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Author Topic: Anybody using forward thumb pitches?  (Read 13715 times)

johns811

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Anybody using forward thumb pitches?
« on: September 11, 2009, 12:07:18 AM »
Ron Clifton web site he talks a lot about not squeezing the ball and possibly using forward thumb pitches. My spans is pretty small (4 3/8"). For the heck of I took an old ball I wasn't using from 0" to 3/8" forward and not having any trouble getting out of it. I think I can go to 1/2" if I wanted.

Anybody have any experience with this? The ball did seem easier to hold without squeezing and I can still get out of it OK. Now if I can just learn a good relaxed arm swing. 30+ years of squeezing the ball is not an easy habit to break.
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LuckyLefty

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Re: Anybody using forward thumb pitches?
« Reply #16 on: September 15, 2009, 05:21:36 PM »
I am of the believe that reverse in the fingers and forward in the thumb reverses the amount of time between thumb and finger release.  Thumb comes out later with less reverse.  Fingers come out earlier with more reverse.

This shorter time between the releases means one becomes less of an "area" bowler(IE the ability to create area is reduced) and more of exact line player.

Many of us envy no thumbers and their carry when they are going good.....their area and carry are wonderful(especially on crowned league conditions).  The reason they create this area is the separation in time between when the thumb comes off the ball and when the fingers do their work.  The greater the time lag the more area if area can be created.

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS I continue to think that forward pitch is not the point.  ie 1/8 forward for a 4 inch span is normal.  What is the big deal is forward from the tables!  ie a 1/4 inch reverse is a very forward position for a 5 1/2 inch span where 5/8 would be the normal reverse.  Everything is in relation to the standard 64 degree angle.  (which is set at 4 1/4 span = 0 forward/reverse)  Every 1/8 more span or less span is accompanied by a 1/16 inch pitch move in the same direction.  
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Edited on 9/15/2009 5:27 PM
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Jay

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Re: Anybody using forward thumb pitches?
« Reply #17 on: September 15, 2009, 05:27:09 PM »
I'm at 1/8 forward myself, but I'm not sure if it's right for me either.  If I keep the thumb tight I can relax but I can't release correctly.  If I make it a little looser I seem to start gripping too much.
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J_w73

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Re: Anybody using forward thumb pitches?
« Reply #18 on: September 15, 2009, 06:15:01 PM »
quote:

This shorter time between the releases means one becomes less of an "area" bowler(IE the ability to create area is reduced) and more of exact line player.

PS I continue to think that forward pitch is not the point.  ie 1/8 forward for a 4 inch span is normal.  What is the big deal is forward from the tables!  ie a 1/4 inch reverse is a very forward position for a 5 1/2 inch span where 5/8 would be the normal reverse.  Everything is in relation to the standard 64 degree angle.  (which is set at 4 1/4 span = 0 forward/reverse)  Every 1/8 more span or less span is accompanied by a 1/16 inch pitch move in the same direction.  


Edited on 9/15/2009 5:27 PM


I agree with your "area" comment. I believe alot of extreme "forward from the table" bowlers are down and in or don't swing the ball much.

Can you explain more about teh 64 deg angle? I'm assuming this is some optimal angle for being able to hold onto the ball and also being able to get out of the ball..

my point was that for me keeping my fingers at 0(1/8 forward/under with grips) and moving the thumb forward will essentially lock me/my thumb in the ball.  If you go reverse in the fingers and forward in the thumb you are keeping the same relation of angle between the fingers and thumb.. but because of the orientation and weight of the ball on the thumb the ball will hold onto the thumb better.
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r534me

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Re: Anybody using forward thumb pitches?
« Reply #19 on: September 15, 2009, 10:14:56 PM »
Was the span discussed?  I found this on the web on fitting

http://www.bowlerspro.com/Greenlight%20Coaching.pdfhttp://www.bowlerspro.com/Greenlight%20Coaching.pdf

So when one assumes forward does one mean more forward than the standard based on the span?
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r534me

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Re: Anybody using forward thumb pitches?
« Reply #20 on: September 15, 2009, 10:14:57 PM »
Was the span discussed?  I found this on the web on fitting

http://www.bowlerspro.com/Greenlight%20Coaching.pdfhttp://www.bowlerspro.com/Greenlight%20Coaching.pdf

So when one assumes forward does one mean more forward than the standard based on the span?
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Jay

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Re: Anybody using forward thumb pitches?
« Reply #21 on: September 16, 2009, 12:25:54 AM »
I've seen that article once before.  Span is definitely another thing to take into account, and that was kind of implied when the "chart" has been mentioned.  Some people think of forward pitch as actually having it forward, but I think it should be thought of relative to the charts.

About that 64 degree angle that was brought up, I believe it's the angle Bill Taylor came up with but I'm not sure exactly how it came about.  With a different span and the same pitch or vice versa, the angle changes.  It's kind of hard for me to picture, but it's what I was told.
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