Gripper 'set'- Explain Please

[doctordeath]

I keep hearing about the credit card set on the #3, and whilst i understand the concept of this in itself, what is it there for?

Do people put the grippers in their hand, squeeze them up a bit, then reposition their fingers to get a better grip around it, or am i missing the point here.

When I 'set' my grippers (and I'm still working towards the #2, so am by no means claiming to be any kind of expert here), I put them in my hand, and just get them comfortable, then squeeze until my eyes try to pop out of my head. I don't squeeze at all until I'm ready to go.

Is my interpretation of what the credit card rule is for correct? And is this technique something a small handed fella such as myself should bear in mind, or should I just continue with what I'm doing.

Some clarification would be muchos appreciated.

Chris.

[Mikulich]

I keep hearing about the credit card set on the #3, and whilst i understand the concept of this in itself, what is it there for?

Do people put the grippers in their hand, squeeze them up a bit, then reposition their fingers to get a better grip around it, or am i missing the point here.

When I 'set' my grippers (and I'm still working towards the #2, so am by no means claiming to be any kind of expert here), I put them in my hand, and just get them comfortable, then squeeze until my eyes try to pop out of my head. I don't squeeze at all until I'm ready to go.

Is my interpretation of what the credit card rule is for correct? And is this technique something a small handed fella such as myself should bear in mind, or should I just continue with what I'm doing.

Some clarification would be muchos appreciated.

Chris.

The credit card set was introduced by Ironmind to make certification tougher. I believe Dr. Strossen refers to it as attempting to keep with the spirit of the challenge. Others use less favorale language in regards to the change. That debate aside, prior to this rule an individual was allowed to set the gripper to parallel.

Therefore they use the strength of both hands to squeeze the gripper down to about an inch distance between handles. Then they removed the non-gripper hand while keeping tension with the gripper hand.

As soon as the other hand was a foot away they could roceed to sweep the gripper shut. This is akin to doing a partial squat. Because the full range of motion is not needed to make the close, it is easier. To me it is still a great feat of strength, but it is nonetheless easier than closing from a width of a credit card.

If your goal is to become COC certified you will need to practice closing the gripper with at least the distance of a credit card between the handles (2 INCHES). If you are interested in doing a Mash Monster Certification you can train a lot more with a set (~ 1 inch).

Ultimately the goal is to get stronger hands and you will get them by training either way.

By your description of your closing it looks like you are attempting a close closer to a credit card set. But you must remember that adding the card in makes the close harder because you have to hold it with the other hand while setting. Then open the gripper wide enough for you to place the card between the handles. If that wasn't hard enough on the coordination you then need to pause for verification and go for the close. Try the credit card close with a gripper you know you can slam shut and see how much more difficult it feels.

Good luck.

[doctordeath]

I figured that's what it meant.

Fortunately I already train 'no set', as I said.

I'm a lOOOOOOOOOOOOOng way off shutting a #3, so i don't think it's going to concern me for some time to come... Shutting a #2 is my present concern!

Thanks for the heads up, Mikulich.

Chris.