AboutWarren Friedl Expertise 20 Years Pro Shop Owner/Operator, 17 Years Bowling Center Operator (Manager/General Manager), Certified Coach since National Bowling Council and YABA days. Also Dick Ritger and USA Bowling Bronze certified. International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter member, IBPSIA Certified, IBPSIA "On Lanes" Certified, 2 Time Member of the IBPSIA Board of Directors and Past Secretary/Treasurer, Small Shop columnist "Pro Shop Operator" Magazine, contributor to "Bowlers Journal International" magazine, editor of IBPSIA NET NEWS weekly e-newsletter, editor of "The Bowling Tree" blog and webmaster of www.revbowl.com.
Experience 20 Years operating Revolutions Pro Shops in 2nd Largest bowling ball market in the country, Chicagoland.
17 Years in Center operations as Marketing Director, Asst. Manager or General Manager, becoming GM in every Center I worked.
Organizations American Bowling Congress/USBC Member since 1976, bowling 50 years.
International Bowling Pro Shop and Instructors Association (IBPSIA) Charter and continuing member (18 years), 2 time member of IBPSIA Board of Directors, former Secretary/Treasurer.
US Bowling Coaches Association (Bronze Coach)
Bowling Writers Association of America (BWAA)
Publications “Bowlers Journal International” and “Pro Shop Operator” Magazines.
Chicago Bowler, Windy City Bowling News, Centennial Lanes.com, The Bowling Tree Blog, IBPSIA.com and IBPSIA Net News (e-newsletter).
Education/Credentials IBPSIA Technically Certified. Multiple Seminars from AMF, Brunswick, Columbia, Circle, Ebonite, Hammer, Mo-Rich, Storm, Track, Dexter, Etonic, and others. Kaploe and Davis Bowling Marketing training.
Certified with the Young America Bowling Alliance (YABA) and the National Bowling Council (NBC) as a coach in 1982. Other coaching credentials include: Dick Ritger Level One, Dick Ritger Coaching Coaches, and USA Bowling Bronze Level.
Awards and Honors Created and executed Promotions highlighted in Bowlers Journal Magazine and included in the “150 Promotions for Bowling Centers” organized by the Bowling Proprietors Association of America (BPAA).
First Pro Shop featured in Bowling Industry magazine, for customer service and merchandising, October 1996.
Identified “One of the best ball fitters in the country” by then Track, Inc. President Del Warren, September 2005.
Tournament Promotions lead to top performance in center, or for center hosted events including: Chicago City Championships, US Open Qualifiers, Amateur Bowlers Tour.
Past/Present Clients Presenter at the IBPSIA National Convention.
Presenter at Bowling Proprietors Association Management School
I've noticed that the track on all my balls, even the spare
ball, tends to go over the thumb. Sometimes, the track
goes straight through the middle of the thumb. Is there
anything I can do to move the track away from the thumb a
little? The track is really close to the middle finger
hole, but it never tracks over it.
Also, I'm having problems over rotating my wrist at the
release point. I can't always feel it myself, but a few
friends have mentioned that I sometimes come almost all the
way around to the front of the ball. I've started trying to
learn the more dynamic release that we see the pros use
about two months ago. I've not had any coaching for this
release, so I'm really trying to do it by feel alone. Are
there any exercises and drills that will help getting a
feel for the release, as well as the timing as to when to
rotate the wrist.
Any help here would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Kelly Te Huna
ANSWER: Kelly,
Rolling close to the thumb is usually an indicator that you release the ball a little late, could cause the over rotating. You may squeeze a little without realizing it, or you may squeeze a lot, just never know without seeing you.
How does the ball fit? Does it just hang in your hand, no pressure needed to keep it from falling off? Length of the grip (a little short) might lead to "holding on," does your hand feel flat on the ball?
A change in the lateral pitch of your thumb could help, if the issue isn't fit. What is the lateral and reverse pitches in your thumb? What kind of pitches do you have in the fingers too? They are an influence.
You need to work on the fit issue (if there is one) first. Your trying to change your release could be what's causing the problem too.
Thanks for the questions. Update me and let's see if we can remedy your problem. If fit is not the crux of the problem, a pitch change should help, then we can work on improving your release.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Hi Warren,
Thank you so much for such a prompt and concise reply. Your reply has brought up
a couple more questions, however.
Something I failed to mention in my previous question, is that I've only been
bowling for about a year. However, I carried about a 180 average this past league
season, so I'm not a complete gumby. Heh. I even managed to walk away with the
high handicap series with a 793 (733 scratch).
The reason I bring this up is because I have no idea if I'm squeezing the ball or
not. I do know that I have a tendency to pull the shot, making my miss to the
left. I'm not sure if that indicates squeezing or not, but I suspect it does.
I've done a lot of reading as to what constitutes "good" grip pressure and I've
taken to adding about 4 pieces of tape to thumb (I have a very oval shaped thumb)
to reduce the pressure I need to keep the ball on my hand. I can now hold the ball
at my side freely, with little to no pressure from fingers or thumb to keep the
ball on my hand. Having said that, I still don't know if I squeeze the ball
through the arm swing. I know I apply more thumb pressure on the back swing,
after which I loosen up my hand.
As for the spans and pitches, I have two "first shot" balls: Columbia 300 Arch
Rival and Brunswick Twisted Fury. I also have a Columbia 300 White Dot as a spare
ball. The spans on the Arch Rival and Twisted Fury are slightly different, with
the Twisted Fury having the thumb about 1/8" closer. The White Dot has the same
span as the Arch Rival, but the thumb pitch is pretty much 0, while the Arch Rival
has some negative pitch. I was told this was done because I have very big hands.
From memory my span is something like 5 3/8", if that tells you anything.
Is there a way for me to check the pitches myself? The pro shop I went to to get
my gear drilled (other than the spare ball. Long story) is almost 2 hours away and
the local pro shop is not very well equipped at all.
My apologies for the length of this follow up. I just wanted to make sure I
provided you with as much information as possible, seeing as its difficult for me
to actually SHOW you what I'm doing.
Thanks again, Warren.
Kelly Te Huna
Answer Kelly,
Do you have any paperwork with fit information? Can your local store provide info? (They may get some business from you if problems are discovered that they can fix.)
Zero pitch in your thumb for a 5 3/8 span, not likely. You mentioned: "I have no idea if I'm squeezing the ball or not." If you put your hand in the ball, swing it down to your side, stop it at your hip/thigh, then relax, if it falls off, you are squeezing. Tugging the ball left (for a right hander) is an indication you may be squeezing, also.
Adding tape is a good start. You've probably created some muscle memory with the muscles tightening and hand squeezing, but securing the thumb will help your arm relax and the muscle memory change.
Not sure what negative pitch is? Pitch or the angle of the hole is usually a direction and amount (1/4 inch left/right, 1/4 inch reverse (away from grip center)or forward (toward grip center)).
How long are your fingers? Moist hand? Dry? Finger tip grip (I assume)?
I am surprised how many young people can get video of their bowling on Youtube. Great way to check you out. Thanks for the questions, keep the details coming.
