The Armpit Hold is not a favorite for many, pinching sensitive areas of the skin, but it can result in some gorgeous shapes such as Teddy which utilizes the front of the armpit, or the Chopstick Split or Hercules which utilizes the back of the armpit.
Overall, once you get comfortable with the armpit hold, it can become one of your best friends in pole dancing, especially as you move into more advanced tricks with fewer points of contact.
The Funky Grip earned its name because it is peculiar to look at and keeps you guessing as to what trick is coming next. Especially in competitions, you can usually tell which invert someone is prepped for by the way they grip the pole: cup grip for shoulder mounts and stronghold for chopper inverts. While this funky grip is a little more challenging than these standard grips, it is a great way to surprise the audience.
This Reverse Foot Mount is the top half of the hold required for the move Starfish. A bruiser for certain, the foot should flex around the pole to give you a solid counterbalance when performing the move. This is a popular foot hold in doubles moves as well, sometimes replacing the pole for the arms or legs of your partner.
The Tabletop Hold is not very common as it can be a little tricky to get into, and it is not so comfortable depending on the length of your body. The tabletop plank is a great move for photoshoots but can be difficult where practicality plays a much larger role; however, this grip is necessary in more advanced moves such as Dragontail.
It is very important to keep your shoulders down away from your neck and keep your back and core engaged in this hold. This hold can be tough on the shoulders, requiring a wide range of motion to rotate behind your back, and strength in the minor muscles to hold the position.
