More issues with my release

[Phonetek]

I can't seem to keep my palm fully in contact with my ball throughout the swing. My span was fixed when I had the fingers re-drilled but as I swing I have my pointer finger stretched flat pressing on the ball. On the front swing it seems to not stay put and I have to readjust it and I can feel my palm come off the ball. So it makes me squeeze before my release making me not get out clean. I've tried playing with the grip in the thumb, add tape, take out tape and such with no luck.
I tried an old Cobra wrist support for a couple balls but I hate those things. It did help keep everything in contact with the ball though. I'm not sure if it is because it has the finger on it holding it down on the ball or is it telling me my wrist isn't staying solid enough without it?

[Amyers]

Your palm shouldn't really be in contact with the ball thought the swing. You should more envision the ball resting on an imaginary point between the index and middle finger

[djp1080]

Watch Norm Duke's explanation of a good grip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ryROlclBQ0
Hope this helps...

[JasonNJ]

Hmmm...I think I need to see a picture of what you mean. My full palm is never in contact with the ball, for a lack of a better work, the pads of my palm are touching the ball.

[Phonetek]

Hmmm...I think I need to see a picture of what you mean. My full palm is never in contact with the ball, for a lack of a better work, the pads of my palm are touching the ball.

I'm sorry guys I guess my description was very poor. Jason your description was the closest to what I am talking about. When I wore the Cobra those couple shots, it keeps the "pads" of my palm touching the ball and my hand stays in position. Without it my pointer finger slips down and I have to re-adjust it on the front swing before release. My pointer finger doesn't stay put flat on the ball and I have stretch it back out. Like Norm said in the video my grip is such where you can fit a pencil in it, during my swing it would be more than a single pencil. It's like my hand stretches during the swing.

Since the ball fits perfectly, I'm thinking this is going back to my physical problem I have with my hand and the ball may be just too heavy for it. Even though I can consistently throw it naturally 19-20 MPH it's obviously not too heavy for my body but too much for my hand to handle. Maybe that's why the Cobra fixed it? This week I ordered my kids equipment, next time it's my turn. I think I'll hold off worrying about this problem until I get a new 15lb ball and see if that fixes it. I'll be ordering one in the next week or two. In the interim maybe I'll stick with the Cobra as a temporary fix as much as I hate it.

[bowl1820]

Your palm shouldn't really be in contact with the ball thought the swing. You should more envision the ball resting on an imaginary point between the index and middle finger


Hmmm...I think I need to see a picture of what you mean. My full palm is never in contact with the ball, for a lack of a better work, the pads of my palm are touching the ball.

I believe the area being referring to is the pad at the base of the index finger (index knuckle).

The area indicated by the X at the base of the index finger:

https://www.tennisplayer.net/public/avancedtennis/volleys/forehand_volley/1StillsHandEDITED.jpg

The other X is the heel pad and generally doesn't make contact, unless you bowl thumbless then it could .

This image is from Bill Halls tri-grip info and indicates the main contact points and where the ball would be balanced in the hand.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m392Zc0_DOM/UkSdoE8nmVI/AAAAAAAACtg/swQQmTdHu0I/s320/Tri+Grip+pic+2013.jpg


Now things like the Center Line Transposition "CLT technique" or the Tri-grip will let the ball sit a little better into the palm, but it won't be dead flush with the entire palm.

[bowl1820]

I'm sorry guys I guess my description was very poor. Jason your description was the closest to what I am talking about. When I wore the Cobra those couple shots, it keeps the "pads" of my palm touching the ball and my hand stays in position. .

If your using a Cobra properly:
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21-3OuoUOML.jpg

The weight and balance of the ball should be hitting the all the points indicated in this image. With only the heel pad and some of the center of the palm not touching the ball.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m392Zc0_DOM/UkSdoE8nmVI/AAAAAAAACtg/swQQmTdHu0I/s320/Tri+Grip+pic+2013.jpg

The straight Cobra is a good support (I don't care for the adjustable one), I used one along time ago. I usually told anyone who started to use one, when you hold the ball. Turn your hand till you feel the weight of the ball go onto the index finger and knuckle pad and stop. that's the position you want to try and keep through out the swing. That and don't let the glove pull your hand around the ball just stroke through it.

[djp1080]

Phoney, I'll say that if you're tossing the ball at 19-20 mph that you have plenty of energy getting transferred to your ball. My guess is that your pro shop guy likely did a good job of fixing up your grip.
You say that your pointer (index???) finger slips down? Down how? Down where? How far is your pointer finger from your middle finger on your swing?
Turbo Grips sell a soft plastic thingy that you could wear on your pointer finger and keep it placed on the ball. You might want to get some of that bio tape that has a bit of stickiness to it wrapped around your pointer finger to keep it in touch with the ball.
I have a number of shiny bowling balls with Storm's 1500 grit finish as they call it and my index finger stays put just great on those; however, if I go to one of the matte or sanded finish balls, my index finger doesn't have the same feel at all and I usually don't like it much. Some matte finishes are better than others though. Often I'll dampen my index finger a little bit before I get up there to bowl.
Perhaps I hit on something that might help... Who knows? Good luck!

