Expert: Warren Friedl, Pro Shop Owner/Operator, - 12/26/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi Warren,

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.

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

QUESTION: Hi Warren,

I apologize for such a delay in response, but I went away and investigated things you mentioned previously. I have since had my fit adjusted by a different Pro Shop. A guy called Norm in Pikeville, KY. You know him by chance?).

My measurements are 5-3/8, with 3/4 reverse and 1/4 left on the thumb. The fingers have 1/4 left on middle finger and 1/4 right on ring finger. I wasn't given my PAP measurements. I tried to work it out in the pro shop in my local center using an armadillo, but I came up with 6" over by 1/4" up, which seemed quite big to me, but then I'm no expert.

I tend to have slightly moist hands, but I'm quite diligent about keeping the rosin bag in my hand, as well as a towel.

I am still having problems with the track hitting the thumb hole, but its no where near as pronounced as it was. It now barely clips the outer edge of the thumb, but you can still hear the ball thudding down the lane. I would still like to get it off the thumb completely, though.

Since conversing with you last, I've developed quite a high backswing. And from watching footage we have on an old camcorder (VHS tapes...) I found that I have a tendency of dropping my right shoulder and leaning over a little. I might add that I am about 6'5", so part of that is just trying to get the ball down clean without throwing it half way down the lane.

I don't know if any of this information is useful, but I thought I would add it to the discussion. I'm seeing pretty good ball reaction now, but I know it could be a bit better and a little more consistent if I can get the track off the thumb.

I would love to get some footage of myself online so you can view, but I don't own a camera with the capabilities to do that. Once I do get my hands on one, rest assured, there will be footage :) I will try to convert some of the footage from the VHS tapes to some kind of digital format and upload it, but I don't know when or how I can do that just yet.

Thanks again for you time. I look forward to receiving your response.

Regards,

Kelly

Answer
Kelly,
You could be very up the back of the ball and have a 6" plus PAP, you have a little tilt and some of the reaction your seeing is the result. You could add more angle (lateral finger pitch) to the ring finger and it would facilitate your getting around the ball a little more (say 1/2 or 5/8).

The shoulder issue isn't really an issue since modern lane conditions almost demand that the ball goes right off your hand (for a righty) in today's high friction game (less oil right near the gutter on a THS -Typical House Shot). Dropping your shoulder lessen the leverage but also allows the ball to bump right for a righty. The drooping forward is a no-no. More lost leverage and with your added speed (higher backswing) you'll want that leverage to help with rev rate, and tilt. If your trying to get down (closer to the lane as your release the ball) try to get a bit more knee bend of your body allows it (practice a little before you go full tilt).

I have a former Gainesville College bowler as a customer, I'll check with him. Your doing very good as a first year league bowler. Keep at it. Thanks for the follow-up, hope you had a good Christmas.