grip
keeping the hands relaxed
It is important to keep the hands relaxed when playing. There should never be any tension when playing any technique. This puts less effort and strain on the muscles and tendons involved in playing the asalato.
This is important for two reasons:
- It greatly lowers the risk of overuse injury.
- It allows for more technically challenging techniques and rhythms to be performed, as there is less strain on the muscles required to perform them.
In most cases, there will also be no tension on the rope of the asalato. The rope connecting the asalato also stays relaxed and never pulled taut.
While the muscles can be sore after playing for long periods of time, pain during or after playing is never normal.
flip position
This position is called flip position, and the position in which most asalato playing begins.
Make a peace sign/victory sign with the hand. Place one of the gourds between the "V" of the peace sign (between the index and middle fingers). The asalato should stay here on its own.
The gourd between the fingers will be called the held gourd.
Then, open the hand so that it is flat. Take the other gourd hanging below, and place it around the bottom of the hand. Hold onto this gourd with your ring and pinky finger. Close the hand around the asalato in a natural, relaxed manner. The rope of the asalato will wrap around your middle, ring, and pinky finger.
The gourd held by the pinky and ring finger will be called the free gourd.
Remain relaxed. The hand should be able to move all fingers except the pinky.
The point where the gourds within the hand touch each other will be called the contact point.
flop position
This position is called flop position, and the position after playing a flip.
In flip position, let go of the free gourd. Move the free gourd around the hand so that it is now on the top side on the hand. Hold the free gourd in place using the index finger, and add tension to the rope with the thumb. The rope will wrap around the thumb and index finger.
Remain relaxed. The hand should be able to move all fingers except the index and thumb.
Here are the gourds marked.
out position
This position is called out position, and is ocassionally used to play a fast series of knocks.
In flip position, push the held gourd up with the thumb, so that the thumb and index are holding where the rope touches the bottom of the held gourd.
This is often used in boca.