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Author Topic: Keeping the thumb straight  (Read 15962 times)

Danes07

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Keeping the thumb straight
« on: October 12, 2009, 04:15:30 AM »
I think one of my biggest problems right now is that fact that I have trouble getting my thumb out of the ball and it makes me kind of top the ball.  I think this has a lot to do with the fact that I've recently noticed that I "knuckle" the thumb hole.  I'm working on keeping my thumb straight and not allowing it to bend in the thumb hole.  I'm going to try making my thumb hole a little tighter so I don't feel like I have to grip.

Do any of you have any little tricks or things you do to keep your thumb straight in the thumb hole?

Anything would be appreciated, unless is sarcastic or useless to the topic at hand.

Thanks in advance guys
--------------------
University at Albany 2007
    -Let''s Go Danes-

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Harry E. Inglis 3/31/1915 - 2/3/2009
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charlest

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #16 on: October 13, 2009, 06:05:51 PM »
If you can bend your thumd, then the hole is too big. You need to either make it smaller with tape or with some other manner if your thumb gets smaller towards the end. Maybe you need a shaped thumb hole that  gets smaller towards the tip.

In any case,whether it's tape or a shaped or beveled thumb hole, you shoudl not be able to bend your thumb.

Plus there's the mental aspect: why are you trying to bend your thumb????
And, make no mistake, consciously, unconsciously or subconsciously, you ARE trying to bend your thumb, because you feel like the ball is falling off.
You need the right sized thumb hole for your thumb and/or more hand/thumb strength.

You NEED to feel comfortable, like the ball is not falling off unless you allow it to fall off your thumb

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"None are so blind as those who will not see."
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"None are so blind as those who will not see."

rico4life

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #17 on: October 13, 2009, 09:45:34 PM »
The reason i recommend a wristmaster is because with it on it is much more difficult to squeeze the ball. This is why i say that you have to make your thumb hole smaller, because like charles says if you can bend your thumb the thumb hole is too big, and you are afraid you will drop the ball.
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Jay

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #18 on: October 13, 2009, 10:11:58 PM »
I have a problem with squeezing as well, it's pretty difficult to make my thumb stay straight.  I think the thumb size is a huge part of it, if you "can" bend your thumb you "will" bend your thumb, someone correct me if I'm wrong.  Problem I think for me is I have to to jam my thumb in before it's snug enough, but I think an alternative is something like hand conditioner with one less piece of tape than "jam your thumb in" tight.
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Justin
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JohnP

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #19 on: October 13, 2009, 11:08:42 PM »
Danes07 -- No, I haven't tried it myself, bending my thumb is one problem I don't have.  However, I do have some customers that use them in every ball.  They're not very expensive if you want to try one - your pro shop may stock them.  They come in sizes to fit snugly in the thumb hole but when I install one I use a tiny drop of super glue to secure it.  I do use Magic Carpets and love them.  --  JohnP
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bluerrpilot

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #20 on: October 13, 2009, 11:27:34 PM »
quote:
If you can bend your thumd, then the hole is too big. You need to either make it smaller with tape or with some other manner.


That pretty much sums it up
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Jay

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #21 on: October 13, 2009, 11:40:15 PM »
quote:
I do use Magic Carpets and love them.  --  JohnP

I''m curious, would you have a problem keeping the thumb straight without them?
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Justin
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Edited on 10/13/2009 11:40 PM
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jbungard

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #22 on: October 13, 2009, 11:42:32 PM »
I had a similar problem and corrected it in an unintended manner. I like using thumb tape as an alternative to adding tape to my thumb hole. I've gravitated to Vise Hada Patch Blue (#1). This thumb tape comes pre-cut in a pack of 40. By starting the tape just under your thumbnail with your thumb straight, then pulling the Hada Patch taught down to the base of your thumb, then stretching the Hada Patch from side to side, you end up with a straight thumb that cannot easily bend, and a surface that slides easily without hanging up in a fairly tight thumb hole. The Hada Patch # 1 is very thin (with # 2, # 3 and # 4 of increasing thickness) so you probably won't need to enlarge your thumbhole to compensate for the Hada Patch. The Hada Patch keeps its strength over the first couple of games. By game 3 or so, it becomes a little more pliable, allowing you to bend your thumb a little but only if you try to. What I've found over the past few months, is I no longer have a problem keeping my thumb straight. The Hada Patch assisted in keeping my thumb straight repeated times so that a straight thumb became part of my game, with or without the thumb tape. Hope this helps if you choose to give it a try.

JB
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JohnP

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #23 on: October 14, 2009, 05:43:01 PM »
quote:
I''m curious, would you have a problem keeping the thumb straight without them?


No, but the Magic Carpet allows for some swelling/shrinking of the thumb and helps with a clean release.  --  JohnP
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Jay

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #24 on: October 14, 2009, 07:15:04 PM »
The swelling/shrinking and clean release, I do agree with.  For me though, it feels as if it'd be easier to keep a straight thumb with the MC.
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Justin
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JohnP

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #25 on: October 14, 2009, 08:20:44 PM »
It may be easier with the MC, I just don't have a problem with keeping my thumb straight with or without it.  I've got plenty of other problems with my game, it's nice not to have this one.  --  JohnP
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tizzle

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Re: Keeping the thumb straight
« Reply #26 on: October 15, 2009, 11:05:19 PM »
Try a thumb saver by ebonite. This extra material around your thumb will fill your thumb hole not allowing you to squeeze the ball thus eliminating the knuckled thumb. This will work if your thumb is a little too big, it won't help if you are multiple sizes off. Also it reduces the soreness/blisters on your thumb!
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Hmm..Lets see what I have in this bag...some virtual gravity, some hot sauce, a liberator, and a saw.. how can I loose....

....HG-300(2006 w/Desert Heat)...299 (03/15/09 w/Agent Orange)...HS-776 (Hot Sauce Pearl & Ebonite Magic)
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