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Author Topic: lateral thumb pitches  (Read 1846 times)

J_w73

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lateral thumb pitches
« on: May 18, 2009, 04:22:45 AM »
I know most of the time the lateral thumb pitch is figured out doing the "coke bottle" grip test.  My question is how does the lateral pitches effect the release and roll of the ball.
From what I have been reading it says that (for a right hander) lateral right(thumb under palm) promotes more axis rotation..
and lateral left promotes less axis rotation.

From looking at it I would think it would be opposite.

can someone explain this a little bit more..
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16-17 mph,350 rpm,PAP 5 1/2 x 3/8up, HighGame 300 x 3, High Series 782
Book Average 215 / 205,PBA Xperience ave180

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350 RPM, 17 MPH

 

JohnP

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Re: lateral thumb pitches
« Reply #1 on: May 18, 2009, 03:13:05 PM »
Main use of thumb lateral is to assure the bowler gets a clean release without damaging the thumb - blisters, excess callouses, etc.  For a right hander, extra laft lateral, beyond what the thumb hinge calls for, makes it easier to stay behind the ball.  Excess right lateral promotes turning the ball, in fact too much excess right will require the bowler to rotate or he will hang in the thumb.  I recommend staying with what the thumb hinge calls for.  --  JohnP
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J_w73

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Re: lateral thumb pitches
« Reply #2 on: May 18, 2009, 03:37:18 PM »
I shortened my span from just under 5 1/2 to just under 5, 1/8 forward in the fingers to 0. Went from just over 5/8 reverse to 3/8 reverse in the thumb.. Kept 1/8 lateral right.

I am finding that I am unable to cock and cup my wrist and get any axis rotation on the ball.  Being that I have low tilt angle it has caused me to lose alot of hook, backend and the ability to get the ball to get back to the pocket.

When I cock or cup my wrist I am hanging up in the ball.  This weekend I took all my tape out of my thumb just so I could get out of the ball.  It worked but made it difficult to hold on the the ball with the thumb so loose.. I also noticed some rubbing on the left side of my thumb near the nail tip..(when holding had flat and looking from the backside)

I'm thinking I need some reverse to clear the hole easier.. but based on the pressure I feel when I cock my wrist I think I need more left lateral also..
--------------------
16-17 mph,350 rpm,PAP 5 1/2 x 3/8up, HighGame 300 x 3, High Series 782
Book Average 215 / 205,PBA Xperience ave180

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350 RPM, 17 MPH

Jay

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Re: lateral thumb pitches
« Reply #3 on: May 18, 2009, 09:27:24 PM »
I have a question about lateral pitch too.  When looking at the thumb from the back pointing up, I had some rub on the right side.  I had 0 lateral pitch and my pro shop pitched me 3/8 left because we thought it made sense my thumb would go in that way.  However, I started rubbing and occasionally hanging towards the top of the hole and on the right side of my thumb still, except now it looks like my thumb is about the blister(white spot).  It's just below the bend of the knuckle, which is not the same rub I was having at 0(which may only have been happening because of knuckling).  

After a while it seemed like my thumb wanted to come out in a way looks like I need more right pitch so I just tried 1/8 left and the rub is still there, but a lot less.  Again my thumb seems like it wants to come out more from right pitch.  Does this make sense?  I was thinking of trying 1/8 right next but 0 might work too, according to the coke bottle test I should be at one of those.

Edited on 5/19/2009 8:38 PM
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