Bowling without thumb

[Bedrock]

I've been having problems not being able to fully get under my ball when I use my thumb. I find it easier to hook the ball precisely how I want when I remove my thumb too, but I do have VERY large hands.... I shot my highest game ever tonight- 205.


I just thought I would share this since it worked for me and helped bring my scores up. Feel free to post any opinions, just wanting some feedback!

[BJones]

I have seen some people bowl like that before. I have no idea how it works for them, I can barely get a 160 with my hand in the ball. It just seems like this would make it more difficult.

[jalli008]

I prefer to bowl with my thumb being that it gives me more control over the ball and much better accuracy but you definitely have to bowl with what works for you!

[striker12]

one little advise i use to bowl with no thumb try this bowl with your thumb half way in the ball and hand abit down the side of the ball and jsut practice doing that and work on getting your hand under the ba;l cause once u get your hand under the ball then u can put your thumb all the way in and do any type of backswing and have your hand under the ball cause u will get use to with half a thumb which gives alittle more weight then a full thumb in soo it wuld be much easyer thats what i did and it works great for me im able to play anyboard any style cause also with a half ofthumb u get alot more revs soo if u come to a oil pattern where your shots notworking well go to half a thumb it will work

[Special_K]

i bowl without a thumb but been practicing with a thumb
i feel like i have my control without my thumb just the way i throw it i guess

[HunterRunsIt]

I know a few people who bowl without there thumb. But very few of them can pick up there spares with there thumb. Because you lack control!

[10-in-the-pit]

I know a few people that bowl without a thumb and they average over 200. They are very consistent shooters. I've also watched more recreational bowlers that try this and they usually suck pretty bad. Like any bowling style, you need to practice to get better. If you look for help from people you know, it will be harder to get good advice since they might not be able to give you much advice since most of us don't bowl like that. Good luck.

[americantrotter]

I bowl without a thumb. Average around 160. You can get control of the ball, it's all comfort level. I use the thumb occasionally for spare shots, but rarely ever am I trying to get hook with those spares.

It truly is just practice. It is a harder road because less people can help you. Plus people won't always take you seriously.

I thought I would get my game going and then put the thumb in, but I have already gained 60 pins in less than a year. (Only in my 3rd league season now) So the thumb is staying out.

[Mi5hka]

alot of people have been getting into the no thumb roll haha power to you guys tho :) ive seena lot on the pba too doing so but in a less cupping way.

[Bedrock]

Just an update: still bowling the no thumb style. The only spare I have trouble making is the ten pin. Probably convert it 3/5 times. High game is now a 242. My average has improved a lot. It is hard to throw a very straight ball, but still practicing!

[resstealth]

I bowled no thumb for a while, but the whole resting the ball on my forearm thing was killing my arm. Switched to the two handed throw and everythings going well.

[billf]

Personally, I have never understood the no thumb release. The thumb is suppose to exit long before the ball reaches your ankle. Therefore, wouldn't the release be thumbless anyway?

[bowl1820]

Personally, I have never understood the no thumb release. The thumb is suppose to exit long before the ball reaches your ankle. Therefore, wouldn't the release be thumbless anyway?

By not putting thumb in the ball, it lets them cup thier hand the maximum Amount under the ball. Then they can crank the hell out of the ball for max. Hook and revs.

Its a powerful ball yes and good on the THS which is wide open alot of room for error, the trouble comes when they have to back off or throw straight or move right. (assuming a right hand bowler)

Example: They try and shoot the tenpin and keep missing left, they ask what to do. You say break your wrist back and throw a straight ball. "I cant" well put your thumb in "then I dont have any accuracy" well practice "no Ill just get the hardest plastic ball have it drilled as weak as I can and throw it harder" etc.

Ive had and seen the conversation.

[kingj]

I bowl without thumb and i am going to finish this year up with a 211 or 212 average bowled a 760 a week ago 730 friday and lastnight bowled my first 300 i use a plastic vizaball i want to upgrade my ball but i want to be able to keep it on the lane anybody have any advice?

[billf]

kingj, what line are you playing and what speed?

[greycat]

By not putting thumb in the ball, it lets them cup thier hand the maximum Amount under the ball. Then they can crank the hell out of the ball for max. Hook and revs.

Its a powerful ball yes and good on the THS which is wide open alot of room for error, the trouble comes when they have to back off or throw straight or move right. (assuming a right hand bowler)

Example: They try and shoot the tenpin and keep missing left, they ask what to do. You say break your wrist back and throw a straight ball. "I cant" well put your thumb in "then I dont have any accuracy" well practice "no Ill just get the hardest plastic ball have it drilled as weak as I can and throw it harder" etc.

Ive had and seen the conversation.

:D I second this. I have a teammate that throws fingers no thumb. Pisses me off with his excusses.

[billf]

I have a teammate that throws thumbless. He doesn't get any more hook than I do. He went thumbless due to buying a ball used that didn't fit his thumb and didn't have the money to get it fixed. When he misses he just walks back, looks at me and says, "I can't wait til summer league to learn how to use my thumb." We are bowling summer league together so I can coach him. Our summer league includes three free games a day. Well worth the $13 a week.

[Bedrock]

I ordered a bruinswick T-Zone for that dang 10 pin. I rarely miss it now. Bowled my highest game of a 246 last night ( needed two strikes for a 300 x.x). No thumb may not work for everyone, but I enjoy when the older players don't take me seriously, and I pretty much match them throw for throw which amazes them. I'll have to put up some videos later on :cool:

[Bedrock]

About which ball to throw:

I throw a misson x for my strike ball, usually angle it over the middle arrow. Have a warning sign, but rarely use it because it forces me so far to the left. I don't think you can go wrong the misson though, it creates an explosion at the pins

[resstealth]

When I was throwing 2 fingered the only problem I had was picking up 10 pins. Never had a problem being consistent, I guess it just comes with practice.

[americantrotter]

I just turn my wrist for the 10 pin. It goes straight. It took me a while, but I can get it 8/10 times now.

As mentioned before I love throwing no thumb, and you can already see the lack of respect for the style in some comments. The truth is, if your teammate or competitor is an excuse maker they would just have a different excuse throwing conventional.

[billf]

Mine isn't really an excuse maker. This is only his second year but with all the different patterns we play on at tournaments he hasn't learned how to adjust properly yet. That and with a style that's not very common it is a little harder to find someone to help when you are struggling. On real dry lanes he has a hard time getting far enough left but has been making great progress taking some revs out of the ball lately. He isn't completely abandoning it just trying to add to his repertoire for when he needs it. It's not a lack of respect as much as a lack of understanding. I cup my wrist as far as I can, taking out my thumb wouldn't matter as the ball touches my wrist/forearm already so for me,yes, I don't understand what the advantage would be. However, I also see others who have zero or almost no cup to their wrist that would benefit from this style.