Grip it with this upper hand as you hold the main rope. This method takes practice but can be effective. Taking a coil You should not do this, but some ringers do. It has two problems. In an emergency, the coil could turn into a knot and lock around your hand.
Coils are safe when lowering a bell, since there is no risk of the bell going over the balance.
From the Tower Handbook, available from Central Council publications.