Overhead Spring Questions...

[jazzhands1]

Hi fellow flourishers.

I recently started flourishing, maybe a few months ago, so I'm new to both this forum and new to flourishing. This forum sounds like a great place to ask a few questions, so....

Basically, right now I have been working on the overhead spring by Jerry Cestkowski (the Flourishman). Sooo....I have questions about this flourish. Hope I don't sound like a complete newb. thanks people.

First of all, when doing the overhead spring how far apart do your hands need to be for it to look impressive? Right now my hands are about a foot apart throughout the flourish, but I don't know whether I need to practice it more or not...

And second, I have been using the traditional spring grip. Jerry said in the Encyclopedia that you need to use the corner grip to do the overhead spring, but traditional grip (thumb on middle of short side, other fingers on the other short side) has been working fine for me. Is there something I'm missing here? And also, is the corner grip absolutely essential as Jerry stated in his book? Traditional grip seems to be working for me.

Finally, how do you get the springing action to last longer? I'm finding it hard to spring cards slower, as Jerry recommends. I run out of cards to spring as soon as my hands start to rotate upside down. Do you just do the flourish really, really fast so you don't run out of cards? Or do you bend the cards harder?

If you could help me on this awesome flourish I'd greatly appreciate it. Thanks for your time.

 

[praetoritevong]

Hey man,

As far as the overhead spring goes, a foot looks pretty impressive already! It pretty much depends on how big you want it to be. If you want it to be bigger, keep practicing - it can be bigger. Mine's about a foot at the moment also. But as it is, from my experience, yeah, it's quite impressive. So basically, yeah it is impressive, it can be better if you want, so practice accordingly.

As far as grip goes: Jerry's spring grip is as you said corner grip. Many people use your grip. As far as springs go, if it works, go for it, I've not seen a problem with either grip (although I use the corner grip). Obviously, with many flourishes, grip is essential, so this isn't an overarching principle, but just for the spring, I've seen just as many people use yours.

And don't worry about looking noob, just asking questions puts you in better standing than most people who put up flourish videos and look terrible anyway.

 

[jazzhands1]

Thanks! That helps a lot.

Another question comes to mind, though.

How far do you hold your hands above your head? I mean, on one hand it looks impressive to hold your hands really high, but it's also a lot harder.

Good news, though: I did the overhead spring for some people today and they were quite impressed. =D

 

[praetoritevong]

Good question! *Does some overhead springs*

About the distance as my hands, around a foot give or take. Again, however far you're willing to practice to get it to

And yeah, laymen especially, but even most flourishers will give you a "Nice one" for a good spring

 

[jazzhands1]

Darn.

I measured again and found that my spring was like 8 or 9 inches instead.

Oh well, I'll keep practicing...

 

[Shanku]

jazzhands1, the problem with the traditional grip is that the spring is too quick and hard to control (in comparison to the corner grip method). Try the corner grip as described by Jerry and you'll see that you have a lot more control over the speed of your spring.

 

[trashmanf]

Well, speed is only one part of it, the corner grip gives you better control over the direction the cards spring.

Learn the basic "very long spring" and the upside-down spring first. don't try to go straight for the ultimate overhead spring and wonder why its so small and messy.

 

[jazzhands1]

Hmmm...corner grip seems kind of hard since my pinky's not that strong but I'll practice it.

Thanks.

 

[Shanku]

Hmmm...corner grip seems kind of hard since my pinky's not that strong but I'll practice it.

Thanks.

It will get stronger with practice. Alternatively, you can use your ring finger.

 

[42613]

Hmmm...corner grip seems kind of hard since my pinky's not that strong but I'll practice it.

Thanks.

It will also help to use broken in cards, that way your pinky doesn't need to apply as much pressure....

 

[praetoritevong]

I use my ring finger for corner grip - it definitely strengthens after a while though, I can spring certain decks with my right (my springing hand) that I can't get anywhere near springing with my left.