Expert: - 9/26/2008

Question
Warren,

I have just started by 6th season of league bowling.  Currently I carry an average between 200-215.  Although I have worked very hard to become a good bowler, I cannot seem to eliminate squeezing the ball.  The squeezing has led to tendonitis and I have begun to lose the thumbs I use in my switchgrip (they will twist upon release and sometimes...they dont come back).  Also, I think the squeezing I have the following questions:
1. Do you know of any drills I can do to stop squeezing?  2. Do I need a tighter thumbhole?  
3. I currently use pre-made oval sleeves, should I use slugs instead?
4. Will not squeezing increase ball speed and/or revs?
3. >

Answer
Steve,
Your ball should let go of you. Grip structure is basically 40 percent span, 40 percent hole angles (Pitches) and 20 percent hole sizes.

Moderate swings in the above percentages, will still allow a decent release (35,45,20- or 30,45,25, etc). So, you need to evaluate what's got you squeezing?

By the above definition, if the thumb hole needs to be to big, something in span or pitches is causing you a problem.

Take your bowling ball, put your thumb in all the way to the base (where it ought to be when you bowl) lay your fingers across the ball and tell me where the second crease of your fingers falls across the finger holes (for each, be as precise as you can)?

If you have a copy of your fit, with spans, pitches, any notes, either copy it, scan it or duplicate it and send it to me at: revbowl@aol.com.

Also, answer a couple questions about your hand. Is it flexible or stiff, or somewhere in between? Moist when you bowl or dry? Measure the length of your gripping fingers and thumb and include with the fit (from base of digit to tip).

Lastly, what got you into oval sleeves? They are fine, but I find once and awhile, the front lip of the oval edge of the sleeve will hang a bowler up if they've overturned or under turned the ball. The hang generates a shot with lots less on it and usually a bigger spare (bucket, multi-pin, or wash-out). Modifying the front edge helps.

Not squeezing will improve the delivery. Should improve the rev rate but not effect the speed much.

Thanks for the questions. Please fill in some blanks for me, and we both can better understand what's going on.