BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: Gizmo823 on February 21, 2014, 10:31:44 AM
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I've asked this before, but I was thinking about writing an article about the subject, and I don't know exactly how to go about it so I wanted to get some opinions. What do you consider an aid, and what do you consider a crutch?
I would say as a general rule, an aid is something that helps you improve your performance, while a crutch is something you NEED to be able to perform. However, this is a little gray in bowling. Is a wrist brace an aid or a crutch? Is it dependant on the function? Whether it's to support your wrist because of pain or to increase strength or stability? What about drinking? Some people will drink to calm their nerves or just relax them in general, while some will take advil, ibuprofen or aleve before league to achieve the same effect, while even others have preshot routines or rituals for that purpose. Most of these people can still do well without these things, but not AS well as they could using them.
Is it even a worthwhile topic? The point of the article would be to help suggest things to people that would improve their bowling. For instance, having a preshot routine is recommended to help with several different things, as is knowing yourself and what works for you. Some guys turn on heavy metal before competing to get them amped up, other guys listen to classical to calm them down. But where do we draw the line on what's recommended or "acceptable?" I don't want to just write the same old stuff that people have been saying for years, I feel like there's a different angle or a different viewpoint, but I don't want to push it into abstract like I've been having a tendency to do lately. Opinions?
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I think you should expand 'crutch'.
I see a crutch as more of an excuse; almost as more of a placebo type thing.
Something they lean on to make them feel better. I guess it can go both ways.
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In my opinion, a crutch is a physical product that a person cannot bowl without without having a legitimate medical excuse. Take my dad for example: he started using a brace because he had an idol in the area that used one when he first started bowling. He rarely ever bowls without it. It is a part of his routine. If he could not bowl nearly as well without it, it would be a crutch. However, he can bowl just as well without it, so in his case it is an aid that he dislikes bowling without. Another person on his team uses a brace because of numbness and weakness of his hand because of an injury at work, and without it he wouldn't be able to hang onto a ball. This I would also consider an aid because of medical excuse. Form a third example, there is a cranker in the area that uses a brace. Without a brace, he is so limp wristed that he cannot do anything special with a bowling ball. This, in my mind, is a crutch. I hope my view on this subject helps.
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Yeah I see your point . . and that's what I'm having the issue with. It's a really gray area. And when does an excuse become a reason? Like a guitarist having his earpiece go out and losing the beat because he can't hear. All the sudden someone really skilled could sound really terrible. Is his earpiece going out an excuse or a reason? People could argue both ways.
Or like Nomar Garciaparra and his glove habit. If you would have told him he couldn't do that anymore, and it impacted his hitting, would you call that an excuse or a reason? If someone develops habits or a routine as a foundation for getting them focused and that's disrupted, should you expect them to be able to just automatically pull it together or not?
I think you should expand 'crutch'.
I see a crutch as more of an excuse; almost as more of a placebo type thing.
Something they lean on to make them feel better. I guess it can go both ways.
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The mental side is so interesting. Is it physically helping? Most likely, but after a while, it will take away more mentally than it was adding physically in the beginning.
Another thing I consider a crutch (for some people) is thumb tape. Incorrect grip or fit causes blisters. They then start using the tape they put on their skin. It then becomes habit and then a crutch - can't bowl without it.
I think you should try and fix the problem instead of putting a band-aid on it.
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Thanks possum, I'll take all the input I can get.
Yeah Nick, that's the direction I lean . . but at the same time part of being smart or having strategy is knowing how to "trick" your body into relaxing, focusing, etc. That's a totally new can of worms, is strategy cheap? My physical problems are significantly impacting my physical abilities, but I'm so good at laneplay and adjusting that its keeping my head above water. Last night I threw some really good shots, but I threw several horrific shots, but because I knew how to "abuse" the pattern, I shot 740, winning all my personal points over the other bowler who I have to say threw it better overall than I did, and I've had several nights like that this year. Fingers are dead, can't get any lift on the ball, but because I can play the lanes right, I'm succeeding. It feels cheap, and it's almost embarassing, but I feel like I have to give myself a bit of credit . .
But back to the point, I used to bowl better when I drank. I could still bowl well when I didn't, but not as good as I could when I did. Now that's strategically using something I know will cause me to relax. I don't DEPEND on it, and have been working over the last couple years to be able to bowl as well sober as with a couple drink buzz, and have been successful. A couple drinks are still relaxing though, and if nothing else my mental focus is improved. Am I better for "weaning" myself off alcohol? I'd have to say so, I think the fewer rituals or routines you need to trick your body into acting right the better, but I'd say that completely avoiding anything is ignorant . .
