Great question, and I’m so glad the feedback helped clarify a few things!
You’re absolutely right that there are a lot of mixed messages out there about twisted grip. Much of the caution surrounding it comes from older teaching paradigms rather than from our current understanding of shoulder biomechanics.
Here are a few key points to help guide your thinking:
1. Twisted grip isn’t inherently “bad”
As mentioned in my feedback, internal rotation is actually a position of stability for the shoulder. Many dancers feel more supported or secure in twisted grip, and there’s no evidence to suggest it increases instability risk compared with other grips.
2. The hesitation around twisted grip is a mix of skill-development concerns and instructor experience
Historically, some teaching programs avoided introducing twisted grip early because:
-
Students often find it easier due to the increased passive stability it provides, and may rely on it.
-
This can delay the development of straight grip strength, coordination, and confidence.
-
Additionally, some instructors in the past may have relied heavily on the passive stability of twisted grip and overloaded their shoulders, increasing their risk of injury and in turn swaying their students away from this grip.
As we discuss in the shoulder videos, there are various reasons why twisted grip can feel both easier and more challenging depending on the individual. But a lot of the discourse has simply come down to instructor preference rather than documented evidence.
In Dr Joanna Nicholas’ 2019 study of 103 pole-related injuries, 21 were shoulder injuries and only six were directly related to twisted grip. That’s 6% of all pole injuries and 29% of shoulder injuries. It’s a small sample size, but it demonstrates that twisted grip injuries are not nearly as prominent as community discussions often suggest. It’s definitely prevalent, and an issue for sure, but clinically speaking, it’s not the most common mechanism of shoulder injury I see. And when I do see these injuries, it’s because the student has been placed in twisted grip without being ready for it’s demands.
Twisted grip is challenging, and that can increase injury risk if performed without competence — but that’s true of any grip or trick. It’s not that twisted grip is unsafe; it’s that students need well-rounded grip competency. Twisted grip just has smaller margins for error than some of the other grips.
3. So… should you delay twisted grip?
Not necessarily. Instead of avoiding it, think of it as part of a broader teaching progression where grip choices are intentional. A more appropriate approach is to:
-
Teach grips based on the skill you want your students to develop, not out of fear that you should delay or not teach something.
-
Introduce straight grip and twisted grip (and cup) as different tools rather than “good vs bad.”
-
Help students understand when each grip is biomechanically useful and why different shoulders may have different preferences. But also, teach them how to make their shoulders more robust with conditioning.
-
KEY: Make sure your students meet the range-of-motion and strength requirements before introducing twisted grip. This is truly how we minimise injury risk.
4. Use the following factors to guide your decision-making when teaching a grip:
-
The student’s shoulder flexibility and comfort through the required movement
-
Their ability to maintain strength and control during the skill
-
Your teaching goal at that stage (i.e. what you want that grip to develop)
-
Avoiding over-reliance on a single grip by exposing them to multiple options
-
Ensuring they understand the biomechanical differences between grips
There’s no need for a one-size-fits-all approach. Screen each student appropriately to determine whether they are safe and prepared for a skill — and if they don’t meet the demands, they’re simply not ready yet. They’ll need to work on their strength and flexibility so they can eventually master that move safely. It’s a ‘for later’ skill.
TL;DR: Don’t fall for the “twisted grip is bad” trap — it’s not. What is problematic is students attempting grips, tricks or skills their bodies aren’t ready for, or overtraining any grip without the required capacity.