Abstract: Strung rackets for hitting compressible balls have a stringing network that can be adapted to provide for an expanded sweetspot; precise diminution of dead spots especially at the top of the racket; reduced string wear; controllable areal stiffness for hard hitting; prolonged dwell time of the ball on the racket for directional control of the ball; and increased frictional contact between ball and racket for improved stroking, and application and control of spin to the ball. The rackets employ predetermined patterns and concentrations of string in predetermined areas within the racket frame to provide stringing networks complemental and functional to the particular characteristics of an individual player. Downwardly flared string crossings and multiple strand reentrant string crossings are used alone and in combination to provide the predetermined patterns and concentrations.