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Another thing I consider a crutch (for some people) is thumb tape. Incorrect grip or fit causes blisters. They then start using the tape they put on their skin. It then becomes habit and then a crutch - can't bowl without it.
What about the people that use tape because they have severe swelling and shrinking issues? Personally, I use switch grip to get an approximate fit, and then shove my thumb in the hole with my shirt around it to shrink my thumb a little, or blow in the thumb hole to make my thumb fit rather than using tape. This works for me, but i would never be able to bowl without tape or switch grip to be able to get a good fit. Are tape and switch grips a crutch if you have swelling problems? In my opinion, it is a necessary aid for some people.
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Tricks are awesome. Placebo affect gets a bad name because, if it works, it works, but one needs to be conscience of it.
A trick is good until it finally becomes a crutch, but if that crutch is always accessible, why not?
As far as drinking - I don't drink while I bowl because it relaxes me, etc. I drink while I bowl because it's fun as hell. I have a guy on my team who uses it as an excuse: throw a bad shot, "I need a drink". Throw a bad show, "I think I should stop drinking while I bowl". I just called him out on it last night ;D
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Another thing I consider a crutch (for some people) is thumb tape. Incorrect grip or fit causes blisters. They then start using the tape they put on their skin. It then becomes habit and then a crutch - can't bowl without it.
What about the people that use tape because they have severe swelling and shrinking issues? Personally, I use switch grip to get an approximate fit, and then shove my thumb in the hole with my shirt around it to shrink my thumb a little, or blow in the thumb hole to make my thumb fit rather than using tape. This works for me, but i would never be able to bowl without tape or switch grip to be able to get a good fit. Are tape and switch grips a crutch if you have swelling problems? In my opinion, it is a necessary aid for some people.
I said "SOME people". I think tape is a tool/aid for most. Some folks get the tackle box out before their bowling balls. They start doing minor surgery on their fingers/thumb/wrist before they even think about bowling.
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Sorry if it seemed like I was bashing your tape idea, Nick. I just realized what I said could be interpreted that way. I see what you mean.
How far can you take the crutch idea? Some people would consider these fancy new bowling balls to be a crutch until you prove you can throw an older ball well too.
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lol, that's a slippery slope. If you can't bowl blindfolded, you're using a crutch.
Technology improves in ALL sports, so i don't think it's a crutch. Scores are inflating - but it's for everybody and that's a whole new topic.
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Lol that's a bigger can of worms . . but at the same time, you have to do everything legal to compete. Some people DO use the tape so they can grip and get away with it. If you swell or shrink, that's more often than not a fit problem. Some people don't want to put in the effort to break the habit though. No one should NEED that thumb tape if their fit is correct and they're holding the ball right, the friction just wouldn't be there to cause the blisters or swelling.
I would say we've figured out here that a crutch is anything that is used in lieu of fixing a problem or to avoid putting in the work. Drinking for me USED to be a crutch, now I feel like I could reasonably call it an aid. If you're using thumb tape to avoid having to stop gripping, that's a crutch.
Now what is an aid? Lol, I started writing about it and realized I could be describing steroids or HGH or something . . would it be like protein powder? Or something to help maximize your potential without artificially inflating it?
Sorry if it seemed like I was bashing your tape idea, Nick. I just realized what I said could be interpreted that way. I see what you mean.
How far can you take the crutch idea? Some people would consider these fancy new bowling balls to be a crutch until you prove you can throw an older ball well too.
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Some people swell and shrink as a seasonal thing. It is cold outside, so right now I am using my smallest thumb insert. In the summer, I will move up 2 sizes. It doesn't fluctuate much while bowling. I may move up one size in the third game. But that is off topic. I fully agree with your definition of a crutch and an aid. An aid could also be considered a learning tool. A wrist brace can be great for learning how to come out of a ball well for those that are just beginning.
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It isn't just wrist braces or tape, what about finger inserts or thumb slugs(or inserts) and also removable thumb slugs. Its funny, I use a wrist brace and sometimes a bowler will give my some grief, when that happens, I ask him why do you use finger inserts (I do not) he just gives me a dumb look and walks away. I feel all these items are aids and they do not necessarily improve you scores.
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Let's take it further. What about people that need to take 3 plus balls with them to a tournament. Learn to do different releases and change your speed, before picking up the next hook in the box ball of the month.
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As always, it depends on the person. If a ball rolls better on a certain condition, I'd rather use that one.
A golfer could take his driver and putter to the course, but why would he do that when he can have options.
It's a good point though, there are people who rely on all their ball collection as a crutch.
