Tipbit # 37 - Loosing Your Grip

 

Several RFPBA members over the years have said to me, "Lueck, you're losing your grip".  This tipbit is NOT about "losing", it's about "loosing". Too many  members, especially beginners try to generate more power by tightening up their arm, their grip and choking up on their paddle. All this will do is leave them sore the next day. Then there are some members that have effortless power on the court. They’re not the biggest or the strongest, but the ball just flies off of their paddle. Why?

 

The Grip:

- Instead of gripping the paddle tightly with their whole hand, the best way is to squeeze the paddle with your thumb, index finger and ring finger. Maintaining a loose wrist and forearm is important to maximize mobility. Timing is also stressed; grip is loose before contact, but tightens just before contact. Don’t choke up high on you handle (grip), but place the butt of your handle on the rear meat of your palm with your pinky finger almost off the handle’s grip.

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Whip It:

- A loose forearm and wrist allows you to create a whipping motion with the paddle. In your back swing, just point the paddle towards the back fence. Many pros start their paddles high behind them and have a “C” motion to generate extra power. I don’t recommend this for most members, as it requires tremendous practice to get this timing down.

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- Then at contact, whip the paddle through the ball at maximum velocity. This should help send the ball rocketing off your paddle.

You can also lay your wrist back in an “L” position and when you strike the ball accelerate or whip your cocked wrist forward along with your arm. I have eleven screws and a blade in my wrist, which prevents such an action.

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Preparation:

 

- As I mentioned in Tipbit #35, preparation is key in creating power. Too many of us members wait until the ball bounces in our court before preparing our paddle. In that tipbit I urged you to draw your paddle back as the ball crosses the net. This habit will create more power, better control and fewer mishits.
 

                       C’ ya on our Glen Park Courts. President Lueck