Globe Grasps

Conquer this tricky third stage obstacle

These globes may not look intimidating, but they can be quite slick to your grip and a huge drain to your upper body. The globe grasps have appeared here and there throughout Sasuke and even American Ninja Warrior 4 (Midwest/Mid-South semi finals). Overall, the globe grasp has appeared in 9 sasuke tournaments ( 9-12, 19-23). In addition, there have been various forms of this obstacle. Version 1 was originally completely horizontal.



After Makoto Nagano's total victory in Ninja Warrior 17, it was decided to bring the globe grasp back, and make it even more difficult by angling the entire obstacle downward from sasuke 19 onward. It was even angled upward in ANW. Some of the best have struggled at this obstacle. Competitor Daisuke Nakata failed this obstacle 3 times in a row! (Sasuke 9-11). Even All-Star Toshihiro Takeda was defeated by it in sasuke 9! However people like grand champion Yuugi Urushihara and others have been able to complete the globe grasp without a problem. By looking at their technique, we can find out why and how these competitors are able to do better and thus we can adapt to using their technique as well.

Building the Globe Grasps

One of the easiest ways to build this obstacle is to use either baseballs, softballs or anything similar in shape that works best for you (metal balls like the ones used in the show may be the best but would be very expensive).

Start by drilling a hole all the way through the center each of your globes. You should then put a large screw through your hole. This screw will serve to attach each of your globes to your "support beam" which is what your globes hang off of. This means that the screw will be hanging upside down, with the lip holding up your globes and the pointed side into your support (See the image to left for an illustration).

 

Tip: it's best to take a small piece of metal pipe and put it over the screw so that you don't hurt your hands on any sharp parts when hanging on the globes.

 

To make the support beam, the best way would be to make a wooden ladder and either hang it horizontally from the ceiling or nail it horizontally between two trees. That way, you can place your globes on either side of the ladder like they are placed in the show (e.g. see image at the top of this page). If this method is too difficult for you, you could just hang all your globes in a row from one beam.

Navigate the Globe Graps

There are 2 techinques to complete this obstacle. They each have to do with how you grip the globes. The 1st method is what I like to call the "claw method" cause you hand is shaped similar to a claw. The screw will be between your middle and index finger. This is one of the most common techniques and has been used by the all stars. The advantage for the "claw" method is that with this grip you really lock yourself onto the globe, and even if you miss a grab to the next globe you will still be able to hang on since your grip is super tight. The disadvantage is that you will go slower on the globes using this method because this grip makes you take time before each move and every extra second drains your upper body strength. Only after lots of practice will you be able to move quickly with this grip.

 

The second grip is much like how you hold a water bottle. You will squeeze the globe together with your thumb on one side of the bolt/screw and your 4 other fingers on the other side. Same with this technique there are advantages and disadvantages. The advantage is that this grip allows you to go very fast! (Evan Roehl, "I have mastered this technique and can complete the globe grasps in 4 seconds, I still takes lots of practice though"). The disadvantage is that your grip is not as secure, so if you miss a reach to the next globe, you're almost guaranteed to slip off and let go. There are pros and cons for both grips, but in the end, it's mainly just whichever grip feels comfortable for you.

 

Tips: keep your arms held up at 90 degrees! This makes it much easier to do (much like the cliffhanger and unstable bridge). Try to keep good momentum going forward (I've notice that swinging to the side a bit can be helpful as long as you don't overdue it. The globe grasps are not that difficult of an obstacle. Evan Roehl, "I was able to clear them easily on my very 1st try but like some of the other early stage 3 obstacles this is meant to tire you out" so that the other obstacles can finish you off, so it's best to use the least strength possible.

 

Exercises: there are a few exercises you can do prepare for the globe grasps
1). Cliffhanger pull-ups - these really help strengthen your grip strength and gives that rock hard grip for the "claw" method 
2). Pull-ups - pull-ups help with almost any stage 3 obstacle and this one is no different
3). 1 arm pull-ups - these can be beneficial because If you miss a globe you could be dangling by 1 arm and need to reach back up.
4). 1 arm holds/ 2 arm holds - holding you your self up on a bar with your arms at 90 degrees with 1 or 2 arms can help simulate part of globe grasps
5). Vertical grips - griping onto a rope or towel or something like the roulette cylinder or nun chuck swing trains you for the second type of grip