Author Topic: Hand Span Question (Read 2002 times)

moondays · « **on:** December 14, 2003, 06:48:08 PM »

Hi all!

I'm by no means a student of the science of bowling, but I've become frustrated with my new ball and I was wondering something.

I'm a 3/4 roller with medium flare and average about 15.3-15.6 mph (occasionally 15.9 mph). I usually start around 20 and swing it out between the 2nd and 3rd arrows to 10 at about 35-40' and back in.

My 7-year-old 16# Danger Zone (the last ball I bought prior to this summer) has a span I've had a lot of success with, which was copied from my Teal Rhino. In the last two years, I've made an adjustment to my release which gave me more revs and a more consistant shot. Nowadays on the good strike shots, there are about 24-27 revolutions (I'm not sure how that translates to RPMs).

This summer, I bought a 15# X-Factor Deuce. I again wanted it copied from my Rhino, but my driller thought there was too much stress on my hand and moved the thumbhole 1/8" closer to the fingers. I spent the rest of the summer trying to figure out why I couldn't give the Deuce the same amount of revs that I could give the DZ. Using the same approach as the DZ, the Deuce gets about 18-24 revs, and it barely makes it back leaving me a lot of left-side spares to shoot at. If I completely redo my approach to give it slower ball speed, it will either hit the pocket leaving a lot of 9-pins or dive through the nose for splits.

This fall I've been going back and forth between the Deuce and the DZ (depends on who we're bowling against). They both have 20 games so far and the Zone is averaging 20 pins higher than the Deuce. Now that I'm paying more attention to the Zone and how it feels, I haven't noticed any discomfort with it and looking back I didn't notice any discomfort last year either (at least nothing stands out in my mind).

My question is this: Although I realize that I'm dealing with a lighter ball and I probably have to make adjustments for that, I'm wondering if moving the Deuce's thumbhole down 1/8" so that it matches the spans on my Rhino and DZ if it would produce the same revs I'm seeing with the DZ (or really close to it), and if it would also help with its overall reaction.

Thanks for your time!

--------------------
On league night, a realm of untold destruction and horror is formed. Innocent pins are unsuspectingly pulled into this terrifying realm. Their lives are changed forever by the terror that is unleashed upon them for the next 36 frames. They stand in fear as they await their fate when they enter...The Danger Zone. (Only those damn 10-pins have lived to tell the gruesome tale.)

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #1 on:** December 15, 2003, 10:26:24 AM »

Always tough to change spans.

And doubly tough if you use what you are more used to.

Shorter span can be revved just as much but it is a timing and feel thing.

If you still execute with your old long span technique and keep switching back and forth you will never get it.

Best to get the balls the same span and pitches. You decide which one.

REgards,

Luckylefty

iommifan · « **Reply #2 on:** December 15, 2003, 10:29:08 AM »

The shorter span could cause you to drop the ball off your hand and that will decrease revs for sure. It may also cause you to grip the ball harder which will do the same.

Strider · « **Reply #3 on:** December 15, 2003, 11:27:49 AM »

If he shortened your span, he should have taken away some reverse pitch/added some forward pitch as well.

A new span and lighter ball is a lot to get used to at once. You might want to experiment to see what works for you, then switch everything to that setup.
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Penn State Proud

C-G ProShop-Carl · « **Reply #4 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:41:54 PM »

The lack of revs could simply be due to the driller not matching the pitches in your fingers. Have the pro shop that drilled it check the pitches in your DZ and have him check the pitches in your Duece. If they are not identical, then that could be your problem.

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #5 on:** December 15, 2003, 02:58:13 PM »

As stated above, if the first was working but strained, and then a shortening takes place there should be a proportionate reducition in reverse/or introduction of forward pitch in the thumb.

The rule of thumb is that reverse is reduced 1/16 for each 1/8 reduction in span.

REgards,

Luckylefty

Author Topic: Hand Span Question (Read 2002 times)

moondays

Hand Span Question

LuckyLefty

Re: Hand Span Question

iommifan

Re: Hand Span Question

Strider

Re: Hand Span Question

C-G ProShop-Carl

Re: Hand Span Question

LuckyLefty

Re: Hand Span Question