Powerball Grips/Holds - Share Yours!

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

As you can see, this is my second post here, so be kind. :)

I got my Powerball today and have been playing around with it. I'm not great with it ATM, with my best being 8501 and my average between 5500-7500 (higher end though). My excuse is that I'm 14 (and don't link me to the other threads from fourteen-year-olds who can get 11k - I've seen them already! :rolleyes:)

I feel my main problem is not being able to get a good grip/hold on my little Neon. Normally it gets very uncomfortable, meaning I stop.

So, do any of you have any good ways you hold your Powerball? Take a pic and post them here!

Thanks,
James

Edit:
In the instruction paper that comes with it it says turn it over so that the exposed side is facing the ground. Do you have to do this, as I find it hard to use the Powerball and keep it facing down?

Sometimes my Powerball creates a scraping sound (although IIRC this only happens when it's at low revs, ie 2000). Is this due to me holding it wrongly/the wrong way up, or is it just the slow revs? Or is it another thing? Taking in mind that I got my PB today, havent dropped it or anything etc

Thanks again.

[Installed]

Hi parasite_X92, I have use many different ways to hold the powerball. One that works well for beginners is holding the powerball with the open end facing your palm. But the one most unique to me is where I hold one powerball with both of my hands, and achieve a highscore that way. It worked very well for me especially when I was just starting powerball, and rocketed me up to the 13k mark relatively soon. (I am only 15). I would recommend trying different ways of this technique, maybe itll work for you too. In short, I hold the ball in the center of my body with both hands on the ball and the open end facing up. Hope this helps. :)

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

Thanks Installed. I'll try the open-end-against-palm method ASAP :) And I'll try using both hands, but surely your hands want to go opposite ways or something like that?

One more question; is there a difference between clockwise and anti-clockwise (apart from the way it spins of course)? Like, speed, fitness etc.

Thanks.

[Pike]

to answer your most recent question, yes, your arm is working differently in each directon. What you said about your hands going opposite directions is dead on. you will probably find a preffered direction that is opposite for each hand and you may only be able to go one direction with your non-dominant hand for awhile(I've been at it a year and still have trouble with this).

Now for your earlier question.
The majority of the force in the powerball comes from the spinning of the gyro. This is why at low speeds you will hear the axle slipping on the track some. Once you get it up to 5000 or so it shouldn't make the noise anymore. Gravity does not affect the preformance, so feel free to run it at any angle you want(How your arm is positioned and your hold greatly affect what muscle groups are working). As for the grip, try gripping any way you want as long as you can keep a good hold on a ball, and if you're like me, you may want to try new grips over something soft(just incase it slips). I've found that gripping it offset from the top can be more comfortable, though the hold on the ball is not as strong. good luck

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

Thanks a lot for that Pike, incrediable helpful! Time for some experimenting!

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

I tried a few different grips (I havent tried the two-handed one as it seems hard) and found the best to be where the open end is towards the palm of your hand; it gives my little fingure some support. :)

But I still can't get much above 5000-6500revs as it just wont go any faster and then my hand/wrist just dies. It's probably my technique, as my arms seems to move a fair bit too. Any advice?

[Sayex]

practice, dont expect to make a new record with a new grip, you have to get used to it first.
Regards

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

Yeah, I realise that. I just feel 6000revs is sooo slow. :(

I'll just keep practising and hopefully get better. :)

[Adrena1in]

I've answered your PM on this my friend, but will also post a few hints here, in case others are suffering from a lack of speed! ;)

It does sound to me like perhaps you're moving your arm too much. It's nothing to worry about...most people will naturally spin their arm from the elbow, making large circles. Quite difficult to get high revs like this.

Try resing your lower arm on your leg while sat down, or on the arm of the sofa, and just move your wrist. This will allow for smaller movements.

My favourite tip is endurance. Spin the Powerball almost as fast as you can, for as long as you can. You may find that after 20 or 30 seconds the lactic acid will really be building up in your muscles, and you'll slow down loads, but keep going. A minute or 90-seconds is good. Rest until any pain has gone, then do some speed runs.

[sam9898989]

I dont know if this is counted as cheating but i hold the powerball in both of my hands, my left hand on the counter and my right hand on the rotator and start turning the ball with both hands. I dont do this for very long because it tires your hands out quickly:)

[Installed]

I dont know if this is counted as cheating but i hold the powerball in both of my hands, my left hand on the counter and my right hand on the rotator and start turning the ball with both hands. I dont do this for very long because it tires your hands out quickly:) :eek: I'm not alone! This topic has already been covered, and using both hands is not against the rules. :D

[Sayex]

:eek: I'm not alone! This topic has already been covered, and using both hands is not against the rules. :D

xD!!
LOL, but i guess he is not making any hichscores with both hands like you?

