Wrist lock-up syndrome

[Sincerarity]

At times, I've felt like my wrist has locked up during match days / big tournaments. This is felt when am warming up on my forehand drives and am unable to direct the ball properly. The sensation kicks in when I warming up before a match and gradually subsides when am in the middle on the match.

I know there's nothing physically wrong with my wrists, so it must be a mental phenomena - perhaps coming from pre-game anxiety?

Has anyone else felt this and if yes, how to do you normally deal with it?

 

[lodro]

At times, I've felt like my wrist has locked up during match days / big tournaments. This is felt when am warming up on my forehand drives and am unable to direct the ball properly. The sensation kicks in when I warming up before a match and gradually subsides when am in the middle on the match.

I know there's nothing physically wrong with my wrists, so it must be a mental phenomena - perhaps coming from pre-game anxiety?

Has anyone else felt this and if yes, how to do you normally deal with it?

it is never my wrist that freezes it is my brain and it stays that way during the matches too.

 

[Wrighty67]

I have a similar thing on my BH at times, where the wrist just tightens up and I can’t direct the ball with consistency while warm up/driving. It is often with my coach when I know he‘s looking for development or improvement.

We usually change to something else then come back to it and it’s better - it’s definitely a mental/anxiety thing.

 

[lodro]

it’s definitely a mental/anxiety thing.

 

[cmbaX]

One term used in golf is YIPS, involuntary wrist spasms. Can be 'mental' but can unfortunately also really be neurological issue affecting the muscles, focal dystonia. If it appears to be just temporary, like only during warmup, then it is just 'mental', I can suggest focusing to form your FH grip correctly and stance. Sometimes your grip might have changed, unconsciously, and your wrist tries to overcompensate. So focus on correct, proper grip, correct stance and use the rotation of upper body more on that FH.