Fixing death grip

[schrodingerskoalabear]

I have been struggling death-gripping especially in the last couple of weeks. My usual go-to was to take the blade out of my hand and blow on my hands to relax the hand but it hasn't been super successful during this period.

For those, who have fixed it or have helped others fix it, how have you gone about making it habitual as possible to have a loose grip?

Any advice, suggestions or drill will mightily appreciated 🙏

 

[Julzig]

Perhaps twiddle the racket in your hand as often as possible, so you are forced to loosen it.
Personally I would start with something that needs delicate touch while training, such as short receives, while activly keeping your goal in mind. Once that works go and do the same with other shots. Hopefully this will be gone after a while.
Good luck!

 

[pingpongpaddy]

try putting ALL your fingers flat on the back of the blade while practicing various forehand strokes,

When doing backhands DONT clench your fingers round the handle but just gently pinch the blade with thumb and forefinger
Then rid yourself of the idea that any of fingers MUST be in the same position on the blade at all times during the stroke. just let it all happen unconsciously. Loose and whippy helps power and avoids tennis elbow later on

 

[McSmasher]

I had similar issues, where I would occasionally have a tense arm (from forearm all the way to my shoulder), that would make my shots feel like I'm hitting with a brick lol

I did a few things to fix this:

• Made some changes to my grip: only use the little finger and ring finger to hold the bat, and use the other fingers as a guide (note that when contacting the ball, pressing the thumb for backhand and forefinger for forehand can help with quality and stability, but that's another discussion)... Pingskills explain the use of fingers in this video:
  
  
  
• Do a bunch of shadow training that involves practicing light backhands / forehands with only my arm, using the method above, and observing how the shots feel (Does it feel too tense? Too loose where the shots lose stability? Or just right? I find that observing this feel is really important in understanding how a shot should feel). The great thing about this shadow training is you can do it pretty much anywhere (going for a walk, waiting for the kettle to boil etc)
  
  
• In league matches, when I warm up, I start by making sure my forehand and backhand drive have that relaxed feel. After I get that feel, I try not to think about it too much, because thinking about technique before a match usually causes me more harm than good haha. When I receive serve, I start by dangling my arm loosely, making sure that the entire arm is relaxed, then lightly pick up the bat with the least amount of energy possible. On serve, I give my arm a loose shake before serving

Hope this helps!

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

I had similar issues, where I would occasionally have a tense arm (from forearm all the way to my shoulder), that would make my shots feel like I'm hitting with a brick lol

I did a few things to fix this:

• Made some changes to my grip: only use the little finger and ring finger to hold the bat, and use the other fingers as a guide (note that when contacting the ball, pressing the thumb for backhand and forefinger for forehand can help with quality and stability, but that's another discussion)... Pingskills explain the use of fingers in this video:
  
  
  
• Do a bunch of shadow training that involves practicing light backhands / forehands with only my arm, using the method above, and observing how the shots feel (Does it feel too tense? Too loose where the shots lose stability? Or just right? I find that observing this feel is really important in understanding how a shot should feel). The great thing about this shadow training is you can do it pretty much anywhere (going for a walk, waiting for the kettle to boil etc)
  
  
• In league matches, when I warm up, I start by making sure my forehand and backhand drive have that relaxed feel. After I get that feel, I try not to think about it too much, because thinking about technique before a match usually causes me more harm than good haha. When I receive serve, I start by dangling my arm loosely, making sure that the entire arm is relaxed, then lightly pick up the bat with the least amount of energy possible. On serve, I give my arm a loose shake before serving

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the video and the tips. Very interesting!

My issue is that currently, I use my lower three fingers and wrap around the racket too tightly (or it becomes tight during gameplay) ; this really tenses up the arm. I was thinking of trying of trying to hold the racket just with my thumb and index finger.

Upon seeing the Pingskills video though, I will try to shadow train and test the ring/little finger grip first and see how it feels.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

Perhaps twiddle the racket in your hand as often as possible, so you are forced to loosen it.
Personally I would start with something that needs delicate touch while training, such as short receives, while activly keeping your goal in mind. Once that works go and do the same with other shots. Hopefully this will be gone after a while.
Good luck!

I like this idea of starting training with delicate touch play. Currently, I play a few drives on both sides before doing a drill where I attempt 30 loops in a row on both sides. Definitely not a delicate way to start!

Starting gently before getting into transitioning harder shots sounds more sustainable.

On match day though, I am not sure people will be that willing to start off that way.

 

[Lazer]

It’s a mental issue, start the point by trying to mind this issue before every point… releasing the grip and blowing is not bad…

Cheers
L-zr

 

[PoppaChubby]

It all comes from the fingers putting too much pressure on the racket has it's been said, there are actually many, many, many stretching exercises all accross the internet and specially the music teaching area of expertise. Alll musicians had to deal with that at some point in their journey, me included and as a pro musician I had to fix some issues (wedding band playing sometimes 4 to 5 hours with only 2 or 3 breaks, jazz solo requiring virtuosity so skills, technique, dexterity). Some websites like this ones can be really helpfull !

Hand Exercises for Musicians to Relieve Pain and Tension - Jazer Lee Piano

Tips & Techniques Hand Exercises for the Piano How to Alleviate Tension and Pain. In one of the many comments I get from my YouTube channel, many complain about the tension and pain in the hands before one starts a day on the piano. In fact, one of my subscribers shared that he had problems…...

jazerleepiano.com

EDIT: just found that one, I've done many of those for a while.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

It’s a mental issue, start the point by trying to mind this issue before every point… releasing the grip and blowing is not bad…

Cheers
L-zr

Thanks! I really focused on this in today's training. Felt much better.

 

[schrodingerskoalabear]

It all comes from the fingers putting too much pressure on the racket has it's been said, there are actually many, many, many stretching exercises all accross the internet and specially the music teaching area of expertise. Alll musicians had to deal with that at some point in their journey, me included and as a pro musician I had to fix some issues (wedding band playing sometimes 4 to 5 hours with only 2 or 3 breaks, jazz solo requiring virtuosity so skills, technique, dexterity). Some websites like this ones can be really helpfull !

Hand Exercises for Musicians to Relieve Pain and Tension - Jazer Lee Piano

Tips & Techniques Hand Exercises for the Piano How to Alleviate Tension and Pain. In one of the many comments I get from my YouTube channel, many complain about the tension and pain in the hands before one starts a day on the piano. In fact, one of my subscribers shared that he had problems…...

jazerleepiano.com

EDIT: just found that one, I've done many of those for a while.

Thanks for digging out the video. This is very useful. It is a good reminder to stretch and warm up the hand as well !

 

[Lazer]

Thanks! I really focused on this in today's training. Felt much better.

The thing to not forget, if you lepp doing this long enough it becomes automatic…

Cheers
L-zr