Rope Guides
Rope Glossary
The terms you will see across the Precision catalog. Lay grades in particular vary between brands, so these definitions describe how Precision uses them.
- Head Rope
The rope the header uses to catch the steer's horns or neck. Precision head ropes are 31 ft and come in XXS to MS lays.
See: Team Ropes
- Heel Rope
The rope the heeler uses to catch the hind feet. It is longer than a head rope; Precision heel ropes are 35 ft, in MS, M and, on four strand models, HM.
See: Team Ropes
- Header
In team roping, the roper who catches first, around the horns or neck, and turns the steer for the heeler.
- Heeler
In team roping, the roper who follows and catches both hind feet after the header turns the steer.
- Rope Lay
How soft or stiff a rope feels, set by how tightly it is twisted. Lay names are a convention, and brands do not all grade lay exactly the same way, so compare within one brand when you can.
See: Compare Ropes
- XS
Extra soft. In the Precision line it appears on head ropes, ranch ropes and full coils. XXS, extra extra soft, is the softest option on Precision team ropes.
- S
Soft. Offered on Precision head ropes, the Ranch Rope 6 Strand and the full coils.
- MS
Medium soft. On Precision team ropes it is the one lay offered for both head and heel ropes, and it is also a full coil option.
- M
Medium. Offered on Precision heel ropes. Calf Strings also have medium lay.
- HM
The hard lay end of the scale, the firmest lay in the Precision team rope line. Offered only on four strand heel ropes.
- Strands
The twisted bundles that make up a rope. Precision offers four strand and six strand ropes; six strand ropes use more, smaller strands. Neither is better by default.
See: Team Ropes, Ranch Ropes
- Diameter
The thickness of the rope. Most Precision ropes are around 3/8 in, described as scant, true or full.
- 3/8 Scant
Slightly under 3/8 in. Our White, Green, Orange and Gray coils offer 3/8 scant at 9.1 mm.
See: Full Coils
- 3/8 True
A true 3/8 in. Our White, Green, Orange and Gray coils and Ranch Rope 6 Strand use 9.5 mm for this size.
- 3/8 Full
Slightly over 3/8 in. Our White, Green, Orange and Gray coils offer 3/8 full at 10.0 mm.
- Grip
How a rope holds in your hand and around the horn. It depends on diameter, lay and the rope's surface.
- Rope Feel
The overall impression a rope gives in the swing and delivery: weight, body and how quickly it responds. It is personal, which is why the same rope can suit one roper and not another.
- Ranch Rope
A longer finished rope for ranch work and working cattle. Precision ranch ropes are 52 to 64 ft.
See: Ranch Ropes
- Full Rope Coil
Rope sold by the coil rather than as a finished rope, for ropers and tack shops who cut their own lengths.
See: Full Coils
- Calf Strings
Short strings used to tie a calf after the catch. They are not catch ropes.
See: Calf Strings
- Abrasion
Wear from friction against the horn, ground, cattle or gear. Check your rope regularly for frayed strands and replace a damaged rope.