I spent some time this weekend working with The Big Guy on incorporating grip training into his work with his athletes. I really enjoy doing these types of things and for me it's related more to differentiated instruction and classroom management than "training".
My Recommendations For Now
1. Start slowly so it doesn't impact their regular training. We are going to spend a month just focusing on crush grip and grippers. Support grip will continue to be naturally be integrated into their training as appropriate.
2. Gripper training and band work will be completed between sets. Think like "centers" back in elementary school. While The Big Guy is supervising and coaching, the ones between sets will be self directed.
3. We will add in pinch grip options sporadically during the first month. This will allow for time to acclimate to grip training but also for the overall flow, management and individual competency to develop.
4. Grip medleys will be fun and interesting when we get there. Grip medleys by far are one of my favorite things to do. They also require working knowledge of how to do specific grip exercises.
Love it or dog on it, grip is essential in many sports. Grip is also one of the easiest things to improve and integrate into a traditional lifting program if planned appropriately. Since each group session is so finely tuned to begin with, time management needs to be maximized. The variations are endless and the required equipment is pretty basic. Time spent between sets can be time spent working grip.