As an 8-way flyer, having a planned grip sequence is a seemingly small but very important part of your game.
Deliberately adding a mutually understood grip sequence will help to ensure efficiency and free your mind to be one step ahead, able to anticipate moves and stay on track during split-second problem-solving situations.
Grip Process
It is important to have a step-by-step grip process planned and rehearsed specifically for each jump. This is especially helpful when it is your duty to key the formation. In some instances the process may involve as many as five steps. Present right, pick up left, check left, cross reference and key. At first this process may take some time but with training and practice it will become faster.
Make it part of your process to look at your grips BRIEFLY as you pick them up. Not adhering to your process by blindly grabbing, swiping or ‘Jedi-ing’ your grips can often be a costly shortcut as judges don’t normally award points for lack of stationary contact.
Standardization
Developing a stardardized or, ‘plug and play’, grip plan for all block moves is essential. Once established there are very few situations, if any, when the plan should change.
An example of grip standardization is on Block 6, Star – Star. Turning the subgroups clockwise, our standard is to have the flyer on the right pick up the wrist of the flyer on the left. There are situations when it seems logical for the jumper on the left to pick up the grip when building Block 6 from certain formations. However, through much trial and error we’ve found that it’s best to stick to the standard even when it seems counterintuitive.
Grip Presentation
It should go without saying that when presenting a grip for pick up, keep it as stationary as possible. Avoid the, ‘Criss Angel Mindfreak’ arm disappearing act, giving your piece partner the additional challenge of having to deal with a ‘hand in the fishbowl’ scenario.
Double Leg Pick up
When picking up both legs, first target the one farthest away from you. This will ensure easy pick up of the leg closest to you. It is common for beginner and intermediate flyers to do the opposite, grabbing the closest leg which sometimes leaves the farthest one just out of reach.
Last Grip Scenario
During your team’s creeping session, it is important to identify where the last grip is likely to be taken. This information is important for the flyer(s) whose duty it is to key the formation, as it may disrupt the normal sequence in their key process.
Preparation
“Fortune favors the prepared mind” is an adage that definitely holds true with regards to 8-way Formation Skydiving. Once your grip plan has been established, visualize it repetitively as an important part of your complete mental dirt-dive.
8-way Series
This is the fourth in a series of five articles about 8-way, by multiple World Champion Matt Davidson.
Next article: Competition Headspace
Previous article: 8-Way On the Hill
