Was I Cheating?

**Syed769** · 03-08-2006, 09:52

Hey, I got my powerball last week and I ordered the hand strap with it. I found that the strap was annoying because while using the powerball, the strap would bounce around my hand and wrist. I started wrapping the strap around my hand and wrist and fingers while holding the powerball. Is this considered cheating? It felt like i had a better grip on the ball because of it and I stopped for the that same reason. I felt like my grip wasnt strong enough to control that ball at higher speeds and the strap was giving me an unfair advantage.

Anyway, I wasn't sure about whether or not I was doing something wrong, but I stopped doing it because I would rather build up the hand strength to hold the ball.

Been using it fairly regularly for the past week, the first time I used the string to get it started, i got around 8000. Seemed fairly bad, but ive gotten better and now my high score is 13048. Hopefully I'll be able to get around 14,000 within the next week or two. This thing is really addictive.

**Adrena1in** · 03-08-2006, 10:55

Strapping the Powerball to your hand isn't "cheating", but as you say, it's going to detract from you getting the full benefit, which is to strengthen your grip.

You just wait until you get a 350Hz Metal Powerball...they really ARE difficult to hold onto. Even with a balloon over mine, or wearing rubber gloves, I sturggle to hold on at around 11000rpm.

P.S. Over 13000 in a week is very VERY good. Took me AGES to get to that barrier!

**Syed769** · 03-08-2006, 15:29

I find that if I take a little time off, its easier to get a higher score, a whole day usually helps. I was stuck at around 12,800 for the past 4 days, but after taking one day in between I got to 13,000, and it felt awesome.

It's the hardest thing not to pick up the powerball when its just sitting there on the desk. I'm going to try my best not to use it for the next 2 days and see if I can beat my score.

**Millenwagon** · 17-08-2006, 15:47

Originally Posted by Syed769

It's the hardest thing not to pick up the powerball when its just sitting there on the desk.

I couldn't agree with you more! i have the same problem, but i noticed when i had some good hours away from it my score bettered. i'm stuck on 11800 at the minute but gonna make sure someday i get 15000, how long would that take you reckon ive only been powerballing for 10 days now so would it take like a year or what???

**stephenk** · 17-08-2006, 16:49

I would think you would be very good if you hit 15k in a year ... How long did Akis take?

Stephen

**donkapone** · 17-08-2006, 16:59

Akis didn`t improve very fast comparing with, for example, Bjorn Hjelte who is 2nd in the world now.

**Adrena1in** · 17-08-2006, 20:34

Actually, Akis posted his first score of 13700 ish on 9/9/04, then hit 15k in January '05. Not sure when he first picked up a Powerball though.

I started in about August 2004 and am still only at 13500...well, 13000 at the moment is an achievement for me.

**Syed769** · 18-08-2006, 05:25

I'm starting to realize that it will take time to get higher, I don't see myself getting 14,000 any time soon, i guess the initial jumps I made were just because i'm in pretty good shape and I figured out a decent technique. It's good to set goals though and i'm just going to see how far I can go.

**Enda** · 18-08-2006, 12:33

Originally Posted by Syed769

I'm starting to realize that it will take time to get higher, I don't see myself getting 14,000 any time soon, i guess the initial jumps I made were just because i'm in pretty good shape and I figured out a decent technique. It's good to set goals though and i'm just going to see how far I can go.

That's pretty much it... when we look at the score history for any submissions, we generally see a rapid increase in speeds for the first few scores, and then a steady improvement of 2-600rpm each time.

Eventually you reach a plateau and will stay there unless you start using the Strength Index modes for endurance training.

Taking breaks from Powerball for a few days at a time will also help as it allows your muscles to completely relax - ready for a new Powerball assault