Parents Grips while learning kip

[raenndrops]

Kips before grips unless getting bloody rips!

We had a girl get grips in her 2nd year of Level 8.

 

[Gymnastics15]

I wouldn't worry too much, I've seen a very successful level 6, who competed without grips. Her routine was Kip, cast on, high bar kip, free hip hand, Giant, Giant, Layout fly way

 

[Ajoy]

For those with more experience, what are your thoughts on getting grips before or after girls get their kip? Last fall, my daughter’s training group were told they could get grips and my daughter chose not to. She was barely 7 and has small hands. She only competed level 2 so really didn’t need them. Now, she’s in upgrade season and very close to getting her kip. She is the only girl in her group not using grips. Do you think this helps or hurts her? She is not in a hurry to get them because she saw friends struggle to adjust to them.

Grips are to help grasp on to the bar. Not to get too nerdy with you but the force pulling you away from the bar increases with your weight and velocity and at some point it will outpace grip strength. Typically no one needs grips until they are around 80lbs and swinging giants. My daughter and most girls couldn’t wait to have them to be like the older girls but it’s probably best to wait as long as possible.

 

[gymcoach34]

No grips until the athlete has a strong straight arm kip.

 

[gymcoach34]

Georgia "No GRIPS" Dabritz