Changed from a 3/4 roller to a full roller?

[I suck at bowling]

Recently I've been trying out putting half my thumb in and it really helped me, but the problem is when I do that my track runs right over the thumb hole. The only ball that doesn't is my spare ball, and that rolls like a full roller when I put my thumb half in. Is there any way I can get my reactive balls drilled so they won't roll over the thumb?

[75lockwood]

What this sounds like is when your release changed your pap changed which is now causing the ball to track over the thumb because the layout was not updated with the new pap. simply redrilling the ball using the new pap should fix the issue

[scottymoney]

What this sounds like is when your release changed your pap changed which is now causing the ball to track over the thumb because the layout was not updated with the new pap. simply redrilling the ball using the new pap should fix the issue

Or just put your thumb all the way in!

[I suck at bowling]

Or just put your thumb all the way in!

Yeah, go out and throw two handed like that.

I can't do it.

[scottymoney]

Yeah, go out and throw two handed like that.

I can't do it.

So throw one handed, problem solved.

[I suck at bowling]

So throw one handed, problem solved.

Ahhh, I see. You're one of those people.

I now render your comments on my bowling useless.

[bowl1820]

Recently I've been trying out putting half my thumb in and it really helped me, but the problem is when I do that my track runs right over the thumb hole. The only ball that doesn't is my spare ball, and that rolls like a full roller when I put my thumb half in. Is there any way I can get my reactive balls drilled so they won't roll over the thumb?

Given that your trying to use a two handed style (which is a thumbless style), the answer is simple don't put your thumb in the ball at all.

It obvious that it's throwing off your release and trying to compensate for it rolling over the hole with a different layout would be a waste of time if your not releasing it properly in the first place.

The question that needs answering is:

What problem are you having, That you feel the need to put your thumb half way into the ball to try and fix?

And having a thumb half way in a ball isn't good to do for any style.

[RoccoRock]

There is a half thumb two hander on the PBA tour Brian Valenta, he bowls four DV8. With that said, I too am curious as to what issue you are trying to fix by using half thumb? I've tried half thumb just messing around and felt like it put more of a strain on my wrist. I know Tom Smallwood uses half his thumb, and I believe he uses full rollers.

[I suck at bowling]

There is a half thumb two hander on the PBA tour Brian Valenta, he bowls four DV8. With that said, I too am curious as to what issue you are trying to fix by using half thumb? I've tried half thumb just messing around and felt like it put more of a strain on my wrist. I know Tom Smallwood uses half his thumb, and I believe he uses full rollers.

It was something that I was trying out, and I liked it a lot. I felt like I gained more control over the ball.

[Mike White]

Recently I've been trying out putting half my thumb in and it really helped me, but the problem is when I do that my track runs right over the thumb hole. The only ball that doesn't is my spare ball, and that rolls like a full roller when I put my thumb half in. Is there any way I can get my reactive balls drilled so they won't roll over the thumb?

In what way does the half thumb help?

When you release the ball with half thumb, are you trying to lift up with the fingers for revolutions, or to project the ball down the lane for speed and delayed reaction?

[RoccoRock]

In what way does the half thumb help?

When you release the ball with half thumb, are you trying to lift up with the fingers for revolutions, or to project the ball down the lane for speed and delayed reaction?

I was thinking much the same. If your using two hands, the second hand is a much greater stabilizing tool than half of your thumb. The thumb should be coming out about the same time the second hand comes off. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, it's totally up to you. If your going to do it, see if you can find Tom Smallwood, or Brian Valenta's layouts. Maybe even email those guys and ask for advice. Again, just my opinion, so take it or leave it, but from the video I've seen of you I think your biggest issues or you second hand position and how far you bring the ball back. If you have any questions, PM me, I'll see if I can steer you straight, if you want.

[I suck at bowling]

I was thinking much the same. If your using two hands, the second hand is a much greater stabilizing tool than half of your thumb. The thumb should be coming out about the same time the second hand comes off. I'm not saying you shouldn't do it, it's totally up to you. If your going to do it, see if you can find Tom Smallwood, or Brian Valenta's layouts. Maybe even email those guys and ask for advice. Again, just my opinion, so take it or leave it, but from the video I've seen of you I think your biggest issues or you second hand position and how far you bring the ball back. If you have any questions, PM me, I'll see if I can steer you straight, if you want.

Okay, I PMed you about all my "progress" I've been trying to make.

[sprocket]

If you're only putting your thumb halfway in the ball then that is the cause for why the track is now either over or inside the thumb hole. That is true whether you use two hands or not. Tom Smallwood on the pro tour is a half thumber and his track does indeed go inside the thumb hole.

So why does it happen? It's really pretty simple. Your thumb is moved further to the outside when it is only halfway in the ball. It is moved towards your track and it's enough that the track can end up going inside the thumb hole.

Does that make you a full roller? Not necessarily. A full roller means that the track covers the full diameter of the ball or very, very close to it. It's very possible for the track to be inside the thumb hole, yet due to its tilt, it still doesn't cover the full diameter of the ball.

So how does Tom Smallwood have his balls drilled? I've heard that he use full roller layouts that cause the track to flare the opposite direction. This keeps the track from flaring over the thumb hole. Using full roller layouts does not make a person a full roller. A person is a full roller ONLY if their track covers the full diameter of the ball (splitting it right in two).