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Author Topic: Tape at the back  (Read 4682 times)

Neptune66

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Tape at the back
« on: November 16, 2012, 10:06:40 AM »
Posted a much more wordy and rambling thread in the Driling and Layouts forum, but no activity there and maybe too long for people to bother reading (wouldn't blame them either).

So... asking same question here but I'll cut to the chase:

Added a single piece of white textured bowler's tape to the back of my thumbhole (and removed multiple pieces from the front) and it helped alleviate an intermittent dropping problem.

Also increased knee bend and delayed lift, so the tape doesn't get all the credit, but it did give me a more secure feeling when delivering the ball----even though I actually made the hole bigger by taking out tape from the front.

Seems it adds just enough friction to the back of the hole, but am wondering why only some balls need it (vs others with same drilling). Maybe I should insist on thumb slug of certain material? Maybe driller is sanding thumb hole to "too smoothe" a surface?

Anyway...  interested in any and all feedback.

Thanks.
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TWOHAND834

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #1 on: November 16, 2012, 02:43:13 PM »
Slugs are used because of their smoother surface so it allows for cleaner releases; whereas for some people and the resin coverstocks, the inside of the thumbhole can appear sticky and hard to get out of.  I never put white tape at the back of the hole simply because for me it helped create a blister on that part of the thumb where the tape was rubbing.  I usually put the tape at the front of the hole so that I still get a good grip on the ball and yet it doesnt give me any blisters since the back of the hole is still smooth.  You dont grip the ball with the back side of your thumb so why put the tape there? 
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Steven Vance
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Impending Doom

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #2 on: November 16, 2012, 03:02:44 PM »
You shouldn't be gripping the ball, so why worry about where the tape is that you should be gripping?

I don't use anything in the front of the hole. 4 to 5 pieces of white tape in the back, rosin and blowing in the thumb hole when needed.
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mrwizerd

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #3 on: November 16, 2012, 03:03:58 PM »
Quote from: TWOHAND834 on November 16, 2012, 02:43:13 PM
You dont grip the ball with the back side of your thumb so why put the tape there? 

There is a difference on where you put tape in your thumbhole. If you add tape to the front of the thumbhole, it will shrink your thumbhole but it also expands your span. Whereas, if you add it to the back of the thumbhole it shrinks your thumbhole without expanding your span.
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TWOHAND834

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #4 on: November 16, 2012, 03:23:24 PM »
Quote from: mrwizerd on November 16, 2012, 03:03:58 PM
Quote from: TWOHAND834 on November 16, 2012, 02:43:13 PM
You dont grip the ball with the back side of your thumb so why put the tape there? 

There is a difference on where you put tape in your thumbhole. If you add tape to the front of the thumbhole, it will shrink your thumbhole but it also expands your span. Whereas, if you add it to the back of the thumbhole it shrinks your thumbhole without expanding your span.

Very true.  But in order to really lengthen your span, you would need quite a few pieces of tape.  If you have more than 3-4 pieces then there is a whole different issue altogether.  I completely understand that some people's thumbs fluctuate quite a bit due to several factors.  I used to be one of those people.  But with a properly fitted ball, one should only need 2-3 pieces of tape to get the right feel of the ball.  I believe right now in my spare ball, I have 2 pieces of 3/4 white in the front of the hole.
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Steven Vance
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Walking E

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #5 on: November 16, 2012, 03:31:20 PM »
I always use just one piece of white tape in the front - period. This is to have the same feel in all balls without using one of those interchangeable thumbs (which I don't want to use). I don't add more than one piece because I then risk having a slight difference in span.
I then use black tape in the back to ensure a good fit. I try to add enough to feel secure so that I don't subconsciously try to squeeze the ball. Also, I use only the Ebonite brand black tape because it's both thicker and MUCH cleaner to remove than the thin Master or Brunswick black tapes. This way I can easily add or remove as needed. The thinner black tapes are gooey, they tear easily when trying to remove them, and you have to use a ton of them to make much difference in fit, so I can see why many people prefer using the white tape to fill the hole.
« Last Edit: November 16, 2012, 05:02:12 PM by Walking E »
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Sms11

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #6 on: November 16, 2012, 03:44:53 PM »
The best way to tape your thumb is to do what works for you - everyone is different as far as fit and swelling. As far as difference from ball to ball - start with the same slugs -inserts. Also some balls open up more than others when drilling.
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Pinbasher209

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #7 on: November 16, 2012, 03:56:47 PM »
I have tape on the back of the thumb hole it doesn't bother me just more if a snug fit but do what works for you the best because we are all different
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Neptune66

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #8 on: November 16, 2012, 04:08:05 PM »
Thank you.

I guess I feel as if the one piece at the back of the thumbhole, even though effective, is like a crutch and that I'm masking either an imperfection in the ball's drilling or my delivery or both.

Course the alternative is to do without it and frequently drop the ball (both in reality and figuratively speaking), and that's not acceptable.

But looks like many others are doing this as well, so can't be THAT wrong.
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ccrider

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #9 on: November 16, 2012, 08:29:17 PM »
Quote from: Neptune66 on November 16, 2012, 04:08:05 PM
Thank you.

