Expert: - 4/25/2010

Question
QUESTION: Not sure whats wrong but i developed thumb pain by the knuckle close to the wrist. Not sure if its my release ,span, size of thumb or other. Everyone is giving me a different answer. Sometimes i drop the ball if the pain numbs me. Any suggestions?

ANSWER: James,
Trace back any changes before the pain started. Are you talking about the thumb joint (the base of the thumb)?

Span, probably isn't an issue if the ball's been the same span for awhile, then all of a sudden your started feeling pain. If you opened the thumb or tightened the thumb, it could cause the problem (the joint is being yanked as you either unsqueeze your hand or the tighter thumb puts pressure on it as the ball leaves your thumb).

Your release could be the problem, but unless something has changed recently, it's unlikely that all of a sudden you're feeling pain. What conditions have changed? Are you throwing harder? Rolling the ball different?

Thanks for the question, look forward to hearing back.

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

QUESTION: I changed proshops who drill my balls. i use to use a metal robby's brace and now i just use a neoprene wrist  support. im throwing at 15.8 instead of 13.5
i have a bad habit of over turning my hand at release. a pba bowler wants me to drill a 10 or 12 lb ball beacuse he wants to teach me drills that will help my game. He claims i jerk or muscle the ball and using a light ball this summer to practice on my pendellum swing?

ANSWER: James,
The over turning is part of the problem, where either the weight change, fit change and/or lack of support all could contribute to your pain. Your ball speed and timing could be putting lots of pressure on your hand, and in an effort to hook the ball you are going through some gyrations that aren't effective actually causing the pain.

Does the ball just hang in your hand? A relaxed arm and hand should allow the ball to still hold on to you. If you are working harder to hold on to the ball, it would typically cause later timing and poor shot execution.  

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

QUESTION: At times it does hang in my hand at release. I been pulling the ball  a lot and falling off my shot at the foul line. Many bowlers say i have a good game but my ball speed is low. One guy suggest going to a 15lb ball. Should i try to get under the ball and just stroke it and or go back to my metal brace?

Answer
James,
I'd suspect fit and footwork, culminating in not enough slide. Your approach needs to be quicker to get your ball speed up, hinge the ball into your swing and you'll get out in front of the ball and increase your swing/ball speed.

Also, make sure you can slide, if you can't or don't the energy of the swing can cause you to fall off at the foul line.

A lighter ball can help, but I wouldn't change just to change. You have several things you've changed, you need to add back one at a time to see what effects the thumb issue. Then work on improving your ball speed and approach.

Your coach should be able to help with the "hooking it" part, but instead of investing in light bowling balls get a medium size "nerf" football and practice spinning it in a tight spiral under hand, just like you'd roll your bowling ball. It mimics the motion you want to improve (sounds like).

Don't throw multiple things into the pot as you try to improve, work on one element at a time and perfect it, and reinforce it, as you adjust something else. Thanks for the questions, good luck and good bowling.