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Author Topic: Newcomer Needs Help with Pitch & Span  (Read 2119 times)

just a beginner

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Newcomer Needs Help with Pitch & Span
« on: December 16, 2003, 12:44:23 AM »
I am fairly new to bowling, this is my first time to participate in this forum.  I hope the experts here could help me to resolve the following doubts:

I am looking at changing my thumb pitch from 5/16 reverse & 0 lateral to 1/8 reverse, do I need to shorten the span at the same time?  I believe my current span is indeed a full span measuring 4 9/16 from middle finger and 4 1/2 from ring finger.

Would changing the thumb lateral pitch help me to stay behind the ball and provide better thumb exit at the release point?  If so, which direction (i.e. towards or away from palm)?  I have flexible thumb and finger joints, my current middle and ring finger pitches are 1/8 towards palm.

I tend to get wrist fatigue if I bowl over 4-5 games, any suggestion on a good, simple wrist device?  Is Wristmaster II or Robby's Automatic Positioner a good choice?  Besides these, I think Wristmaster II also has a version that extends to the palm knuckle and Robby's has a Plus model that is longer than Automatic Positioner.  Any insights?

Thanks for reading!
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janderson

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Re: Newcomer Needs Help with Pitch & Span
« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2003, 03:52:50 PM »
quote:
I tend to get wrist fatigue if I bowl over 4-5 games [snip]


No wonder with that much reverse pitch on your thumb!  Reverse pitch makes it easier to get out of the ball and harder to "grab", even with the positive pitch on your fingers.

If you can, I would suggest small changes in pitch (1/8 at a time) if you're going to experiment.  This can get expensive, but a good release is important.  You can always buy a used $10-15 ball off the used rack to experiment with span and pitch changes.  Remember, nothing drastic, or you may hurt yourself.

I wouldn't recommend changing the lateral pitch on your thumb unless it is rubbing excessively and uncomfortably against one side of your thumb or another.  If memory serves me correctly, right pitch for a right-hander will allow you to get out of the ball more cleanly and allow for more lift.  However, I would tweak one thing at a time, starting with your reverse pitch.

Hope this helps - Good luck.

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(c) Copied Right! 2003 Knarly Stuff Inc.
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just a beginner

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Re: Newcomer Needs Help with Pitch & Span
« Reply #2 on: December 17, 2003, 05:11:45 AM »
Janderson and Jabroni, thank you for your advice.  Since I have a few old balls to play around with, I plan to redrill the thumb hole of the first one to 1/8 reverse and possibly the next one to 0 forward/reverse.  At the same time, I will shorten the span by 1/8" (on both balls) and keep the current neutral lateral pitch as you both suggested.  Hope this sounds correct!  You fellows are really helpful!
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Pinbuster

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Re: Newcomer Needs Help with Pitch & Span
« Reply #3 on: December 17, 2003, 09:12:13 AM »
Just a beginner – Are you left handed? The span you gave indicates that. While not totally unheard of, for right handed bowlers the span of the ring finger should be equal or greater than the middle finger.

As far as the span goes with a correct span you should be able to fully insert your thumb in the ball and lay your fingers across the finger holes. Without stretching the first knuckle crease should go 1/3 to ½ the way across the hole. This will give you a relaxed finger tip grip.

As stated earlier almost all the pro’s use the relaxed finger tip grip. To long of a span will causes pain over time unless you bowl only a few games. The pro’s all bowl a lot of games and almost all will use a relaxed finger tip grip.

As far as your wrist problem it can come from many sources. Your span being long, you thumb hole being to big, pitches in the thumb, ball to heavy..etc. If your thumb hole is big you can change that using bowlers tape.

Thumb pitches are a very individualistic thing. For other bowlers with your span we have drilled everything from ½ forward to 1” reverse. I don’t see 5/16 reverse as a lot but it could be for you. For right handed bowlers, left pitches tend to keep you behind the ball and right help you turn the ball more (the opposite if left handed).

We avoid the plugging issue by using an adjustable measuring ball. We put the span in and start adjusting the thumb pitch. After each adjustment we have the bowler throw the measuring ball to us in the air. We continue this until they get a clean, pain free release and then use that pitch.  
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LuckyLefty

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Re: Newcomer Needs Help with Pitch & Span
« Reply #4 on: December 17, 2003, 09:13:26 AM »
Why???  Why would anyone say they want a certain pitch?

Are you dropping the ball, squeezing, or getting fatigued because of squeezing.

Having goals as far as ending pitches is not the way to go.

Having goals as far as what one is trying to accomplish regarding feel, strength of hold, hand injury reduction and ball roll make sense.

Saying that he are some general rules.

Basic starting pitches for the thumb from Bill Taylor the original guru of drilling are as such.

4 1/4 span = 0 forward reverse pitch
4 3/8 span = 1/16 reverse pitch
4 1/2 span = 1/8 reverse pitch etc.

This is for the average flexibility thumb. Each move is span of 1/8 adds 1/16 of reverse, or the opposite.

If one is more flexible, has a short thumb, or is dropping the ball often people will move pitch forward 1/8 forward of the tables.  If hanging people tend to move 1/8 forward of the tables.

Adjusting span to end up at a certain thumb pitch is not the way to do it.

Based on the tables and your current span your forward reverse pitch should start at 1/8 and if still fatigued or dropping should move closer to 0.  Also be careful as one moves forward with pitch to make sure one does not get bruising or pain at the juncture from the thumb to the hand.  If so more bevel is needed than with your previous pitch.

Don't change your span if it is correct for you just adjust thumb pitch to achieve your objective.

REgards,

Luckylefty

Edited on 12/17/2003 10:12 AM
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just a beginner

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Re: Newcomer Needs Help with Pitch & Span
« Reply #5 on: December 18, 2003, 08:14:04 PM »
Pinbuster & LuckLefty, thank you for your careful explanations.

Pinbuster – I am right-handed, my spans should read 4 1/2 from middle and 4 9/16 from ring.  I do appreciate you pointing this out.  From what you have explained, the soreness at palm side of my wrist seems to come from using full span on my equipment.  I have to stretch my fingers a bit in order to meet the guideline you described.

Luckylefty – I feel my thumb exits the ball too soon and my fingers can't quite catch up to complete the hand rotation and finger lift.  I used to use an extremely tight thumb hole to help overcoming this problem.  I might have unknowingly squeezed the ball as well, there is a slight bruise mark on the thumbprint (at 9-10 o'clock position if you visualize a clock on your thumbprint).  I was told that with 3/8 or perhaps 1/16 reverse thumb pitch, I need a slightly larger thumb hole and not the extremely tight one as I currently use.  Wonder if this is correct?

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