Author Topic: How old (Read 1181 times)

cooksey · « **on:** April 07, 2009, 04:22:57 AM »

Looking for some coaches opinions on how old a child should be before they start trying to throw a fingertip ball? Past experience and expertese appreciated.

cooksey
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" Focus the next shot is critical"

AIM:johncooksey24

tuckingfenpin · « **Reply #1 on:** April 07, 2009, 12:43:20 PM »

I started at 13 with fingertips, Heavy 12# Columbia Blue knight,I had been bowling for 2 years previously with a ball drilled out at Kmart with the Bluelight special shoes. Got my first pair of real Dexter's (SST5) at 16 for Xmas, my feet finally stopped growing.

A friend of mine started with fingertips at 9, he had been bowling in leagues since he was 5. I think he started with a 10# but not sure.

Obviously the earlier you start getting the child real equipment the more you will have to do size upgrades due to growth spurts, I know my friend's dad had the money to pay for all the new stuff every year, sometimes during the year..depending on how fast he grew.
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Big B > *

Edited on 4/7/2009 12:45 PM

rockerbowler18 · « **Reply #2 on:** April 07, 2009, 12:46:41 PM »

I started at about age 6. But if you're gonna do fingertip, start without grips. It'll teach him to hook the ball without grabbing the snot out of it. Rod Ross (coach of junior team USA) thinks nobody under the age of 17 or so should use grips, as the finger bones aren't fully done developing.

My personal opinion is that the child can decide: once he wants to learn/try more, let him.
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completebowler · « **Reply #3 on:** April 07, 2009, 12:53:27 PM »

He should be older than rockerbowler because it is obvious that he doesn't have a clue about bowling. Funny how so many like him talk about bowling and have never even shot some scores

I was 14 when I put grips in the ball.
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"The rule is perfect. In all matters of opinion our advesaries are insane". Mark Twain

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rockerbowler18 · « **Reply #4 on:** April 07, 2009, 01:04:04 PM »

quote:
He should be older than rockerbowler because it is obvious that he doesn't have a clue about bowling. Funny how so many like him talk about bowling and have never even shot some scores

I was 14 when I put grips in the ball.
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"The rule is perfect. In all matters of opinion our advesaries are insane". Mark Twain

http://members.bowl.com/SearchUSBC/ViewMember.aspx?prefix=1034&suffix=1647

I love how every time I turn around, you're calling me out.

How do you know I know nothing about bowling?

I'm a USBC certified coach, jackass. As is my father.

And for someone who claims I know nothing about bowling, you talk very little about bowling for this being a bowling site. For the most part, you spend your time sucking off Obama and the unions on the forums here, occasionally posting something semi-related to bowling, but making sure you call me out whenever you do it.

Finally, just for good measure, (keep in mind, I don't know who you are, what your average is, or anything else) I would have no problem shoeing up and teaching you more lessons, seeing as how I haven't taught you enough about politics.

Honestly, sometimes I think how ashamed you must be to get verbally destroyed by an 18 year old on a daily basis. How does it make you feel? (Just curious.)
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JAT Junior Amateur Tour

Robb's Pro Shops: Bakersfield, California

Rob Stone Supporters of America!

Only Studs Wear Argyle http://i86.photobucket.com/albums/k116/rockerbowler18/MikeFagan.jpg

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #5 on:** April 07, 2009, 01:14:12 PM »

A real good bowler around here got his son to switch...strong kid around age 11 and a 11 pound or 12 pound ball.

Seems to often be right about the right time....both ball weight and strength and control wise! He now has a nice free armswing....Other kids I have seen switch earlier often look muscled!

May be more they moved up in weight too quickly for the extra carry, but before their body caught up.

REgards,

Luckylefty
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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..

justdale · « **Reply #6 on:** April 07, 2009, 01:19:04 PM »

I personally like to see kids develop a game before trying to teach them how to hook a ball, teach the kids to hit their target over and over, they will have plenty of time as they grow up to throw a finger tip.
Learning the proper foot work and arm swing is a very important part of developing muscle memory. teach them right from the beginning, so that it might hamper any and all bad habits they develop later

Just my opinion
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Dale Williams
Columbia 300 Utah Amateur Staff

Spider Ball Bowler · « **Reply #7 on:** April 07, 2009, 01:21:31 PM »

quote:
I personally like to see kids develop a game before trying to teach them how to hook a ball, teach the kids to hit their target over and over, they will have plenty of time as they grow up to throw a finger tip.
Learning the proper foot work and arm swing is a very important part of developing muscle memory. teach them right from the beginning, so that it might hamper any and all bad habits they develop later

Just my opinion
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Dale Williams
Columbia 300 Utah Amateur Staff

I actually agree here. When and if I have a child that decides he or she wants to bowl, that's what I'm going to do with them.. Work on getting the footwork down, get them to a solid from start to the line game and go from there.
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Ahhh Disco Biscuits!

tenpinspro · « **Reply #8 on:** April 07, 2009, 03:17:45 PM »

Hey cooksey,

I teach a couple of general rules in regards to children and bowling. Mainly these are used with my decision to weight choice from years of experience. I help parents choose ball weight based on these two factors.

1) Physical size of the child
2) (more importantly) the length and consistency of time the child has been bowling

Our muscles will be biased in development dependent upon whatever we do on a regular basis. Due to the variances of size in individuals, physical strength plays a part in what we can handle but I've learned that if a child has been bowling consistently for a period of time (years actually), their body/muscles have developed to a point to where they can exceed a larger child in strength.

Based on this, I would recommend that not until the child has had a few years of bowling behind them "and" be somewhere near double digit age that a fingertip should even be considered.

When it comes to children, I always like to practice the theory of rather being safe then sorry. I would never suggest pushing them into something that can be detrimental to their development later in life. Hope this helps some...
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Rick Leong - Ten Pins Pro Shop
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lenstanles703 · « **Reply #9 on:** April 07, 2009, 03:24:18 PM »

I coached a lot of kids over the years my wife ran junior program locally. I would wait until the child tries to hook his plastic ball, then move them to an entry level reactive with finertips. This also depends if the parents want to spend the money.
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Visionary test staff member

Smash49 · « **Reply #10 on:** April 07, 2009, 04:27:30 PM »

I all depends on the child. My nephew went fingertip at about 7 or 8. He has had a great game for years and practiced daily in the summer. Of course his grandfather was an excellent bowling partner. Kids that have almost zero coaching and assistance starting early may be a bad thing. Another factor would be the build and body type of the child. Weight factors etc.

Smash49
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Smash49

Slick, tacky, wood or synthetic it does not matter your slide is correct with SLSM Designs Bowlers Slide Sock. The Finest Slide Sock on the Planet!!!
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cooksey · « **Reply #11 on:** April 08, 2009, 02:16:03 AM »

Thanks for everyones reply. I am talking about my youngest son. He is 9 and has been bowling a couple of years now. He is not the biggest kid in the nieghborhood but he plays organized football and is allot stronger than what people think. He has been needing a new ball and was considering my options about fingertip or not. Of course he wants to bowl like Dad and his big brother so he has been on me about it. I will mull it over.

Thanks, cooksey
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" Focus the next shot is critical"

AIM:johncooksey24

Author Topic: How old (Read 1181 times)

cooksey

How old

tuckingfenpin

Re: How old

rockerbowler18

Re: How old

completebowler

Re: How old

rockerbowler18

Re: How old

LuckyLefty

Re: How old

justdale

Re: How old

Spider Ball Bowler

Re: How old

tenpinspro

Re: How old

lenstanles703

Re: How old

Smash49

Re: How old

cooksey

Re: How old