The monkey grip for holding an UWH stick is a modified version of the standard grip and is used during certain specific maneuvers where a more pronounced hook is desirable. Instead of the player's thumb being pressed to the back-side of the stick, the thumb is pressed to the top of the stick's handle along side the index finger (the stick's back-side should still face the player). This causes the stick to “rock back” in the hand so that the tip of the stick moves closer to the player's forearm and the heel of the stick moves further away.
Having a tie looped around the handle and the middle finger near the first knuckle as described in the Standard Grip makes this grip much easier to move in and out of.
Demo video coming soon!
The Monkey Grip has far fewer uses than the standard grip but it is very helpful in conducting tackles (opponent's stick-hand side) if the player is holding their stick in the same hand (righty vs righty, or lefty vs lefty) or when conducting tackles (opponent's free-hand side) if the player is holding their stick in the opposite hand (righty vs lefty).
Aside from the two tackling maneuvers described above, the monkey grip isn't usually appropriate. The overall grip strength is much weaker when trying to perform any puck handling or passing maneuvers. Trying to stick battle for the puck when using the monkey grip is not recommended.
Real life example coming soon.
|
MONKEY GRIP
|