Absolute beginner: how to not be tense in the wrist?

[basilcilantro]

Background: so unathletic, zero sports background. Casual runner (treadmill). But for some reason, tennis has cast a spell on me.

Currently, my tennis consists of me taking lessons and going out with a more athletic friend who lobs at me and I run around and try to hit. Can’t even rally yet.

I’m facing an issue where I’m very tense in my wrist when I hit. I can do a really good swing, using my core for torque with a loose wrist when I’m just swing in the air like I’m miming hitting. But when a ball is flying at me, I get so tense.

So how do I remember proper technique when I need to?

 

[KingCarlitos]

It comes naturally after you play for a while unless your a pro level talent...

 

[basilcilantro]

It comes naturally after you play for a while unless your a pro level talent...

So just a matter of practicing?

 

[KingCarlitos]

So just a matter of practicing?

Usually as your timing becomes better your wrist will relax a bit and your shots will have more flow. (not guaranteed)

 

[socallefty]

If you are taking lessons, your coach should be able to help you. The proper grip and wrist position during takeback are basic fundamentals he should be teaching you early. Once you get those right, you will be more relaxed with your wrist.

 

[eah123]

The best “drill” is to throw tennis balls across the court. Overhand throws to simulate serves and underhand for forehands. You can throw frisbees to simulate 1 handed backhand or throw left handed for 2 handed backhands.

 

[basilcilantro]

If you are taking lessons, your coach should be able to help you. The proper grip and wrist position during takeback are basic fundamentals he should be teaching you early. Once you get those right, you will be more relaxed with your wrist.

I'm such a lowly beginner that the coaches I've worked with haven't gotten into the nuances of wrist position during takeback. Appreciate this note tho, so I can ask about it for the next coach I work with.

 

[jz000]

It just takes many ball hitting to strengthen your arm/wrist. (Thousands and thousands).
I can hit slow paced balls with my left, non-dominant hand, mimicking same mechanics.
But hit me a heavy ball, and I'd have no chance.
And my lefty 1hbh is non-existent, because my left shoulder is so weak.

Maybe try hitting after 2 bounces for now. That's how I learned ball recognition back in the day.
Do you get 'deer in the headlights' syndrome on a 'foreign' looking ball?

 

[basilcilantro]

It just takes many ball hitting to strengthen your arm/wrist. (Thousands and thousands).
I can hit slow paced balls with my left, non-dominant hand, mimicking same mechanics.
But hit me a heavy ball, and I'd have no chance.
And my lefty 1hbh is non-existent, because my left shoulder is so weak.

Maybe try hitting after 2 bounces for now. That's how I learned ball recognition back in the day.
Do you get 'deer in the headlights' syndrome on a 'foreign' looking ball?

Deer in the headlights is a good way to describe how I get when I tense up lol. Seems like I just have to get used to the ball coming at me and remaining calm and relax, which comes from just more exposure and practice.

 

[10sbeast888]

Background: so unathletic, zero sports background. Casual runner (treadmill). But for some reason, tennis has cast a spell on me.

Currently, my tennis consists of me taking lessons and going out with a more athletic friend who lobs at me and I run around and try to hit. Can’t even rally yet.

I’m facing an issue where I’m very tense in my wrist when I hit. I can do a really good swing, using my core for torque with a loose wrist when I’m just swing in the air like I’m miming hitting. But when a ball is flying at me, I get so tense.

So how do I remember proper technique when I need to?

try to understand that the forehand impact is made with laid-back wrist, which happens automatically if the wrist is relaxed.

many beginners think that the wrist is flat at impact, that will force you to become stiff.

 

[enishi1357]

You are tense because you don't understand tennis hence you are nervous. Play to learn only and you will relax more.

 

[BBender716]

I struggle with the same thing and it goes back to the illusion of control if you become tighter, slow your swing, etc. The book the Inner Game of Tennis is a great read. One thing that has helped me is a ball machine, coach, or hitting partner that you seriously just prove to yourself that being loose actually gives you more control. Drill the crap out of it to build confidence in the "looseness" so that your mental response to a tense shot or one you're trying to aim isn't to tighten but to remind yourself to stay loose and focus on timing instead of firmness.

 

[nyta2]

when a ball is flying at me, I get so tense.

So how do I remember proper technique when I need to?

use red ball to slow things down... when you get to 20 ball rally, go to orange, then green dot, then finally yellow...
or hit with folks (instructor?) that will slow things down to your current level... you need reps, and gradually get used to the speed, while still doing the right footwork/prep/swing/etc...

 

[Daniel Andrade]

why not making of it practice? I will hit 1 ball with a wrist as untensed as I can hit. Now I will hit 5 with the wrist as untensed as I can hit it. Now I will hit 10. Now I will do 5 minutes of hitting, now I will do 10...
As soon as you feel you are hitting tense again stop the exercise, hit 1 untensed, then hit 2.
Within weeks of practice it will become natural.
Then you can make a goal of it during practice, match play, etc.

 

[ppma]

For me the best tip is to use a very tacky grip/overgrip.

 

[Cobaine]

A tense wrist can come from holding the racquet too tight. Next time you play ask your opponent to pull the racquet out of your hand. If they have any trouble at all, you’re holding it too tight.