Secure Shoulder Mounts

MommaBear started this discussion · 6/23/2011

I had a tiny bit of slippage from a shoulder mount the other day and it scared me half to death - mainly because these two "fail" videos are always in the back of my head. I have been confidently doing SMs for awhile (and dismounts as well), but those few milimeters of slippage have shaken my confidence and security with this move. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us_ScaDSy78&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-PXq1W5ZtI First, I want to make sure I am understanding and learning from the mistakes in these vids. To me, the reason for the falls were two fold: 1. Maybe they weren't strong enough and ready for a SM (more so in Vid 2). 2. They both seem to lose hand grip, which ultimately led to the fall. Would you all agree or are there other "mistakes" I am missing? Does anyone have any other tips or words of advice for making sure that you have a solid an secure SM each and every time? Or better yet, how do you regain the confidence after having a scare?

14 replies

MommaBear · 6/23/2011
Um, there is a thread right below mine about "Getting Over Falls" LOL. Whoops.
Veena · 6/23/2011
I don't know if you have the lessons but I strongly believe in learning from the floor first, this gives the student a chance to work on the position. Also the Veena grip is very secure, because if you happen to not apply enough pressure to the trap then you still have the hand/arm extended allow you to "catch" yourself. With the cup grip, if your not applying pressure you could slip. Also when your new to the SM placing the hands too low, in the cup grip will not give you as much leverage as placing the hand up a bit higher. I talk about hand placement in the lesson. Getting over a fear of doing something is very important, because if you have that fear, then you will not be able to progress. Many things are just as much mental as physical. Believing you can accomplish the move is the first step for me. ❤️
chemgoddess1 · 6/23/2011
MOMMA!!!! I have missed you SOOOOO much! When are we going to play??
MommaBear · 6/23/2011
Chemmy!!! I'm gonna message you on FB 😉
MommaBear · 6/23/2011
Veena, I couldn't agree more - all of my road blocks, be it pole or life in general, are mental. Stupid brain LOL There is just something about that brief moment of vunerability (right before you grasp with your legs) that gets me. Logically I am thinking, okay, I am holding all of my body weight, practically upside-down and relying on two sweaty, small hands and a smigen of shoulder skin to keep me where I need to be - and I get the UH OH feeling LOL
reenie aka Mysfit · 6/23/2011
Thought I would toss Amy's recent you tube vid on this very topic..... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2add8yoq9g
Kira · 6/23/2011
Amy's tutorial is really good way to start practicing it. The flaws in the first 2 vids you posted was that they rolled over their shoulder too much so the tension/grip in the shoulder was gone before they got their legs securely on. The second girl practiced it with a t-shirt on as well so she had hardly any grip. As Veena said it's best to try it with the long right hand grip first because that's stabler than the double cupped grip. Make sure the grip is on the meaty part, not on the collarbone and just do little lifts to get used to it (on the floor and standing) before trying the full invert. I agree it's a scary one to learn because there doesn't seem to be as much stability when you get upside down but like all moves it just comes with time :)
reenie aka Mysfit · 6/23/2011
See that was my thought too----the tshirt didn't help. I will not shoulder mount in anything that covers up that area for that specific reason......but I always thought it was my own thought process.....LOL I like feeling secure.........Basically, the more skin I have to contact that pole..........the happier I am. I watch people pole in full length pants in amazement and awe........ Too scary for me.....
MommaBear · 6/23/2011
Mysfit, thank you for posting that, I dunno how I missed that. I'm going to be plowing away tonight 😉 Ollie, I had light bulbs going off everywhere after I read your post - I didn't even realize that one girl had a t-shirt on, and then the roll of the shoulder before feet placement comment you made . . it was an ah ha moment. And, now I can also see how kicking into this is even more of a no-no. That initial kick-up causes a bit of a bouncy chain reaction through out your body and compromises the contact between that meaty shoulder area and the pole (at least in my mind, this is what I am processing LOL). This one just doesn't seem to have a safety exit so it's kinda an all or nothing, hold on for dear life, move. But, I definitely feel like I have a better perspective on this now. Thank you for the feedback!!
chemgoddess1 · 6/23/2011
As a witness, when Momma busted out a SM I was shocked. SM comes to her easier than a regular invert (now it took me months before I could do this thing and she gets it in a few months after starting pole). Sadly it has been too long since we poled together (even though we only live 20 minutes away from each other....hint hint), although I will give her a break because she does have young kids and a guy who works crazy hours. 😎
Lyme Lyte · 6/23/2011
All I have to say is they are lucky they didn't break their necks! And what the heck is that black thing at the bottom of the one pole? Lucky that didn't jouge into her neck. I am a long way from even attempting this move, but when I do, I agree with what Veena said. That is why I am taking her lessons because she will show me the correct and most safe way to do anything. Love her!
nymphdancer · 6/23/2011
for some this move comes much easier then for others. At the moment this is on my list of ain't going to happen right now moves. I didn't say never but not right now. Although I am going to try with the handgrip amy uses before I shelve it for a bit.
Cocoa0 · 6/25/2011
I agree with Veena. Grab higher than you think you should and Veena grip (or twisted/respect grip) is more secure than cup. That being said the first time I rolled over my collar bone and slipped down a bit was one of the scariest things that has ever happened to me on the pole. BUT I didn't fall! And from the sound of it you didn't either. So instead of thinking of it as a slip or fail I think of it as a save. You are strong enough to pull it off AND save your self if it doesn't go exactly as planned. Good for you!
MommaBear · 6/25/2011
"So instead of thinking of it as a slip or fail I think of it as a save." I absolutely love this!!!! Thank you for posting it!! It serves as a subtle, but strong, reminder that attitude and perspective is just as important as strengthening and ability. Cheers to you with my glass half full. 😀