flourishes are good for building strength in the rist and making it a bit more flexible. our exercise is a bit different. we do them backwards (where the tip leads as opposed to the butt) as well as the normal way. they are VERY akward at first, but really do wonders. we also do flourishes on the left from the neck, not the boldt. i've seen it been done both ways, i just think it's easier in the neck.