I guess I feel as if the one piece at the back of the thumbhole, even though effective, is like a crutch and that I'm masking either an imperfection in the ball's drilling or my delivery or both.

Course the alternative is to do without it and frequently drop the ball (both in reality and figuratively speaking), and that's not acceptable.

But looks like many others are doing this as well, so can't be THAT wrong.

Crutch??? Hardly. Just acknowledgement that you are only a mere mortal and your thumb size fluctuates.
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Neptune66

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #10 on: November 17, 2012, 04:51:40 PM »
Crutch was a poor word choice.  Not embarassed about using whatever tools are necessary to win. Maybe "accessory" would have been closer, as I don't want a particular ball to need more tape (or any other aids....or accessories) than the rest in order to be useful.

Two of the three balls that are supposed to be identical to the one in question did not seem to need the piece of tape. I'm reluctant to go to the driller and try to convince him there's a difference between the one ball and the others, and yet putting a piece of tape at the back of the hole seems to eliminate that difference.

That's good, cause it allows me to use the ball and enjoy it (and save a trip to the pro-shop), but if in fact that ball's fit is actually different (and not just perceived as such) I'd like to know what it is, and the tape is "covering up" the difference (pun intended).
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Steven

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #11 on: November 17, 2012, 05:49:19 PM »
Discussing tape strategy is akin to discussing religion. However, I've found Ron Clifton's approach for thumb taping to be very useful. For those of you who don't know of Ron, he's one of the preeminent coaches in the country. His advice across all bowling topics is spot on. His discussion on taping can be found in this link:


http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm04_files/btm4.htm


The specific discussion is the following:


Taping the thumbhole

Taping the thumbhole needs to accomplish two things:

#1: Create an airway so the thumb can move in and out without changing the air pressure in the thumbhole.
Many bowlers know to use tape to take up space in the hole, but most don’t know that it should also function as an air pressure equalizer. It takes at least three pieces of white tape layered on top of each other to produce two tiny airways on each side of the layered tape. This is about the bare minimum of airflow necessary to get a quick clean release from the thumb if the hole is snug, so keep this in mind when sizing your thumbhole.
You need to maintain at least three pieces of tape layered in the ball even when the thumb is swollen. It is ok to add as many pieces of tape as necessary to tighten the hole when the thumb shrinks, but I don’t think it is a good idea to have more than five pieces of tape in the front of the hole. Too many pieces of tape in the front will start to change the span and thumb pitch. If you don’t have room in your thumbhole for at least three pieces of tape after your thumb swells you can ether open the hole up or have your driller dill you a tiny vent hole.
            A vent hole is a tiny hole that is placed beside the thumb and exits near the bottom of the thumbhole. Vent holes used to be popular years ago and are covered by USBC rules, but they have disappeared over time; modern thumb slugs have vent holes built into them, but they often get clogged after being installed into the ball.
Ron C’s Magic Carpet is designed to flow air all around and through the product so only one piece is used.
#2 Keep the thumbhole the exact right fit.
Tape is added or removed to keep the thumbhole the exact right fit for the thumb as the thumb changes size. Very few thumbs (if any) are always the same size so something must be added or subtracted from the thumbhole to keep the fit perfect at all times. Tape can be added to the front of the thumbhole or the back or both. Ron C’s Magic Carpet always goes in the back of the thumbhole so white tape can be added to the front of the thumbhole if needed. I think that all tape should be placed at least one-forth of an inch below the top of the hole and each added piece should be placed one-sixteenth of an inch below the previous piece for easy removal.

Keep in mind that the “front” of the thumbhole means where the pad of the thumb comes in contact with the thumbhole, so it is usually a little offset from the very top of the hole. The “back” of the thumbhole refers to where the knuckle of the thumb comes in contact with the thumbhole and again this is usually offset from the center of the bottom of the hole.
« Last Edit: November 17, 2012, 07:38:02 PM by Steven »
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don coyote

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #12 on: November 18, 2012, 09:17:26 AM »
I recommend using tape on the "SIDE" of your thumb hole. Here's why-it doesn't change your span, it doesn't cause a blister on the back of your thumb, and it allows the ball to have room to "vent". I haven't ripped a blister in many, many years, and I have bowled in 16 game marathons. I use 1" johnson & johnson waterproof tape.  Now I have been doing this for about 20 years and have to admit trying everything from electrical tape(GREAT unless you have to remove it and get the adhesive off the piece right under it), to the tape you use on your thumb. It doesn't cost much, and is worth a try. I hope this helps. the don   
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Neptune66

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Re: Tape at the back
« Reply #13 on: November 18, 2012, 10:28:17 AM »
Have to admit I have never considered putting the tape on the side, but just might try that. I believe as I am delivering the ball ----just before I lift it---that it's resting on the side of my thumb. 

That's probably not the "correct" way to bowl, plus am thinking maybe it would cause too much friction, but if it's just right, it should be consistent as the ball would always be resting on the same place.

Thank you for the idea.
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