Thumbnails and Clubs.
Learning 4 clubs really tore my thumbnails up. Things have gotten better, but nail strikes remain a persistent problem, especially with triple spin throws.
I have tried band aids, which are frustrating. I am supplementing my diet with vitamin D in the winter for stronger nails. Today I spilled Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate) on my thumbnail, and found that it forms a hard shell around the nail. Could a fake nail provide more protection? Does anyone have experience juggling with fake nails on, does it help? Gloves are another option.
What can I do to avoid the problem? It seems I never have nail strikes when juggling patterns at which I am very proficient. It's possible I am making technique errors that cause nail strikes. Has anyone improved technique to avoid nail strikes?
Cedric Lackpot - - Parent #
Change your technique to stop putting your fingernails in harm's way. Seriously. It can be done, not perfectly I admit, but you can make a lot of difference.
I'm a bad juggler and a bad guitarist, but at least I combine the two whilst mostly maintaining a full set of nails on my dominant plucking hand, including a fairly substantial thumbnail. I take a lot of hits on the soft parts of the palm side of my hands, perhaps because I open my catching hands much more than I used to, but nail strikes are very infrequent.
With regard to cyanoacrylates, I've never tried it myself but their use amongst guitarists for on-the-fly nail repair is common and I understand it's about the most effective quick fix there is, so it seems reasonable to assume it might be helpful for jugglers as well, both for repair and as a protective nail strengthener.
Are you regularly trimming your nails before each practice session? Keep your nails as short as possible at all times & keep some nail scissors/clippers/nail file in your kit bag.
Place your hands palm down on a table & position your head over your wrists. If you can't see the skin of your fingertips beyond your nails then they are too long!
Stephen Meschke - - Parent #
I'll add nail clippers and a nail file to my kit. Thank you.
Don't have the problem .. Am not sure, I even understand how a spinning club can inflict on a too long nail (maybe unless doing rev spins).
I juggle massive wooden clubs and the knob hitting my thumbknuckle (or nail) is simply not allowed. So I hold my hands exaggeratedly open (a bit like small childs when catching) always with the thumbs back facing downward ground - any part of even a failed clubthrow can only land hitting my hand's (and thumb's) inside.
So maybe just to have it done once, you could juggle with something hard (one-two-three sticks, tools, hammers, whatevers) to once and for all internalize red alert for nails and knuckles on clubs landing.
Little Paul - - Parent #
I've never really had a problem with nail strikes when solo club juggling (plenty of bruising to the base of my fingers or my wrists, but that's another issue) but I did used to get a lot of broken nails from club passing.
What helped was to identify what position my hands were in when making the catch.
Things to think about include:
- are your palms facing upwards, or inwards. Changing the angle a small amount in one direction or the other may make a huge difference
- are you reaching up to make the catch, or waiting for the clubs to come to you? (this was my biggest problem with nail impact while passing. Reaching up put my humb in the line of fire)
- are your tripples high-and-lofty or low-and-spinny. Giving them a bit more height may make the experience more pleasant while you work out the kinks
Hope some of that is useful.
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