strings."

"1.	Lower string tensions generate more power (providing string
movement does not occur).
2.	Higher string tensions generate more ball control (for
experienced players)...."

(the list continues, but they are objects of other discussions).

     Listed above are just some general guides.  Randy Yeung discussed of
an article put out by the British Journal of Physical Education. 
Unfortunately my resources are limited so I can not comment on that
article.  I would be interested to read the article, if anyone would
email me a copy, I would greatly appreciate it.

    One Of My Own Observations:

     The following is an observation made by me.  While I believe that
generally looser strings produce greater power, stringing a racket at 5
lbs. would do no one any good. String tension is important, but a players
stroke would be a better determination on how high a player should string
their rackets.  Generally I believe that players with longer strokes do
better with string tensions lower than players with shorter strokes.  The
reverse is players with shorter strokes do better with string tensions
higher than players with longer strokes.   I don't have any evidence to
back this up,  this is just an observation that I have made.  If this
observation is true,  then this may be the reason why there have been
such a lack of consensus on how tension plays a part of power and
control.  Unfortunately I don't know any way to prove or disprove my
theory.  I hesitate using people in any experiment, just because we all
have good days and bad days.

     I do have other theories on the game that we all love (and hate
sometimes), but this email is long enough.  

I hope that I have not confused anyone.  I do appreciate discussion and
criticism of the items discussed above (just please don't make them
personal).

By the way,  does anyone have any info. on what the pros play with
(racket, string, tension).  I would be very interested to see how these
choices go with playing strategies.

take care all,

Todd Aubin
Sting42@juno.com