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Yeah if you carry around 5 balls so you can just switch and stay in the same spot, that could be a crutch . . but if that keeps you in your A game area . . is that really a crutch or just good strategy?
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Aid or crutch? Seems to be a matter of perspective.
If it is something that is helping you or a teammate, then it is an aid.
If it is something that is helping your opponent, then it is a crutch.
;)
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To me, the words seem to have this connotation:
Aid seems to intone something that helps you do something more consistently that you could do without.
Crutch seems to intone something that helps you do something you could NOT do without the crutch.
The question lies in the gray area between wanting to use a device, and NEEDING to use it.
How about this. What if USBC made a rule that you must demonstrate a medical NEED before you would be able to use any device, including wrist braces?
Would that define the difference between the two?
(And yes, I know the USBC premise is implausible and would never happen)
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Yeah if you carry around 5 balls so you can just switch and stay in the same spot, that could be a crutch . . but if that keeps you in your A game area . . is that really a crutch or just good strategy?
Its a Crutch! You have not developed multiple releases in your game.
This no different than the example with someone using a wrist brace. What was the reference, person has weak wrist and should not be able to bowl until their wrist is strong enough.
So I stated the same thing with bowling equipment. You can't compete in tournaments unless you have your crutch of 10 bowling balls, because your bowling skills are limited. You can't adjust your line or alter your release, you must go to crutch in order to compete.
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If you believe a tournament bowlers having a 10 ball arsenal is a crutch you have no idea about bowling at a high level. And the guy that bowls City, State, and Nationals as his 3 tournaments a year is not a tournament bowler.
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Crutch, aid, whatever. :)
Unless your arsenal consists of a single Blue Hammer (no bevel, no inserts/slugs), no tape, no gloves/braces of any kind, and no adjustable shoes, you're swimming in aids and crutches….
The irony is that in the end, none of this stuff really matters. Unless you can repeat good shots read oil transition, and make the appropriate adjustments, none of the toys matter. Talent wins in the long run. In a world where the best PBA players use different strike balls on a single pair, this is all about trying to get some competitive advantage. The use of "accessories" is part of the game and the genie is not going back in the bottle.
The stuff that's nitpicked…….
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Great bowlers can adjust and change lines and many other things but with more condition specific balls it puts them at a disadvantage.
If your options are plastic and a urethane ball. Or two different plastic balls then yes lines, speed, adjusting hand position are all big factors. That was the game of bowling a long time ago but not today.
If your tournament arsenal is still a plastic ball and one ball of anything else made in the past 20 years no matter your talent and adjustment your at a disadvantage. You can still score. A good arsenal can do a lot to help and a lot to hurt. Id rather have and not need then need and not have.
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What about the no thumb bowlers or two handed bowlers? I use a brace but as I'm close to retirement age and still bowl about 20 games a week and sometimes more. I bowled city tournament and bowled every event in one day of 9 games plus the 10 minutes of practice before team and doubles. I use one for prevention and one reason I've been able to bowl for 50 years.
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This is like the argument of bowling bags. 2 3-ball bags vs 1 6-ball bag. I prefer the 6-ball bag for my own reasons. Up until about a year ago, I never used a wrist brace. During a tournament, I injured my wrist and hand, so I was forced to wear one to eliminate the pain. I have actually lost some revs, but it has helped my release consistency. A trade off for me and an adjustment I have had to deal with. Whether you use one or not is an individual choice. I don't believe it gives anyone an advantage or disadvantage. It is just a personal preference.
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Plus, look at all the pros that have used them throughout all of bowling, both men and women! I do believe Earl Anthony and Dick Weber wore a wrist brace!
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If you have talent, and practice properly you will be able to compete no matter what else you choose to use or not use. When you look for things to make up for the lack of those attributes then your ability to continue to compete will be less.
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If you believe a tournament bowlers having a 10 ball arsenal is a crutch you have no idea about bowling at a high level. And the guy that bowls City, State, and Nationals as his 3 tournaments a year is not a tournament bowler.
Yes I do have an idea. Sorry for not explaining it enough. I was going along with the theme of the topic. Personally I could care less how many bowling balls someone brings to a tournament. You can take all you want 3, 10, 20, 50, it doesn't matter to me. That is today's game.
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Most of the people I see show up with 10 ball arsenals have no idea about bowling at a high level either.
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Most of the people I see show up with 10 ball arsenals have no idea about bowling at a high level either.
Maybe it has more to do the the venues you visit. Bowl at the US Open or Masters. Watch what the bowlers who make the cut and continue on bring with them and store in the Paddock. It's not unusual to see three 3-ball carriers.
It's not what you bring -- it's what you intelligently use. Don't confuse the two.