Hello all, half way through my two current leagues, I'm done letting thumb injuries, blisters, and swelling dictate my progression as a bowler.

After two practice balls on my Friday league, the callus on my thumb began to fill with blood, and I realized I would not be able to use my conventional delivery for the night (or for the next week for that matter). After apologizing to my teammates, I informed them that I would do my best at attempting a two-handed style.

Ended up averaging 186 for the night, about 10 pins lower than my book average, not a bad night, all things considered. Especially when accounting for the fact that I had no clue how to line up for spares. Striking was seemingly effortless as long as I was within 3 boards of my target and kept my speed up.

Now I am seriously considering making the switch full time. I just have a few questions/concerns about committing to the transition.

1. Health - I'm worried I will destroy my left knee with all the extra energy I'm putting on it. I didn't have any pain, but what are the things I should focus on to ensure I stay healthy?
2. Slide - I outright slipped on two shots, both went into the gutter. Do two handers use less slippery soles? Is it worth the money to buy a performance shoe that I can adjust the soles to my needs? Or is it poor balance on my part?
3. Transition - towards the end of game two, finding the pocket was difficult as everything wanted to turn early. I think my speed began to suffer as I got tired. Should I be making big adjustments left or is balling-down on the same line more appropriate (it's a relatively long, relatively flat house shot.)
4. USBC Rules - Am I allowed to use a ball with a thumb hole and a weight hole? I know about the rule changes coming in a couple years, but is this legal for now?

I know a lot of people despise the style...I did too, until I had no other option. Thumb issues are what made me quit competitive youth bowling, and the idea that I could completely eliminate my biggest weakness immediately is becoming more and more attractive.

Any advice is appreciated, I will be trying this style for the second time tonight, this time in my sport league (boardwalk pattern - 35 feet, high volume, practically flat)

If you are serious about making the switch also I would recommend a good coach that knows and can teach the 2nd handed style as well.   Don't want to develop bad muscle memory early on if you are going to switch, that as you mention might lead to injuries later on.  By the way the people who look down on it often have one foot in the grave anyway from what I have seen and its just as legitimate as any other style imo including the one handers who use no thumb or half thumb like Tom Daugherty or Tom Smallwood.  Not a 2 hander myself but respect those that can do it well.

If you are serious about making the switch also I would recommend a good coach that knows and can teach the 2nd handed style as well.   Don't want to develop bad muscle memory early on if you are going to switch, that as you mention might lead to injuries later on.  By the way the people who look down on it often have one foot in the grave anyway from what I have seen and its just as legitimate as any other style imo including the one handers who use no thumb or half thumb like Tom Daugherty or Tom Smallwood.  Not a 2 hander myself but respect those that can do it well.

Would I need a coach who is experienced training 2 handed bowlers? Obviously that would be best, but would a normal coach know how to address my plant/slide foot concerns?

I disagree with the notion that two handed is a more style injury-prone than one handed. An overaggressive two handed shot can certainly lead to injury, just like an overaggressive one handed shot. I do agree hips and back are more susceptible, but your approach will dictate the likelihood of injury.

See a coach and develop proper mechanics, sound timing, and a smooth approach, and you should stay injury-free regardless of style. Of course, genetics always has a say...

I dont think it is more injury prone.   More about long term wear and tear making it more difficult to  perform at a high level two handed. 

An issue not covered, but you did mention! You can't bowl two handed with a thumb hole and a weight hole! It's giving two handed bowlers two weight hole and this rule changed about 4 years ago. Just be careful if you use these in league, your scores won't count if someone protest! Just my $.02, Bruce

Thanks for clarifying. I only have one ball that I can't use under those rules, and I refrained from using it that night.

Tried it out for the second time in my sport league last night. Only shot 3 pins off my sport average of 166 on boardwalk (35 foot flat pattern).

Still had high average on my pair (and the two pairs next to me). Basically, if I hit the headpin at all, it was a strike, and if I missed, I took out the 4-7-8 for 3 pins.

I just got so tired trying to keep my speed up. The shots I fell off of were the only ones I got to hit pocket, as I put more top spin on it making it push longer.

Spares were still my biggest issue, as I was shooting them left handed for anything right of the headpin. Had 50% accuracy.

Noticed that I'm tracking over my middle finger though on the ball that was giving me the best look. It's the only one I have that's drilled pin down. Are pin down balls off limits for two handers?

Not gonna lie, only being off 10 pins on my house shot average, and 3 for my sport average with zero formal training or practice really is encouraging. I think my ceiling will be a lot higher with this style.

Depends on your track. If you're going no thumb, you would have to change your pitches to allow "pin down" layouts.

As a two hander myself, if done right and just learning it, you will be extra tired in the beginning.

I noticed that too. After the first week my left glute was painfully sore. After the second week though, it was only slightly sore, and now it's just a little tired without soreness.

I am getting a little tenderness on my middle fingertip joint, but I'm guessing that's due to an inconsistent release as I try to narrow down my viable wrist positions.

Do you have any advice on where/how to hold my wrist before I begin my approach? I basically have two positions I can consistently pull off. One is straight, where my wrist is in line with my forearm, which give me an early rolling end over end reaction. The second is where I basically put my middle finger at the 10 o'clock position, playing more of the inside of the ball which gives me a long side roll.

Also, what is the biggest cause of pulling a shot for two handers? When I miss my target, it's usually by about 4-5 boards inside.