Finger Power

Discussion in 'Techniques / Training' started by tonten, Jun 23, 2002.

  1. tonten

    tonten Regular Member

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    I was wondering which finger has more power? The forefinger or the thumb.

    If u were pushing against something with ur forefinger or thumb, which one would push harder?

    Or is both fingers equavilant in strength?
     
  2. Iwan

    Iwan Regular Member

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    Why not use both fingers? :p I'm assuming this is for a backhand shot.
     
  3. Phil

    Phil Regular Member

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    I think that the thumb is much stronger than the forefinger.

    Also, here is which finger goes with which stroke.

    Forehand - Forefinger
    Backhand - Thumb

    Phil
     
  4. tonten

    tonten Regular Member

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    I tried using both fingers for a backhand shot
    the handle is placed in between the forefinger and the middle finger and the Forefinger and the thumb is pressed on the handle.

    I didn't noticed much difference in power, but I only took a couple of swings in my room. (I'm gonna try it a couple of times when I get a court to play on Tuesday)

    But I was wondering if u did a backhand with both the fore and the thumb finger, would the backhand shot be harder?

    Since u have 2 fingers pressing against it.
     
  5. Nic

    Nic Regular Member

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    The handle is placed in between the forefinger and the middle finger???? :confused:
    Did you say it wrongly or am I confusing myself here?
     
  6. tonten

    tonten Regular Member

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    It's a new grip I invented. Don't know if it will work or not

    I've got to try it at the courts on tuesday

    It is Awkward. The normal grip has a better flow

    but I was thinking that if a backhand was done with the forefinger and the thumb, wouldn't it be more powerful?

    the middle finger is basically used like the forefinger on regular grip to push forwards.
     
  7. Yong

    Yong Regular Member

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    Hmm I try to imagine this fancy backhandshot, but i don't think this finger will add power to your shot.

    First, in general with sports, grips and positions are mostly adapted from natural body holdings / movement.
    For instance, take badminton. When you are in a standing position, just relax your whole arm and hand, holding it in front of you. You will notice that your hand is automatically in the shake-hands position. Don't think it is a coincidense that this shake-hands positions happens to be the badmintongrip.

    Back to this backhandgrip. With a normal backhand grip, the thumb is the only 'finger' on one side. When you add a finger to that side as tonten describes,
    you see that this finger has to push in a non-natural direction, or you have to hold it in a non-natural way to push in a natural direction. I think neither of both work.. well that is as long you don't want to suffer from RSI very soon. :D

    One thing i think that can be a benifite on short notice though, is getting used to loosen your grip by doing something like this. Once i tried to do backhand shots with my ring- or pinky finger on the wrong side, which automatically loosend my grip. I haven't done this for a long time now, just hold my racket as much loose as i can :)
     
  8. Nic

    Nic Regular Member

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    I am pretty sure your invention won't work for me. :D

    IMO, the natural way of holding the racquet give more power to your grip. The power came from the thumb pushing the racquet and the blocking control from the forefinger. However, if you put the handle in between the forefinger and the middle finger, the forefinger is gonna touch the handle using the "backside" of your forefinger, I couldnt imagine how can your generate more power by doing this.

    Besides, stablelizing the racquet by holding it in between your forefinger and middle finger is already a problem to me, how are you gonna make a good backhand shot?
     
  9. tonten

    tonten Regular Member

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    That is strange though?
    when I hold the racket this way, It doesn't feels natural but it feels fine

    Maybe because I am double jointed?

    I'm gonnat a few things with it tommorow. If it works, I'll borrow my friend's webcam to take a picture of how it is held. If it doesn't, oh well back to the drawing board

    hehe
     
  10. Winex West Can

    Winex West Can Regular Member

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    Just make sure that you don't lose your grip on the racquet :D
     

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