Choosing the right rope is important for any attacker. When you start using ropes, you should be willing to buy several types to try until you find the one that is right for you. Here are some basic things to look for in your initial selection.
Strings come in 4- and 3-strand varieties, the main difference being the feel between the two types. A strand of 4 is four strands of ropes braided together, giving you a tighter feel and smaller ridges between the strands. The 3-strand ropes are a bit looser with only three wound together. It is something you need to learn to feel and see which one works best for you.
As a starting header, a good rope to test would be the Fast Back Mach III and Mach III Plus. Speed Williams uses this rope a lot with the specially designed Mach III Plus. It’s longer than average for a head rope, but that can be really helpful if you often have to reach for steers. Fast Back has recently released a new 4-strand string called Instinct that is very soft, light, and fast. You could also consider the Ultimate 4, used by Clay Tryan.
Heeler can also experiment with 3-4 strings. The Mach III is also a popular heel rope. It has a lot of body and a lot of tip. The Pink Patron is also a great string for heels. Its vibrant color really helps it stand out, so you can make sure you stick with your loop.
Find one that feels good, moves comfortably, and lasts for more than a couple of pitches. Many attackers also forget to take the weather into account when competing. Cold temperatures and rain or snow can really affect the feel and performance of the strings. The Fast Back Pink Patron and Mach 3 really stand up to cold weather better (cold weather is 40 degrees or less). When using the rope in covered sand during the winter months, the humidity can cause the rope to become mushy and have a “ragged” feeling. In the summer, the heat can make the rope stiffer than normal, making it feel stiffer than it is used to. The strings that hold up best in the summer are Instinct, Ultimate 4, and Graber, all made by Fast Back Ropes.