Serve questions...

[forthegame]

WRT the serve, I am beginning to wonder if my grip is causing me problems.

Using Tennis.com grip types, I think I usually serve with the Eastern backhand grip (i.e base of 1st knuckle on the top bevel) or even a semi-western/extreme eastern backhand grip.

Pardon the non technical language, whenever I want to serve down the tee, I use a continental grip (base of 1st knuckle on 2nd bevel).

Is there something wrong with these grips for the serve? Am i putting my elbow under stress?

Thanks a bunch guys.

 

[ProgressoR]

i use both these grips depending on the serve - conti for first flat serve and then EBH (but not extreme) for spinny serves. Both are legitimate serve grips, and wont in themselves cause damage, however you still need to be wary of bad form which of course can lead to all kinds of unwanted injuries sometimes.

 

[forthegame]

i use both these grips depending on the serve - conti for first flat serve and then EBH (but not extreme) for spinny serves. Both are legitimate serve grips, and wont in themselves cause damage, however you still need to be wary of bad form which of course can lead to all kinds of unwanted injuries sometimes.

Thanks. Reassuring to know my grips are standard and not the problem. I see what you mean about the toss, it's something I've not paid much attention to.

 

[larry10s]

WRT the serve, I am beginning to wonder if my grip is causing me problems.

Using Tennis.com grip types, I think I usually serve with the Eastern backhand grip (i.e base of 1st knuckle on the top bevel) or even a semi-western/extreme eastern backhand grip.

Pardon the non technical language, whenever I want to serve down the tee, I use a continental grip (base of 1st knuckle on 2nd bevel).

Is there something wrong with these grips for the serve? Am i putting my elbow under stress?

Thanks a bunch guys.

the nomenclature in that drawing is not standard.if for down the t serve your index knuckle is on bevel 2 from that drawing which below right bevel that that is an very forehand grip and not recommended
most grip references call the top bevel #1 next#2 and so on around the grip clockwise until#8.
index finger base knuckle is only one aspect of the grip. where is your HEEL pad?(meaning the fleshy part of your palm on the pinky finger side near where that wrist bone sticks out. only with index knuckle and heel pad info can you discuss grips accurately.jmho

 

[forthegame]

Another question, how to serve in full extension? I was watched by a coach the other day, he commented that I was not always serving with an extended elbow and that it might be contributing to my elbow aches.

How do I get the full extension and is serving without extension always wrong/bad?

 

[LeeD]

It's mental.
Think about this.... if you shortarm or serve with bent arm and little extension, your strike point is lower, giving you less angles. Short guy vs tall guy. Then again, if you serve shortarmed, you are taking away your own leverage, so your speed and spin potential is less.
Now go practice some serves, and notice the higher the contact point, the more options to placement and more leverage for power.
What do you want? More power and angles, ....or less?
Toss higher, reach up.

 

[forthegame]

Reviving my own thread - elbow aches.

I've got an ache in my elbow - medial side, close to the ulnar nerve. My ulnar nerve feels a little thicker and sensitive.

I keep coming back to my serve. I feel that's the cause of my elbow aches. Recently switched to a Gamma T-7 (good weight, soft - flex 57), strung with Ashaway Liberty 16 at 55lbs, from my Donnay Pro One Ltd. I don't get much jarring on my groundstrokes - most vibrations absorbed by the racquet.

My shoulder is ok and I get no shoulder trouble serving with the lighter racquet. My elbow aches after playing and I often wake up with numbness in my ring and little finger - almost as if I slept on my elbow/arm all night.

Could a flexy racquet be bad for the elbow on serve? Could it be that the racquet bends on impact, forcing my pronated elbow back thus stretching my ulnar nerve? Not sure if I'm reasoning it out properly. Do I need to add a little more weight to absorb any shocks on the serve?

Is it not the serve at all?

Thanks for your kind help folks.

 

[forthegame]

Bumporama.

 

[mightyrick]

Changing serve grips in order to change serve placement? That's interesting. I hadn't really thought of that. If I am want to serve to a particular spot, I usually will change a combination of my swing path and platform stance angle (where my front toe points).

I only ever use EBH on a second serve. And even then, it isn't near as extreme as something like Sam Stosur's EBH:

I just can't get the racquet head speed with that extreme of a grip. Feels very awkward to me.

 

[forthegame]

believe me, i know my serve is wonky. pretty sure i might be wrong about the grip but seems to work for me.

My elbow issue is more pressing at the mo, help good people of TW!

 

[LeeD]

When you have a problem, you HAVE TO POST VID!
When you're just playing satisfied, you don't need to post vids.
First and foremost, to possible correct any problems, we have to see your serve.

 

[forthegame]

Will work on getting a vid.
Elbow pain on serve is caused most commonly by what factors?

 

[Xizel]

Will work on getting a vid.
Elbow pain on serve is caused most commonly by what factors?

Bad technique (faulty contact). Stiff racquet or strings. Weak forearm muscles.

 

[forthegame]

Bad technique (faulty contact). Stiff racquet or strings. Weak forearm muscles.

Pls can you explain the faulty contact bit? My raq is very flexy, I think the strings are not too stiff (ashaway liberty strung at 55).