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Thread: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

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    Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    Ok, Carine (PoleKatz) does it. Pantera's got it down. Even the chick in PS's advertising video clip (the one they use EVERYWHERE) can do it. What am I missing?

    I'm talking about the move where you stand with your back toward the pole, reach overhead, grab the pole (with a double backhand type grip - like Fawnia's backslides) and then pull your feet up over your head and onto the pole. When you're finished, you're in a cat-like stance on the pole (which I can do, but not from the shoulder mount). Check out PS's site to see the chick do it (and no - that's not a PS plug)

    http://www.platinumstages.com

    Anyway, it's a cool trick and mastering it leads to other cool tricks. Plus, I would just love to be able to look that strong. But, I know it's gotta be a lot of ab work. I don't know if it's purely a matter of being strong enough to pull myself up and I'm just not there yet, or if there is some little nuance of the trick that I'm missing...

    My problem is the grip. I feel like if I could just get a good grip on the pole, I could kick hard enough and crunch my abs enough to to get my legs onto the pole. I don't see why it would be much different than any other invert, if I could just get a solid grip. As it is though, the harder I kick or the bigger an effort I make to get my legs up, the more my hands slip down. I've mastered a lot of the pole tricks without being afraid of falling anymore, but this one still scares me a little, because you're not really even holding onto the pole to be able to use it to slide down and break your fall, y'know? You're just standing there beside the pole, kicking your feet up, and if you start to slip, you plummet straight down and land on your back... Maybe I just need to lay out some exercise mats and get ballsy!

    Anyway... If anyone that can do this has any tips/tricks/cheats/whatever that can help me, I would really appreciate it.

    THANKS!

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    Senior Member naughtynaomi's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    It helps if your back is kinda felxible...you can get more of a bend before swinging up and your shoulder is planted more firmly against the pole. This trick is hard though, and whenever I did it it hurt my shoulder like, crazy bad.

    If it's a matter of grip for you, there's a trick, and it's gonna sound gross, but if you rub cigarette ash in your palms before going onstage, you can really grip the pole.

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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    There is also something called Dri-Grip. It's colorless and it helps keep moisture and sweat off the palms.

    When you pull your legs up, you really want to push your shoulder into the pole. It really hurts when you are first doing it, but like everything else, you'll get used to it. If you are going to practice this one, make sure that you have a spotter or at least put some cushioning on the floor so if you fall, you'll have something to break the fall.

    I think your biggest problem is with slippery/sweaty palms. Get some dri-grip and see if that helps you.

    Oh, and momentum when you are first learning this movement is the key. After you've been doing this awhile, you'll be able to slow it down a bit. You'll find the way that your body works best with the pole.

    Good luck and let us know how it goes!!

  4. #4
    madmaxine
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    Strong abdominal muscles & and much momentum in "throwing" your legs, which are pulling you upward during the swing to get your feet over your head on the pole.
    I used to do this trick all the time, but it seemed to aggrivate my back......so I don't anymore. As cool as it looks, it's not worth hurting yourself over.

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    Senior Member SW Siren's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    oh boy, I dunno if I will ever be able to do that trick ! I'm having trouble even climbing the thing , lol !

    But the 1st had experince and instructions here so far are great , thanks ladies !

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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    Thanks... now you have me practicing a new pole trick. >_<

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    God/dess Bunny's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    oh lordy, I just held onto the pole and couldn't even let go of my legs without sliding down. I'm starting to think that a stainless pole makes a lot of things harder becuase it gets so damned slimy! How do I clean it so it's not so slimy? I tried 409 and it made it slimier.

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    God/dess VenusGoddess's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    Good old straight alcohol!!!

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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    I asked work if we had brass or steel poles to practice my tricks and he said, "Standard poles? I don't know."

    So now that I know you girls fall off I think we have brass. Thank you. :3

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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    Bunny,

    I have a stainless steel pole and, basically I hate it. I like my brass one much better. But when I have to, I use the stainless and I find that standard Windex seems to clean it pretty well. You just have a to wait a few minutes for it to dry (which isn't quite as obvious as it sounds). Even if it looks dry, it seems like there's some kind of oily residue that has to evaporate. Then you're good for 5-10 more minutes, depending on what you're doing... LOL (Did I mention I hate the stainless steel poles? No matter.)

    Alcohol works great on my brass pole. I don't know whether it's safe for the stainless finish or not, so I'm going with Windex for now.

    Anybody know what to clean a powder-coated pole with?

