Author Topic: tape on your thumb (Read 6379 times)

thewhiz · « **on:** December 29, 2015, 08:53:25 AM »

Does anyone use tape in their thumb hole and tape on their thumb? When I do that it seems like my thumb gets sore.

Steven · « **Reply #1 on:** December 29, 2015, 09:22:07 AM »

I layer a few pieces of white tape on the front of the hole. Sometimes I'll also put Hada tape on the back of my thumb to snug things up if my thumb has seriously shrunk. I don't need the Hada for any thumb irritation problems.

There is nothing unusual about this. I know a lot of bowlers who use some combination of white/black tape in the hole, and Hada (sometimes multiple pieces) around the thumb.

If your thumb is sore, I doubt it has anything to do with the tape. You're dealing with some kind of fitting problem.

St. Croix · « **Reply #2 on:** December 29, 2015, 09:59:48 AM »

I put a couple of pieces of Storm white tape (1/2") in the front of the hole. The tape is textured and can be sticky at times. So I cap the white tape with 1 piece of smooth black tape. I usually do not have blister or irritation issues, but my thumb tends to compress during the series. I will use Hada patch blue or red (or Turbo fitting tape) on my thumb sometime in the 1st game to tighten my grip.

strikeking · « **Reply #3 on:** December 29, 2015, 03:48:23 PM »

If you need tape for any reason except to get a better grip, when your thumb shrinks SLIGHTLY because of no humidity, you should visit you Pro and have your grip checked for pitch, size and span!

charlest · « **Reply #4 on:** December 29, 2015, 04:40:07 PM »

Quote from: strikeking on December 29, 2015, 03:48:23 PM

If you need tape for any reason except to get a better grip, when your thumb shrinks SLIGHTLY because of no humidity, you should visit you Pro and have your grip checked for pitch, size and span!

If you don't need tape in your thumb hole to adjust for shrinking and swelling sometime during the year, I suspect you must be a robot or an android or not entirely human. Human extremities swell and shrink with the weather, with varying intake of salts and liquids and with any changes in body chemistry as well with the time of day and night.

xrayjay · « **Reply #5 on:** December 29, 2015, 07:42:37 PM »

Quote from: strikeking on December 29, 2015, 03:48:23 PM

If you need tape for any reason except to get a better grip, when your thumb shrinks SLIGHTLY because of no humidity, you should visit you Pro and have your grip checked for pitch, size and span!

Medically, swelling occurs in the extremities throughout the day, depending on intake, activities, and/or weather to name a few. Other factors are also medical conditions and medications - these cause swelling or reduce swelling.

We also gain and lose water weight throughout the day. Hit the scale right after you wake up. Then weight yourself again after 5 pm. Do it for three days straight. If you believe this statement, then why did you say what you said about thumb tape?

Walking E · « **Reply #6 on:** December 29, 2015, 11:49:46 PM »

I use Hada tape on my thumb, plus white tape in front, black in back of the thumbhole.

I only use the Hada tape for feel. Because I tend to lotion my hands, my thumb can get sticky at times and without the Hada tape it can be a nightmare to get a good, clean release on "sticky" nights.

The thumbhole tape is pretty standard - one piece of white in front for feel, black in back for fit.

JohnP · « **Reply #7 on:** December 30, 2015, 04:29:30 AM »

Quote from: charlest on December 29, 2015, 04:40:07 PM

Quote from: strikeking on December 29, 2015, 03:48:23 PM
If you need tape for any reason except to get a better grip, when your thumb shrinks SLIGHTLY because of no humidity, you should visit you Pro and have your grip checked for pitch, size and span!

If you don't need tape in your thumb hole to adjust for shrinking and swelling sometime during the year, I suspect you must be a robot or an android or not entirely human. Human extremities swell and shrink with the weather, with varying intake of salts and liquids and with any changes in body chemistry as well with the time of day and night.

charlest - Have you ever tried Magic Carpet? -- JohnP

charlest · « **Reply #8 on:** December 30, 2015, 08:26:29 AM »

Quote from: JohnP on December 30, 2015, 04:29:30 AM

Quote from: charlest on December 29, 2015, 04:40:07 PM
Quote from: strikeking on December 29, 2015, 03:48:23 PM
If you need tape for any reason except to get a better grip, when your thumb shrinks SLIGHTLY because of no humidity, you should visit you Pro and have your grip checked for pitch, size and span!

If you don't need tape in your thumb hole to adjust for shrinking and swelling sometime during the year, I suspect you must be a robot or an android or not entirely human. Human extremities swell and shrink with the weather, with varying intake of salts and liquids and with any changes in body chemistry as well with the time of day and night.

charlest - Have you ever tried Magic Carpet? -- JohnP

Yes, sir, I have. I liked it at first, but after a while it began to irritate my thumb too much to use regularly. I've been using Hada and similar back-of-the-thumb tape ever since. It works well for me to protect my thumb from blisters and to assist in a cleaner release.
Thank you for asking.

