Hook grip

Does everyone use the hook grip for weights for distance, or are there some guys strong enough to hold on to the weights without a hook grip?

But I do believe that Ryan uses a glove and tacky, obviating the need for the hook grip.  This topic comes up every year.  The hook grip is a way to get a better grip and requires practice but can help.  Some use and some don't so try it and see for yourself. 

Gloves are not allowed in Scotland. Many times when I am throwing with Ryan he doesn't use a glove. As far as tacky goes, I hardly know anyone (hook or no hook) who doesn't use tacky with the weights (the only exception being that most novice throwers do not seem to like tacky on the weights since it sometimes causes them a hard time releasing).

Incidentally, in my experience it is much harder to hold on with a glove.

Edited by Borges

I use glove and tacky.  Tried hook grip and felt funny.  My fingers are too short and fat to work I think.  Just throw alot of 56 to get the grip strong.

TROB

Never hooked 'till this year - tried every combination in the world - gloves,tack,chalk,tape,etc- in an effort to hold on to the 56 in wfd - finally made myself hook and problems are all gone...and PR'd all wfd 'cause arm was relaxed and could pull like hell and not blow out.Everybody is different.

The thing you may not appreciate yet is that if you're grip limited you tend not to throw as hard as you can.  Anyone who's deadlifted heavy with and without chalk will know what I mean:  with grip problems, the bar feels heavier.  Fixing your grip can help you achieve your real capabilities.

-Wayne

Also, try a little double-sided carpet tape around the thumb - a little cushioning and a little sticky. Works great and a roll last a year - and no lovely lady chewin' yer ass for getting tacky all over the place.

First of all, I find it much better to lay the thumb along the side of the handle, rather than lapping it over.  If you do it like this <holds up hand with thumb in "just-right" position> you get a good grip and it doesn't hurt much (but you still need tape).

Anyway, here's my taping technique:

 - If it's hot out, spray a thin coat of baseball tacky (or equivalent) to the thumb all around.  Allow to dry before taping.  This helps avoid the "tape flying with the weight" syndrome.
 - Lay one strip of tape from the base of your thumb, along the top of your thumb, wrapping over tip of thumb, and back toward the palm.  It doesn't need or want to go beyond the thumb.  It helps a lot if you bend your thumb tip 30 degrees or so as you do this, so the tape won't be stretched when your thumb is in the right position.
 - Lay a second strip along the inside of the thumb (between thumb and forefinger), over the tip and along the other side.
 - Squish the loose flaps together over your thumb.
 - Take a third strip and wrap it around the base of your thumb a couple of times, reasonably tightly.  This will hold the other two strips in place.  In fact, all of the tape so far has been intended to form a stable base that won't come flying off (especially important when your hand sweats).
 - Here's the part that does the work.  Lay on 2-3 layers of tape, each about 6-8" long, thusly:  starting on the nail/first joint, with the free end angled about 45 degrees away from the thumb and out away from your wrist, wrap it around the first joint and back over the knuckle (uh, does anybody follow that?).  It's helpful to bend the thumb as you apply this to avoid stretching the tape.
 - Apply a small amount of Brock's Magic Tacky <TM> to the thumbnail area of the tape, and you're good to go.

Let me know if this isn't clear.

-Wayne

I am fairly new to the Games but I have better results without a hook grip.It might be just my inexperience but,I seem to hold on too long when I try the hook.By curling my four fingers around the handle,leaving my thumb fully extended and out of the way,I get better distances albeit no great distances.But I do train my grip on a consistant basis.I weigh about 230 and I hang by fingertips for as long as my tendons will allow me.It's painful but,I haven't had any trouble hanging on to the weights.The 56 is a bugger but,I can't say as I've lost one yet.I have way more trouble with my footwork.Just haven't figured out that double spin thing yet.Anyway,that's my two cents.