What's a safe b/h grip for Tennis Elbow?

[acer]

Hi

I suffered from some tennis elbow recently from playing way too much tennis one day and getting sloppy with bad technique on a one hand backhand. I was wondering, I read somewhere that using a more Eastern grip (even Extreme Eastern) is better for tennis elbow on a one hand backhand as it tucks the elbow close to the body. I currently use a continental grip. Has anyone ever heard of this?

I also heard that your arm should be straight at contact or at most a very, very slight bend. I try to keeo my arm straight but not totally wrigid? Anyone have some info on this.

Thanks

Acer

 

[patrick922]

i cant say that i have read somewhere that an eastern backhand is better for your elbow than other grip. i think that preventing tennis elbow has to do more with the persons technique more than grips.
i mean if you are still muscling the ball or whatever it doesnt matter if you use eastern or western on the backhand, you'll still get tennis elbow

 

[acer]

i cant say that i have read somewhere that an eastern backhand is better for your elbow than other grip. i think that preventing tennis elbow has to do more with the persons technique more than grips.
i mean if you are still muscling the ball or whatever it doesnt matter if you use eastern or western on the backhand, you'll still get tennis elbow

Thanks for the reply Patrick. I agree with you, if you have bad technique nothing will matter. I actually find this grip comment (More Eastern is better) here and there but never manage to remember where I seen it so I was just curious about it. It seems to make sense that the elbow is closer to the body the more Eastern you go thus it would protect the elbow more.
I actually just found another post on the TW site where hifi herectic said that the continental on the backhand is hard on the epicondular tendon.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=40381&highlight=proper+technique+one+hand+backhand


Acer

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Good mechanics is, of course, the main thing, however, there are other things you might try.

If your racket is relatively stiff- try a more flexible frame.

Try softer strings with more give.

Try a racket that is more head light. Consider one of the Pro Kennex line (that's what I use).

Try using light weights to strenghten the arm muscles under the theory that a firm arm absorbs/delivers less shock.

Work on hitting in a smooth powerful stroke, watching the ball intently and hitting with the center of your sweetspot.

Good luck,

B

 

[acer]

Good mechanics is, of course, the main thing, however, there are other things you might try.

If your racket is relatively stiff- try a more flexible frame.

Try softer strings with more give.

Try a racket that is more head light. Consider one of the Pro Kennex line (that's what I use).

Try using light weights to strenghten the arm muscles under the theory that a firm arm absorbs/delivers less shock.

Work on hitting in a smooth powerful stroke, watching the ball intently and hitting with the center of your sweetspot.

Good luck,

B

Thanks for the reply Bagumbawalla. Already using the Pro Kennex Pro 5G, multifilament strings (Head Rip) at 54lbs. Working on the weights slowly.
I am working on hitting in a smooth powerful stroke, watching the ball intently and hitting with the center of your sweetspot. What I really need to work on is having patience while not being able to play tennis while my elbow heals. Tough to do but necessary I guess.

Acer

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Whoops, forgot the other possibility-- a 2-handed backhand.

I know it's a hard transition, but if worse comes to worse....

 

[acer]

Whoops, forgot the other possibility-- a 2-handed backhand.

I know it's a hard transition, but if worse comes to worse....

Yeah, I know it is a option but after all these years of working on the one hand backhand and getting to be very effective, the two hander will be my very last option. I caused a recurrence in my tennis elbow with playing 2 1/2 hours in the am and 2 hours in the p.m. (Stupid thing to do) Both times, the I was hitting hard. I guess fatigue led to hitting some late shots and with a fatigued muscle it caused the damage. Live and learn.

Acer

 

[Bagumbawalla]

Yes, late shots, especially, where you **** your wrist to compensate, can aggravate the tendons. Your situation sounds very much like what happened to me.

I took some time off and eventually started over again trying to do all the right things. So far, so good.

Let us know how it goes,

B

 

[MasturB]

Hi

I suffered from some tennis elbow recently from playing way too much tennis one day and getting sloppy with bad technique on a one hand backhand. I was wondering, I read somewhere that using a more Eastern grip (even Extreme Eastern) is better for tennis elbow on a one hand backhand as it tucks the elbow close to the body. I currently use a continental grip. Has anyone ever heard of this?

I also heard that your arm should be straight at contact or at most a very, very slight bend. I try to keeo my arm straight but not totally wrigid? Anyone have some info on this.

Thanks

Acer

Fed uses Eastern Backhand right? From these screens his elbow isn't tucked near his body but locked up.

 

[acer]

Nice pics, MasturB. I think your right, Feds' elbow is locked up and his arm is nice and straight. Maybe I should take this picture with me to the court and stick it on my tennis bag to always remind me. LOL. I found the post that referred to the Eastern grip being better.

http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showt...rip +backhand

gaobs made a reply in the post:

Quote:
Originally Posted by gabos
http://www.tennisserver.com/Mills-ti...tip_03_02.html

"In addition, the semi-western grip aids in preventing the classic tennis elbow. It forces a player to keep their elbow close to their body before extension into the ball."

This is the only place I've ever heard this-- who knows if it's true. One person's opinion, anyway.


Acer

 

[MasturB]

I use eastern and semiwestern on backhand grip.