-
Split grip problems
Hey everyone!
So, with my current training, I’ve realized that my split grip really needs work! And, I’ve challenged myself to try it at least five times on each side, every time I dance. I’ve been quite happy to see myself stick to this challenge… However…
I don’t feel that I’m improving!
What I notice is that my top hand tends to slide down as soon as my weight is on my hands, which is frustrating, because at pretty much all other times, my grip is just fine! My bottom hand has no issues with sliding. I’m careful to keep my shoulders in the proper position (as far as I know) and push with the bottom hand, pull with the top. I’m also good at making sure my bottom wrist is in the proper, neutral position.
Is there anything I can do that will help me with this move? Should I be closer or farther from the pole? What can I do to help my top-hand grip? I’m not quite strong enough to actually really lift myself up with it yet, but I’m working on just lifting my legs, in order to increase strength and to understand the grip.
Thanks! -
6 Replies
-
What move I particular are you working on? I’m working on the Apprentice to Extended Butterfly right now and I actually found that using a glove with tack has helped to keep my top hand steady while concentrating on sliding my bottom hand.
-
*I = in
-
I’m not working on any particular moves, actually. Just trying to build strength, and understand the hold, until I’ve got it good enough that I feel comfortable doing moves that require split grip.
During my studio days (a very long time ago) I was taught a split grip V-kick, just from the floor, which you could also use as a hold. In general that is what I think of each time… but things like a Carousel spin, or even using that position as a pose, are fairly attractive to me. I just can’t seem to keep myself up to do them 😉 -
I think a glove or some grip aid might help you to feel more comfortable and allow you to hold it longer until the muscle memory and the strength in that hand catches up. How are you in one handed spins, because it is similar in that most of your weight is in that one hand. Practicing those may help your strength too.
I often need some help warning up the pole that high too, even if the rest of the pole is warm that top hand may be sliding due to a cold pole. Try a hairdryer to warm up those higher parts if you need to. -
Dustbunny, I have considered that maybe that area of the pole may be a little less warm than where my lower hand is. I don’t have/use any kind of grip aid, as if I did, I think I’d just end up taking some skin off instead (generally, my pole and I are super grippy, and I’ve had some really bad skin burn from it if I do too much :P).
I was thinking perhaps it was an issue with my own positioning, perhaps I was just putting too much pressure going down on that hand, or something else I may not be aware of.
As for one handed spins, I can do them fairly fine if my legs are still on the pole. So, things like front hook spins and fireman spins I do well with one hand (and have fun!), but I’m not quite advanced enough for something like a chair spin one handed (I’m working on it, though!) and I’ve only recently felt strong enough to work on my reverse grab again 😉 I’ve missed that one lots! -
Actually, I just tried it- warming up the pole a bit higher, and adjusting my grip to places where I KNOW I’ve got a good grip (because it’s warm) and had way better success! I can’t hold it for very long, but… I AM holding it for a brief pose, so that’s good 🙂
Any suggestions on how to improve my strength for this grip, too, are welcome. Working a lot more on my one handed spins 😉
Log in to reply.