Expert: Susie Minshew - 12/14/2009

Question
where is the best place to place your index and pinkie.
I've tried to tuck it. resulting in mt ring finger being badly injured. I roll a 16lb, ebonoite ONE. I can't seem to get it past 15 some nights. here lately it's been around 12.I'm 41 so my ques tins are.

1. Does you're finger placement matter?
2. should my pinkie be tucked, or tight against my rig finger or sped apart. and what about my index? does it make a difference?
3. How do I get more ball speed? I use a 3 step should I use 4

Answer
Hi, David!

Here are the answers to your questions:
1. Yes
2. It depends on what you want the ball to do. You should be able to tuck your pinky, have it next to your ring finger, and spread it from the ring finger. You should also be able to have your index finger next to your middle finger as well as spread far from it. All these positions will give your ball a different reaction. The only way to know what they do for you is bowl with one position for several weeks and then bowl with a different position for several weeks, etc until it is crystal clear to you how the ball behaved differently. Once you know that, you can when to each one. Knowing how is one thing, knowing when is entirely another.
3. Hardly anyone throws 16 pound equipment anymore. Drop to 15. You won't lose hitting power as your speed will increase just by dropping the ball weight.
4. Yes, you should go to four steps. Five would also be a good possibility and maybe not as hard to do as going to four steps since you will be starting with the foot you already start with. Ball speed is the result of approach momentum. Getting back on the approach and taking more steps more quickly will increase your ball speed with no grunting at the foul line necessary.

Whether you go to five steps or four, be sure you change when the ball starts. It needs to be earlier than when you took three steps.

Merry Christmas!

Susie