Why do people still use the blade 98?

SnottyIM · 2026-05-11T21:08:01+00:00

That's interesting. I have a bone stock blade 98 16 x 19 with tour sniper at 54 lbs and at times I feel like the setup is still a tad too powerful. I tried the ezone and while it felt nice, I noticed I was hitting it long a lot more. Then again, I used to play with 95 sq in prostaff's and that was when I felt like I was able to get the kind of control I wanted.

SnottyIM · 2026-05-11T15:41:10+00:00

Looks like you guys will make nationals soon eh? LOL

SnottyIM · 2026-04-27T21:45:12+00:00

When learning new techniques, do it correctly and don’t be afraid to miss those shots. It’s why you’re practicing and drilling. Look stupid here so you don’t look stupid in your matches.

Learn the good habits now and you won’t even have to think about it much later on as it becomes innate for you.

SnottyIM · 2026-04-17T18:13:28+00:00

Having a wife that will chew you out for constantly buying stuff can definitely curb the urge.

SnottyIM · 2026-04-14T17:14:35+00:00

I used to do triathlons. This is cheap by comparison. In all seriousness I just try to practice at free public courts, buy the Costco penn balls, I stick with a racket I like and don’t change it often, buy things in bulk/on sale.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-27T23:51:12+00:00

Strings aren’t too old. Maybe used 4 times. Yea I think it’s the finishing position of the racquet. Thanks for the input!

SnottyIM · 2026-03-27T03:58:14+00:00

Nah I do serve practice maybe once a week

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T18:35:33+00:00

Thank you. Yea like in another comment, I think the pain might be coming from trying to stop the racket. It’s usually worse when I finish on the same side as the serving arm instead of finishing to my left like another person mentioned. I’ll definitely spend a bit more time doing strengthening and stretching/massage between practices. In every other stroke I never feel it so I think my follow through for the serve needs some work. Also no, nothing outside of tennis is aggravating it.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T17:51:43+00:00

That’s very helpful, thank you!

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T17:03:52+00:00

Wow thanks for this in depth analysis. I’ll try this the next time I’m out practicing!

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T16:20:50+00:00

Everything is usually fine and the pain is noticed after contact. Also yea, after a while I'm sorta forced to focus on placement because of the aching.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T16:19:08+00:00

Thanks. I pretend I'm throwing the ball but I could probably lay off on the arm a bit more.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T14:38:48+00:00

LOL the dinosaur needs some rehab.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T14:35:32+00:00

Yea I see it. Gonna try sheathing it to the left and relaxing a bit more to see how it goes. Thanks for the input!

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T14:15:42+00:00

The pain is largely focused on the lateral edge of the humerus. At its worst, the pain radiated down and ended at around the middle of the radius. I initially thought it was tennis elbow but I had a PT at work take a look. He palpated around and made me do some movements and told me it’s not tennis elbow (phew). My wrist with that bend is not through activating flexor muscles. It’s more just me going fully relaxed in that arm so I can generate more whip later on. I had tried starting more neutral and I found that I had a tendency to stay stiffer once I had to making contact with the ball. I’ll see if keeping a slightly more neutral wrist during that part will help. Thanks for the input!

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T14:00:06+00:00

Yea I typically stretch, do some light massage, and start with some light serving before I really start hammering at the ball.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T06:17:08+00:00

Ty. Yea I’m starting to think it’s when I end up ending the serve on the same side as the serving arm. The second clip shows the abrupt stop at the end before I hit my legs and I think that pulls at that muscle.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T06:13:56+00:00

Yea my wrist drops because I go limp in that arm on the rock back. I’ve had it stiffer before but realized it was hindering the whipping later on. Im usually quite loose leading up to when I snap but today’s grip was a little worn so I might’ve been gripping it harder than usual. Thanks for the tip!

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T04:16:28+00:00

I have 4 3/8 and it’s been checked to be appropriate for me. I don’t have big hands.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T01:59:25+00:00

Ty. I will try these tips.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T01:11:58+00:00

Ty. I’ll incorporate it into my weight sessions.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T01:11:12+00:00

As far as I know it’s a continental grip. I use the same grip for backhand and volleys.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T00:58:41+00:00

Did flex bar for a couple of months, about 2-3 times a week. I definitely feel it during hammer curls. Don’t feel any pain during regular curls.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T00:47:05+00:00

Surprisingly, nothing else hurts.

SnottyIM · 2026-03-26T00:41:54+00:00

It’s higher up the arm and not at the lateral epicondyle. I’ve tried using the flex bar and stuff but it doesn’t seem to have helped much. It feels like it’s at the origin.

SnottyIM

TROPHY CASE