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Author Topic: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?  (Read 4407 times)

DP3

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Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« on: April 29, 2004, 05:40:53 PM »
Is it just me?  I seem to release the ball so much cleaner, smoother, and better overall with my span lightly stretched.  My relaxed span is 4 5/8ths on the middle, 4 9/16ths on the ring with an 1/4 offset left on the thumb.  I find I come around the ball way too much with this relaxed/short span.  Almost like a spinner.  My pap on balls with these measurements is only 4 inches right and 5/16ths up.  I just punched up three balls(Command Zone Arc, Blue Retro Roto, Dynothane Thing) with a span of 4 11/16ths on the middle and 4 3/4 on the ring with 1/8th offset of the thumb.  With this I stay more behind the ball with a stronger release and revrate.  My PAP coordinates are now 4 11/16ths right and 1/4 up.  Does anyone else feel that a slight stretch in their span benefits them?
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AdrianS

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2004, 08:45:01 AM »
I've thrown a couple of balls with longer spans than mine that felt alright, but anything that is an 1/8 or 1/4 to long thats been drilled for me(used to be the victim of the odd mistake) straight away felt 'wrong'. Just one of those things i guess
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LuckyLefty

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2004, 08:53:16 AM »
I love a stretched span but damage the back of my thumb when using one!

REgards,

Luckylefty
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kendog

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2004, 08:58:27 AM »
I used to have all my stuff drilled stretched. I developed wrist problems calluses, and thumb and finger pain. I had balls drilled off of balls off of balls, until I finally got remeasured a few years ago. He preferred a more relaxed setup. My problems have since mostly disappeared. As far as coming around the ball too much, I think that's just a matter of training yourself to stay behind the ball. To me, the more relaxed layout gives me more flexability for changing releases. The strretched layout seems to limit me in this area.

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Brickguy221

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2004, 12:20:17 PM »
With longer spans, I squeze and knuckle the ball.

What is the CLOPP?
Is this supposed to be a joke?
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C-G ProShop-Carl

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2004, 12:45:13 PM »
BEWARE: This could get long.


The long span thing for me was horrible. I was WAY too long. I had a couple of different guys drill my stuff for me, but one did most of my drilling. I probably bought 10-15 balls a year off of him. I questioned him once about my span, and he said "Nah, it is alright". WELL IT WASN'T. I could not throw the ball without squeezing (pitches would not do the trick, just wait until you hear how long it was). My finger pads were getting burned really bad (this was when I used grips).

After attending a clinic last year just before I started drilling my own stuff they shortened my span from 5 on middle and 5 1/8 on the ring to 4 11/16 middle and 4 3/4 ring. That is a huge difference. I have since shortened myself an extra 1/16.

Since I have shortened my span and started drilling my own stuff I have my thumb down 4 sizes. I have a calus(sp) on the back of my thumb. It used to stuck out roughly 1/4 of an inch, it is almost gone. I feel more relaxed, I feel absolutely no pain in my hand. I probably get more revs, and more forward roll with the shorter span.

Because of the longer span I had to get away from finger grips. I am thinking about trying them again in a ball that I drill up for the summer. Being stretched as much as I was they just tore my fingers up.



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9andaWiggle

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2004, 12:53:16 PM »
If you like it, fine.  I'd just be on the lookout for any pain that it may cause.  My spans used to be long, but I began to get shooting pains from my fingers up to my elbow.  Shortened the span and haven't had them since.  So, again, just be careful... if it ever starts to hurt, I'd change back to avoid possible long term damage.
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Strapper_Squared

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2004, 01:22:53 PM »
personally, I feel that with a shorter relaxed span, I am able to get more revs on a ball.  I think that with a relaxed grip, you can get your thumb out a little faster?

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Brickguy221

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #8 on: April 30, 2004, 05:45:34 PM »
Quote
...."Not a joke, did you try it yet?
CLOPP = CentreLine Offset Parallel Pitches"
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Johm, I know what a CLT is. Is this CLOPP different or a variation of the CLT or what exactly is the CLOPP ?????

Maybe you told me once, but if you did, I don't remember. At 67, my memory isn't as good as the "Young Studs" on this site nor is my limberness....lol
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DP3

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #9 on: April 30, 2004, 06:04:06 PM »
Thanks everyone, I kept the same pitches btw king of the mill, Middle(0 and 3/8ths left), Ring (0 and 3/8 right), Thumb(1/8 reverse, 1/8th left lateral).

Glad to see some people feel the same way I do.
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No Fear

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #10 on: April 30, 2004, 06:29:39 PM »
DP3...You say your relaxed grip is 4 5/8 on the middle & 4 9/16 on the ring....So you basically added 1/16 to the middle & 3/16 to the ring to get 4 11/16 middle & 4 3/4 ring...Ok...I feel the reason you like the longer better is because of the increase of 3/16 in the ring....Most bowlers have a longer ring span than the middle span.....your relaxed grip has a shorter ring than middle.....Since the middle finger primarily does the turn & the ring finger does the lift this is why you have raised your PAP & are getting more forward roll...It sounds like you did more than stretch your grip...You just corrected a wrong span...Glad it worked....In my estimation I would say over 50% of all bowlers have a bad fit & would improve with a proper fit
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agroves

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #11 on: May 01, 2004, 10:42:40 PM »
I had a stretched span for quite a few years.  My old span was 5" and 5 1/16th" about 5 years ago.  Well, two years ago I decided to get remeasured and reduced my span to 4 7/8 (both).  It felt good, I had more overall control of the ball and was able to bowl more games with less fatigue.  Last summer, I decided to go even further 4 5/8 (both).  I reduced my thumb pitch from 3/8 to 1/4 and changed my lateral pitch from 1/8 under to 1/8 away.  I noticed that the swelling that I normally experienced disappeared.  Then, just before the first of the year, I moved my span to 4 9/16.  I love it.  I have one ball drilled 4 1/2, it feels very comfortable.  I am able to change hand positions with ease and control my breakpoint more.  

If you do the math, you will see that is 1/2" in 2 1/2 years.  That is quite a bit of difference.

Andrew
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TheBowlingKid25

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #12 on: May 06, 2004, 09:27:13 PM »
I like a stretched span if the ball is light enough. I like to have them stretched, all my balls right now (besides my plastic spare) are real loose, I need to get the thumbs plugged and redrilled.
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a_ak57

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Re: Anyone else like a Stretched Span?
« Reply #13 on: May 06, 2004, 09:39:14 PM »
BK:  is that why you like using my stuff? (even though they're pretty short for me )
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