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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    why is stainless so much slimier? at my new club i just started at, they have these strange flimsier, almost textured poles... not brass, not stainless, something else... they almost feel extra hollow... and NOTHING can grip to them... even after getting sprayed...... by nothing i mean i cant hold on even with the vinyl on my shoe!... which makes pole tricks here extra hard considering i already have overly sweaty hands
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    When you are kicking up do not keep your body straight as a board all the way up. You will lose the adherance to the pole and start falling down with your entire weight. If you could slow down the movement you might notice that when the torso is flipped approximately 120 degrees from the original standing position the legs flex at the hips to a straight vertical position. This directs the the body weight so that appoximately 50 % is directed into the pole allowing your sternomastoidal and upper trapezius muscles to press into it and halt your descent( I know it hurts but its only temporary). From there it only requires a short tug to bring your legs to the pole for a suspending grip.

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    Veteran Member Lady's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    I have taught a few other dancers at my club this one ... when you are trying to learn, take your shoes off. By beeing flat footed you can give a better kick. Also, like VG said, make sure your shoulder is firly against the pole, it will help your body grip and keep from sliding while kicking also. I wouldnt try the dismount she did. That looked hard. If you get your feet around the pole just slide down untill you have your hands on the ground and then get off. It takes a lot of upper obdy strenght but mainly it is practice and knowing just the right amount of momentum and strength to apply

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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    [I know I'm pulling up an old thread, but I missed it first time 'round]

    This one one of the first tricks I learned...I find it the easiest way to get upside down, actually. The trick is in how you grip (which I just don't know how to explain...I'll try: assuming you're right handed, right hand on top with fingers pointing right, left hand underneath that and just over head, fingers also pointing right), how you kick up (left leg first, if you're right handed), and learning to drop your head.

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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    this is one move i will NEVER try again. for me it's just not worth it.

    i had been trying this move for a while and could never flip upside down. i don't know if it was my grip or what. so one night after work i just kicked up as hard as i could and fell right on my neck, upside down. it hurt LIKE HELL. and i'm lucky i didn't snap my neck.

    personally, i think there are easier, safer, and just as good looking ways of inverting yourself on the pole. just my two cents!

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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    Metholates spirits works wonders on cleaning poles as well as helping with sweaty hands. I used to dab a v.small amount on my palms to help 'dry' them up. Plus the metholated spirits is a good anti-bacterial as well so it will kill any germs on the pole


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    Senior Member Rachel Hart's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    it really is all about the grip. I barely kick up at all and I use my arm and ab strength. I doubt its one i'll use alot becuase of the pain in the shoulder, but it is something cool i'll bust out to show friends in my living room

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    Senior Member Anney Dancer 2's Avatar
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    Default Re: Help with 'shoulder mount' pole trick

    I agree with Rachel - i dont really kick up hard at all.

    When i teach someone this i always make them spray their hands with Firm Grip spray first to give them a powerful grip so they can then focus on the correct technique.

    Try these tips and see a difference..

    (reverse the hand and back placement for those who are left handed)

    Preparation:
    Leaning against the pole placing it between your spine and right shoulder blade. Take both your hands over and behind your head and 'cup' the pole without using your thumbs for grip. (Thumbs face the floor, right hand high.)

    Take a step forward with your feet so that your body leans back, knees bent slightly, let your head fall back, look at the ceiling, and bring your elbows as close as possible to each other pulling the pole into your neck/traps.
    (The closer your elbows the more power to your pull!)

    Assuming you are now in an angled position this will help you have a better grip and slightly less of a distance to travel in the air - so minimising risk of falling. Do pull the pole into your neck and keep that head back, elbows together - it all helps when youre learning!

    Take off:
    Now try pulling up quickly (you will have to swing it slightly) but pull your knees up to your chest as if you're squatting (the 'havin a baby' pose!) then straighten legs as you tip over.
    If you try to straighten your legs the first time you do this you may fall and you will make it so much harder for yourself as well as encouraging lower back injuries. Pushing hips forward and tucking in abs at take off makes it less risky for back problems.
    Bend your legs to make it easier then get used to the feeling and grip technique, then start polishing the leg positions!

    The beginning head, elbow and hand positions give you an advantage for take off, after that its tucking up and pushing through with your abs that gets you through. Theres a point you will feel (make or break point) where you have to push your hips up and over just like you see pole vaulters do - once thats done you will wonder what you found so difficult!!

    If i had a video i would post it - i will work on it for you!

    Hope this helps!
    Last edited by Anney Dancer 2; 06-12-2006 at 06:55 PM.



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