Getting thumb out first

[NewToBowling]

Hello, new poster here. Got my first bowling ball about a month ago. Previous to that I have been bowling thumbless with house balls.

It takes getting used to bowling with thumb. It's an odd sensation after bowling thumbless but my arms and wrists were getting wrecked.

I've been reading up on here and watching YouTube tutorials but can't get the hang of releasing the thumb. The thumb is snug and a good fit and I do keep it straight. Heck I subconsciously arch it back that the thumbnail is usually always rubbing against back of thumbhole. But can't get consistent release. I'm guessing my form is off as I'm probably release simultaneously or thumb after. I use bowlers tape also.

Any tips on how to get thumb out without trying to force it? Thanks

[Amyers]

Are you using a fingertip grip?

[dnhoffman]

Were you fitted by, and was your equipment drilled by a certified pro-shop?

If so, the the trick isn't a trick at all, but really just relaxing your hand/grip. I tell my high-schoolers all the time that if you want to release the ball properly, you have to be willing to let it fly off behind you on the approach... :)

[NewToBowling]

Yes, fingertip grip with inserts and drilled by pro shop (not sure if certified or not but sounds like he knew what he was doing)

It's probably more to do with my approach. I don't really deliver the ball under my head. I keep the ball to the right and don't cross my right leg over to the left. Could this be a factor in thumb release?

I do try to keep hands behind ball and do the doorknob motion but it just gets to me that my thumb doesn't really want to come out

[Amyers]

Most likely issues to cause this are gripping the ball, incorrect pitch on the thumb hole (everyone's a little different), Gripping the ball, not releasing your cup early enough (if using), and gripping the dang ball.

[Blomer]

It might just be that you are not use to this method yet. It will come. Just practice. The pro shop if in an alley should and usually watches you throw it when you get it. They can offer some advice. It will come

[dnhoffman]

I'll bet you're gripping the ball

[NewToBowling]

It might just be that you are not use to this method yet. It will come. Just practice. The pro shop if in an alley should and usually watches you throw it when you get it. They can offer some advice. It will come

Yeah, will just have to practice more.


I'll bet you're gripping the ball

I could be but I consciously hold my thumb straight as can be as to where the nail is touching the ball and nothing else. The ball is definitely holding me and not the other way around.

[djp1080]

Since you're familiar with YouTube and connecting with bowling tutorials, try looking at the one step drill where you basically get into your starting position and take a simple pendulum swing of the ball. If you look at a video of it, you'll notice that you get to practice using your non-slide leg to get into a nice balance position at the line on each shot.
Now if you have to force something to happen, you'll likely need some coaching or mods to the ball fit, etc. Hope this helps...

[NewToBowling]

Yeah, it just looks forced trying to take thumb out. Will practice some more

[NewToBowling]

How tight should the thumb hole be? We all know thumbs are oval and thumb holes are round. I have to squeeze my thumb into the hole. And once in I can literally pick up the ball witho only thumb in with no pressure or gripping of thumb. I need inertia to release the thumb even when practicing at home rolling slow. I can't just take out the thumb without some force.

I do use tape, the blue stuff made by Vise I think. Thanks

[djp1080]

How tight should the thumb hole be? We all know thumbs are oval and thumb holes are round. I have to squeeze my thumb into the hole. And once in I can literally pick up the ball witho only thumb in with no pressure or gripping of thumb. I need inertia to release the thumb even when practicing at home rolling slow. I can't just take out the thumb without some force.

I do use tape, the blue stuff made by Vise I think. Thanks
When I get a new ball, I work with the pro shop operator and it's often drilled right then. As a result the holes are pretty warm and they need to be cool before deciding that the fit is good. After some time (let's say 15 minutes) I pick up the ball and try it again. What I look for is no sticking spots when removing the thumb. Especially on the sides. The PSO will mark the angles of the thumb on both sides and remove some material from the thumb slug. Then he'll smooth it out with a sanding tool. Most times that's all that's necessary.
I'll take it out on the lanes for a game or two to get a feel for the fit once my hand begins to warm up and often swell a little bit. I may ask the PSO to remove a little more so that again there are no sticking spots.
Finger holes are usually much more tight than the thumb. To obtain a good release your thumb must exit the ball first; therefore, it likely doesn't need to be all that tight. If it gets loose, you can always add white tape on the pad side of the thumb hole or black tape on the back side hole. Of course, I use several layers of white tape on the front of the thumb hole primarily down further to have the tip of the thumb to sit on and use some Teflon clear tape on the back of the hole to get the thumb out quickly.
Try visiting your pro shop and telling him what you're experiencing. He should get you fixed up in a jiffy!

[NewToBowling]

When I get a new ball, I work with the pro shop operator and it's often drilled right then. As a result the holes are pretty warm and they need to be cool before deciding that the fit is good. After some time (let's say 15 minutes) I pick up the ball and try it again. What I look for is no sticking spots when removing the thumb. Especially on the sides. The PSO will mark the angles of the thumb on both sides and remove some material from the thumb slug. Then he'll smooth it out with a sanding tool. Most times that's all that's necessary.
I'll take it out on the lanes for a game or two to get a feel for the fit once my hand begins to warm up and often swell a little bit. I may ask the PSO to remove a little more so that again there are no sticking spots.
Finger holes are usually much more tight than the thumb. To obtain a good release your thumb must exit the ball first; therefore, it likely doesn't need to be all that tight. If it gets loose, you can always add white tape on the pad side of the thumb hole or black tape on the back side hole. Of course, I use several layers of white tape on the front of the thumb hole primarily down further to have the tip of the thumb to sit on and use some Teflon clear tape on the back of the hole to get the thumb out quickly.
Try visiting your pro shop and telling him what you're experiencing. He should get you fixed up in a jiffy!

Thanks. My thumb does stick a bit

[ralphs007]

Since you're familiar with YouTube and connecting with bowling tutorials, try looking at the one step drill where you basically get into your starting position and take a simple pendulum swing of the ball. If you look at a video of it, you'll notice that you get to practice using your non-slide leg to get into a nice balance position at the line on each shot.
Now if you have to force something to happen, you'll likely need some coaching or mods to the ball fit, etc. Hope this helps...
I really like the one step drill. I usually bowl three to four times a week, ten games each day. I try to bowl at least one game using the one step drill the whole game.

[NewToBowling]

After playing some games with new technique yesterday the thumb hole is just right. In the past my shoulders have been square to the pins just forcing my throwing hand to the right of center and making it hard to get thumb out. I am focusing on getting my swing directly over my head. During yesterdays games my thumb did shrink momentarily and it caused me to drop my ball it it was in,y a few throws. Thumb came back to normal and no issues.

I'll post a video soon of my form to critique. Something isn't right with it yet. Thanks