An arm brace you can make yourself !

 As I  have mentioned in a previous thread (See: http://mytabletennis.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=80221&PN=2#995461), I tend to flip the paddle up  when hitting the ball.  I received numerous tips and  advices to correct this unfortunate technical flaw .  In face of  having no coach around  and unavailable commercial  technical apparatus, the generous feedbacks from members of this forum inspired me come up with a device to keep the paddle angle constant during the forehand stroke . Here is my design of an arm brace device  .

Basically , it is a very  simple apparatus which consists of 2 pieces of flatbars strapped to the arm by velcro strip ties and elastic flat band  ( see Pic_ 01 ) . All the essential components  to construct the arm brace are listed in Pic_02  .

Pic_03   & Pic_04  show  its frontview and backview  .

Pic_05 provides a close-up of the joint linking 2 pieces of flat bars  of the device .

Pic_06  to Pic_12  illustrate how  the device is strapped  to the arm for a practice session .  Keep in mind  that the arm brace can be locked or unlocked at the joint by using the wing nut .

An important element in the design is the set of  velcro trip  ties which are not readily available in the  market at the required lengths . Pic_13  to Pic _18  show the procedure  to make your own velcro ties .

The great thing is it cost me less than 20. $ US  !  If you use wood, it might cost you much less than this ( i.e. around 10 bucks US or less  )

A short video clip demonstating the arm brace in action can be viewed here:

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(Acknowledgement: 

Several members deserve my deepest  gratitude for  their generous tips,  expert advices and kindness which motivate me to come up with the design and bring to life this arm brace . Thanks :   Baal, qpskfec,  Fulanodetal , man_iii ,  henningf , BRS )

 

 

 Pic_01

Pic_02

Pic_03:   Front view

Pic_04 : Back view

Pic_05: Close-up of the joint

Pic_06

Pic_07

Pic_08

Pic_09

Pic_11

Pic_12

Pic_13

Pic_14

Pic_15

Pic_16 (Using electrical tape to cover the sticky side of the loop velcro )

Pic_17 : ( Press the sticky side of the 2" long hook velcro onto the last 2 " end of the non-stick side of the  loop velcro )

Pic_18

Edited by mike1250 - 09/17/2017 at 11:33pm

Im still not sure why you are trying to lock the elbow. But since you can unlock it I guess it serves your purposes.

Fulanodetal wrote: ...... It does look like your blood circulation might be severely restricted on your arm. Does it feel tingly?

Thanks for your kind concern as the  blood circulation in my arm is O.K.  It took a few trials to adjust the right tightness of these velcro straps.BTW,  I just returned from a one-hour test run using the wood  brace with a friend.
 
What a surprise to hear my friend's comments ! He told me I had a 90% success rate returning the ball . All the rallies lasted at least 15 seconds or more ( compared to less than an average of 6 seconds per rally  before ) !

It seemed that I played much better with the joint locked . But of course, I had to twist my waist a lot more ! My conclusion is  that this arm brace has  certainly solved my wrist problem !  I'll practice with this device on for a few more weeks , hoping to completely correct my ingrained flaw of flipping up the wrist each time I hit the ball.



Edited by mike1250 - 09/18/2017 at 11:09pm

That is a nice device mike1250!

i hope it will not give you a restricted arm movement the moment you removed those straps when playing just because you got used to the device.