[Tstering]

I've tried the both handed technique a few times for a bit of fun but can't get over 9,000rpm :p

[Sayex]

yeah, ive tryed that too, but am doing around the 10000 rpm

[Adrena1in]

I used to try two-handed with the Metal, and I certainly found it a lot easier to get to around 10k-11k with two hands than with one. Can't rememeber what my record is with the 250Hz, but certainly nowhere near my one-handed records.

[darren]

i was trying some different techiniques guys and found and interesting one. Once you start to get the powerball moving alot just swivel you're wrist from left to right sharply, this seems to build up the revs at an incredible rate for me. ^^

[Adrena1in]

...just swivel you're wrist from left to right sharply...You'll find that at really high speeds, (13000 rpm+), you won't be consciously making circles, but vibrating your wrist/forearm/arm back and forth rapidly. This is known as "Pulsing", and is generally regarded as the only way really to get those ultra-high scores.

I don't really feel as though I'm doing it at 14000 rpm, but I do feel like I'm doing it when I hold 13000 rpm for 30 seconds. Just feels like quite a relaxed technique.

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

Thanks all for your replies, they've all helped very much. :)
My best so far is still slow (just over 10200), but I'm improving. :D

[Tstering]

[QUOTE=Adrena1in]You'll find that at really high speeds, (13000 rpm+), you won't be consciously making circles, but vibrating your wrist/forearm/arm back and forth rapidly. This is known as "Pulsing", and is generally regarded as the only way really to get those ultra-high scores.
[QUOTE]

Interesting. I find that i am still definantly making a circular motion at the moment. Do i need to think about chaning this subtly one i can consistently get over 13K (only done it 5 times so far).

[darren]

i really need to invest in either a new powerball with a screen, or buy the screen seperate. I want to know my rpm! :p

[GandrudbakkenAS]

Ive tried lots of different grips the last days and it seems to me that the smaller the movement of my hand is, the higher the score is!! Im usually holding it with the counter in too my palm and sort of trying to reach around it (i have short fingers so i have to do this so i dont drop it:p ), it was this way i got my current highscore. (11353)

I tried the two handed thing and i couldnt get it higher than 8 - 9k...

Now i just got to make my grip stronger so i dont have to be afraid for it to slip when i get above 10.5k:)

Regards

Sorry for bad english btw....

[skylerwd6]

Thanks all for your replies, they've all helped very much. :)
My best so far is still slow (just over 10200), but I'm improving. :DIt is a bit slow and if you don't mind me asking how old are you? My record is 11498 anyways how I get higher rpms is I start it with my left hand get it as high as I can go (which is about 10200 to 10400) then switch it quickly (though still gripping tightly) and speed it up as high as I can get it and I usually get 10900+

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

It is a bit slow and if you don't mind me asking how old are you? My record is 11498 anyways how I get higher rpms is I start it with my left hand get it as high as I can go (which is about 10200 to 10400) then switch it quickly (though still gripping tightly) and speed it up as high as I can get it and I usually get 10900+
With my left hand I am absolutely pathetic; can't get much above 7k! It really is weak.
And I'm 14.

[Installed]

Dont worry, thats how I first started out too. Just remember if you dont practice, you wont get much better, and vice-versa.

[Adrena1in]

left hand is pathetic; It really is weak.
Not weak, just not coordinated. With plenty of practice you'll be able to score just as much with your left as with your right. :)

[GandrudbakkenAS]

With plenty of practice you'll be able to score just as much with your left as with your right. :)

True! I experienced this myself:)

[skylerwd6]

With my left hand I am absolutely pathetic; can't get much above 7k! It really is weak.
And I'm 14.
I am 14 as well at first I could'nt get above 9k! Believe me it takes some practice to get better score I found my technique only a few days ago it will take some time be patient and good luck

[PaRaSiTe_X92]

Not weak, just not coordinated
Yes weak.
For example, I can win a lot of arm wrestles with my right hand/arm, but my left just dies. With lifting things, I cant do as well by far with my left. My left arm is weak. :)

And thanks all for your help. I'll just keep practising. :)

[Adrena1in]

What I mean is, strength isn't necessary. With the 250Hz it's 95% technique, 5% strength. My left arm has always been weaker than my right arm, but with practice my left was a fair bit faster with the Powerball.

Not anymore, but it was one time.