As far as bouncing the ball I have started doing that some in recent years. For me it is more pronounced on synthetics than wood lanes and I believe the structure under the lanes is some of the cause of this.

But I feel most of the bounce is my inability to get low at the line as my knees are going bad and the fact that I tend to hit up on the ball still.

I’m in the camp that a slightly short span doesn’t hurt. I’m sure my span would be considered to short by many. With my thumb and laying my fingers over the finger holes my first knuckle crease goes to the back of the holes. My hand is pretty stiff and I also have ½” reverse in my fingers.

But I would want anyone’s span to go half way across the hole. Too long can/will hurt you physically but short will not unless you put your fingers in past the first knuckle.

Doug, thanks for taking the time to comment..


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The 2006 Slump is here...

I tend to agree with Doug, but I would add that you consider either: 1) getting rid of any lateral pitch in the thumb, or 2) possibly pitching the thumb away from the palm slightly. I'm not a driller (I play one on the web ), but I believe the left lateral thumb pitch (for righties) is helpful if you lack flexibility in your thumb. It allows a more natural hand position.

If you reverse pitch the thumb, then I would add a little span, which could be done using the slug. Not sure if you need the thumb reversed, though, particularly if you're concerned about dropping the ball. Reverse thumb pitch requires more hand strength.

As for the bouncing, I don't necessarily disagree with anything anyone has said, but my personal opinion, put simply, is that the bottom of your swing is too low. Hanging on to the ball too long is not a likely cause of that. Instead, like some have mentioned, your posture at the foul line is the key to not hitting the floor before you'd like. Make sure your back is straight and knees are bent.

Another possibility on the bouncing is that your wrist position is weakening as you go through your swing. The ball is dropping--not because it is coming off your fingers--but because your wrist isn't strong enough to keep the ball in a strong wrist position. A wrist brace may be in order in this case.

I'm most likely to hit the floor when I'm trying to aim too hard, versus just going through my normal motions. I drop my shoulder trying to place the ball exactly where I want it.

My two cents,
Louis

Edited on 2/7/2006 1:47 PM