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Author Topic: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball  (Read 19100 times)

Olderdude

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Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« on: September 15, 2014, 12:39:26 PM »
Recently went to a new ball driller who informed me my thumb whole was too large and it was causing me to squeeze the ball so I have a new thumb hole much tighter and I really need to focus on relaxing my hand or my thumb will stick.  I've gotten better at relaxing my hand and was wondering what kind of negative effect bending my thumb and squeezing was causing.

Thanks
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lilpossum1

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #16 on: September 19, 2014, 08:18:45 AM »
Last night I cut down on how much I grip the ball. I was able to switch to a smaller thumb and let it hold to my thumb naturally. I felt like I naturally had more hand in a ball without having to force it. I was more consistent with revs, speed, and accuracy. I shot 201, 200, 205 because the lanes dry up faster on this league than I am use to,  and I am only a sub. I can't keep ahead of the moves
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JustRico

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #17 on: September 19, 2014, 08:22:38 AM »
Understand, the wrist is what supports the bowling ball...not how much you grip it
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lilpossum1

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #18 on: September 19, 2014, 10:02:01 AM »
Rico, I don't mean to sound like a smart a$$ with this question. It is an honest question. How does the wrist support the ball in the backswing without the hand staying under the ball? It seems to me like the hand would have to stay under the ball the whole time,  which leads to a bent elbow,  causing more of a muscles swing. 
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Olderdude

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #19 on: September 19, 2014, 10:17:10 AM »
Not sure the tighter thumb is going to work, it just seems to hang.  I'm fighting the resistance to make it larger.  I need to keep putting easy slide on my thumb to make it come off smooth
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Behind the Curve

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #20 on: September 19, 2014, 11:16:19 AM »
Quote from: JustRico on September 19, 2014, 08:17:27 AM
There is NO such thing as a relaxed finger tip...there is a properly fit span

Rico, you're probably not old enough to remember, but many years ago in a land far, far away, some bowlers stretched their span to to generate more "lift & turn". Back then, my span measured 5 1/2" and I used a 3/4" reverse thumb pitch.

Considering my old specs, my current ball feels QUITE relaxed thank you... just semantics of course.

Rico, perhaps you could share your thoughts on properly fitting a bowler's span and especially the proper fitting of a thumb hole?

Thanks,




 

« Last Edit: September 19, 2014, 11:22:01 AM by Behind the Curve »
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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #21 on: September 19, 2014, 12:41:47 PM »
Quote from: Olderdude on September 19, 2014, 10:17:10 AM
Not sure the tighter thumb is going to work, it just seems to hang.  I'm fighting the resistance to make it larger.  I need to keep putting easy slide on my thumb to make it come off smooth

My thoughts, and please, if wrong, someone correct:

First, you have to have the thumbhole large enough so that it is slightly large on the sides even when your thumb is swollen.  Because the thumb is usually not round, but oval, you have to use tape or Magic Carpet to tighten the size on the front/back ends.  The use of tape/MC also reduces the suction effect (see my previous Ron Clifton link) so that the thumb can clear the tighter hole.  You have to keep the thumb straight even if you do squeeze.  One tip that I remember for that is to concentrate on pushing the thumbnail against the backside of the hole, apply pressure with the base of the thumb to the front edge of the hole.  This should help the thumb to clear even if it feels tight.  Better explanations on the sizing of the thumbhole can be found in my previous links.

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MI 2 AZ

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #22 on: September 19, 2014, 12:49:07 PM »
Behind The Curve, you are right.  Back in the '60s early '70s most drillers or bowlers wanted a longer span.  I tried it and did not like it.  My driller pushed what he called a 'relaxed fingertip' but it was probably close to what we would call a 'properly fitted' ball now. 

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billdozer

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #23 on: September 19, 2014, 05:16:27 PM »
I call the old stretched out spans, "the Vulcan death grip"
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JustRico

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #24 on: September 19, 2014, 07:30:50 PM »
The 'olde days' the ball were improperly fit or stretched...this is the reason why I 'learned' to fit and wrote a book on it...it didn't create anything other than tendinitis and other issues
The wrist supports the bowling ball by staying firm...if it stays in the proper position throughout the swing it appears the hand is behind or on top of the ball
Visualise the wrist breaking away and see where the hand is
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Behind the Curve

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #25 on: September 20, 2014, 01:16:34 AM »
Quote from: JustRico on September 19, 2014, 07:30:50 PM
The 'olde days' the ball were improperly fit or stretched... this is the reason why I 'learned' to fit and wrote a book on it... it didn't create anything other than tendinitis and other issues

What book would that be?






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JustRico

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #26 on: September 20, 2014, 01:58:36 PM »
(r)eVolve - technical packet - 2 part technical manual on fitting, drilling, ball motion and layouts plus a DVD and cd
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...where knowledge creates striking results...
BowlTEc on facebook...www.iBowlTec.com

Behind the Curve

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #27 on: September 20, 2014, 10:52:15 PM »
Quote from: JustRico on September 20, 2014, 01:58:36 PM
(r)eVolve - technical packet - 2 part technical manual on fitting, drilling, ball motion and layouts plus a DVD and cd

Sounds like just what I need...

Where can I order it and what is this the price?

Thanks Again,
BTC
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Behind the Curve

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #28 on: September 22, 2014, 06:04:20 PM »
Quote from: Behind the Curve on September 20, 2014, 10:52:15 PM
Quote from: JustRico on September 20, 2014, 01:58:36 PM
(r)eVolve - technical packet - 2 part technical manual on fitting, drilling, ball motion and layouts plus a DVD and cd

Sounds like just what I need...

Where can I order it and what is this the price?

Thanks Again,
BTC

Rico?

Anybody?
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JustRico

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #29 on: September 22, 2014, 06:53:25 PM »
It is not current available thru the website but you can pm or email me to order...HYBowlingConcepts@yahoo.com
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Dogtown

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Re: Bending Thumb and sqeezing the ball
« Reply #30 on: September 23, 2014, 07:48:18 AM »
Great book!!  Tons of good information. 
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