Grip too tight in match

Table Tennis General

Last updated 14 years ago

Paul Fitzgerald Unknown

Paul Fitzgerald Unknown Asked 14 years ago

Hi Alois and Jeff

I am finding in a match when the pressure is on that I am gripping the bat too tight with my grip sometimes sliding up the blade and this is making any flicking of the wrist for my backhand almost impossible so the backhand just becomes a block. In the hitup I freely flick the wrist on my backhand but can't seem to do it in a match when my mind is on the game and not on my gripping technique.

I have read suggestions to change my handle from straight to flared or put gauze tape over the handle to thicken it up and make it tacky so I won't need to grip too tight - Will thickening the grip help my cause or does it just make twiddling more difficult ? In my cricket days I used to grip a squash ball between the bat handle and my gloves to stop me strangling the bat and I am looking for a similar type of assistance that I don't need to think about during the match that will help me maintan a light grip of the bat. 

Thanks

Paul


Alois Rosario

Alois Rosario Answered 14 years ago

Hi Paul,

I have thought long and hard about this one and I have come up with no gimmicks.  I even tried playing with a squash ball in my hand yesterday, which was an unmitigated disaster.  I think the best thing to do is focus on the tightness of your grip when you are hitting.

I think tightness comes from the stress of a match which is quite natural.  The more your body gets used to doing it correctly in the practice situation the better it will be in a stressful situation. This unfortunately means lots of drilling while focusing on the tension in your hand and fingers.

Sorry I don't have any more here.  If someone has a cure please let us know. 

 


Notify me of updates
Add to Favourites
Back to Questions

No comments yet!


Become a free member to post a comment about this question.