:: GussetBLOG ::

:: Tuesday, July 12, 2005 ::

Nadmai presents: A Laymans Guide to the Hand Throw

Inspired by the Virus Syndicate - Slow Down video.
All text and figures by Nadmai.

Mark One needs to go to a 'how to throw convincing hand gestures' class, the lad's heart just isn't in it. A waist height hand throwing just isn't acceptable in today's video land, it's got to be a full over the shoulder preferably with at least three rolls. Only trained professionals should attempt a hand throw with only one finger and thumb being presented; amateurs should stick to either the two fingered 'crippled man digging' motion, the one fingered 'gun point' (elbow should be level with the ear for this one) or the full hand 'carefully chopping a lolly stick' motion.

I have made this informative presentation for your delectation, could take a while to load though. (Sorry if I got the names of people mixed up, it wasn't deliberate.) What I hope to present here today is a brief overview of hand throwing, using the Virus Syndicate's new video as source material. It's a very useful overview highlighting some classic examples of the genre, alongside some errors that people should watch out for when training. You can see Mark One is still a bit wet behind the ears here, but it's his first video he can only grow from here. Anyway...


Right, school boy error right off the bat from Mark here, the hand has been thrown too early, before anyone has even started rhyming in fact. It's the first thing you learn - "don't bust a move before the fat man starts talking".


Ah a common mistake here, indecisive fingering, with such a wide range of throws on offer, it's not surprising that sometimes we get caught between several.


Another rookie mistake here - everyone else in the crew has just thrown down and you're still caught as to which move to bust, don't worry, timing will come....in time.

Now let's look at a classic piece of hand throwage:

Here's the pre throw, something that a lot of oungsters these days overlook, but without a good build-up you're building your throw on weak foundations. Look at this, great elevation, good solid angles on the arms, nice hand positioning, it's got all the makings of a classic throw.


Oh! and look at that, a throw straight out of the top drawer there, study well, this lad could go all the way. Unfortunately the pure quality of the bust has psyched Mark out (understandably) and his hand shape has totally gone to pot here.


Mark's taken on a tricky specialist throw here - the 'mini roll' this is where your pre bust build-up practice is vital. The problem here is that the throws coming from almost nothing and looping at just over belt height, I personally only recommend this for rappers in the 20st plus category with at least 4 fingers worth of bling.

Now we'll take a look at the diverse range of throws used by VS during the video:


Oi vey, it's the Jewish mother, often overlooked as a credible throw, shoulder positioning is vital on this one.


This is beautiful combination work from Goldfinger (?) here, throwing the gunpoint and the chop, elbows level, full of conviction - he's a model for the younger generation coming through.


Nika D with a great piece of work showing some of the regional variations that can come out in the field of hand throwing. A simple but effective "who am I?" with the added Mancunian variation, it's all in the pose, look at those angles on the neck and lower back. Great work.


And again the 'not on my manor!" I just wanted to capture the pre bust that's so essential on this move, the tension in the arms that's snapped out on a lovely downward angle.

Finally and by no means least:

You just can't argue with this one, it's clear that hours on the training park have paid off, just look at that conviction, I know that I'd hand over my wallet!

:: Dan 12.7.05 [Arc] [4 comments] [links to this post] ::
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Comments:

possibly the funniest thing i've read in a long time. nice one! :)

# posted by  Anonymous : 13/7/05 11:59 AM

 

Excellent: never heard of them, don't much care for rap, but very funny!

# posted by  Rupe : 15/7/05 10:02 AM

 

:) fun really

# posted by  bau : 29/11/05 5:45 AM

 

Historically the last one is actually called "The Great Train Robbery", but otherwise a very solid essay.

# posted by  Chrisk : 26/2/08 7:47 PM

 

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