Author Topic: simple way to delay delivery a bit? (Read 980 times)

Neptune66 · « **on:** March 28, 2009, 03:55:58 PM »

I bowl without inserts/grips and until recently, my balls were drilled so that my fingers did not extend all the way to the first joint. Was basically using just the pads of the fingers and my thumb to deliver the ball.

Then my driller refitted me with a more relaxed grip (smaller span), and since then I've had some success adjusting, but it has been a little bumpy at times. Although the balls are comfortable and I do not feel that I am going to drop them, there is occasionally some ....slippage or the sensation of it as I'm delivering the ball. This causes me to have a tendency to hurry my delivery and lose considerable power.

When I remember to delay the release of the ball by a few seconds, all is well, and I get good reaction, good predictability, and good carry. But I have a tendency to not delay, and was wondering if there is an easy trick or technique to delay by a second or two my armswing.

Sure... I can tell myself mentally to do this, but it's not second nature and I tend to forget and revert back to my previous delivery style of firing the ball down the lane. Today--- I remembered, but only after floundering in frustration for 11 games. Finally tried delaying the release (not actually slowing down), and it worked, but talk about closing the barn door after the horse has gotten out.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #1 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:34:38 PM »

Thanks for the info, Drrev2000.

Actually went back to the lanes today and coincidentally ended up making different changes than you mentioned, but aimed at solving what seems to be a similar problem. Added some white, textured, tape to the finger holes (just a small 1/4" square piece where each finger pad rests) and also a piece of the same tape to the back of the thumbhole.

Suddenly my grip improved and I was delivering the ball with authority and confidence again. Was just practice, but had been struggling in practice as much as league anyway.

Don't know if it has anything to do with the coverstock feel of this particular ball (Storm Secret Agent), or if ---like you--- the texture of the skin on my fingers and thumb is changing and getting slipperier. I'm in lower 50's, and my hands dont sweat, but skin is very dry some days.

Don't know if I've solved the problem permanently, but at least for today, it wasn't a fit problem at all, it WAS the texture of the skin not providing enough friction.

Anyway... thanks again for sharing your experience. Nice to know am not the only one with this issue.

Neptune66

Spartan · « **Reply #2 on:** March 29, 2009, 05:51:48 PM »

Wow, i was actually about to suggest adding white tape before i read your seond post.

Anyways, if you can feel the ball slipping in your grip a little, than tape is definitely a solution. And you can always add more or take some out.

Also, you may want to look at finger/thumb tape, made by Vise or Turbo. They are special tapes that are placed directly on the fingers and thumb, rather than in the ball. Just alters the feel and "texture," if you will, of your release.

PS- If you've noticed on the telecasts, Wes Malott always wears yellow finger tape.
--------------------
to the pits!

Neptune66 · « **Reply #3 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:16:34 PM »

On a philisophical note, it's a little weird sometimes how advice that someone gives which doesn't quite pan out at the time it's provided, sticks in your mind and becomes very valuable in a future situation.

A couple of years ago, I was having some issues dropping the ball---similar slipping feeling--- and a very good bowler suggested I put some tape in the finger holes. I tried it for awhile, with no noticeable results ...pro or con.
And yet... remembering his suggestion, it turned around my game today, at least FOR today.

Course the reason there was no benefit a couple years ago, was because I wasn't able to insert my fingers far enough into the holes (not quite to the first joint), so there wasn't enough surface touching my fingers anyway, regardless of the texture or feel of that surface.

I am still curious if anyone knows whether there is anything unusual about the feel of the Secret Agent's coverstock that would make it seem more slippery than ... for example... my Hammer Anger. Both are the same recent drilling (and rechecked), and DO feel the same as far as picking the ball up off the rack, etc. Just that when it comes to delivering the ball, I don't have that slipping sensation with the Anger. And it's actually 16lbs vs the lighter 15lb Secret Agent.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 29, 2009, 07:47:33 PM »

I haven't seen Wes Malott bowl ---no cable (another whole topic).

But I would think that over many games the tape would tear up the fingers more than the ball's surface? It was one reason I was hesitant to try it.

Then again....Tape can be worn down by friction with the skin, but the ball's surface can't. I suppose that even if there is a sensation of less friction without the tape, that the skin is still making contact with the ball's surface. In other words, the slippage doesn't mean there is no friction. Just FEELS that way.

Well... will have a chance to test that theory now and see if the skin/calouses on my fingers lessen or become more prominent.

Neptune66 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 29, 2009, 11:38:58 PM »

I watched one of the videos of Wes Malott, and he does push the ball down the lane effortlessly. Course he is a very big guy. I'm not built like that at all, though I am ---so far--- a speed dominant player. Not many revs.

In fact... my bowling buddies often laugh at me if I tell them the ball is moving well for me or that it's hooking. They say I don't have a hook and that they think they saw the ball do one, maybe two revolutions max before hitting the pins. In fact... when the ball slips early from my hand during the delivery, it actually looks like a good ball delivered by a cranker and often ends up (by accident) in the pocket or as a brooklyn hit. But despite a good (lucky!) result, I am not happy with that happening. I need to feel the ball securely in place on my hand until I'm ready to let go of it.

Still prefer to go tapeless in the fingers, but knowing I can put some tape in when the ball is slipping, is reassuring. Won't have to go back to the pro-shop and convince the driller that Ball "B" which is supposed to be a copy of Ball "A", is inexplicably falling off my hand. Even though it's drilled identically (allegedly).

Author Topic: simple way to delay delivery a bit? (Read 980 times)

Neptune66

simple way to delay delivery a bit?

Neptune66

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Spartan

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Neptune66

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Neptune66

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