Thumb Grip

Thumb grip for fans is drilled as a functional grip change that reduces wrist twist and helps you keep the prop on plane. Nikki Scarano demonstrates letting the ring hang briefly on the thumb as the fan drops behind the body, then re-gripping and pressing back out.

You’ll repeat the pattern on both sides and optionally with two fans, using the “coat hook” of the thumbs to catch, re-grip, and extend cleanly. This grip shows up later in shoulder reels, windmill-style motions, and weave variations, so the goal is to recognise when and why to engage the thumb.