Author Topic: Gripping the ball (Read 4048 times)

spinner031 · « **on:** May 24, 2007, 10:23:29 PM »

I have a problem. I grab the ball.

When I set up now on the approach, I put my fingers in, and then only put my thumb in halfway. My knuckle is really swollen and I do this so that it won't get stuck in the ball. This causes me to grab the ball, and so begins the vicious cycle.

I don't know what to do. I've ripped up my thumb twice now on the left side (I'm right-handed) and I know that I'm in real BIG trouble if I can't fix this. Can anyone help me? I'm drowning in 60 feet of oil here!

dizzyfugu · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2007, 07:46:22 AM »

First of all - have the ball drilled to fit properly. Second, make sure that the thumb is completely inserted into the thumb hole.
Normally, the thumb hole is drilled to offer some extra space, and your problems could stem from this. Do you use tape? If not, I'd suggest experimenting with some on the back of and under your thumb, so that the hole feels snug but not tight. This will help you relax your grip - just some pieces of tape can really make a huge difference and improve the release.
--------------------
DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
Confused by bowling? Check out BR.com's vault of wisdom: the unofficial FAQ section

AngloBowler · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2007, 08:46:08 AM »

Unfortunately, the only way of stopping gripping the ball takes a lot of time and effort to rectify. I have had some thumb problems in the past, so I know where you're coming from.
First get your fit checked, as dizzy has suggested, it sounds like you have too much right lateral, or the hole may be a little small causing damage to the left side of your thumb (assuming by left you mean the side that is farthest from your track with your hand in the ball).

In my experience, the best way of correcting a gripping problem (once your fit is sorted) is to do practise drills and use a lot of tape. I find the Dick Ritger foul line and one step drills excellent for this (and the foul line drill can be done at home too). The most common reasons for gripping the ball are poor fit or a muscled armswing although often the poor fit causes the muscled swing.
I would suggest going to practise a minimum of three games a week and only do drills, with time and patience, you'll start to need more and more tape in your thumbhole.
--------------------
Reporting from England

JohnP · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2007, 10:21:41 AM »

I think you have a combination of problems, "knuckling" the thumb when gripping the ball, and incorrect thumb pitches and/or size. You need more help than any of us can give on a message board. Find a good coach, fitter/driller and get some help. Bowling is not supposed to hurt your thumb as you're describing. -- JohnP

Xcessive_Evil · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2007, 11:32:31 AM »

As it was said, very well possible of a sizing issue. I had this a while back as well. I personally do not like to use any kind of powder or tape for a smoother release so I got my thumb hole drilled tight enough to where I can still feel it on my thumb, but loose enough to turn the ball completely on my thumb with out grabbing it in the slightest bit.

Another thing that has helped for me recently was the addition of thumb slugs. Whereas the effects of the covers and filler material can different affects of feeling on your thumb, since I've gotten slugs, they all feel the same, they all feel smooth.

I'm actually trying a new thumb drill setup on a ball I'm getting drilled today. I've never tore my thumb up like you have. Best of luck in fixing that.
--------------------
www.putfile.com/trackbowler627

High game-300
High series-796

Current Arsenal- Track Power Machine, Ebonite Total NV, Track Phoenix, Track Mean Machine, Track Phenom, and Track Silencer.

Summer THS avg-231(3 games)
PBA Exp. avg-TBD

mrbowlingnut · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2007, 12:14:55 PM »

Ask your driller for a cheese ball that is an old ball that is alot of plug and they are willing to try different grips in so you can get the correct grip.

I have known of shops that has done this for a few customers with old stuff they had laying around, they will put 2-3 grips a ball and see what works best for you. You can get your grip handled with ease this way and stop the grabbing the ball from a incorrect grip.

spinner031 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2007, 01:08:45 PM »

I have a thumb slug, and I have put ttape in my ball (actually, I have 4 pieces in there), so I'm pretty sure it fits me fine. I put the tape under my thumb, not on the back of the thumbhole.

quote:
I got my thumb hole drilled tight enough to where I can still feel it on my thumb, but loose enough to turn the ball completely on my thumb with out grabbing it in the slightest bit.

When I'm not bowling, I'll put my hand in the ball and relax my grip. The ball doesn't fall off my hand, but it still hurts in the same spot.

quote:
Quick fix until you can get everything sorted out, is to use a Dremel Moto Tool with the round sanding disc on it. Run the machine very lightly up and down in the thumb hole where the knuckle touches.

I did this with an old ball that no longer use. I ran the machine throughout the whole ball, and now the hole is HUGE on me. I'll try to get to the lanes and throw it, but I think that the much more increased size will ask me to grab the ball even more so I won't drop it.

Right now, I have my spare ball with about 3 or 4 pieces of tapa in it, my strike ball with NO tape in it, and my old ball with the HUGE thumbhole. I'll see which irritates my thumb the most, and least, but I think I need some sort of revolutionary change in my grip. Once again, I only hanve my thumb halfway in the ball, so my thumb is bent instead of stright. When I release the ball, it comes off clean, and I don't hear any "pop" or anything like that, but that's because (once more)I don't fully ahve my thumb inserted into the ball.

