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Author Topic: No thumb + Dry Lanes  (Read 4907 times)

Montoya

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No thumb + Dry Lanes
« on: August 25, 2013, 11:25:38 AM »
Hey guys,

So first of all, i'm a new member here, my name is Matt, i'm 24 years old, and i'm from France.

I've been bowling for a while now, but in december of 2012, i lost my thumb in a work accident.. (Nice way to spend christmas huh ?)

Since January i've been playing literally as a "no thumb player". I assure you, it's not by choice.

I currently average 190. Wich in my opinion think it's not bad for the short amount of time spent on the technique.

My question is, being a no thumb bowler, i have a lot of revs in my ball, wich is a nightmare for dry lanes, even worse when the 10 pin is left standing.. 8 out of 10 i miss it. My question is not about the ten pin, but more about dry lanes.

Would you recommend a ball, a layout or even a technique for me to make the ball roll further down and can easily take high revs without loosing too much control over the ball ? So i don't need to make crazy adjustments like lofting the gutter or something like that ? lol

Thank you guys ;)
« Last Edit: August 25, 2013, 11:28:52 AM by Montoya »

 

Zanatos1914

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #1 on: August 25, 2013, 11:45:02 AM »
DV8 Misfit - Drill it up left handed and make sure the center of weight is in your hand...

Montoya

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #2 on: August 25, 2013, 12:05:07 PM »
What impact would it have on the ball ?

JohnP

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #3 on: August 25, 2013, 02:40:36 PM »
Try a plastic or urethane ball.  For your 10 pins, learn to throw a straight or backup ball.  --  JohnP

Tripcee

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #4 on: August 25, 2013, 03:24:17 PM »
For your ten pins, instead of coming up the right side, go up the left side and make the ball work towards it. That'll help you much more.
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Doug Sterner

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #5 on: August 25, 2013, 08:18:39 PM »
All balls hook because of friction between the ball and the lane. When there's no oil on the lanes, the lane provides more friction. The mistake that many bowlers make is to try and go with a less aggressive ball and polish it....this can create a nightmare if you happen to touch any oil anywhere on the lane. Yes the polish helps get the ball down the lane but it also makes the ball react more strongly when it finally reduces speed enough to "catch".

My suggestion is to find a middle of the road ball (typically symmetrical core to spread the hook out and make it more even reacting) and then drill it with the pin high above the middle finger. This will help burn axis tilt and rotation quicker and even the reaction out downlane. 2 other suggestions.....use 4000 grit Siaair/Abralon/White ScotchBrite instead of polish and avoid weightholes at all costs unless you can put one in a position that does not increase the flare.

Good luck and keep us posted.
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Elimeno Pee

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #6 on: August 26, 2013, 04:13:17 AM »
Are you by chance capable of learning to throw with you Left hand?  Not necessarily right away for league, but practice it up and get close, then officially switch hands
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Montoya

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #7 on: August 26, 2013, 08:08:42 AM »
First i would like to thank all of you for your aswers. :)

@Doug : Thank you for your advices, but what do you call a "middle of the road ball" ? Do you have any exemples ? I'm currently using a Brunswick Aura and a Brunswick Ringer.

@Tripcee i'm currently working on this technique ^^

@Elimeno I never tought about it to tell you the truth, it would be great since there's not a lot of people playing on the left side of the lanes lol. But starting over, approach, backswing, ect.. creeps me out. I don't know if i could have the patience to start over.

mswitz88

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #8 on: August 26, 2013, 08:38:40 AM »
All balls hook because of friction between the ball and the lane. When there's no oil on the lanes, the lane provides more friction. The mistake that many bowlers make is to try and go with a less aggressive ball and polish it....this can create a nightmare if you happen to touch any oil anywhere on the lane. Yes the polish helps get the ball down the lane but it also makes the ball react more strongly when it finally reduces speed enough to "catch".

My suggestion is to find a middle of the road ball (typically symmetrical core to spread the hook out and make it more even reacting) and then drill it with the pin high above the middle finger. This will help burn axis tilt and rotation quicker and even the reaction out downlane. 2 other suggestions.....use 4000 grit Siaair/Abralon/White ScotchBrite instead of polish and avoid weightholes at all costs unless you can put one in a position that does not increase the flare.