Steven · « **Reply #9 on:** December 30, 2015, 09:27:21 AM »

Quote from: JohnP on December 30, 2015, 04:29:30 AM

charlest - Have you ever tried Magic Carpet? -- JohnP

I'm obviously not charlest, but I used Magic Carpet for years way back when I had a stretched span and a lot of reverse in my thumb. It worked pretty well for me at the time.

When I shortened my span and went a little forward in the thumb, the carpet became too difficult to get a clean release from. To get out cleanly and to avoid too much irritation, I had to open up the thumb hole too much. That was true even when I used the soft side of the carpet.

Still, I think MC is something worth trying for a bowler who is frustrated getting a clean release and is at the end of their rope looking for answers.

Maine Man · « **Reply #10 on:** December 30, 2015, 09:55:42 AM »

I have gone to the tiered taping technique talked about by Joe Slowinski, a friend of mine and gold level coach. I was skeptical, but after some trial and error, I settled on my desired fit. I use a 6-4-2 for my levels of taping. That is one full piece of tape to start, with (4) half size pieces stacked on the bottom edge of the full piece of tape, followed by (2) quarter size pieces just above that on the same piece of full tape, followed by a full piece of tape on top of the whole thing for a smooth release. I will adjust to a 5-3-2 when my thumb hole seems more snug on the middle & bottom. Since I started using this earlier this year, I won't go back to any other method. I get a nice, clean release, and the same amount of pressure on the entire thumb, not just the top, which is key.

xrayjay · « **Reply #11 on:** December 30, 2015, 11:00:47 AM »

MAGIC CARPET:

I've been using MC since the late Sawbones mentioned it, almost 8 years? or more?
At first it irritated my skin and the posterior part of my thumb was darkened. but I got used to it. My thumb was pretty tight due to the reverse I had on my thumb. Not knowing that my thumb pitch was causing me to grip, I used MC as a band aid to hold on the the ball.

But around 2010 my thumb pitch went forward and I continued to use MC. This time around it wasn't so tight like I had it before, and over time my thumb went back to its original color.

MC is perfect for me. I don't need much white tape up front, at the most 2 or three. Though, I had lost a lot of weight and my thumb got smaller, I need to go down size on the thumb hole. I went up to 31 @ 260.7lbs, but may end up at 15/16 or smaller once I hit my goal by next season at 170 lbs. (currently lost 32 lbs.)

St. Croix · « **Reply #12 on:** December 30, 2015, 02:17:07 PM »

My $.02 on Magic Carpet: MC irritated my thumb probably because the thumb fit was too snug. The direction sheet that comes with Magic Carpet says that a "break in" period of 3 games is suggested. If you continue to experience irritation and redness after using MC for 3 games, the directions recommend that you open the thumb hole. I was a bit leery about enlarging the thumb hole, so I went back to Hada patch and Turbo tape.

I am sure that MC is good stuff and works for people as xrayjay has noted. It is just not for me. All these posts show that there are many ways to use the many tapes on the market.

OK, it was more than $.02. Happy New Year to All.

Steven · « **Reply #13 on:** December 30, 2015, 03:43:01 PM »

Quote from: Maine Man on December 30, 2015, 09:55:42 AM

I have gone to the tiered taping technique talked about by Joe Slowinski, a friend of mine and gold level coach.

I'm glad the technique worked for you. I fiddled with the technique and gave it an honest chance. I found two problems:

1) The intricate "tiering" caused irritation to my thumb. I tried several adjustments with the small cut pieces, and I just couldn't get the right feel.

2) If I needed to add or take out tape due to natural swelling and shrinking, working around the intricate tiering caused a problem.

Again, I'm glad it works for you, and undoubtedly others. For me personally, what I've found after years of countless tinkering in spans and pitches, that once you find your sweet spot, you don't need gimmicks to maintain a good consistent feel in the thumb.

But the process is different for everyone. Never give up until you discover what works for best for you.

charlest · « **Reply #14 on:** December 30, 2015, 03:56:32 PM »

Quote from: Steven on December 30, 2015, 03:43:01 PM

....
once you find your sweet spot, you don't need gimmicks to maintain a good consistent feel in the thumb.

But the process is different for everyone. Never give up until you discover what works for best for you.

Truer words were never said.

Author Topic: tape on your thumb (Read 6379 times)

thewhiz

tape on your thumb

Steven

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St. Croix

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strikeking

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charlest

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xrayjay

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Walking E

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JohnP

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charlest

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Steven

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Maine Man

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xrayjay

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St. Croix

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Steven

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charlest

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