Is there a MAGIC Thumb Pitch?

[Mike White]

I have really never experimented with thumb pitch,,, is that something that can make a huge difference? Thinking about having mine checked, and the plugging one of my older balls, and have it redrilled using a different pitch.

The "correctness" of the thumb pitch is no where near as important as the correctness of how you throw the ball.

Take for example, I think his name is Jason. You've said he can throw anyone's ball as long as he can get his hand in it.

Clearly for him, the thumb size (once large enough), and pitches are not important.

Most people I've seen with thumb problems, are really problems with their wrist.

If you allow your wrist to collapse on the back swing, you have to help support the weight of the ball with your thumb.

Your choices at that point, are to either squeeze the hell out of the ball between your fingers and thumb, or to try and hook your thumb into the thumb hole.

Neither of those choices are acceptable.

Take a coffee cup, place your two fingers on the bottom of the cup, and your thumb on the rim.

The weight of the cup is supported by your fingers, the thumb only stops the cup from rotating off the fingers.

Your goal is to not spill the cup until the release.

If you let your wrist break down, you spill the cup at the bottom.

if you turn your thumb down (to the left, for right handers) you spill the cup.

Your release is just a slight reduction in pressure of the thumb off the rim, and allow the cup to tumble forward.

[Aslan]

Most people I've seen with thumb problems, are really problems with their wrist.

If you allow your wrist to collapse on the back swing, you have to help support the weight of the ball with your thumb.

Your choices at that point, are to either squeeze the hell out of the ball between your fingers and thumb, or to try and hook your thumb into the thumb hole.

I'm struggling with this BIG TIME right now. I'm trying not to "pinch" but it requires the thumb hole to be very tight since my wrist actually DOES collapse during the swing.

I've tried to swing with an uncollapsed wrist...but at ball weights over 9lbs...I need the thumb or I either can't support the ball or it hurts my writst like crazy.

I'm getting better at staying behind the ball...at least 1/4 to 1/3 anyways. But staying "under" the ball is seemingly not possible.

[Mike White]

I'm struggling with this BIG TIME right now. I'm trying not to "pinch" but it requires the thumb hole to be very tight since my wrist actually DOES collapse during the swing.

I've tried to swing with an uncollapsed wrist...but at ball weights over 9lbs...I need the thumb or I either can't support the ball or it hurts my writst like crazy.

I'm getting better at staying behind the ball...at least 1/4 to 1/3 anyways. But staying "under" the ball is seemingly not possible.

In my opinion it would be better to go with as light a ball as needed to develop a good release, then over time increase the ball weight when you can maintain the good release.

By using heavy balls to reduce deflection caused by the weak release, you're stuck in an endless cycle.

[Aslan]

In my opinion it would be better to go with as light a ball as needed to develop a good release, then over time increase the ball weight when you can maintain the good release.

By using heavy balls to reduce deflection caused by the weak release, you're stuck in an endless cycle.

I agree; but throwing a 9lb ball is a bit drastic and probably counterproductive.

There must be some way to throw a 14-16lb ball where my hand isn't beneath it. I know you have a more underneath kind of release and the thumbless guys are more underneath the ball...but most of the pros nowadays are "behind" not necessarily "beneath". It's tough...because you're right...I try to battle one limitation...then end up needing to compensate by battling a new limitation.

Working with Rob, I have transitioned from a speed dominant player where I'm "trying" to rev up the ball...to a lower speed bowler where I'm rolling it (not tossing it) and letting "the ball do the work". But...tradeoffs tradeoffs tradeoffs. I gain accuracy, better timing...I lose power and any ability to play inside. I become more consistent and a better spare shooter...but I strike less and have to make more spares than before. Before I was a 165 average bowler...now I'm a 166 average bowler. Didn't make me worse...made me more consistent...but didn't really make me "better"...just consistently the same.

We'll see. This new release is going to take some time to learn/master. I can't expect to master it in less than a week.

[Blomer]

Interesting post. I've been wondering I I should have my slug taken out, replace re drilled. Thinking it may be to large as I have to grab the ball more. League starts tonight so I'll see. I think if I get it tighter I will be able to throw it better.