Good luck and keep us posted.

+1 on this info. Polish can make for a terribly inconsistent reaction if there are any wet spots on the lane and make the ball snap off the dry boards. I have had excellent luck with 4000 abralon instead. Still gives you decent push down lane but doesn't over react nearly as much. Also agree middle of the road equipment is a good idea. You'll want something with an arc type reaction rather than a skid/snap type ball. I am not overly familiar with Brunswick equipment but I would look for a solid or hybrid cover since pearls tend to accentuate the over/under reaction problems on wet/dry lanes.
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BallReviews-Removed0385

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #9 on: August 26, 2013, 09:38:02 AM »

In addition to what has been said, simply put, the ball responds to friction and then travels in the direction of it's rotation.

If you can roll any reactive ball end-over-end it will go straight.  Think of that regarding the 10 pin.  But, if the balls you use are hooking too much, you can also incorporate that idea. 

Where are your fingers as they exit the ball?  Three o' clock?  Four o' clock?  Try releasing the ball at five o' clock to control the late movement on the lane.  Keep in mind that a ball with more forward roll loses energy faster, so you may need to add a little polish to enhance carry, but that's easily done.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Doug Sterner

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #10 on: August 26, 2013, 11:36:15 AM »
When I say middle of the road I am talking about balls like the Storm Hyroad, DV8 Marauder, Brunswick Meanstreak, Radical Torrid Affair, RotoGrip Wrecker. They are not the entry level balls nor are they the high performance balls.

There are some really good balls out there that got discontinued a few months ago that would serve you well.....
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Jesse James

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #11 on: August 26, 2013, 12:15:30 PM »
I have literally felt your pain, in the past. I once stuck my thumb into the spinning fan of my car, trying to retrieve a wrench I had dropped. I cut the tip of my thumb off.....but it was a clean cut. Raced to the hospital and they were able to reconnect it, fortunately. That bowling season I bowled "no-thumber"!! Only averaged a 165, though, so your 190 is pretty admirable.

Doug Sterner's suggestions are pretty right on, however even a drilled ball with a high pin will flip on you at the end of the pattern. What I did was take an old reactive ball, a purple Ninja(AMF) and put an extremely even drill on it,.... a barbell drill which allowed me to really rev it up, without seeing the extreme revs downlane.

A barbell drill is when the pin and cg are directly across from one another, below the finger holes. I believe I had the pin in the middle of my palm at the time, and I also scuffed the surface of that ball to about 600 grit. It made for a nice, big even flare, without the extreme flip.

Experimentation is key here. I have a few other techniques that work, but they require good timing, and a disciplined release. Good luck!
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Zanatos1914

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #12 on: August 26, 2013, 05:36:00 PM »
I am 2 finger bowler and the reason I said left handed drilling style is because all balls have a weight block inside which helps them react on the backend of the lane.. With the ball being drilled left handed the ball will be fighting itself and will stay straight longer than anything else.. The reason I said DV8 Misfit is because of the cover stock.. DV8 balls have stronger covers than most and it wont slide out if it hits allot of oil...   Changing the cover stock on this ball to 4000 will get you extra length and this ball hits harder than a plastic ball...  It will still move so you will be able to throw it like your normal ball... 

Good luck..

milorafferty

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #13 on: August 26, 2013, 06:03:02 PM »
Man, 190 is pretty impressive for such a drastic change.

I would consider going two handed if I was in your situation. That would allow you to "flatten" your wrist enough when shooting spares or needing to deal with dryer conditions. It would give you a lot more options at least.
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avabob

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Re: No thumb + Dry Lanes
« Reply #14 on: August 27, 2013, 10:51:55 AM »
Since you are new to this it will take some time, but I would focus on learning to change your axis rotation.  If you can reduce your axis rotation, plus utilize a polyester ball, it will help greatly on the 10 pin. 

Also, since you are already going thumbless, have you considered trying 2 handed ala Belmonte.  Not for everyone, but if you can do it, it will really help your ability to control your roll pattern.