Tips - catching bell with fingers

[Simon]

Hi all - another request for tips.

I am really trying to catch the bell with my fingers on the downward corkscrew during the snatch. Nearly there, but the pads of my hand are getting caught and I'm needing to re-chalk
every couple of minutes to avoid ripping my hands.

Any tips for getting the bell into the fingers? Do I need to throw the bell a bit to get it in the fingers before loading the hand?

Any drills? I don't have a lighter bell available - is there anything that I can do with a 16kg, when I am working with a 16?

Thanks heaps.
Simon

[kbellguy]

Hi Simon

For a start the kb handle should be sitting between you thumb and pointer finger. Basically the corner of the handle need to be resting on webbing/junction of the base of the thumb and pointer while the opposite side slopes down accross the palm, hope this makes sense. Anyway palm rips usually occur when do dont jump the handle from the base of palm to your fingers ie into the hook grip, with the pressur emphasis on the first two fingers and thumb. To avoid this you need to to a small but fast thrust of the kettlbell in the OH lock-out position just prior to the cork-screw. This movement feels like a quick twitch, so basically a small amount of power is generated from your shoulder up your arm and into the handle. This creates a small jump in which the kb actually jumps from base of palm to your fingers, and so does not leave drag marks and eventually rips on your palms. This is a very quick movement and as mentioned before needs to be done a split second prior to the cork screw. When you get this the handle shuld not touch your palms whatsover unless you are fatiged at the end of a long timed set or comp.

[Simon]

thanks kbellguy

Paul does mention that in his book - which I have read 1000 times! Sometimes some things will not sink in.

I can envisage catching the bell with thumb and index finger and avoiding ripping the palm.

[Paul in Hobart]

Simon - it will happen given a little more practise!

Try some swings just holding the bell in the thumb/forefinger grip.
Also , some hand to hand swings using fingers only.
Do these after your snatch sets when/if your palms are sore as it will teach you to avoid the sore spots!

Good luck!

[Simon]

Will do. I've been swinging the 24 with all fingers, not just the thumb and index finger. Hopefully this is the key!