Spinthrift
Eagle Member
Several months ago, as I began to build better form and more snap at the rip, my issue was the disc slipping early. I wanted to build my grip strength, more exactly my pinch strength between thumb and forefinger. But when I researched it, most exercises were built around training with weights. I wanted something I could do driving to work, or while watching TV.
I remembered I had a pair of those hand exercisers. You know the kind, made out of coiled spring steel with foam covered handles. Costs about five bucks at Wally World for a pair of them. Works fine to build a grip with, but when you squeeze it, pressure is applied mainly by the base of the thumb and the pinky-through-middle fingers.
The light bulb blinked on. So I flipped it over so the V was pointing down and squeezed using only my forefinger and pad of my thumb. I was shocked at how hard it was to squeeze the handles together, and even more perturbed that I couldn't sustain it for more than a few seconds. Wuss.
So I put the coil in the car, and every morning on the way to work, and every night on the way home I would squeeze and hold, pause, flex my aching fingers and do it again, using the same grip I apply to a disc.
Two months later I can hold the coil closed 10 times longer than when I started. I knew something was changing when other guys began commenting on my handshake grip (which is not something I heard before). More to the point for DG, the increased pinch strength means I can apply more energy leading to the rip without fear of slippage. There's more "pop" when the disc rips out now.
It also taught me it's physically impossible to grip a disc tightly with forefinger/thumb until the wrist uncoils passing the right pec. I was squeezing the upside-down coil and tried to mimic my reachback and throwing motion. While holding the coil closed, it was impossible to cock my wrist at the same time. If I forced it, I had to let off the thumb-forefinger pressure to achieve the motion. The tendons simple couldn't do both at the same time.
Your mileage may vary, but this simple exercise is paying off for me in more snap and distance. And of equal importance is the confidence that I can stick my release without concern for spraying shots out early.
I remembered I had a pair of those hand exercisers. You know the kind, made out of coiled spring steel with foam covered handles. Costs about five bucks at Wally World for a pair of them. Works fine to build a grip with, but when you squeeze it, pressure is applied mainly by the base of the thumb and the pinky-through-middle fingers.
The light bulb blinked on. So I flipped it over so the V was pointing down and squeezed using only my forefinger and pad of my thumb. I was shocked at how hard it was to squeeze the handles together, and even more perturbed that I couldn't sustain it for more than a few seconds. Wuss.
So I put the coil in the car, and every morning on the way to work, and every night on the way home I would squeeze and hold, pause, flex my aching fingers and do it again, using the same grip I apply to a disc.
Two months later I can hold the coil closed 10 times longer than when I started. I knew something was changing when other guys began commenting on my handshake grip (which is not something I heard before). More to the point for DG, the increased pinch strength means I can apply more energy leading to the rip without fear of slippage. There's more "pop" when the disc rips out now.
It also taught me it's physically impossible to grip a disc tightly with forefinger/thumb until the wrist uncoils passing the right pec. I was squeezing the upside-down coil and tried to mimic my reachback and throwing motion. While holding the coil closed, it was impossible to cock my wrist at the same time. If I forced it, I had to let off the thumb-forefinger pressure to achieve the motion. The tendons simple couldn't do both at the same time.
Your mileage may vary, but this simple exercise is paying off for me in more snap and distance. And of equal importance is the confidence that I can stick my release without concern for spraying shots out early.
Dont do this very often tho, as it is easy to over train grip.
