Expert: Chip Aki - 7/8/2008

Question
QUESTION: Chip,

I have seveeral questions regarding Axis Tilt.  It seems that no matter what I do, (keep a static wrist position, change hand and wrist positions) I cannot manipulate my axis tilt.  I know that tilt is normally associated with turning the ball early, but I have had a coach vide tape my release and according to him, I am not turning the ball early.  In addition, even when stoke the ball and have no turn, I still have tilt.  Could thumb and/or finger pitches have any impact on tilt?

ANSWER: What is your axis rotation and your axis tilt?  

Chip

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

QUESTION: Chip,

I have not had my axis rotation measured and I am able to control it somewhat.  My standard shot however, I would estimate @ around 45-60 degrees.  I am basing this on the position of my finger grips through the first 30 feet (before the ball starts to lose axis rotation) which point southeast and on the belief that with little or no axis rotation the grips would be pointing west (on the left side of the ball @ release) for a RH.

My axis tilt has varied over the past year, but has never been below 7/16 up and is currently around 1 inch up.  My ball track is around 5 and 1/2 over.  I have my PAP measured about every 3 months.

In addition, I want to clarify my question above.  What I think is happening is that my thumb is staying in the ball too long (I also have more loft than I would like), so the thumb is still in and trying to get out AS the ball is turning (as opposed to coming out before my fingers turn the ball) which then tilts the axis.  I tend to have a problem with knots on the back of thumb, due to the use of entirely too much tape (I used to knuckle it a bit and have not quite yet gotten used to the feel of a correctly fitting thumb hole) so I definitely think my thumb is in too long.   

Could this (in addition to finger and thumb pitches) be the cause?

A related question...what component of the release determines the "over" for the PAP?

Thanks in advance and nice shooting at the USBC Championships last year.

-SV

Answer
Thank you.  This year was not as kind to me, but I got to bowl doubles with my dad so that made up for it.  The BTM tournament was my highlight this year.

The best way to check your axis tilt is to place a piece of tape on your PAP.  Check where it is at the arrows and that will give the best info.

The over is determined by the time difference between the thumb release and the finger release.  The closer those happen together, the lower the over number is.  A broken wrist position will enhance or lower the number as well.

What pitches do you use now?  If possible, find out what they are on all three holes.  Manipulating pitches can change your axis tilt.

I am a bit concerned with the knots on the back of your thumb.  Just a correct fitting thumb is not the whole picture on fit.  Pitches and spans can make the perfect thumb cause friction and/or squeezing.

One other thing that may be contributing to your issue, and the lofting made me think of it.  If you are trying to lift the ball too much, you will get loft and also want to knuckle the thumb.  We were all guilty of this in the grip it and rip it days.  Try to keep your fingers firm and just let the ball catch them during the release.  You might get all that you are looking for by doing that.  However, watch for better ball reaction and not the loss of the hitting feeling.  Take your hand through the ball and not up it.

Good luck,
Chip