AboutHunt Expertise Volunteering to answer any questions about squash. Please contact expert ROB CHABOT about RACQUETBALL. I do not handle racquetball questions.
Question Hi, I need to regrip my squash rachet but ive never done it before. is there an online guide as to how to do it? are there any tricks - should I start wrapping it any particular place?
thanks
Answer (BTW, I forgot to state the obvious: the part with adhesive (sticky side) of the grip goes against the racquet! If you are using Tournagrip brand overgrip, not a replacement grip, then the SMOOTH side goes against the racquet -hr)
Hello. Choose between a thin overgrip and a thicker replacement grip, if you haven't already. If the grip is slippery and dirty, then a replacement grip is the right choice.
I am not aware of an online guides, but here is how I do it:
- Remove any plastic wrap that may protect the exposed side of the grip. Often the wrap is thin clear plastic that is easy to miss.
- remove the protective backing from the small sealing tape that comes with the grip (the sealing tape is used to seal the grip after you have wrapped it around the racquet). Stick the tip of the sealing tape nearby on something smooth. Try to avoid getting dirt and fingertip oil on it.
- remove the protective tape that is attached to the sticky side of the replacement grip tape.
- if the grip is tapered on one end, start at the bottom of the handle with the wider end. The tapered part goes at the top (some grips have two tapered or two wide ends. If so, don't worry about it)
(always start at the bottom of the handle)
- hold the grip tape with one hand and turn the racquet handle with the other. Do one full turn so the grip is secure and doesn't slide during play. Make sure the grip is above the bottom of the handle: about 1/8 inch space between it and the bottom of the handle so the grip doesn't slip and separate from the handle during play.
- keep tension on the grip tape with one hand as you spiral the grip up the handle. Overlap the bottom of the leading edge of the grip by a tiny amount as you advance it up the handle. In this way the grip will not separate in the middle during play.
- as you spiral up the handle, pull firmly from the top of the leading edge of the tape. You will notice that it is soon overlapped by the rest of the grip (a special technique I use to doubly secure the grip tape, but not critical).
- keep going up until you reach the uppermost point where your hand holds the racquet.
- cut off any remaining grip with scissors.
- wrap the sealing tape that you set aside firmly around the top of the grip. Make sure it touches both tape and racquet.
note: if you use a thin overgrip without a sticky side, it is essential to keep it taut during wrapping so it doesn't separate during play. Applying firm tension when wrapping a replacement grip is not as important because the sticky side takes care of most of the tension problem.
