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Author Topic: Forward pitch in thumb?  (Read 2627 times)

cooksey

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Forward pitch in thumb?
« on: September 24, 2004, 03:46:17 PM »
Hey, just curious how many people use it or have tried it and whats your opinion. I am considering trying it out. Let me know.

Thanks, cooksey
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Brickguy221

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Re: Forward pitch in thumb?
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2004, 01:22:17 AM »
Depends on the flexability of your thumb and construction of your hand. I have a thumb that is somewhat on the stiff side so I require reverse pitch. I tried forward pitch but because of my thumb being on the stiff side, it didn't work.

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Edited on 9/25/2004 1:14 AM
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Plane Facts

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Re: Forward pitch in thumb?
« Reply #2 on: September 25, 2004, 02:22:44 AM »
We usually use forward pitch on most conventional drillings where the span is much shorter. As Brickguy stated, your thumb will need good flexibility and the lateral measurement will play a very important role so you won't hang up upon delivery.
One of the pros of forward pitch would be the ability to have a feeling of superior grip through out the back swing, but if your span is not adjusted to accommodate the thumb pitch your fingers will pull back upon release causing you to clutch the ball.
One of the cons of forward pitch is hanging up because the thumb doesn't slip out as easy.

My suggestion would be to start out no more than 1/8 forward while decreasing your span accordingly to secure an equal match in the change, try this with a old ball if possible, and drill the thumb hole at least 1/64 larger than you generally use, you can always add tape if needed.

Also know you may have a tendency to loft the ball out a bit further until you get comfortable with this new grip.

I can not use forward pitch, it reaps havoc on my thumb, which is very stiff and rigid. I usually use 1/8 to 1/2 reverse but drill one size smaller on the thumb.

Hope this helps.
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bowlerstyle

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Re: Forward pitch in thumb?
« Reply #3 on: September 25, 2004, 02:34:06 AM »
The shorter the span the more forward pitch that is required, also the more flexibility in your thumb also requires more forward pitch.  You just have to make sure that you adjust accordingly.  For myself, I use forward pitch (used to be reverse but got curious and tried forward pitch) because I have a short span (4 1/8"ring, and 4" middle) and a flexible thumb.  I used to use 1/8+ forward and 3/16 right (I'm left handed) but now I use 1/8 fwd, and 3/16 right.  This has dramatically increased my game by allowing me to concentrate on having more of a free arm swing.  Before I thought that I was fine and that blistering after 15 games was kinda normal, but now, after playing around with pitches and finding the right one, I can bowl until me feet get tired without my thumb having any type of irritation (usually about 30 games straight before I get tired/bored).  If you are to try a new pitch(s) I would test it out on one ball and going out and testing it by playing multiple games, the more the better.  By playing a lot of games, it allows you to see what increments that you need to forego from there.  Like when I was getting irritation on the right side of my thumb, I gave myself more right pitch until that irritation was gone.  After finding the right pitch, then I would redrill your other equipment the same that way you don't have different feelings between different bowling balls because that can throw you off as well.
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WAYouthBowler

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Re: Forward pitch in thumb?
« Reply #4 on: September 25, 2004, 02:39:46 AM »
If I were to go by the book, and by what many drillers have said, I would be using between 1/2" to 3/4" reverse. Instead, I insist that my drillers go with 1/16" forward. This allows me to stay away from gripping the ball, and really allows me to stay loose with my hand.

My ability to repeat shots as well as generate more power with less muscle was quite substantial. And for the critics, I clear the ball perfectly fine. Once in a while I grip the ball too much, which results in a little more loft, but this is just old habits from the days of reverse pitch. I'd rather hang in the ball once a set, then drop the ball or white-knuckle it all day long.

It's a modern game folks, old-school ways of thinking are no longer dead-set truths. If anything, be willing to drill up an older ball with some forward pitch, just to see how it feels. Personally, I love it, and I don't ever plan to go back.
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jjweb

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Re: Forward pitch in thumb?
« Reply #5 on: September 25, 2004, 03:03:08 AM »
I went from a 1/4 reverse (1/4 left) to 1/8 forward (1/8 left) and love it! I kept grabbing the ball before, depriving me of a freer arm swing. Now I don't have that problem anymore and I feel more relaxed in the ball. The ball holds onto me, not me holding onto it. I haven't had any problems with hanging in the ball, and I seem to have increased my rev rate, slightly....
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jjweb

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Re: Forward pitch in thumb?
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2004, 12:29:52 AM »
I have noticed one thing with the forward in the thumb. My equipment doesn't bite early anymore, it pushed my breakpoint too far down lane. Lots of washout in league, which I've never had a problem with until now.
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LuckyLefty

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Re: Forward pitch in thumb?
« Reply #7 on: September 26, 2004, 03:18:30 AM »
Group mind meld in progress! ummmmmmmmm!


Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

REgards,

Luckylefty
No discussion of span, no discussion of thumb flexibility.  No reference to finger forward reverse, MMMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.  Maybe the earth is still flat mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
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AdrianS

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Re: Forward pitch in thumb?
« Reply #8 on: September 29, 2004, 08:31:57 AM »
On everything i drill/redrill from now on i'm going 0 pitch on the thumb, i got one of my old balls mixed up when i redrilled it and it's got 3/8 fwd and 1/4 under instead of the 3/8 rev 1/4 away i've been using for a few years. Thats probably a little much of a good thing so 0 will do for now, maybe 1/8 fwd to lessen my grip pressure a little and make easier to loosen up(and slow down ) my swing a little, especially with the extra oil we tend to see in majors here now.
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