Finger Positions

[Greenday]

This is something I haven't put much thought in. Generally, I spread both my index and pinkie fingers out, but not all the way out. I've tucked my pinkie in at the first knuckle to give it extra revs. On my ten pins, I bring my index finger against my middle finger and spread my pinkie all the way out.

Now what would keeping my index finger spread out but putting my pinkie finger against my ring finger without tucking it do? More revs?

I generally have a problem with my track running a little high. Is there any finger position that might help this?

[J Anderson]

This is something I haven't put much thought in. Generally, I spread both my index and pinkie fingers out, but not all the way out. I've tucked my pinkie in at the first knuckle to give it extra revs. On my ten pins, I bring my index finger against my middle finger and spread my pinkie all the way out.

Now what would keeping my index finger spread out but putting my pinkie finger against my ring finger without tucking it do? More revs?

I generally have a problem with my track running a little high. Is there any finger position that might help this?

The following is a link to a Ron Clifton article on finger position. Pretty clear explanation of what effect different finger positions have on the shape of the ball path.
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip11.htm

He doesn't go into detail on what the changes in finger position do to rev rate, axis tilt or axis rotation so I'm not sure that I'm helping with your specific questions, but then I really don't care what my rev rate is as long as can figure out how to get the ball in the pocket.

I think that keeping the index finger spread out but putting my pinkie finger against my ring finger without tucking it, would give you less revs. I say that only because you said,"I've tucked my pinkie in at the first knuckle to give it extra revs."

As for figuring out how to get a lower track, next time you practice experiment with different positions and see what happens to the track.

[Greenday]

I think I'm going to try bring my pinkie in without tucking it. See if it adds some more backend to my shot.

[Tampabaybob]

I started tucking my piny in several years ago, on a tip from a friend of mine. Haven't gone back since. It'll give you more revs and a little more back end. If your track is close to your finger holes and thumb hole try changing your hand position.

Think of it this way: 0 degrees your thumb would be at 12:00 and fingers at 6:00. Think of your wrist now as having 3 positions and it clicks into place on each position. 1 degree puts your thumb at 1:00 and your fingers at 7:00. 2 degrees puts your fingers at 2:00 and your thumb at 2:00. At 2 degrees, and assuming you can keep your hand in that position all the way to your release, (with your wrist straight), you should see you track drastically move downward away from your holes. This is usually my starting position for game one when the oil is fresh. It gives me a stronger hit on the pocket. As the lanes dry out, I'll move my thumb up and fingers more under the ball to come up straighter behind the ball. Try it and let me know if it helps. It takes a little practice and you want to try to "feel" your hand in that position until you feel your thumb coming out. That's your "explosion point" and that's when you'll turn the ball with your wrist and fingers. Good luck, let me know.

[J Anderson]

2 degrees puts your fingers at 2:00 and your thumb at 2:00.

Huh?

[SmilingBowler]

Huh?

I'm pretty sure TampaBayBob meant fingers at 8:00 and thumb at 2:00 in that scenario when moving 2 degrees clockwise from fingers at 6:00 and thumb at 12:00.

[SmilingBowler]

Speaking of finger positions, I think I'll try the pinky tuck in practice to see what it does. When I throw the first couple practice balls before I start scoring my 3-game practice session, I'll throw the ball twice on the same lane, using the same line.. first as I usually do and secondly with the pinky finger tucked to see if it adds revs or back-end.

[SmilingBowler]

First time trying the pinky tuck this morning and saw I was getting some more revs. Too bad it was at the risk of pinpoint accuracy upon release. I'll continue to work on it, though. Just felt I'd report back and could tell I definitely had a few more revolutions when tucking the pinky.

[jbeck]

I tried the pinky tuck today myself and it really does make a huge difference for me getting that axis rotation that I cannot get without it! I wasn't worrying about scores at all, but trying to get consistent with it. I'll practice more tomorrow to work on my accuracy, but I'm finally able to play inside! The first time I heard about this technique and tried it a few months ago, it really hurt. Now it's not too bad after 6 games.

[Tampabaybob]

[QUOTE=J Anderson;80156]Huh?[/QUOTESorry that was a typo. It should be fingers at 8:00 and Thumb at 2:00. Damn computer !

[Slabo]

I tried the pinky tuck last night in some practice games at a different house than I usually bowl in and it worked great for me !! first game trying it I bowled a 212 which is a all time high for me!! I was getting more revs on the ball and it was helping me loft the ball out a little on my release. Thanks guys for the great info !!!!

[Perrin]

Have to say this was huge for me tonight.

using the finger tuck after the first 5 frames of the night and then stopping when the raction got a little too much got me my best series ever.

246-243-267 756

[Tampabaybob]

I tried the pinky tuck last night in some practice games at a different house than I usually bowl in and it worked great for me !! first game trying it I bowled a 212 which is a all time high for me!! I was getting more revs on the ball and it was helping me loft the ball out a little on my release. Thanks guys for the great info !!!!

Congratulations on the 212 game. Glad that tip helped you. There are many small tips like that, that we'll pass on to you from time to time. Most of the time we don't think of them until someone brings up a question about their game.

[Tampabaybob]

Have to say this was huge for me tonight.

using the finger tuck after the first 5 frames of the night and then stopping when the raction got a little too much got me my best series ever.

246-243-267 756

NICE SHOOTING !! Glad that worked for you as well. Keep it up.

[e-tank]

i tried tucking the pinky during practice yesterday and i didnt notice a huge difference in revs but it did make me release the ball lower which ive been trying to do

[billf]

I don't see a change in revs per se but the ball does go a few feet longer. Plus I'm more comfortable with the pinky tucked.

[ecub]

I started tucking my pinky few months back, but now it feels awkward to NOT to tuck it. :D

[Tampabaybob]

I think once you get used to it , it does feel strange going back to a standard grip. As I said earlier I've been tucking it for many years and it just comes natural now when I pick up my ball. It's definitely helped my game along the way and it sounds as though it's helped several of you guys too. Glad to hear that.

[Perrin]

Tried this again last night in league. For whatever reason though I started having hand/wrist pain when I would tuck the pinky so I stopped.

I am guessing the pain is related to the fact I broke the bone in my hand that associates to that pinky when I was in high school. I didn't wear the cast like I was supposed to and it never really went back to normal has always been weak and had less range of motion.

[Tampabaybob]

Tried this again last night in league. For whatever reason though I started having hand/wrist pain when I would tuck the pinky so I stopped.

I am guessing the pain is related to the fact I broke the bone in my hand that associates to that pinky when I was in high school. I didn't wear the cast like I was supposed to and it never really went back to normal has always been weak and had less range of motion.

Throw a wrist guard on right away before you seriously hurt your wrist. You will still be able to tuck your pinky under if you want to, with a wrist brace. If it continues to hurt then go back to your normal finger positions (as you did).