Looseness is the Key

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[@jflow5601]

OMG. This is so important. It is hard to find an instructor who accurately explains the looseness required in the forehand grip. And the importance of allowing the racket to decelerate through the finish. I have had to go through physical therapy due to a shoulder injury. I am sure it is because I tightened up and prematurely stopped the finish with my shoulder muscles over and over again. Loose on the back-swing and loose all the way to finish.

[@teachyourselftennis]

I went through a lot of forearm injury myself to realize this too :). Glad we both are understanding the importance of it!

[@alexlackner1945]

Same here. Labrum tear & surgery in my shoulder and a small ISP tear later on.

[@teachyourselftennis]

@@alexlackner1945 ok glad you got surgery and know how to avoid it again! Let’s enjoy the sport injury free!

[@karimallahwala7022]

Thank for your Instruction and explaination, that helps me today a lot. Now I try to „Hang loose“

[@teachyourselftennis]

Ahhhh…I like that haha! I lived in Hawaii a couple of years and should have thought of that a while ago :)

[@robertrenk7074]

I agree totally

[@stratguitarman7831]

YES ENOUGH IS NOT about this!

[@teachyourselftennis]

Agreed!!

[@glennover6046]

Great advice!

[@teachyourselftennis]

Thank you for the kind words!

[@venktennis]

great video. i notice my short tolerance in cross court rallies go up when the grip , but specially the shoulder is relaxed on the coil and racquet take back.

[@ashish83333]

Oh wow. So refreshing and so crisp. Loved the way you explained the concept and related it to possible injuries. Kudos.

[@teachyourselftennis]

Thank you for the kind words! I’m glad it helped :)

[@ramvaradan]

I wonder how the racket grip can stay 'that loose' throughout the swing. I understand how important it is to stay loose with your swing. But the grip has to tighten to sooner or later to counter kinetic forces between the racket head and the moving ball, and still stay on course without losing control! The looseness can be used as a metaphor for an instruction so the player doesn't get over tight before the swing. Maybe its implicit (to tighten at the point of contact) but I feel it can also be a fallacy to truly believe that, "racket grip will stay loose all the time during the swing."

[@teachyourselftennis]

Great point! I think “looseness” is hard to explain as it’s a feel and everyone’s perspective on that is different. So you and I might be describing the same thing but in different terms as it’s all relative to the person :)

[@jeffreyadams648]

For me, I think of my wrist. If I can relax that both side of the swing I am good. Tightness of contact.

[@opalpearl3051]

is the loose grip maintained throughout the stroke, or do you squeeze a little at impact.

[@teachyourselftennis]

It’s kind of like throwing. You need to give it some momentum forward but to keep that momentum to its fullest you have to let that tension go so the “squeeze” should be to initiate the swing but that’s it. You get more speed of the racquet head through the rotation of your shoulders and hips.

[@zajdlos4652]

Loosness is what I'm working on since playing tennis😂😂😂 Very hard task for 44 years old amateur😂😂

[@teachyourselftennis]

I hear ya! At least you’re aware of how important it is :)

[@zajdlos4652]

@@teachyourselftennis 👍

[@RK-ft9rn]

Can you provide some drills to help recognize the ball quicker so that I can stay loose?...thanks

[@teachyourselftennis]

I’m on it! :) something I work on for myself too. Happy to share what helps me.

[@robertyacoub9705]

How do like that racquet? Which model?

[@teachyourselftennis]

Elevate V3....actually love it. Added some lead tape at the bottom of the hoop to add more stability but keep my racquet light for volleys and groundstrokes :)

[@swingman50]

So at ball contact your grip is still loose? You don't tighten at all at contact point?

[@teachyourselftennis]

It's all relative to what "loose" means to you. I would say there's definitely some tightness to keep the racquet in control during contact. I would say the key is to let the racquet come to a natural rest after contact. Don't jerk it to a stop. Hope that helps!

[@abonto]

How about one handed backhand?

[@teachyourselftennis]

Good question…I think it is similar but more intense meaning you need to take the racquet back even more quickly as the one handed is commonly hit late so prepare, prepare, prepare!

[@lcervantes8505]

Old guys call it the "Live Arm".

[@teachyourselftennis]

Uh oh…I say that too….I think I’m getting old too 😜