BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: lilpossum1 on December 30, 2014, 12:15:06 PM
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Sunday night, I decided that I wanted to stop muscling the ball as much as I do, and also stop squeezing the ball. I made a conscious effort to let my arm swing be natural, and I noticed a huge improvement, with the only muscle I noticed being when I accelerated through the ball and my follow through. I also tried to stop squeezing the ball, but that did not go as well. I felt like I kept wanting to drop the ball if I didn't squeeze it. I switched to my smallest thumb insert to try to force myself to keep my hand relaxed, knowing that if I squeeze the ball, I will never get the ball off my hand. On my first ball attempts, I pulled most of my shots, and I did not get the ball off my hand cleanly, and my rev rate was reduced based on what it was with a larger thumb hole. I would attribute this to the thumb just being too small, but on my spare shots, the ball felt much more clean off my hand and my rev rate was back up. This happened every frame but the ninth frame. I was all spares except for a strike in the ninth frame, which was an unlucky strike. I was shooting for an all spare game, and messed up lol :'( anyway, what would cause the ball to be much cleaner on my spare shots than my first ball shots? any tips for trying to not squeeze the ball? My fit as far as span I assume is accurate, as I go to a very accomplished driller.
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The one thing I think of when you come out cleaner on spare shots throwing the same ball is that you're staying behind the ball better on spares and on other shots you are possibly getting around the ball too early which can cause your thumb to hangup
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get grip re-check, maybe too much of something..
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Great! an excuse to buy a new ball! I do need to get my grip rechecked I think. Also, I do think it is possible I come around the ball too much on my first shot. My spares are throwing straighter and faster. I can throw resin straighter than most people throw plastic
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oh have i ever been down his path
starts with a competent experienced shop operator/coach in my case
once that was fixed and i learned how to properly tape a ball, then i learned to relax my grip and have the ball come off properly
we did one ball at 1st, made sure that was right and then it literallyu changed my game
i could now get the ball down the lane through the heads
needed stronger equipment/layouts/surfaces
the light bulb definitely went on at this point.
the key was going to the right person
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See if this article is of any help:
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm04_files/btm4.htm
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See if this article is of any help:
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm04_files/btm4.htm
In reading this article I sure would like to know how many on here has a "clean" thumb hole and how many have 3 or more pieces of tape on one side of their thumb?
Also, the comments about the suction that a "clean" thumb hole causes, he failed to mentioned the use or suggestion of finger tape to avoid the suction if it did or did not. I did notice that "riding the magic carpet" was mentioned many times, but never finger tape.
Based on this article, I bet that I am squeezing the ball myself because I have never had at least 3 pieces of tape on one side of my thumb that I can remember and if I did, I would have kept it like that if I was scoring better.
Currently, no tape (oh boy) and only finger tape on both sides has felt the best for me this year. I am open to trying new things, but a poll on how much tape do you have in your ball and then your average would be interesting I feel to confirm the article.
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I use Turbo fitting tape on the back of my thumb. The tape comes in 3 colors: beige, purple, and green with beige being the thinnest and green the thickest. The tapes do a nice job of tweaking the thumb grip. I usually use one piece of any color, but a few league bowlers use multiple pieces of Turbo tape.
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See if this article is of any help:
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm04_files/btm4.htm
In reading this article I sure would like to know how many on here has a "clean" thumb hole and how many have 3 or more pieces of tape on one side of their thumb?
Also, the comments about the suction that a "clean" thumb hole causes, he failed to mentioned the use or suggestion of finger tape to avoid the suction if it did or did not. I did notice that "riding the magic carpet" was mentioned many times, but never finger tape.
Based on this article, I bet that I am squeezing the ball myself because I have never had at least 3 pieces of tape on one side of my thumb that I can remember and if I did, I would have kept it like that if I was scoring better.
Currently, no tape (oh boy) and only finger tape on both sides has felt the best for me this year. I am open to trying new things, but a poll on how much tape do you have in your ball and then your average would be interesting I feel to confirm the article.
I think that article may have been written before the common use of thumb tapes so I would just substitute one piece of thumbhole tape for one piece of thumb tape but that might be off a bit depending on the thickness of the used thumb tape. Since I don't use thumb tapes, do bowlers use more than one piece on their thumb? If not, you might have to put a couple of pieces of tape in the thumbhole to avoid the suction or use a vent hole. Supposedly, there is a built in vent hole in thumb slugs but it should be checked to ensure that it is clear.
Since I started using tape in the thumbhole, I have actually had my thumbhole go down in size. I was obviously squeezing or bending my thumb before.
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See if this article is of any help:
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm04_files/btm4.htm (http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/btm04_files/btm4.htm)
One of Ron's messages in this article and others is that many bowlers can comfortably go more forward with their thumb pitch. Too much reverse in the thumb generally requires squeezing. I've migrated from 1/2" reverse to 1/8" forward over several years, and I'll probably experiment with more forward when nothing is going on next summer.
There is more to consider than just thumb pitch, but it is a major factor in squeezing. It's definitely something to take a look at.
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I use a butt load of white tape and completely relax my thumb...due to the grip I know its not going to fall out..and I always get the same feel regardless of where I'm at. I dont use interchangeable thumbs either
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Three things that cause the necessity of gripping or squeezing...improper weight, fit or timing...
