Expert: Chip Aki - 12/1/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have been averaging about 180 for two years now. I recently have been in a drought over the past month. My thumb isn't clearing the ball correctly when I release causing really bad shots and terrible inaccuracy. I had my span redone and my thumbhole redone but im still not coming out of the ball clean and losing a good bit off revs. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Did you try to change any part of your game just before the problem started?  Especially in your release or timing?

What changes did you make to your span and thumb hole?

Chip

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: moved thumb back 1/4 inch and left 1/8 inch. Really didn't do anything else, but I suppose it could be a timing thing.

Answer
What was your pitch before?  Although it seems to be the right thing to do is to add reverse and left pitch to get out of the ball cleaner, it might actually be causing you to grip the ball more, thus causing you to hang up in it.

If you can just slug the thumb, try to lessen the reverse and get rid of the left.

If you are used to gripping the ball now, see if someone or the pro shop has an Ebonite Thumb strait to put in the thumb hole.  That will help you relax the thumb a bit and get you out of the ball cleaner.

Good luck,
Chip