Hot Sports How-Tos
How To: Pass string thru blocked grommets on a tennis racket
String a tennis racket. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to pass string through blocked grommets. If they're covered by a tennis string, a shared grommet, or any kind of tough grommet in which a string does not readily pass.
How To: Tighten your knots on a tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to tighten your knots on a tennis racket. This tutorial also covers the Parnell knot, which is is a knot used to finish off your crosses or mains. You'd want to start off with a single hitch knot.
How To: String a tennis racket by the box pattern
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to string your tennis racket by the box pattern. When using this pattern, you'll want a certain number of mains unstrung. Technically it makes more sense to begin the box pattern on the mains rather than the crosses.
How To: Build up a grip using a heat-shrink sleeve
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use a heat-shrink sleeve to build up your tennis racket's grip. To do this you'll need a heat gun such as a standard blow dryer to warm the heat-shrink sleeve. Be sure not to heat it at one point, you'll want to heat it all over evenly. You should never use more than two sleeves, otherwise the bevels will completely disappear.
How To: Get mains started on a 1-piece string job for a racket
String a tennis racket yourself. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to lace your mains on a one-piece string job for your tennis racket. The number of grommets in the yoke of the tennis racket determines where to start off. After dividing the number by two, if you yield an odd number, you would start from the throat. If you yield an even number, you start from the top of the racket.
How To: Lace the mains for a 2-piece tennis racket string job
String a tennis racket. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to lace your mains for a two-piece string job for your tennis racket. To find out where you start is by counting how many grommets you have on your racket. By dividing the number by two, you can determine where to start, top or bottom. If the number you yield is odd, you start from the bottom. If the number you yield is even, you start from the top.
How To: Replace the grommet strips on a tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to replace your bumper guard/grommet strips. This should be done for a number of reasons. One reason is if the bumper guard has worn through and you are now hitting graphite when you scrape it on the ground. Another is if the grommets are coming apart and the string has a chance at touching the frame. Or if you wish to add lead tape in a more conspicuous manner, replacing the strips and guards will help.
How To: Weave crosses on a tennis racket
String a tennis racket yourself. Take a look at this instructional video and learn what to do and what not to do as you weave your crosses on your tennis racket. When pulling the strings across the mains, don't just pull it straight across. Always move your hand and the tennis string.
How To: Start crosses on a tennis racket with a starting knot
Check out this instructional video and learn how to start your crosses(two-piece) with a starting knot when stringing your tennis racket. Once you have your first cross in, you need to find where your starting knot is going to go. Whichever starting knot you choose, you need to pull it tight from both sides to make the knot as bulky and tight as possible.
How To: Start crosses on the tennis racket w/ a starting clamp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to start your crosses(two-piece) with a starting clamp when stringing your tennis racket. Keep in mind that when you get to the other side where the knot's going to be, make sure that there's enough string sticking out to get through your tension head and then clamp it on the outside with the starting clamp.
How To: Tie a starting knot for your tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to tie a standard starting knot. As the name suggests, this knot is used for starting off your crosses and can withstand direct tension. It's not something your want to use for the end of your mains or crosses on the racket.
How To: Tie a Bulky knot for your tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to tie a bulky knot. This is a starting know and tension can be pulled directly to it. Keep in mind that this knot is not for the end of your mains and crosses.
How To: Tie a double half-hitch for your tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to tie a double half hitch while stringing your tennis racket. Keep in mind that this knot should only used to finish off mains or crosses. Because of this, tension should not be pulled directly to it.
How To: Tie a Parnell Knot for stringing your tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to tie a Parnell Knot. This knot is used for restringing a tennis racket when you're finishing up mains or crosses. Because of this, you don't want to pull tension directly to it.
How To: String a tennis racket - O3
Want to know how to string an 03 tennis racket? The O3 is not that different from your standard tennis racket save for the fact that the O3 racket always starts at the top when you string it and secondly, when you get to the crosses at the regular grommets you ought to use a table lock during the tensing. It's a little time consuming but this is the best way of going about it.
How To: Use & operate swivel clamps to String a Tennis racket
String a tennis racket. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use and operate swivel clamps. The two main components of the swivel clamp are the tightening teeth and locking down the clamp. The clamp keeps it from moving along the side bar, some are spring assisted, some are not. The tightening teeth is used to keep the clamp attached to the string.
How To: Use and operate a rotational gripper
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use and operate a rotational gripper. The rotational gripper tenses your tennis strings for you. Tensioning specifics change from machine to machine, but the fundamental is still the same.
How To: Use a guide Awl on your tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use a guide Awl to pass string through blocked grommets on your tennis racket. Wax or chapstick can help the guide Awl ease through the block grommet. When attempting this, try spinning it as it'll help reduce the friction.