And there is no magic pitch or angle...only the one that is proper to the individual
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i didnt use tape for many years. i guess i didnt know the difference
had 20+ honor scores over those 15 or so years
decided i wanted to get better, bowl on tougher patterns, etc
lead to lessons, better fundamentals, grip change and also learning how tape thumbhole.
i had never done it before.
thought process taught to me by a gold level coach - any flexing of the thumb towards the pad causes the knuckle or joint to get wider in the thumbhole, if you can keep the thumb straight and relaxed, theoretically, it will come off the same every time.
i use layering, 1 full piece and several half pieces placed on top of each other lower in the hole to basically almost have my thumbnail touching the back side of the hole
this took some doing to get it to feel right.
it doesnt mean i still dont want to grab it sometimes, but when its right, it comes off so nice.
if i can get the ball through the heads and get it to roll properly, there is a huge difference in my game and scores.
based on this experience and the coaching i have had, i think its a large overlooked part of the game. proper taping of your thumbhole
just my .02$ worth
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Why does an honor score equate to success?
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In my mind it did at the time, that's how most people measure success.
what is it, 5% of all bowlers have 1 honor score. so yes, to a certain degree, it is a measure that we are judged by
is a hole in one a measure of success? it would to a skilled player, i also know a 30 handicapper that has one.
1/2 full or 1/2 empty, debate that has many opinions.
MY opinion of it has changed over the years, it doesn't mean as much as it used to for ME.
i have a 175 average friend who had a 300, super big deal for him and im very happy for him, he believes that its a level of success for him
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It's a level of accomplishment not success...success is based over time and a moment does not dictate success...
I had a hole in one therefore I'm ready for the PGA tour
You can appreciate your accomplishments but understand the basis
You had 20+ moments over a 15 yrs span...what happened in between?
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I have been through this as well. It took experimenting with different thumb pitches. I have a fairly large span that started with 3/4 reverse. I now have a relaxed grip and swing, ending up with 1/4 reverse, magic carpet in back of hole, and two pieces of black tape in front. Grab a old ball and spend the summer experimenting with pitches and tape
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For me, it's about 3 things. Proper span and pitches for me, which will change over the years, good legs under me, and no bevel. I use none in my fingers and minimal in my thumb. Too many people use way too much bevel, and it causes squeezing.
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i didnt use tape for many years. i guess i didnt know the difference
had 20+ honor scores over those 15 or so years
decided i wanted to get better, bowl on tougher patterns, etc
lead to lessons, better fundamentals, grip change and also learning how tape thumbhole.
i had never done it before.
thought process taught to me by a gold level coach - any flexing of the thumb towards the pad causes the knuckle or joint to get wider in the thumbhole, if you can keep the thumb straight and relaxed, theoretically, it will come off the same every time.
i use layering, 1 full piece and several half pieces placed on top of each other lower in the hole to basically almost have my thumbnail touching the back side of the hole
this took some doing to get it to feel right.
it doesnt mean i still dont want to grab it sometimes, but when its right, it comes off so nice.
if i can get the ball through the heads and get it to roll properly, there is a huge difference in my game and scores.
based on this experience and the coaching i have had, i think its a large overlooked part of the game. proper taping of your thumbhole
just my .02$ worth
I do all sorts of crazy stuff, I love the thin tape too, the 1/2" I think? If use thinner prices the release is much better too.
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I started putting half pieces of tape at the bottom of my tape. it forces my thumb to relax when I start my my approach, but does not cause thumb to stick as it exits. I read about it in Bowlers Journal I think, and has worked very well for not squeezing the ball.
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For those curious, here is a link to tiered taping:
http://www.itbca.bowlingknowledge.info/index.php/2013-fall/95-tiered-taping-a-process-to--grip-pressure-and-improve-swing-release
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For me, it's about 3 things. Proper span and pitches for me, which will change over the years, good legs under me, and no bevel. I use none in my fingers and minimal in my thumb. Too many people use way too much bevel, and it causes squeezing.
That would be me....but I have to ask, how does one avoid not using to much bevel if the edge is hitting that nerve at the base of your thumb which creates a numb sensation and unbearable because it effects your everyday life?
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You don't. You use as little bevel as necessary. Some hands require more than others.
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I literally can use my fingers right off the press. My thumb is more of an issue. I tried to use no bevel in the thumb, but couldn't pull it off. I could bowl with it, but, like you, I couldn't pull it off with the nerve in my thumb. So I used a bevel knife to take off just enough, gently, until I could bowl with it without issue. Too many people just take to the sander and go nuts on a hole when a slight adjustment would work.
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Bevel is used to accommodate the shape of the thumb not to release the ball
Big difference between the two
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I literally can use my fingers right off the press. My thumb is more of an issue. I tried to use no bevel in the thumb, but couldn't pull it off. I could bowl with it, but, like you, I couldn't pull it off with the nerve in my thumb. So I used a bevel knife to take off just enough, gently, until I could bowl with it without issue. Too many people just take to the sander and go nuts on a hole when a slight adjustment would work.
Same here...bevel knife also plays the roll of grease pencil sharpener
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For those curious, here is a link to tiered taping:
http://www.itbca.bowlingknowledge.info/index.php/2013-fall/95-tiered-taping-a-process-to--grip-pressure-and-improve-swing-release
I just found this a few weeks ago, and I like it....helps keep the thumb relaxed.
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It is imperative that the thumb hole size and pitch are proper for YOUR hand in order to stop squeezing or dropping the ball at release. No two hands are identical, so you must have an experienced ball fitter drill your equipment. Some hands are flexible and soft, others are stiff and hard. Tape should be used when your grip changes slightly because of temperature or humidity. If you have to use excessive amount of tape, your grip is is not right.
Visit a reliable "PRO SHOP".
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I'm a chronic sufferer of squeezing the ball. I'm going to try this tiered tape method next practice session, and see how it goes. Thank you for posting this!