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Author Topic: thumbing the ball  (Read 2604 times)

supersid802

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thumbing the ball
« on: February 23, 2009, 02:40:22 PM »
the subject title says it all...how do i get away from thumbing the ball?
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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #1 on: February 24, 2009, 07:53:10 AM »
Thumbing the ball is often caused when the bowler starts turning the hand early. There are lots of visuals that work to keep the hand behind the ball longer, but the one I like best involves the elbow position.

If you keep your elbow "inside" longer the hand has to follow. Try to not turn the ball until you're into your slide step, or just slightly before. With the hand in the proper position the ball can leave the thumb first and then the fingers can apply the revs and rotation.

John Jowdy (I believe) says to keep your ring finger going towards your target longer, which also helps you to quit turning the ball too soon. Good luck.


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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
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dizzyfugu

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #2 on: February 24, 2009, 08:01:26 AM »
quote:
John Jowdy (I believe) says to keep your ring finger going towards your target longer, which also helps you to quit turning the ball too soon. Good luck.


You are correct, and it really helps with a good hand position.
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leftyinsnellville

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2009, 08:07:20 AM »
A tight fit on the thumbhole also helps a lot.  I recently started snugging up my thumbholes with more tape and I'm getting a much cleaner release with better revolutions.  I was instructed a long time ago to grip the ball like it's a baby bird, but wasn't really able to do it until I made my thumbholes a lot tighter.
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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2009, 10:19:56 AM »
Quote
A tight fit on the thumbhole also helps a lot.  I recently started snugging up my thumbholes with more tape and I'm getting a much cleaner release with better revolutions.  I was instructed a long time ago to grip the ball like it's a baby bird, but wasn't really able to do it until I made my thumbholes a lot tighter.
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Agreed!

I tape mine up very snug myself.


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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Pro Shop Staff

www.brunswickbowling.com

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer and not of Brunswick Corporation.
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supersid802

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2009, 10:38:08 AM »
alright, thanks guys...im actually going out to practice right now...hopefully some good comes out of it...thanks again
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supersid802

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #6 on: February 24, 2009, 12:24:29 PM »
alright after practicing i noticed quite a few things... the first thing is my thumbholes are way too big. so i live around southern indiana...if anyone knows of a good ball driller around this area, please tell me. also i noticed that in my downswing i tend to bring the ball into my leg...this causes me to get very off balance and my foot will go flying into the other...how can i solve this one?
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Dan Belcher

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #7 on: February 24, 2009, 12:42:49 PM »
quote:
alright after practicing i noticed quite a few things... the first thing is my thumbholes are way too big. so i live around southern indiana...if anyone knows of a good ball driller around this area, please tell me.
Here are some suggestions that are not technically southern Indiana, but just a couple miles over the bridge into Louisville.  I personally use Tony Spinella over at Kingpin Lanes (only guy around here I know that has Vise IT interchangeable thumbs, and he got my grip to feel better than anyone else I tried).  Otherwise, Mike Wolfe just purchased the pro shop in Executive Strike & Spare, I believe he has Mike Flora working in there.  I've known Mike Hiser for years, but haven't used one of his shops in awhile since they're very out of the way for me now.  He owns the Bowlers Solution shops at Dixie Bowl and Ken Bowl.  (Phil Vance runs the Ken Bowl shop, he's pretty knowledgable)
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Moon57

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2009, 01:11:52 PM »
In regards to hitting your leg with the ball, find some videos of the pros. They almost all (for right handers) put the first step with the right foot in line with the left toe. This moves the hips out of the way and makes a nice slot for the ball to swing in. When I first tried this it felt strange but it's automatic now.
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Moon
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supersid802

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2009, 03:46:21 PM »
im a five stepper who is left handed...so i would need to make my second step go right in front of my other step?
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JohnP

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #10 on: February 24, 2009, 07:31:38 PM »
ss802 -- My shop is in Tell City, I'd be glad to work with you if you're interested.  I'll be out of town through Friday, though.  --  JohnP
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Moon57

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #11 on: February 25, 2009, 03:59:16 AM »
Super, that's where the second step would go. It doesn't have to be absolutely right in line but it needs to be close. Before I did this I would brush the keys in my right pocket once in awhile. I tried this after watching YouTube video of some of the pros and noticed they all did it.
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Moon
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dougb

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #12 on: February 25, 2009, 08:48:05 AM »
quote:
Quote
A tight fit on the thumbhole also helps a lot.  I recently started snugging up my thumbholes with more tape and I'm getting a much cleaner release with better revolutions.  I was instructed a long time ago to grip the ball like it's a baby bird, but wasn't really able to do it until I made my thumbholes a lot tighter.
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Agreed!

I tape mine up very snug myself.


I also agree.  I recently switched from tape to Ron C.'s Magic Carpet on the back of the hole. This stuff accomodates changes in thumb size very well.  And seeing as all of my balls were drilled by the same shop, I get a smooth and consistent release with equipment changes as well.
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supersid802

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #13 on: February 25, 2009, 03:14:39 PM »
last night i had quite a bit of tape in my ball and was attempting to accomplish this step in front of my other foot. i was pretty decent. shot 288 175 226. inconsistent i know, but im not gonna complain for how i have been bowling. my next question is some shots i seem to get nothing on or pull. i wish i had a camera to make this easier.
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Moon57

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Re: thumbing the ball
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2009, 03:53:35 AM »
Hey Super, almost shooting 700 while trying something new is pretty decent.
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Moon
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So many questions, so little time but I'm having fun.
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