Finger tightening of the grip?

Discussion in 'Techniques / Training' started by genericness, Apr 17, 2009.

  1. genericness

    genericness Regular Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2009
    Messages:
    6
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Canada
    Now I've heard from some people I can get more out of my swing if I actually tighten my grip on impact. Does this actually hold true though because normally my clears and smashes seem to already have enough power behind them and I usually hit them with a pretty loose grip without really tightening on impact. But will I really see a drastic change if I do this?

    Thanks.
     
  2. stumblingfeet

    stumblingfeet Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 16, 2004
    Messages:
    1,121
    Likes Received:
    14
    Location:
    Ottawa
    Probably not. If you're holding the racquet loosely and getting good power on your hits, then your grip is automatically tightening reflexively. In fact, if you then try to actively tighten your grip at contact, you'll likely upset the naturally optimized finger power resulting in poorer contacts.
     
  3. Mathieu

    Mathieu Regular Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2007
    Messages:
    106
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Student
    Location:
    Canada, Quebec
    I agree with stumblingfeet, you are probably already doing this without knowing it, especially if you say you hit with a loose grip, or else your racket would just fly off your hand when you hit :p.
     
  4. azn32boi

    azn32boi Regular Member

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2009
    Messages:
    39
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Ontario
    I third the above. The only time you should pay attention to this is when you play at net. Net drops, deceptive lifts, and net kills are the main shots where you notice the tightening/ loosening of the grip for power or control.
     
  5. jafffa

    jafffa Regular Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2008
    Messages:
    152
    Likes Received:
    0
    Location:
    Uk
    i find after i while if my shots lack power (after say an hour of play) then tightening the grip helps... i think i get lazy sometimes, most people do it naturally anyway
     
  6. DivingBirdie

    DivingBirdie Regular Member

    Joined:
    Dec 22, 2005
    Messages:
    972
    Likes Received:
    4
    Occupation:
    student
    Location:
    Singapore
    for me my grip turns slippery after a while and i can't tighten properly. Then i have to use a towel to wipe my hand...
    if i do not tighten properly i might even pull my thumb down when hitting and injure it, especially when using wrist-smash... don't know why i have this problem
     
  7. RacketlonCanada

    RacketlonCanada Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jan 30, 2009
    Messages:
    65
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Racketlon.ca webmaster
    Location:
    www.indexwebmarketing.com
    Take a wet towel and try to make a whip movement out of it. You will notice the natural relaxed-tightening on impact-relaxed states. This the same motion in badminton (the whip) and you will see a big difference if you do it,

    but thing is you're probably already doing it unconsciously!
     
  8. CoachEngholm

    CoachEngholm Regular Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2009
    Messages:
    11
    Likes Received:
    0
    Occupation:
    Professional Badminton coach
    Location:
    Denmark, Aarhus
    FingerPower!!!

    If you learn to master finger power, you're able to tighten your fingers just before impact. That gives an advantage in your racket swing.
    Especially strokes at the net are executed with lower arm, wrist and finger power. You use finger power in all strokes, therefore it's important to have loose grip before making strokes.
    When BestOnCourt.com goes online, we will show how to teach children finger power, and how to use it in exercises.

    Best of luck
    CoachEngholm.
     
    #8 CoachEngholm, Apr 21, 2009
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2009
  9. Monster

    Monster Regular Member

    Joined:
    Jun 18, 2005
    Messages:
    440
    Likes Received:
    4
    Location:
    Calgary, Canada
    I tighten my grip naturally when the swing is 1/2 way going to its departure.

    I think it's just natural mechanics.. no? You need tighten to hold back your swinging racket otherwise it gets flung out
     

Share This Page