Hand Position Poll

[dchristman]

It's finally spring and the discussion of hand position has resurfaced again - I assume in anticipation of a fresh start for the new year. I switched to the "correct" grip last year after 30-some years because of reading the discussions here. It has absolutely been a positive change for me. I thought a poll that shows a clear correlation with improvement would be useful for those contemplating the switch to know if it's worth the effort. I will define "correct" to be as in the other current thread on this topic - RFF:left palm up, LFF: right palm up.

[RichardDoane]

it's all about doing whatever you can to improve your "off" side

[Onside135]

Early in my course skiing career someone recommended I switch. It seemed awkward at first, and I even used to get up with the wrong grip and then switch when out of the water. It didn't take too long to get used to, and I'm glad I made the switch.

 

Would I have progressed to skiing better and shorter ropes with the "wrong grip"…who knows? It doesn't seem to have hindered Jeff Rodgers...

[lpskier]

I have tried switching my grip (from correct to incorrect) to take stress off my elbow. Switching is fine if I run the course slow and long and can two hand it, but if I have to let go with one hand while skiing switch, its like skipping, patting myself on the head, rubbing my belly and chewing gum, all at the same time.

[Ed_Obermeier]

Poll needs another option - "I use the "wrong" hand position, tried switching, couldn't do it".

I've tried switching to the "correct" grip 3 different times, couldn't get comfortable with it and could really care less. "Wrong" works for me just fine.

[Texas6]

I made the switch several years ago and oddly for me it was harder than I thought. I've heard others say it's no big deal. I have a neighbor who switches anytime his tendinitis flares up and he skis the same both ways.

[NoProblem]

Chalk up another wrong. I hate skiing with the correct grip. I am RFF/RPU. I do a lot stuff weird though. I skateboard Mongo Regular which means I am left foot forward but I also push with that foot meaning my back foot never comes off the board. I wakesurf Regular but I spent the early years riding backside meaning with my back to the wake. It's something you almost never see. I can now ride either side equaly and its something that is coming in handy now that the dual wake era is at hand. But that's top secret. >:)

[zyokes]

Once I finally get back on the water this spring I plan to give the switch a try

[CWiedmer]

My Dad taught me well, don't think I could ever change. Palm up on the "off" side means everything

[DmaxJC_ski]

I'm RFF and RPU, couldn't change that I don't think, I never really thought that it could make a difference. Well my day isn't wasted now I lean red something new.

[DmaxJC_ski]

*learned

[londonskier]

Just to spice this up a little. I have always used the correct hand position but onmy deep water starts, the line is on the incorrect side! Ie I'm LFF, and the rope is on the left of the ski! I had never noticed till some smart Alec pointed it out. Tried switching but can't get up - ha ha!

[gt2003]

CRAP! I didn't even know I was doing wrong until now! Guess there's another change to be made this year!

 

[dchristman]

For the 11% (as of 6/4/16) who haven't tried switching, give it a try. A couple I ski with wouldn't listen to me, but went to Coble's a few weeks ago and April convinced them to give it a try. They are happy with the improvement on their offside.

 

 

[Chef23]

@dchristman I think April skis with the wrong grip.

[dchristman]

@chef23 I believe you are correct - but she recommended trying to switch just the same.

[Bill22]

Wow... I have been doing it wrong for 34 years and never knew. This made me think about how you swing a baseball bat, LFF / RPU.

[chris55]

I am RFF and when I started slaloming the coach-driver told me to switch my grip. So weird at the beginning but improved my off side for sure. And my right elbow started to hurt because of bending it meaning I have a wrong position with my right arm.....and I have to straight my arm and i will not hurt anymore.....we will see. But definitly worth the try

[gt2003]

I started out 30 years ago with wrong hand position. I used to try to remember to switch after I got up but it was just another thing to remember. This year I started out with the correct hand position. It allows me to have straighter arms, closer to my body. It wasn't nearly as difficult as I thought it would be either.

[foxriverat]

I skied with wrong hand position for many years until I found out from BOS I was doing it wrong. Made the change a few years ago. Took about a month to feel natural. I also get up with both palms down to save my elbow tendons.

[ColeGiacopuzzi]

Best thing I ever did, Nick parsons told me to switch a couple of years ago and why it would help, dramatically improved my offside!!

[h2onhk]

Just started playing around with hand position this year after reading several articles here. Haven't had enough time in the course yet to know if it helped or hurt so the jury is still out. Off-side turn definitely feels more solid. One thing i did notice is that my forearms get fatigued more quickly when switching to the "correct" grip after many years doing it "wrong". Top forearm and bottom forearm muscles seem to work differently when grip is switched.

[GAJ0004]

I am left foot forward with right palm up. I have had many skier tell me over the years my on and offside turns are very symmetrical. Not sure if that is considered wrong.

[dchristman]

@GAJ0004 you are "correct"

[Bookm_dano]

KLP: "How long have you been holding your hands like that?"

Me: " Uh, I don't know. 40 years I guess."

KLP: "Might be a good time to switch"

He was correct.

[dchristman]

for @swbca

[503Kento]

I switched to incorrect grip for a while to help my elbow pain. It was ok but never fully felt right.

[MDB1056]

LFF. Only reason I switched to a reverse grip was it immediately cured my ® elbow pain. No pain immediately made it an easy choice.That was 3 yrs ago. Never looked back. Jeff Rodgers is my hero....

[Dysco]

A few years ago I started deadlifting (which completely cured all of my nagging back issues). I naturally grip the bar (in a switch grip situation) with left palm down, and I'm a left foot forward skier. That summer I realized that my best power and "stacking" in a deadlift came with that grip, so I switched it. It certainly has aided my offside pull.

[ALPJr]

I’ve also been using both palms down for deep water starts for many years now. Just feels more stable and a little less stress on the body. I switch to the correct baseball bat grip as soon as I’m up.

[swbca]

I have been wrong since 1959. I know switching will help but I don't think I will be able to get up with a deep water start with both feet in . . . I guess I will switch after I'm up.

[rodecon]

I learned with the "wrong" grip and when I switched i could not get out of the water with the correct grip, so I switch the grip after I am up. I don't even have to think about it now, it just comes naturally

[ETskier]

I tried switching to correct. Better offside pull, but lost my good on side pull. Also hurt my elbows. Switched back after 3 sets.