 |
||
|
||||||
|
|
WristAssist locks in volleys New training tool works well with some ground strokes
Editor's note: This review is an independent evaluation by TennisReporters.net published on a page sponsored by WristAssist.
The WristAssist is a lock. This new stroke aid enables tennis players to keep a solid wrist position while practicing strokes and locking into the correct position. The $69.95 product emulates the plethora of golf swing aids that help golfers maintain a correct swing and build muscle memory. You strap WristAssist around your hitting wrist, attach your racket with a string and pair of hooks and then adjust the string length to your stroke. Then you hit away. I took WristAssist to the court and gave it a whirl. As a mid-50s male with a 3.5 USTA rating, I'm a decent subject to test this new product from SquareHitTennis. WristAssist was most effective for me at the net. The device locks your wrist into a strong cocked grip and demands you keep the same grip (I use the classic Continental/Eastern grip for both forehand and backhand volleys) for all shots. Once clamped in, you can't swat at the high volleys and drive weak shots down into the net. You can't drop the racket head down below your hand as many ineffective players will do on low volleys. No, you have no choice but to keep a firm, cocked wrist and to use footwork and perfect racket head position to crunch your volleys like you have never done before.
Brad Gilbert endorses WristAssist and agrees it is highly effective at the net. One of my weaknesses is the high volley. Unlike most players, I do much better on the lower shots at the net, where I use a more disciplined cocked-wrist position. But I get sloppy with the easier higher balls. WristAssist would not allow me to swing at the high stuff, only keep that killer cocked wrist and smash away. What a pleasure. My hitting partner, Leroy, was a little less enthusiastic about WristAssist's effectiveness on the volleys, but liked it from the back court. Whether at the net or from the backcourt, Leroy felt confined by the device. But he noticed his volleys were a bit more crisp when training with WristAssist. Leroy felt like the product helped keep him from getting sloppy on his forehand and was impressed with how it kept him disciplined with the stroke. I felt like WristAssist was least effective on my Continental-grip forehand. I had too much play in the string to teach my muscles correct positioning. Leroy liked how it affected his forehand more than his backhand. However, most players have more variety in their forehand styles - Eastern grips and Continental grips, open stances and closed stances, heavy topspin and flat strokes - which will diminish the locking effect of WristAssist. BACKHAND FELT MORE SOLID You'll notice I'm addressing the effect of WristAssist by particular strokes. One reason for this is that you must set up the device for only one stroke at a time. You'll be running around your forehand whenever you have it set for that stroke. Readjusting to a new stroke only takes a few seconds. However, you will be restricting your use to practice sessions with a coach, the wall, a ball machine or a willing partner. Also, you will need to readjust WristAssist's strings when you switch from a topspin backhand to a slice backhand. You need to use a different hand (your opposite wrist) and position if you have a two-handed backhand. WristAssist's instructions do not mention using the device on your serve or overhead. My assumption was that it won't work with these strokes because it won't allow a wrist snap. One area the product needs vast improvement is the instructions that I received with the product. The photos illustrating how to install the apparatus are much too small and the exact location for placing the colored setting buttons is not evident. However, WristAssist personnel said they took my advise – it's a rarity that anyone ever listens to a reviewer – and the new instructions have photos that are much easier to read. Overall, the device can really aid players if they commit to using it. © TennisReporters.net 2006
|
|
Home | Commentary | The
Scoop | Newsletters | Q&A | Forum | Archives | Links | About
TR | Contact TR TennisReporters.net
encourages e-mail comments on our stories.
Any e-mail sent to feedback@tennisreporters.net
|
