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Highland Games Basics: Hook Grip
Now, I’ll admit, I’ve not been a “hook grip” guy my whole career; I fought it for years. Every time I tried it, my hand would instinctively light on fire. My thumb nail felt like it would surely tear off after only carrying the weight with a hook grip. I figured that this much pain wasn’t good for me. I, sadly, was wrong. The year was 2010 and I was throwing at the Alaskan Scottish Highland Games in Eagle River, Alaska (duh). I was warming up in the heavy weight for distance when the weight just slipped out of my...
Highland Games Basics: Holding the Stone
We all know that a stone’s not meant to be thrown like a baseball or even skipped along the crystal clear waters of your local lake. And whether you’re throwing a two-seam fastball or an index finger hook to skip a flat rock, we know this: it’s all in the grip. So, if you’re looking to throw either the Braemar Stone or Open Stone, it’s best you have a good “grip” on the event (dad jokes are a given at this point in my life). On the Pad of my Hand? Huh? The worst thing you can do with the...
Highland Games Basics: Step Away from the Bar
“Step away from the bar.” These are the words I say to myself when I walk by a Snickers, but for the time being we’ll reference it for the 56 lb. Weight Over Bar. When I was in middle school I had the opportunity to compete in the long jump … well … let’s be honest; so did everyone. It was seventh grade and I was part of the pentathlon that the whole track team was doing. Now, as a thrower, I knew my days as a long jumper would never come to fruition, but I have to admit, those...
Top 5 Performances from the 2016 IHGF World Championships
The dust has settled (in this case, maybe from the amazing Alaska Snow Marble trophy by hand carved by Carl Hind). As I mentally unwrap the incredible weekend, and recover from the jet lag and constant daylight, there were five specific performances at this year’s IHGF Worlds that stuck out to me; five performances that really stirred things up and altered the final tally. 1. The massive shoulder punch from Vladislav Tulacek (Czech Republic) This was my first-time throwing with “Vlad” and I have to tell you, he’s already a force to be reckoned with. This 6’6” 275 lb. beast...
Highland Games Basics: Let the Nerve Damage Begin - Taping Your Thumb
If you’re looking to make some instant improvement in your weights for distance, than look no further than permanently damaging your thumb! I mean, you’ve got two, so hurting one of them won’t be a problem, right? Look at the bright side – you’ll be throwing further! If you’re not already, it’s time to start hook gripping the handle in the light weight and heavy weight for distance. There have been only a few people in the history of the sport who could get away with just a standard grip in these events, and the world record holders hook grip...