How tightly do you grip the handle?

[Slalom.Steve]

Maybe also comment what line length you consistently run? in case there seems to be more of a consistent answer among different skill groups.

 

How tightly do you grip the handle? OR: How much do you wrap your fingers around the handle?

1 being the loosest, 4 the tightest, with reference pics below (yes, I have strangely short pinky fingers).

 

1:

2:

3:

4:

[keithh2oskier]

Just starting to get caluses at the joint between my palm and fingers.

[Slalom.Steve]

But I'm a 15off, 30mph skier, so... not sure anyone should listen to me lol.

[JackQ]

Somewhere between 3 and 4, Consistently run 38, 39 occasionally/often.

[Than_Bogan]

In my mind, 2. Based on callouses, probably 3.

[Horton]

you should not squeeze the handle harder than needed. Where I hold the handle in my hand depends on the handle diameter and glove thickness.

[ScottScott]

I got a death grip on the damn thing....but I think I'm getting a little better. Just went to a 1.09" from a 1.06" I'm thinking I'm able to go to that larger diameter as I loosen my grip a little. I run 22/28 off 32mph.

[Shakeski]

3 (wish it was 2) I ski 36mph and run 22-28

[Skoot1123]

As the handle rubber wears down my grip changes a bit, and so does the consistency of my skiing. A new handle grip I feel like I’m holding at a 2, whereas a worn handle and I feel like I am gripping at a 3. In my view I would want to be gripping at a 2 as that produces less stress on your arms and elbows. I ski at 34mph 28-32 off.

[cragginshred]

I start the course loose and by 3 ball I'm probably up to 11

 

By over gripping we tell our sympathetic nervous system 'stress mode' and nothing good happens in stress mode

The best solution I've found is setting up for the gate smile and adjust the handle toward your finger tips.

 

The Smile while relaxing your facial muscles and upper traps tells your autonomic nervous system to chill. Get centered over the ski and Go!

 

'Performance rock climbing' is a great book I read years ago that talks about this stuff and balancing the optimal amount of psyche with breathing and 'tension control' promotes not over gripping and pumping out on the rock (or pulling too long).

[B_S]

Between 2 and 3.

Hold on loosely, but don't let go.

[h2onhk]

15-32off skier. Guessing number 3. My favorite is number 5. When you complete the turn and your pinky finger or index finger misses the handle and is just outside the grip.

[ESPNSkier]

2 to 3 for me. I used to be a 4 but have been working on trying to lighten up the grip a bit as I've gotten older. It seems that when I grip really hard I also subconsciously bend the arms which leads to all kinds of bad things. It's also much easier on the hands and it's been a few years since I've ripped off a big callous! I run -32/-35 @ 32 mph.

[MISkier]

@B_S

 

"If you cling too tightly, you're gonna lose control".

[RazorRoss3]

If you are skiing technically well it doesn’t take much to hold on because you aren’t carrying excess load. 36mph, 22-35 off, buoys at 38 off

[UWSkier]

I intentionally buy the biggest handle I can in order to force myself to be somewhere between 2 and 3.

[skialex]

I choose 2 because my handle doesn’t ware out, gloves last for over a year and I get calluses on my finger joints rather than the palms. About 150 sets a year, 28-35@34 canski buoys at 38.

[2Valve]

A light effortless grip seems to work for me and it keeps the calluses to a minimum. Sort of the same mindset of a light grip on the bars of a motorcycle or bicycle reduces any sudden inputs. idk, but that sounds sorta scientific and stuff.....:)

[RAWSki]

I put 3 but my lovely @Shell needs an 8! This is the brand new handle she skied for the last 6 weeks. It is DONE.

[DaveD]

@RAWSki Either that is one cheap a$$ handle or you need to take those sandpaper palm gloves away from Shell. The pink handle is cute though. Sure that's not your handle? :smile:

[Shell]

@DaveD @RAWSki's handle is a darker pink, haha

I have to believe that was an old handle that sat on the shelf possibly? Although, it was put thru 46 sets in May, and it's a Radar, so they covered it under warranty, thumbs up for Radar!

[Kimbymon]

@RAWSki its that Sicilian blood pulsing through her veins.. ?. Love you @Shell