Expert: Chip Aki - 2/13/2006

Question
Chip, I saw your answer regarding ball release.  It's always been my biggest problem - a clean release of the thumb.  The result is ineffective carry.  I know I grab the ball.  After bowling 5 or 6 games I have a bruise/burn across the pad of my thumb.  People tell me to relax the thumb on the downswing.  Maybe it's my fear of losing the ball.  I have small hands.  What is meant by relaxing the thumb?

Thanks,

Carl

Answer
With the mark that you describe on your thumb, it shows that you do squeeze the ball.  I wish there was only one thing that causes that, but there are many.  
A poor fitting ball can cause you to have this type of problem, but so can bad body position and/or timing.  I am hoping that the bad body position and/or timing has been taken out of the equation by those that you bowl with.

I am assuming that you use a finger tip grip.

The first thing I would have to check is the length of the span and the pitch you have in the thumb hole.  Second, I would look at the size of the thumb and the shape of the thumb hole.

If you know those, then we may be able to try some other things that may help.

One other thing, do you wear a wrist device?

Having a small hand does not mean you cant have a good release.  A good friend of mine out on tour can hook it with the best of them and his span is barely 4 inches.

Good luck,
Chip