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Author Topic: Thumb pitches  (Read 2626 times)

Evening Sun

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Thumb pitches
« on: January 12, 2009, 08:10:00 AM »
For many years I have bowled with a rather straight wrist.  Lately I have been experimenting with cocking my wrist in an attempt to get a few more revs and backend motion.  Curiously enough with cocking my wrist comes difficulty getting out of the thumb hole cleanly.  My thumb pitches are (I'm a lefty) 1/4 under and 1/4 reverse (span is 4 3/4 ring and 4 5/8 middle).
Is there a correlation between a cocked wrist and thumb pitches?  Should I perhaps consider changing pitches if I decide to stay with the cocked wrist release?  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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JohnP

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2009, 08:27:42 PM »
The extra strain from cocking your wrist might result in knuckling your thumb, which will cause release problems.  --  JohnP
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bluerrpilot

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2009, 09:49:40 PM »
I agree with John here. Most people that Ive seen that try to load up there wrist more end up overdoing it. And in doing so, make there thumb bend in the thumbhole.
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Evening Sun

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #3 on: January 13, 2009, 08:09:51 AM »
Thanks for the info.  I'll pay more attention to the what the thumb itself is doing.  However, it still raises the question of whether pitch changes might, nonetheless, make things easier (at least in terms of a quicker release).
Any thoughts?
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It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing.
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Don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
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Long Roller

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2009, 08:12:29 AM »
I'm running into this same type situation.  I'm not trying to cup the ball like you but I have realized lately when I play deeper lines I don't get the thumb release like I should.  I think I'm going to give the thumb a little more bevel first and see what happens, but my thought is if you need a lot of bevel, your thumb pitch is probably off.....
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Shane Soule
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bluerrpilot

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2009, 08:27:54 AM »
quote:
However, it still raises the question of whether pitch changes might, nonetheless, make things easier (at least in terms of a quicker release).
Any thoughts?


Changing your lateral to more right pitch (away from palm) will help clear the thumb quicker.
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"USBC is concerned that technology has overtaken player skill in determining success in the sport of bowling"
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JohnP

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2009, 09:35:10 AM »
quote:
Thanks for the info. I'll pay more attention to the what the thumb itself is doing. However, it still raises the question of whether pitch changes might, nonetheless, make things easier (at least in terms of a quicker release).  Any thoughts?


More reverse (or less forward) thumb pitch and/or more right lateral, as bluerrpilot said.  Also be sure your finger pitches are correct for your joint flexibility.  If your driller has an adjustable (Jayhawk-style) fitting ball, try changing the pitches on it until it feels like you can get a clean release.  Another option wold be increasing the size of the thumb hole, but that could lead to squeezing or grabbing the ball at the bottom.  --  JohnP
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TADIELLO

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #7 on: January 13, 2009, 10:22:58 AM »
I am a lefty also. I have been working on this same thing the past month. Raiderh20boy ( lefty also ) has been great to work with. He's been plugging and re-drilling balled many times so i could get the right feel. He's even switched me from using finger grips to no finger grips. My game has really turn around ( for the better ) my hand is never soar and the ball comes off smooth. My feeling is my rev rate has gone up with no changes to my bowling style. I would talk to raiderh20boy.
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Evening Sun

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #8 on: January 13, 2009, 03:06:24 PM »
Thank you all for the great feedback!!! I'll have an older ball plugged and drilled with less lateral pitch. Checking the finger pitches certainly can't hurt either. Looking forward to the results. Thanks again.
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It don't mean a thing, if it ain't got that swing.
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Don't drive faster than your guardian angel can fly.
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JohnP

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #9 on: January 14, 2009, 10:40:15 AM »
If you have an old ball you want to use just to check the grip, the driller can drill the grip on an area of the ball so that your track won't hit any of the existing holes.  The ball won't be legal for use in competition, but you can try the grip and it should be quite a bit less expensive.  --  JohnP
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JohnP

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Re: Thumb pitches
« Reply #10 on: January 15, 2009, 10:06:45 AM »
I'm not sure of that.  When you cock your wrist you put a lot more strain on the grip than when it's straight.  Especially until your wrist strengthens.  The natural tendency is to bend the thumb to help hold the ball.  --  JohnP
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