{"id":17008,"date":"2015-08-11T23:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-08-11T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skydivemag.com\/new\/?p=17008"},"modified":"2020-05-26T15:55:08","modified_gmt":"2020-05-26T15:55:08","slug":"2015-08-12-grip-management","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skydivemag.com\/new\/2015-08-12-grip-management\/","title":{"rendered":"Grip Management"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As an 8-way flyer, having a planned grip sequence is a seemingly small but very important part of your game. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Golden Knights 8-way<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
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Grip Process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Block 19 \u2013 taking high leg grips keeps the diamond small and makes the vertical easier<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Standardization<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n


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