[bowl1820]

Turbo Grips sell a soft plastic thingy that you could wear on your pointer finger and keep it placed on the ball.

The thingy is called the "Turbo-Rev" it's based on the old school trick of sticking a finger insert on your index finger to try and give you a few more revs on the ball.


http://www.probowlinginfo.com/bowlinginfo/bags/TurboRev.jpg

[Phonetek]

Wow so many responses to answer, I didn't expect that.



Bowl: Yes, I was talking about the pad at the base of my index finger. It seems to come off the ball on my forward swing and my index finger slides down. The Cobra I have is the original old school black one, it's similar to the one pictured. When I wear it, my finger stays put. That turbo rev thing may work or maybe even a glove?

Djp: First...."Phoney"? LOL I think I need to change my screen name, I don't think I like Phoney. Plus, since I'm no longer a Phone tech anyway and now a pinsetter mechanic it doesn't exactly fit my occupation anymore. For some reason that was always my staple screen name on any forum since it's always available. The less thought I have to put into a screen name the better.

Back on topic, I generally have my index finger far stretched away from my fingers as far as it goes not close to them. When I say sliding down I don't mean side to side like a windshield wiper but toward the palm causing my finger to be arched on the ball. If I kept it like that I would lose revs so when I go forward I have to straighten it back out before the release point. To do that I end up squeezing to re-adjust resulting in getting out a tad late which also causes a loss of revs and accuracy.

I'm not sure if it's a ball finish thing I haven't noticed if there is a difference but I will pay attention tomorrow. I only have two balls at the moment, one is a shinny reactive and the other a dull urethane. The hammer I still have to have the thumb opened up more. My thumb swelled up last time and I didn't get out of it and almost flew down the lane because it didn't come off my hand. I had to put the ball down and take my fingers out with my other hand to get my thumb out.

[Phonetek]

Bowl: I forgot to add that I did inquire about the Tri-grip with my PSO but he didn't seem to think it was a good idea. I don't think he's a fan of the offset thumb. I would still like to give it a shot, that or the ADT.

[bowl1820]

Bowl: I forgot to add that I did inquire about the Tri-grip with my PSO but he didn't seem to think it was a good idea. I don't think he's a fan of the offset thumb. I would still like to give it a shot, that or the ADT.

Just to note I wasn't suggesting anything about using the Tri-grip or ADT, The picture was just handy and showed the main contact points.

As for a offset thumb the majority say there's no such thing, it's mainly just a visual illusion. Do to how you have the ball sitting and you draw the grip center. It's basically just a "regular" grip with a stretched ring finger span a lot of the time.

example:
This looks like a "Normal" grip and a "Offset" grip, but they are both the same. The one on the right has just been slightly rotated so the finger appears lined up with the thumb.

http://s5.postimg.cc/8dgr3uqmf/offset.jpg

Note also there's nothing particularly wrong with the Tri-grip or ADT fitting systems, Their just different systems for finding a fit.

[Phonetek]

So just to be clear would the tri and ADT be more like the one on the right?

[bowl1820]

So just to be clear would the tri and ADT be more like the one on the right?

You don't understand, it's not a matter of how they visually look. You can use Tri-grip or ADT and they can look like either one, it's just a matter of how you look at the ball sitting there.

The grips showed in the picture I posted are both exactly alike. the one on the right the ball is just turned clockwise a little bit so it just look different.

Tri-grip, ADT are just fitting systems that use different ways to find the fit for your hand and do the measurements compared to the "standard" methods. The only differences will just be in final spans and pitches they come up with they write on the grip sheet.

[Phonetek]

You don't understand, it's not a matter of how they visually look. You can use Tri-grip or ADT and they can look like either one, it's just a matter of how you look at the ball sitting there.

The grips showed in the picture I posted are both exactly alike. the one on the right the ball is just turned clockwise a little bit so it just look different.

Tri-grip, ADT are just fitting systems that use different ways to find the fit for your hand and do the measurements compared to the "standard" methods. The only differences will just be in final spans and pitches they come up with they write on the grip sheet.


Ah okay, you're right I didn't understand but I do now. Thank you for clarifying

[boatman37]

My new ball is drilled like the one on the right. My ring finger is a little further away than my middle finger. No real reason other than how he measured me. No issues with it.

[bowl1820]

My new ball is drilled like the one on the right. My ring finger is a little further away than my middle finger. No real reason other than how he measured me. No issues with it.

Draw a line from the middle of the bridge to the middle of the thumb hole and it will look like the one on the left then.