Tucked Pinky

[DaveAyotte]

Alright,

I have another question. Watching the pros either on TV, or in some of the videos in my quest for drills and tips on youtube, I've noticed that a considerable percentage of them are curling, or tucking the pinky finger. When I'm holding the ball at the approach, my hand is splayed pretty far out, as it's what is comfortable for me... but is there any advantage to tucking? It seems like it would be rather awkward.

Thanks again.

[The Mayor]

Dave,

Tucking your pinky definitely is awkward at first. It can be fairly painful, but it will give you a bit more lift with your fingers. I've been doing it for many, many years and it's really the only way that feels comfortable now. The most important thing is to do what's comfortable and works for you. It's worth a shot though!

[DaveAyotte]

How much of a difference are we talking about? Quite possibly the cure for my chicken wing?

[JerseyJim]

It wouldn't be an answer to the chicken wing. One way that I heard that would work is to pretend that you don't have a hand and forearm and lead with your elbow towards your target.

[aed2784]

My Dad tucks his pinky as well and he definitely has the callus to prove it! I asked him why he tucked it before and he said that is the way he was taught. He is more of a cranker and he said it feels better when he pushes the pinky out after his fingers leave the ball. I guess that means that he feels he caught the ball cleanly on the release when the pinky pushes on the follow through. I'm not sure if it gives and advantage, but I know it leaves a hell of a callus :D

[JerseyJim]

A tucked pinky increases your axis tilt slightly which will translate into a bit more skid.

[BallBuster]

I went through the same discovery period after watching some bowlers with the tucked pinky. After trying it for a couple weeks I discovered that tucking my pinky would shift more of the ball's weight onto the index finger, inversely it makes you stay more behind the ball until the rotation. It gave me a little better side roll on the shot and a little more back end hook. It's something that really takes practice but can be a good addition to your game.

[DaveAyotte]

Excellent, thank you everyone - I may try this today.

[DaveAyotte]

So, I tried it out for 3 games... it was definitely uncomfortable, and I found myself going back to my old ways. I know something like this would take longer than that to get used to, but I wasn't seeing a difference in reaction or release, so I'm not going to pursue it any further. One of those things I guess. Thanks for all the input, though.

[striker12]

ok dave i can help you out with your chicken wing i use to do the same thing heres a drill for you at the bowling lanes and at home go up to the foul line get down on your right knee for rightys and left knee for leftys and make a rectangle with your legs back to back and do 3 swings then throw the ball down the lane do that 100 times but soo u dont waste money u can do it in your house use aold ball that u dont use and do it down a hall with pillows at the end of the hall all around and close a door or your ball with go flying trust me my ball did it went throw the wall but then another drill for at the lanes is a 1 step throw swing your arm let the ball come back up swing arm again and then throw dont let your arm bend just practice on keeping your arm streght it helps me and it will help you.


and about the curling pinking i do it sometimes and sometimes i dont i do it mainly when my hand right under my pointy finger starts hurting it helps me releave abit of weight off that part of my hand but it dose help me wiht my game cause my shots more revs and same speed but not always i adjust untill im back to my normal way of shooting going to take me awhile till im back at it fully with curled pinky

[DaveAyotte]

Awesome! thank you very much. It's like, I know I'm doing it, because when I stand at the line after my release, my forearm blocks my view... but no matter how much I think about it, it keeps happening.

I will definitely give this a whirl.

[tracy]

i tuck my pinky when i want more hook and lift and have been doing it for some years now. as far as being a chicken winger,no it won't help on that. you have to creat a free arm swing and let the ball do all the work instead of using all upper body. you'll find out that you will hit your mark more consistant and most likely more speed to the ball.

[striker12]

ok dave i had leauge today and i just did some test shots well accualy most of the game after the first 3 i ended up with more accuracy and a better rotation coming off the ball never pulled the ball once i normaly do but idid pull once but thats when it got stuck on my thumb my fault i losened my thumb a few seconds too late soo it poped and went left on me but it helped me out alot it was uncomortitable at the start but getting to the 3rd game it felt better but more i do it the better it will feel