My thumb keeps splitting open - pic inside

[Batmite]

Hello everyone.

My thumb keeps splitting open on the right side. I've enclosed a picture to show you.

745

Also, you kind folks have tried to help me with my horrible back swing. Here is a video.


http://youtu.be/r3bVU-xITFs

I do like a snug thumb hole otherwise I drop the ball. I also tend to loft the ball. I took the summer off and my ball speed went down to 11.2 instead of the usual 13-14.

Thanks for all the help.

[10-in-the-pit]

I'm pretty sure your thumb is bent and not relaxed/straight in the thumb hole. Too much friction is rubbing against your thumb. As you say above, your backswing is funky and is something you should fix as well. Try using tape to protect your thumb first. You will probably need to open the hole to accomodate the tape.

[Batmite]

I'm pretty sure your thumb is bent and not relaxed/straight in the thumb hole. Too much friction is rubbing against your thumb. As you say above, your backswing is funky and is something you should fix as well. Try using tape to protect your thumb first. You will probably need to open the hole to accomodate the tape.

This all started when I started going into my slump last year. I never had a problem prior to this.

Thanks for the tip.

[billf]

Did the backswing start at the same time? I don't see how you can not grip the ball with the big loop in your swing.

[cane]

I feel the chicken dance would be an appropriate soundtrack!


Check out Ron C's magic carpet.

[billf]

I feel the chicken dance would be an appropriate soundtrack!


Check out Ron C's magic carpet.

Not no but HELL NO! That stuff made my thumb worse when I was gripping. Shur-cushion wasn't as durable but was far more gentle on the thumb. Then Ron C's magic carpet when the gripping is over.

[Batmite]

I've never had a straight back swing but it has progressively gotten worse. I was averaging 230 and now I can't shoot 180 on a house condition. My thumb has been bothering me for awhile. I just can't get the hang of the free arm swing.

[cane]

Not no but HELL NO! That stuff made my thumb worse when I was gripping. Shur-cushion wasn't as durable but was far more gentle on the thumb. Then Ron C's magic carpet when the gripping is over.

Even if he were to re-drill the thumbhole to a larger size?

[billf]

Most gripping occurs due to the hole being too large already. The carpet should wait until the cut has completely, fully, totally healed at a minimum. The carpet continually caught the hanging skin on my thumb and kept re-opening it. Once healed then the carpet is a great tool to learn how tight you can really get the thumb hole and still get the thumb out.

[ArtVandelay]

Ditto to let it heal completely before bowling again. Could take weeks, but I'm sure it would be worth it.

I dunno if it would defeat the purpose, but my thumb hole is rather snug. I put a bit of ultra glide on my thumb every now and then, and that allows the thumb to remain snug in the ball, BUT it reduces the friction on the release.

I do that because my hands sweat (I live in Texas... It gets hot here...), and when my thumb gets sweaty it gets stuck in the ball. But now I do it even in the winter when I'm less likely to sweat. I just like the smoother release.

[scottymoney]

Your backswing I think also cause your release to basically cut your thumb. I have a friend who tops the ball and has thumb problems because they way he throws it puts the ball coming off his thumb wrong and rips at it.

[Rdmonster]

I would put a patch and a bunch of the bowlers nu-skin stuff on it but thats just me. I got a blister on the base of my thumb a few weeks ago that has now morphed into a rough spot...not quite a callous. I always prep with that stuff now.

[Batmite]

Yes, it appears I do top the ball. I've been told I do that but it's really hard for me to tell. I have carpal tunnel in my wrist so I don't get the rotation like I would like.

Thanks for the help.

[Batmite]

BTW, I also tend to loft the ball because I don't get any speed on it. Could my release or crooked backswing cause me to lose speed? Any advice on not lofting the ball or getting more speed? I've tried walking faster to get it going but then I'm very inaccurate.

[Tampabaybob]

Batmite.... Watched your video in slo mo several times and I'm looking for the cause of that crazy back swing. I think that's partially to blame for the thumb problem, but more so possibly gripping the ball (knuckling it). It appears that the thumb is dragging out on that side when it should be coming off in a straighter release.
As far as the swing goes, I'm seeing your hips start to open on the second step, then close some on the third, then open again on the slide. It's really hard to see and it looks to be slight, but I'm wondering if that's what " forcing " your arm to swing that way. If you were averaging 230 prior to the thumb problem then something major is happening in your delivery.
If you bowl with guys of your caliber, ask them to watch you and see if they detect anything different from what you used to do. I ask the guys I bowl with to do the same. Many times people are very hesitant to tell someone that's a higher average bowler than them to help them out. What many people don't realize, is that their eyes behind you can really help. Good luck and keep us up to date.

[billf]

I asked before. The answer, "You're the coach".
My reply, "Duh, but I can't see myself bowl while bowling".

[unclemantis]

I just saw your video.

WOW! What is up with the wonky back swing? Perhaps if you kept a straight forward and back approach you would let gravity and inertia do the job and not have to worry about your thumb doing it.

Thoughts?

[K3ntFIN]

Hi,
I took a look at that video you posted. Can't really make it out, but there seems to be a few things happening that would result in the symptoms you describe.
1. The swing - you use the 'hinge' method to start your swing, i.e the ball is just dropped down from the start position, try making that motion a little less steep by pushing the ball straight forward a little and then let it drop. As you start your swing, the ball tips over to the left as you push it in motion with your right hand twisting your wrist immediately in to an odd angle and causing the outside-in swing rotation.
2. Hand position - as the swing does what it does, it creates a situation where your thumb is not facing towards the pins but your left leg twisting the thumb at the release. How it splits on the right side is beyond me but I'm quite sure it's got something to do with it.
3. Release - It does look like you have to squeeze your grip quite a bit, this will cause a late release, thus the lofting. Another thing I noticed from the video, it seems all three fingers come out the ball at the same time, not thumb first and then the rest. This will most definitely kill hook and revs. Take a look at this video for one of the best releases ever, thumb faces forward at all times: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjIPW4gRsmQ
4. Balancing arm - your right arm does a funky swing motion throughout. Keep it in front of you until the very end and then swing it out to your side when coming up on the release. This will help with keeping the swing straighter as it releases tension in the shoulder area. Like Mr. Ronnie Russell here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/k3ntfin/8392037207/in/set-72157632501959730

PS. I wouldn't maybe try for a swing that high, but you get the idea. :)

Hope anything of this helps.

[Tampabaybob]

I asked before. The answer, "You're the coach".
My reply, "Duh, but I can't see myself bowl while bowling".

Bill, I think you need some "NEW" team members !!

Emphasis on TEAM !!

[Perrin]

If I am trying to figure out what I am doing wrong my new thing is to hand my phone to a teammate and have them record me.

then I use the coachmyvideo app to look somone suggested on here and see what I am doing frame by frame. the video quality is only so-so on the phone but good enough.