Ouch! on the follow through

[CrispyFritters]

I've played for 20 years, but very recently developed a bad habit where I actually hit my other hand, with the racket, on the follow through of my forehand.

I'm a righty and my left hand has (somehow) started to get in the way of the swing path. I have literally bounced the racket head off my left index finger 4 times now....and almost broke it the last time.

It seems like my left hand is trying to catch the racuqet handle on the follow through so that I can be ready for a two handed backhand. When I get jammed by the ball, this results in a chicken wing shot and an ouch.

Does this ever happen to anyone else?
Should my left hand even be trying to catch the handle on the follow through?

 

[kiteboard]

No. You are going to break the finger doing that.

 

[dozu]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-D32RwsD_w&playnext=1&list=PL7C0E1F21B3FB709C&index=67

the left arm should fold and tuck in to facilitate the core rotation, instead of hanging there waiting to be hit by the racket

 

[ramseszerg]

You can catch the racquet if you are finishing over your left shoulder. The lower your follow through is on your left side, the less appropriate it is for you to try and catch your racquet.

Also by the time you are about to catch your racquet it should have decelerated all the way.. if not just let it wrap around your neck.

 

[Dreamer]

The same way you developed the muscle memory, you can reverse it. It will affect your strokes for a while but you can consciously stop catching your racquet. Apply the hand afterwards when it's back to resting position so it can help change your grip. This will be easier to do that finding an in between of catching and not breaking your fingers.

Actually players such as Fed, often don't catch their racquet, while other players like Tommy Haas has a more pronounce catch. I would suggest you go extreme and not catch it at all and give it a conscious position lower to your side. You can also imagine balancing a cup so you don't try and catch it lol.

 

[CrispyFritters]

At this point, I'm willing to try anything.
1) It hurts like heck!
2) I don't want to be the dumba$$ that injures himself

 

[kiteboard]

You already are.. WE have all hurt ourselves playing tennis. NO big thing. Stick your finger out the window to ice it today. Your nickname is from now: Fingerman.

 

[HunterST]

I've banged my knee and thigh pretty good a few times on the serve. It left some pretty nice bruises.

I'd say maybe go pay to use a ball machine and set it up to hit only forehands. Focus on hitting good shots and not letting that arm get in the way. If you hit forehands like that for a half an hour straight, you should be on your way to getting rid of that bad habit.

 

[yellowoctopus]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-D32RwsD_w&playnext=1&list=PL7C0E1F21B3FB709C&index=67

the left arm should fold and tuck in to facilitate the core rotation, instead of hanging there waiting to be hit by the racket

Right on the money, as illustrated below.

Tucked and out of the way

Bent (semi-folded) and ready to catch 'the throat' of the racquet.

Bent and hand below the racquet finish (or the racquet finish above the hand)

 

[yellowoctopus]

Alternatively, you can also try this

At your own risk of course