How To: Use Teflon tubing for your tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to use Teflon tubing to help prevent the further breakdown of cracked grommets. Teflon tubing also helps protect the racket frame from the stress of tensioned string.
How To: Start mains on a tennis racket with a flying clamp
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to start your mains on your tennis racket with a flying clamp, but without the double pull. This isn't a perfect replacement to starting with a starting clamp, but it's close.
How To: Remove the rattle in a tennis racket
The rattle coming from your tennis racket may be loose graphite that didn't get cleaned off when the grommets were being punched in. Take a look at this tutorial and learn how to rid your tennis racket of that rattling noise. Don't confuse the vibration sound of your strings as a rattle in your racket. If you can hear the sound only on impact, it may be the strings. Try adding a vibration dampener first.
How To: Stencil a tennis racket
Want to stencil the strings on your tennis racket? Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to stencil. The things you'll need for this process are paint, a protective backing, a stencil, and naturally, your tennis racket. Pay particular attention when picking out your paint as some paint can be detrimental to the strings.
How To: Find the balance of your tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to find the balance of your tennis racket. This tutorial utilizes a balance bar, but if you are steady, you can perform the same thing with a broom stick and a yard stick.
How To: Widen a tennis grommet
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to widen your grommets on a tennis racket in order to use it as a tie off hole. In this tutorial, the instructor uses an Al screwdriver and chapstick to widen his tennis grommets.
How To: Put on a tennis racket grip
Check out this tutorial and learn how to replace your tennis racket grip with a new one. This instructional video shows you how to do this with an overgrip, but also explains how to go about it with a replacement grip.
How To: String a Tennis Racket better by pre-stretching string
String a Tennis Racket. Check out this instructional video and learn how to pre-stretch your tennis strings by one method. The reasons why someone would want to pre-stretch his tennis strings are to maximize tension life and to get rid of coil memory. The strings' coil memory makes it harder to string a tennis racket.
How To: Start the mains on a tennis racket
Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to start the mains on your tennis racket. Before you start, you need to know how many pairs of grommets your racket has on the racket's throat. This process requires fixed clamps.
How To: Understand main skips and cross weaving on the racket
So you just picked up a tennis racket. Have any idea what main skips are? How about cross weaving? These are two things you'll need to know if you decide to restring your tennis racket. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to tell when to skip by counting the grommets. This tutorial also covers cross weaving.
How To: Use UKRSA's ATW pattern for the tennis racket
Check out this tutorial and learn how to use an Around The World pattern started by the UKRSA's Liam Nolan (USRSA recognized)for your tennis racket. This stringing method requires a starting clamp.
How To: Start the mains on your tennis racket
The strings on your tennis racket can become less taut and efficient over long term use. It may be time to get some new strings. Take a look at this instructional video and learn how to start the mains on the tennis racket.
How To: Practice women's self defense strikes
Women's self defense strikes are extremely valuable in a world where women are attacked everyday. Learn self defense strikes, kicks and punches with tips from a martial arts expert in this free self defense video series.
How To: Practice women's self defense against frontal attacks
Self defense for women is a great way for women to feel safe knowing they can protect themselves. Learn some self defense moves against frontal attacks with tips from a martial arts expert in this free women's self defense video series.
How To: Identify vintage bicycles styles
Old bicycles are a great collectible for cyclist lovers everywhere. Learn how to identify vintage bicycles by tires, frames, accessories and more in this free video series from an experienced vintage bike dealer.
How To: Perform tumbling moves in gymnastics
moves such as cartwheels and handsprings in this instructional video from a gymnastics instructor. Part 1 of 15 - How to Perform tumbling moves in gymnastics.
How To: Do Muay Thai bow striking
Fend off any foolish foe's with your Muay Thai skills by watching this free video clip series about martial arts.
How To: Do basic basketball moves and drills
Become a basketball star. Learn how to make basic basketball moves in this free basketball coaching video from an experienced player.
How To: Perform a northern style Kung Fu combination
In northern style kung fu, practice the rising block, reverse punch, shin kick, side kick and side punch combination to add power to a martial arts arsenal. Perform this unique attack combo with tips from a professional kung fu instructor in this free martial arts video. Perform a northern style Kung Fu combination - Part 1 of 20.
How To: Run a dime football defense
team to victory. Learn how this defensive strategy works, and how to line up your players from a professional football coach in this free video series.
How To: Slide in baseball
Learn how to slide into base in this free baseball coaching video from our college baseball and softball coach.
How To: Counter an attack with a Kung Fu twisting elbow twist
In kung fu, use the twisting elbow lock to counter against the punch or grab attack. Perform this intricate defense move with tips from a professional kung fu instructor in this free martial arts video. Counter an attack with a Kung Fu twisting elbow twist - Part 1 of 10.