Author Topic: At home practice for thumb exit (Read 7139 times)

lilpossum1 · « **on:** July 13, 2016, 04:14:49 PM »

Anyone have any exercises to help practice getting the ball of the thumb at the correct time? I don't think I get my thumb out of the ball soon enough

lilpossum1 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 13, 2016, 04:16:27 PM »

I may he squeezing the ball a little and don't realize it. Anyone ever tape a Popsicle stick to the back of their thumb to practice?

bergman · « **Reply #2 on:** July 13, 2016, 06:11:50 PM »

The best advice I ever heard was to simply imagine that instead of a bowling ball, you have a small bird in your hand. You want to hold the bird just hard enough so that it doesn't fly away but not hard enough to injure it. Of course, in order to abide by this "rule", every bowler needs to have the proper fit, including the correct thumb pitches
and just the right amount of (thumb) bevel.

spmcgivern · « **Reply #3 on:** July 13, 2016, 06:14:46 PM »

Here is a great video by Del Warren that has a release drill that can be done at home. Start at 18:07

bergman · « **Reply #4 on:** July 13, 2016, 09:48:34 PM »

Excellent video from start to finish. Thanks for sharing it!

bullred · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2016, 02:38:47 PM »

Anybody interested enough to research archives of old BTM magazines, look up the articles about "setting the thumb" and "fishhooking the fingers" Of all the articles and seminars I've been a part of through many years, these two were the best I ever read. I practiced these methods for years. They good advice and still good today. Would PM to any interested folks, but not post.

lilpossum1 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2016, 10:22:59 PM »

I went to go practice tonight and try some of these drills. Can you say dismal failure? I was able to use the "holding the bird" thing and it may have helped a little. Practiced a little with my left hand and my rev rate is higher with that hand, and it is effortless. Maybe I am supposed to be a lefty?

ccrider · « **Reply #7 on:** July 15, 2016, 08:06:19 AM »

Likely you have a fit problem.

Necromancer · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2016, 09:34:23 PM »

From my 20+ years of bowling experience, thumb exit problems are two things: fit problem and timing problem. It's not necessarily a strength problem. People on tour almost half my size like Amleto are able to put much more revs on a ball because their timing is perfection and they are to bowling what a pro is to the perfect golf swing. I would first make sure your thumb is perfectly fit. And no, it's not supposed to be stuck on your finger and no it's not supposed to be super lose. There is a perfect fit. There should be no squeezing the ball either. You should be able to hold the ball in your hand to your side with a slight bend in your thumb and nothing else attached to the ball (fingers out and hand off ball). IMO, that is the perfect fit. But everyone's different haha.

lilpossum1 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 17, 2016, 10:26:23 AM »

I am starting to think it may be a fit issue right now due to my thumb swelling and shrinking issues. I use a switch grip with multiple sizes. With it being summer time and working outside, I'm currently in my emergency sized insert that I had drilled a few sizes too big and thought I would never use. Even with the tape, I'm not sure I can tighten it enough for a perfect fit. When my thumb shrinks down it it's normal sizes, I'll work on the squeezing some more. As for timing, I know it isn't perfect, but it is a lot better than it was months ago

bergman · « **Reply #10 on:** July 17, 2016, 11:07:20 AM »

I have switch grips of different sizes as well. Once again make sure your span and pitches are correct for you. If they are, then bowlers tape is the best way to "custom
fit" your thumb size. i also make sure to replace the tape (especially the top layer)
frequently due to oil and perspiration buildup. It's easy to get a little lazy with this
at times, but resist the temptation and take that little bit of extra time to ensure that
your thumb hole is up to speed for the task at hand.

Good luck!

lilpossum1 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 17, 2016, 02:41:15 PM »

My span and pitches are correct. I was just remeasured 3 months ago or so. I'll throw some more tape in the thumb hole Tuesday and see how it goes

BrianCRX90 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 18, 2016, 04:35:18 PM »

One thing I used to do at home since obviously you can't bowl at home unless you want to damage walls and furniture is get a little rubber or plastic ball and you can practice the fundamentals of the release. Best advise is to have your fingers in front and practice keeping behind the ball and feel it off your fingers and don't concentrate on your thumb.

lilpossum1 · « **Reply #13 on:** July 19, 2016, 10:24:11 PM »

I think I have the revs figured out! I guess a lot of the problem was my footwork. I didn't start with my knees bent enough and didn't slide enough. Once I did that when I was howling after league, my guess is it lengthened the flat spot giving me enough time to rev up the ball

TheGom · « **Reply #14 on:** July 21, 2016, 09:27:24 AM »

Great video....thanks for sharing

Author Topic: At home practice for thumb exit (Read 7139 times)

lilpossum1

At home practice for thumb exit

lilpossum1

Re: At home practice for thumb exit

bergman

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spmcgivern

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bergman

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bullred

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lilpossum1

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ccrider

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Necromancer

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lilpossum1

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bergman

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lilpossum1

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BrianCRX90

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lilpossum1

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TheGom

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