win a ball from Bowling.com
« previous next »
Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...  (Read 6267 times)

JessN16

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3716
Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« on: May 26, 2008, 02:38:18 PM »
My current finger pitches are 0 in both fingers, with 1/4 left in the middle and 1/2 right in the ring. I've never had forward or reverse pitches in the fingers (although, when I use inserts, I have whatever forward the inserts add).

My question is, what is reverse supposed to do? I have no pain or blistering/callousing issues to contend with at the moment.

I do have a couple of balls that are either drilled without inserts or are using oval grips, so they are at pure 0. I don't notice much of a difference over my stuff with lift grips except the balls without lifts seem to perhaps clear my hand a little better.

Can anyone tell me what I'm apt to see with reverse pitch in the fingers?

Jess
Logged

 

AngloBowler

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 619
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2008, 03:25:28 AM »
I have a bunch of reverse in my fingerholes, the reason being that I have pretty stiff fingers (I currently have 1/2" and 3/4"). The reason I have it is because I get bruises under my fingernails if my fingerholes are any more underpalm.
When my fingerholes had more forward, I could get more revs (about 60 more as measured by CATS) but the occasional stabbing pain made the change necessary. As a general rule, I recommend people go with as much forward pitch on the fingerholes as is comfortable, unless you're specifically trying to reduce revs with it.
--------------------
Reporting from England
Logged

JessN16

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3716
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2008, 11:36:10 AM »
Thanks! That's quite helpful. I believe I'll stay with forward.

Jess
Logged

mrbowlingnut

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5727
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #3 on: May 27, 2008, 11:41:58 AM »
Unless you have stiff fingers I could see no reason for reverse in fingers, I went to forward in the thumb great move for me no longer lose the ball and have much better control.

Reverse in fingers gives you much more area on the finger pad's if your fingers are not flexible like mine, with 0 and forward in fingers it sometimes is a shooting pain that flares up.
Logged

Strapper_Squared

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4231
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #4 on: May 27, 2008, 11:52:20 AM »
I read an article a while back stating that hand action at the release creates revs, not pitch.  Yet so many people want zero pitch or even forward pitch in their fingers because the feel it gives them more "lift"... then on top of that, they usually use lifts (giving an extra 1/4").  To me its amazing they ever get out of a ball (flexible fingers or not)!  Pitches are about comfort and feel..  reverse pitch in the fingers help to relax the hand and put it in a more "natural" position.. more of a laying on the ball instead of putting into the ball.  

S^2
--------------------
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
“You can be with the guy and in his ear 24 hours a day, but at the end of the day you can’t be there the whole time.”
- Another Gem from Emmitt Smith 5-6-08
Logged
+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+

sunsetlefty

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 351
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2008, 01:39:33 PM »
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Correct....


--------------------
Gary Palma
Owner of X-act Reaction pro shop at Ideal Lanes
PBA Member
2008 Hammer Pride Staff Member
Logged
Owner of X-act Reaction pro shops
www.xactreaction.com
Brunswick and DV8 Advisory Staff
Brunswick VIP Pro Shop
Ebonite International Gold Pro Shop
Rotogrip Star and Militia Pro Shop
Storm VIP Pro Shop
PBA Member
VISE Staff Member

hammermike2000

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 767
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2008, 01:45:00 PM »
As mentioned, finger pitches do not directly effect rev rate.  Most of the general population have fingers that call for at least a slight amount of reverse, others, up to 7/8 reverse or more.  You just have to test the amount of flexibility of your finger tips, if you can bend your finger to the point that they are perpendicular to the rest of your finger, then zero pitch would be used.
--------------------

The Right Approach Pro Shop, Charlotte, NC

Logged

Mike Austin

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2057
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2008, 11:08:56 PM »
Brick, sorry about the delay. I will reply to your PM here, it may help somebody.

Remember this is my opinion from drilling experiences.....

I personally don't buy into the finger pitches make you do anything to the ball theory. Finger pitches can have an affect on ball roll, but I feel you have to go to extremes to see a difference. Absolutely you will FEEL the difference. I feel pitches should be contoured to the bowler's hand as far as span and flexibility, but much more than that, it is more about feel and comfort. I think pitches that go away from MY theory too much can result in pain and/or injury.

I have personally experimented a lot with finger pitches. I have had a problem with my ring finger in the past, before I was drilling much and before having worked a couple years for Ron Hoppe (one of the founders of IBPSIA). I changed to 1" (ONE INCH) reverse in fingers trying to create more roll. A large number of tour players were using that type of pitch to smooth out ball reaction on these "crazy reactive" balls. I used that pitch for a year or two. I drilled a couple balls with as much as 1 1/2" reverse. Had to lengthen my span a little for those two. Felt really nice, talk about the ball sitting in your hand. What a pain in the rear to glue in finger grips though!! LOL!! Because of my natural "urethane" or "frisbee" release, my hand accelerates through the bottom of my swing, I have a lot of wrist movement/action. I didn't then, and I don't now feel the ball coming off my fingers. I'm also trying to get the ball down early and smooth as possible, while keeping my swing loose and forearm quiet.  For the last 5-6 years I have been using 1/2 reverse on both fingers.  Don't really feel a need to change.  Not bowling much also.

