I have a few questions, anyone willing to help?

[fatback]

When i bowl my thumb starts to get tore up about a quarter of an inch above where my thumb meets my hand,(it's dead center on the part of the thumb that faces toward your palm when making a fist) and it's right before my release when i feel the pressure being put on my thumb, I bowled 3 games last night, and i have a blister on my thumb now. I don't know if it's the way i'm bowling, or if it's the way my ball is drilled.

Also, Another thing is when i release the ball, it sounds like it's bouncing which i know is not supposed to happen, and i would like for someone to give me some tips on getting a quieter release.

One more thing is i have trouble being consistent, I average a 150ish in my highschool league, and I could be so much better if i could continue to play the same like over and over again. I know where i should be, and i always miss my mark by 1-3 boards. any tips on that?

I appreciate any help anyone can give me. Thanks everyone.

[JaMau24]

1. I would think that your ball isn't drilled properly to fit your thumb. Maybe have thumb slug put in too, it should give you a smoother release for your thumb.

2. For a quieter release, you just need to release lower than where you are. Try starting lower, and ending lower, that should help.

3. Practice, practice, practice.

[fatback]

Thanks, and also, im bending my knees and bending forward slightly, and it's still making a thud noise. am i releasing to late or early? It sounds like it's bouncing.

[Josch]

Depending on how you bowl, you may be able to improve your consistency by keeping your back foot on the ground during the slide. 2 weeks ago in my youth league the coaches really emphasized this and scores have been much better the last two weeks, myself included. I've been hitting my mark more often and bowled my best series and game. Just keep your back foot on it's side as you slide. It has greatly improved my balance and helped others in my league too. Also make sure you have a strong follow-through that guides the ball.

If you hear a bounce you're probably releasing late. The ideal place to release is at the bottom of the swing or slightly afterward. If you were releasing early you would probably hear one loud thud and not bouncing. Most people who have their ball bounce bowl thumbless and therefore have a cupped wrist and a fairly high release. You're probably releasing late.

[bowl1820]

Three possible causes of your thumb problem.
Span Too Short or Too Long
Hole Needs More Bevel
Hole Too Big

As for the bounce, if its a double bounce like sound thump thump. Your releasing the ball too early, driving it into the lane.

[billf]

Bowl1820 nailed the thumb issue, as usual and the bounce.
If you are consistently missing your mark in the same spot, adjust your eyes accordingly. Everybody has a dominant eye. Those of us whose dominant eye is not on their dominant hand side, i.e. left eye dominant but right handed bowler, will encounter an optical illusion type effect. One of the greatest bowlers of all time, Norm Duke, said in his training video that he knows he has to look 3 boards over from where he wants the ball to go. It's near impossible to have your arm go straight to a point when the eye is not looking straight at that point.
If your missing to both sides of your mark then the problem is somewhere else in your approach. Keeping the slide foot on the floor does help with balance with lack of proper balance being a very common issue affecting accuracy.
Good luck and keep us updated.

[fatback]

Thank you Bowler and Billf, i really appreciate your help. Any tips on practicing releasing the ball later? And i kinda noticed when i look like 3 boards to the left i usually hit my mark more consistantly. I didn't realize they it was with the whole dominate eye thing though, thanks for that man. Appreciate it. Also, beveled means kinda like rounding out the edge of the thumb hole right? About how much would that cost as well?

[martin]

for me, sometimes the release goes smoothly, sometimes my thumb sticks.. why is that so?

Those of us whose dominant eye is not on their dominant hand side, i.e. left eye dominant but right handed bowler, will encounter an optical illusion type effect. One of the greatest bowlers of all time, Norm Duke, said in his training video that he knows he has to look 3 boards over from where he wants the ball to go. It's near impossible to have your arm go straight to a point when the eye is not looking straight at that point.

i think i have this "problem".. sometimes when i aim for the 12-13 board, it goes to the 10th.. now then i realize it's because of this..

[jaydee]

If your thumb is getting torn up where I think your saying (side of your thumb), I would guess that the thumb hole needs to be ovaled, (or more ovaled if it already is some).

Could also be bad fit in general. Find a good pro shop near you (ask the good bowlers in your area where they go) and have your hand remeasured. You said you're in high school, you are probably still growing and may need to be refitted.

[fatback]

If your thumb is getting torn up where I think your saying (side of your thumb), I would guess that the thumb hole needs to be ovaled, (or more ovaled if it already is some).

Could also be bad fit in general. Find a good pro shop near you (ask the good bowlers in your area where they go) and have your hand remeasured. You said you're in high school, you are probably still growing and may need to be refitted.

It's more like right in the middle of my thumb, like if you bend your thumb and kinda flex it, it's right where the bone starts to stick out on the bottom of your thumb. My friend who is a licensed coach (he took the test a few months ago) told me i just need to build up a callus or something like that.