Tom Jindra

May 11, 2017

A thumb-on-top (TOT) grip doesn’t necessarily contribute to poor tracking. In my experience, the determining factor is arm position, aka casting style. If you tend to cast low and off to the side like Lefty Kreh, for example, a TOT grip definitely contributes to the “hooking” problem you describe, and it gets worse as you lengthen your casting stroke. It just might be the most common problem I see with intermediate casters.

The solution, in this case, is to change your style, be more aware of your tracking or change your grip. I favor changing to a V grip.

Lefty, by the way, is impeccable with his tracking, despite using TOT.

For vertical casters such as Joan Wulff, TOT seems to have no ill effect on tracking. TOT might even be the best of all grips for vertical casters. But as you move off the vertical, the tracking issue begins to reassert itself.

Noel King

May 05, 2017

that was explained very weii now I know what is causing me a few problems thankyou. Cheers Noel

Troy

May 04, 2017

i always encourage my students from the very first class to experiment with all types of grips with all types of casts. Thumb on top is a very commonly used grip for all the reasons you listed — and more.

The stop on the backcast is very positive and controlled. The caster must think about the stop before beginning the stroke, and then bring the thumb to precisely that position.

Thumb on top prevents strain on the index finger (or base of index finger as in the key grip) on longer casts.

Thumb on top is the easiest grip to change casting planes for most people, compared to the other two. Backcast delivery (like Mark Sedotti’s Sayonara Sling) are most efficiently performed with thumb on top. i teach the backcast delivery as a preferred means of dealing with casting-hand wind rather than cross body or tilted rod casting.

Some mends are more easily executed with thumb on top, so using that grip during the cast allows immediate mending w/o altering grip.

One way to reduce hand fatigue while casting is to only clench the cork tightly at the beginning and ending of each stroke, relaxing the grip mid-stroke and during the unrolling pause. Index on top and key grips don’t facilitate this grip relaxation technique as well.

Accomplished casters will use variations of different grips without much conscious thought — but it’s a very important part of effective delivery/presentation.

Peter Morse

May 04, 2017

I think of it like this, we don’t throw anything with our thumb. Grip it like you want to throw it.

AJ

May 03, 2017

Just when I thought I had a good grip with the thumb on top method I had to go and read an article about the v-grip and crooked thumb technique/s. I think I get a much better application of the stop with a bend in that thumb when in a v-grip. I think it comes down to the ability to squeeze my hand quicker when the forearm is rotated inwards and I already have a grip on the cork that’s in a half squeeze because I’ve cocked or bent my thumb. Either that or I’m so busy looking at my grip techniques that I’m not even watching my loops…;)

Michael Lorimer

May 03, 2017

Hi Carl. Thumb also one of commonest joints to suffer osteoarthritis so 60+ brigade may notice pain at base of thumb particularly on back stroke (ironically this might stop them over arcing and improve loops but at cost of pain). Wrist splints can help stabilise this action, wonder whether they could be used as training aid anyway to improve linear action and tight loops?!

Thomas Eckert

May 03, 2017

Ok I am one of the crazy europeans ;-)

Shaun ASh

May 02, 2017

Very nice piece an under talked about style issue that really effects substance
A piece every caster should read and consider especially for instructors.