I appreciate all teh help you guys could offer, and anymore will aid me just as well. Keep it coming. If I remember, I'll try to video my release. No promises, though. I'll try whatever I can!

spinner031 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2007, 01:51:37 PM »

Yeah I know, but it was already like that before I posted this. I'll still consider the "speed slot," but I don't want to waste a thumb slug for it.

If you're only sanding out the middle of the hole, the thumb still has to get past the smaller end on the outside of the ball.

spinner031 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2007, 03:57:04 PM »

quote:
quote: If you're only sanding out the middle of the hole, the thumb still has to get past the smaller end on the outside of the ball.

The slot comes all the way up to the surface.

Then won't that make the same difference as sanding out the entire hole?

northface28 · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2007, 10:58:06 PM »

If you're putting too much tape in the front you're adding length to your span.
--------------------
Make history or sit back and watch it. -EV

Mark T. Trgovac · « **Reply #10 on:** May 26, 2007, 02:30:01 AM »

Your thumb may also not be a pure circle. Most people anymore are not. They have odd shaped thumbs to where they look more oval rather then round. With this you dont get an even fit around your thumb. You kinda get areas that hit the inner hole of the ball correct and parts that are incorrect. You may also have some bad pitches. Also with what the guy who said to add the speed slot. Think about the hole and what you do is you place your thumb fully into the hole and then you slowly pull your thumb out and you watch where you nuckel makes contact with the ball you mark that spot off with a grease pencile. You then take a bevel knife and you work a little out of that spot and then hit it with a sander to smoothen it out. You do this the entire way down your thumb hole. This will then add a extra room to the spot where only your nuckel is at. You wont change the need to grip because you will still have grip pressure but not as great because that area of your thumb will not be jammed or sqweezed in.
--------------------
Mark "scoot" Trgovac
C-G Pro Shop
Offical "Spokesman"
Youngstown, Ohio

Scoot- "Wait Carl, so you say the ball hit him right in the back of the head."

Carl- "Yes and it left a thumb hole imprint on the back of his head. HAHAHA."

Scoot- "How didnt he die from it.... o wait it was 14lbs wasn't it?"

Carl- "Yes it was ricks ball."

Scoot- "Well that is how he lived. See it is good to have a 14lb ball sometimes."

star · « **Reply #11 on:** May 26, 2007, 07:15:51 AM »

Try to get hold of some Teflon tape or slick tape.
Just put it where your thumb rubs and that should sort out the tearing of your thumb. Thats a quick fix.
For a more permant fix Id recomend reading the post by by everyone who tells you to get the ball fit right and then do the drills to work on not gripping. There are some excellent tips there.
I know how much problem youre having as I had the same thing.
--------------------
Happy go lucky bowler from the UK

.
Did someone say tough luck

Want to learn to read lanes then visit:-
www.thebowlingprofessor44.com/

spinner031 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 26, 2007, 10:01:04 AM »

How about Vise's Hada Patch (in roll, red)? That works well.

se7en · « **Reply #13 on:** May 26, 2007, 02:57:30 PM »

Did this occur during league or practice? The actual blistering, not the discomfort thereafter.. Sounds like what happens when someone bowls 8 games in 30 minutes. Is it blistering or callus? There's a big difference between the two.

Did you grab the ball before the ripped up thumb, or is the gripping a result of the problem?

I don't care how good your ball fits; if you rub wood together fast enough it will catch fire eventually.

If you can let it heal, and it does fit right:

Try Magic Carpets (bowl4fun.com).

Invest in some thumb tape. Make sure you apply it the length of the thumb from the nail to past the knuckle on the problem side. I had to experiment with some textures until I found one I liked. It's like 8-12$ a roll.

Set the thumb. This is done by pressing the nail up while keeping the base of the thumb by the palm down so the thumb is inside at an angle. Finally, pull the thumb back slightly to lock the skin at the base of the thumb. You'll get a nice, clean release.

Bowl slower in practice.

--------------------

Cobalt Bomb Solid
Cobalt Bomb Pearl x2
Tsunami H2O
F.O.S.

spinner031 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 26, 2007, 05:25:13 PM »

I know it's easy to overdo it in practice, but I ripped my thumb once halfway through the third game in league play, and once again during a coaching session. After about 5 days, it's healed, and it's back to normal, fitting correctly. Its blistering, but I think its blistering OVER a callus, because my thumb has swollen. Just some things to clarify.

Author Topic: Gripping the ball (Read 4048 times)

spinner031

Gripping the ball

dizzyfugu

Re: Gripping the ball

AngloBowler

Re: Gripping the ball

JohnP

Re: Gripping the ball

Xcessive_Evil

Re: Gripping the ball

mrbowlingnut

Re: Gripping the ball

spinner031

Re: Gripping the ball

spinner031

Re: Gripping the ball

spinner031

Re: Gripping the ball

northface28

Re: Gripping the ball

Mark T. Trgovac

Re: Gripping the ball

star

Re: Gripping the ball

spinner031

Re: Gripping the ball

se7en

Re: Gripping the ball

spinner031

Re: Gripping the ball