I could swear we stopped trying to get "lift" a long time ago. We started trying to be soft with our hand, loose with our arm swing, and not "hit up" on the ball. Maybe that's just me. I feel you get more from wrist action and hand position at release than any amount of "lift" or "hit".

I do realize that not all bowlers are like me, and some want to "feel" the ball on their fingers. If you want to change this feel, then definitely try pitches. I feel that your ball roll will not change, but the feel probably will.

Hope this helps.....

--------------------
I've started messing with my site again, wrecking it myself:  www.mikeaustinbowling.net


Check out Tony's Journals - they are FREE!!
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=67&leagueid=2054



Edited on 6/1/2008 11:12 PM
Logged
Mike Austin's Bowling Dynamix Pro Shops
Inside Emerald Bowl
Inside Tomball Bowl
Track Pro Staff Member
Vise Grips Staff Member

AngloBowler

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 619
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #8 on: June 02, 2008, 03:23:47 AM »
quote:
I read an article a while back stating that hand action at the release creates revs, not pitch


The point I was making here is that as you increase the amount of reverse pitch on the finger holes, you change the extent to which the fingertips are "under" the ball, by which I mean the ball will tend to come off them sooner. This is unless you cup your wrist, which will keep those fingertips under the ball for longer. If the ball comes off your fingers earlier, you will get fewer revs, unless you "hit" the ball to compensate.
--------------------
Reporting from England
Logged

JohnP

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5819
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #9 on: June 02, 2008, 10:25:05 AM »
If you haven't already, reread Mike Austin's post, because he's right on.  I have some experience also.  Before I started drilling balls, my driller had me at 1/4 forward.  My joints ached for a day after each league night.  When I went to fitting/drilling school, the instructor measured me and told me I should be at MF - 3/8 and RF - 5/8 reverse because of stiff joints.  My first comment was "I won't get any lift at all with that much reverse!".  But I went home and drilled a ball just like he said.  The only difference I could tell was that the ball was MUCH more comfortable and my joints didn't hurt any more.  Since then, I have increased the RF reverse to 3/4 and still no adverse affect on release or ball movement.  --  JohnP
Logged

stone8

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 114
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #10 on: June 13, 2008, 12:50:31 PM »
You know the old saying, "if it ain't broke..."  If you have comfortable fit you may just have fingers that are flexible enough to allow your current pitches.  I would suggest you go to a IBSPIA trained professional for a proper fit.  Even if you don't have any noticable symtoms, a fit that isn't quite right now, may lead to future problems.  I wish I knew 10-15 years ago what I know now about proper fit......    

Personal experience:  
I used to be 1/8 forward with power lifts (which adds another 1/4 forward).  I use to be really stretched with reverse in my thumb also.  Oh and the old Urethane "lift as hard as you can release".  Combine all those factors and what did I get.....wrist problems.

In the recent years of relearning how to bowl and learning a bit about drilling, I'm "working on" removing the hit/lift at my release.  I have shortened my span, went to zero pitch in my thumb, 1" reverse in middle finger and 3/4 reverse in ring finger.  My wrist problems have gotten much better, I can now throw all day where before I could throw about 4 games tops.  The biggest thing I think is the feel and control.  I now can feel the ball on the pads of my fingers.  I didn't loose any hitting power, but greatly improved on consistency and accuracy.
--------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------

I've been lucky long enough...now I'd like to get good.

Edited on 6/13/2008 12:52 PM
Logged

ccrider

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2230
Re: Question about reverse pitch in the fingers...
« Reply #11 on: June 13, 2008, 05:31:23 PM »
I have experimented with various finger pitches and have found that 3/8 forward on my ring finger, 0 on my middle finger feels right. It puts the weight of the ball on the joint of my ring finger.

I have read on other post about hooking your fingers. I tried it and it changes the reaction on the ball, compared to relaxing, being soft with your hand and letting the ball roll off. I see more revs and hook when I hook my fingers and stay firm.

I think that "how" you allow the ball to roll off of your finger has more to do with ball reaction than how much pitch you have in your fingers.

Also, if your span is too long or short, it negates the impact of pitch in your fingers. Make sure that your span is correct before trying to adjust for pitch. The only way to find out for sure is to try different pitches and see what works best for you. Can get expensive if you don't work in a pro shop or drill and plug your on stuff.

CC

--------------------
Those that can do. Those that can't complain.

My saying for the day: "You can take the ho out of the hood, but you can't take the ho out of the ho."
Logged
Pages: [1]
« previous next »