How to Hold a Striker for Carrom

The difference between a championship carrom game winner and just another player on the circuit often comes down to a flick of the wrist. How a player holds the carrom striker -- and whether or not they are prone to "smacking" the striker versus gently pushing it toward its intended target -- is key to winning. According to both the U.S. Carrom Association and the International Carrom Federation, the grip is the most important aspect of a player's game.

Things You'll Need

• Striker
• Carrom board

Instructions

The Scissor Grip

1. Position the trigger hand as if holding a pair of scissors. The middle and index fingers curl horizontally back toward the opposite hand, with the thumb pointing away from the body and resting slightly on top of the two fingers. The ring and fifth finger (pinky) curl all the way back toward the body.

2. Rotate the hand slightly away from the body so that the middle finger can rest flat on the carrom board, directly behind the striker. Place the middle finger perpendicular to the path of the shot, continuing to stack the index finger on top of the middle finger.

3. Pull the middle and index fingers back, away from the striker, and release. If performed correctly, there will be a slight snap that generates both significant momentum and accuracy for the shot.

The Straight Shot

1. Place the hand palm side down on the carrom board, with the wrist positioned at the edge of the board. The fingers should rest lightly on the board in the direction of the playing field. You will re-position your fingers in Step 2, but proper hand placement in the beginning sets up an accurate strike.

2. Hold the striker between the thumb and middle finger. Rest the index finger directly behind the striker. This will position the index finger for the perfect shot.

3. Push the striker toward its intended target. Gently pushing the striker rather than "smacking" it with the index finger provides greater control, resulting in an accurate shot.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the scissor grip for breaking the carrom set and the straight shot for sinking the carroms into the pocket. The initial break can benefit from the added momentum caused by the scissor snap while individual carroms can skip off the board rather than sink into the pocket.

• The index finger yields a more accurate straight shot than the middle finger. Experiment with using either the index finger or the middle finger to find the most comfortable grip.

• "Smacking" the striker during the straight shot can be painful and lessens the enjoyment of the game. It can also be less accurate, resulting in a lower score. Always push the striker when making a straight shot across the carrom board.

References

• United States Carrom Association
• International Carrom Federation

Resources

• Carrom.org