Coaches Seeking Grips Wisdom

[sun]

Hey folks-

I'd love it if someone could check my grips knowledge... I myself was only a gymnast long enough to go through two pairs of hibar/rings grips, and until the last few years when asked about grips would usually respond "uhhh... whatever your previous coach recommended!"

First question - timing. What are your considerations when choosing to place kids in grips?
In the past, I'd say Lv4: get grips. This is when I'd start to see kids peeling on underswings, tap swings and clear hips, so seemed like grips = good.

I have this sense that if we can safely hold off on leather dowel grips, it is time well-spent developing grip and general hand strength - and additionally we are saving 5 minutes every day not needing to put grips on and take them off. The top ranked team in our area lately has been putting their Lv.4 squad in tape grips during competition which I've been copying... No peels so far -shrug-. I am tentatively trying to hold out until either Lv.5 (clear hips make me nervous) or until I see an uptick in peels or some other event that tells me grips are necessary.

Second question - types of grips?

Single buckle = easier to put on, less secure?
Double buckle = takes longer to put on, more secure?
Is that it? or are there other important differences?

Third question - brand?
Last time I had parents order grips, many of them stretched out in a month and were flapping all over the place.. had to be replaced - one pair snapped after a month. I've seen many complaints from coaches in facebook groups in the last 2-3 years about poor quality of grips, and I've seen nearly every reputable brand mentioned. Does anyone have recommendations on brands you've recently ordered from?

Fourth question - sizing confirmation?
The gymnast's parent follows the sizing chart on the website, the grips arrive and I check the sizing - my understanding is that with the finger-holes on past the first knuckle, a proper-fitting grip should have the hand form a sort of "claw", where full extension of the fingers isn't quite possible. Is that right?

Then, after some breaking in the grip stretches and the fingers are able to reach full extension - but if the grip is allowed to stretch so long that it folds on itself, or the leather isn't taught at full extension of the fingers- it is time for new grips? Worst case ever would be it stretches so long that it wraps around the entire bar and you grip lock?

Thanks in advance for any and all replies.

 

[Chalky]

Bumping

 

[JBS]

I wrote this up a while back...

Article 'Gymnastics Grips Guide: Buying Tips From A Coach'

Many sports have personal equipment that the athletes either wear or carry to help them play the sport. Gymnastics is no different. Let’s get into the details of one of our most important pieces of personal equipment, gymnastics hand grips. ALL ABOUT DIFFERENT TYPES OF GYMNASTICS GRIPS...

• JBS
• Dec 22, 2023
• 10 min read
• Comments: 1
• Category: Gymnastics Articles
• grips

 

[JBS]

First question - timing. What are your considerations when choosing to place kids in grips?
In the past, I'd say Lv4: get grips. This is when I'd start to see kids peeling on underswings, tap swings and clear hips, so seemed like grips = good.

Typically I wait until their hands are 5 1/2 inches long. I have not had a bunch of luck putting kids in grips with very small hands.

Second question - types of grips?

Single buckle = easier to put on, less secure?
Double buckle = takes longer to put on, more secure?
Is that it? or are there other important differences?

We start with US Glove Hot Shot double buckle grips unless they are really small... then I may put them in the single buckle. After they progress to larger grips we use US Glove Integrity (RKO) double buckle.

Third question - brand?
Last time I had parents order grips, many of them stretched out in a month and were flapping all over the place.. had to be replaced - one pair snapped after a month. I've seen many complaints from coaches in facebook groups in the last 2-3 years about poor quality of grips, and I've seen nearly every reputable brand mentioned. Does anyone have recommendations on brands you've recently ordered from?

You can get a bad batch from almost any brand. I always watch out for grips that are "fuzzy". Fuzzy leather is usually bad... stretches very quick.

We use US Glove grips. We stock them... none of our gymnasts order online... they all just get grips from us and we charge their account. If the size is wrong... I instantly give them a new pair of the size that I like better.

Fourth question - sizing confirmation?
The gymnast's parent follows the sizing chart on the website, the grips arrive and I check the sizing - my understanding is that with the finger-holes on past the first knuckle, a proper-fitting grip should have the hand form a sort of "claw", where full extension of the fingers isn't quite possible. Is that right?

Depends on the event. Uneven bar grips normally open a bit more than that. Men's high bar grips should open as you stated with the grip fingers not able to fully extend. Here is a good article...

Gymnastic Planet Handguard sizing

Many of our customers often request a help choosing correct size of handguards. Sizing charts of handguards are published on our web site. Please note: each style of handguards has their own sizing ch

gymnasticplanet.com

Then, after some breaking in the grip stretches and the fingers are able to reach full extension - but if the grip is allowed to stretch so long that it folds on itself, or the leather isn't taught at full extension of the fingers- it is time for new grips? Worst case ever would be it stretches so long that it wraps around the entire bar and you grip lock?

Yes.

 

[JBS]

@sun As I stated above... we stock US Glove grips at the gym. If I get a bad pair... I just take them back from the athlete and US Glove has always been good to work with. I was just so sick of dealing with parents getting the wrong grips and the wrong size... we handle all of it in house.