How do I convert the 10 pin with a two finger / thumbless release?

[unclemantis]

Get a plastic ball......polish the heck out of it so it CAN'T hook, and stand where Bill told you and you "should" be able to pick it up. Don't try throwing anything that could possibly hook.

Thank you for all the tips! I hope this thread helps others also!

[martinezsam2495]

I currently have a 159 average and I am using a two finger thumbless release with a single hand release.

I am currently having no.problems picking up spares except for.the single 10 pin.

I am unable to use my thumb and a straight and hard approach due to an injury from years ago.

I have tried rolling it faster with no luck. I have tried releasing the ball in the opposite way to straighten it out but I still miss.

Any thoughts?

I am a 2 finger bowler as well, (lefty) My best way to pick up the 7 pin, 10 pin in your case, was to stand all the way to the right and aim at the 4th arrow, the trick is to release a little bit of revs, since releasing none will result it going straight to the gutter in this method. You release the ball at the path towards 4th arrow, and it'll get close to the gutter then, hug it and stay in a straight path.
So for you to pick up the 10 pin, I say you stand all the way to the left, and aim at the 4th arrow as well. With the same a little revs release.

[swingset]

Why not just drill a plastic ball for conventional or a three-finger layout? It's much easier, mechanically, to be consistent going across the lane and it will remove any unnecessary spin/hook on a shot that should have none.

Might feel weird at first, but long term you're hurting yourself with a 2-handed approach to 10 pins. There's no getting around that.

[RoccoRock]

My question to everyone who is saying two handed and one hand no thumb is essentially the same is this, have you ever bowler either way? It is the same in some ways, most in fact, however, this is one case where it is not. The two handers have a big advantage throwing a straight, or backup ball over one hand no thumb. The second hand keeps the ball stable, making it easier to come straight up the back. Going straight up the back, end over end without a thumb is very tough to do. I don't use a thumb (most of the time) and I don't go straight up the back. Plastic is what helps me the most. I had an older plastic ball, and I struggled making 10 pins. I bought a brand new, nice clean shiny plastic ball, and 10 pins became a lot less of an issue. Speed is key, I throw the 10 pin at least a mph faster. Angle is huge too. I use as much of the lane as I can. Greenday said use loft, and I agree. If you can get close, but the ball just hooks away at the last second, loft will help you. As Randy Pederson says, if it's not on the lane it can't hook. Of course, you don't want too much loft, you can lose accuracy that way, and it will make the bowling center a little mad. The biggest key, practice. I'll bowl entire games aiming for the 10 pin. It may take some time, but it can be done. If you are struggling too much, and can't get close, it may be worth it to give it a shot using your thumb. I know one or two thumbless bowlers who do that, and yes Tom Daughrety uses his thumb on all spares. If you want, take some video, and I can look at it and give you a pointer or two. I am not the best bowler on this site, but I probably (and I am totally guessing on this and not trying to brag) the most experienced, and best two finger bowler here.

[billf]

I've bowled thumbless, two-handed and yes, even left-handed.

[billf]

My question to everyone who is saying two handed and one hand no thumb is essentially the same is this, have you ever bowler either way? It is the same in some ways, most in fact, however, this is one case where it is not. The two handers have a big advantage throwing a straight, or backup ball over one hand no thumb. The second hand keeps the ball stable, making it easier to come straight up the back. Going straight up the back, end over end without a thumb is very tough to do. I don't use a thumb (most of the time) and I don't go straight up the back. Plastic is what helps me the most. I had an older plastic ball, and I struggled making 10 pins. I bought a brand new, nice clean shiny plastic ball, and 10 pins became a lot less of an issue. Speed is key, I throw the 10 pin at least a mph faster. Angle is huge too. I use as much of the lane as I can. Greenday said use loft, and I agree. If you can get close, but the ball just hooks away at the last second, loft will help you. As Randy Pederson says, if it's not on the lane it can't hook. Of course, you don't want too much loft, you can lose accuracy that way, and it will make the bowling center a little mad. The biggest key, practice. I'll bowl entire games aiming for the 10 pin. It may take some time, but it can be done. If you are struggling too much, and can't get close, it may be worth it to give it a shot using your thumb. I know one or two thumbless bowlers who do that, and yes Tom Daughrety uses his thumb on all spares. If you want, take some video, and I can look at it and give you a pointer or two. I am not the best bowler on this site, but I probably (and I am totally guessing on this and not trying to brag) the most experienced, and best two finger bowler here.

While you make a great point, where in this thread did anyone say it was the same?

[unclemantis]

I am going practice tonight. I will post on YouTube my games. I will put some tape on the ball so you all can see my revs and pap and speed.

[unclemantis]

Just got done with a little Practice.
Bowled a 162, 137, 154, 140, 157, 183 for a 933 series!

[RoccoRock]

While you make a great point, where in this thread did anyone say it was the same?

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i would recommend contacting Belmonte at http://www.iabowling.com/ for his technique, while he is a two hander, the release is essentially the same.

As Lockwood said the release is essentially the same. Belmonte does use 2 hands but the left hand acts as his thumb and he doesn't use his left hand to create any revs, it is basically there to act as a "thumb".

It's much harder to go straight end over end with one hand no thumb. Tonight I bowled against a fellow no thumber. He uses a pinkie hole. I tried it, and I loved it. I almost ran into the pro shop to have one put in my ball. Wish I had. It makes the ball more stable, easier to carry on the backwing, and easier to throw. He does throw a straight end over end ball for 10 pins, but he is not very accurate with it. He can do it because of the pinkie hole, and he uses a spare ball 4 pounds lighter than strike ball. The ball almost falls of his hand, and goes about 10mph. So I guess it can be done, it's just harder to do. I may try it when I put pinkie holes in my balls.

[75lockwood]

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It's much harder to go straight end over end with one hand no thumb. Tonight I bowled against a fellow no thumber. He uses a pinkie hole. I tried it, and I loved it. I almost ran into the pro shop to have one put in my ball. Wish I had. It makes the ball more stable, easier to carry on the backwing, and easier to throw. He does throw a straight end over end ball for 10 pins, but he is not very accurate with it. He can do it because of the pinkie hole, and he uses a spare ball 4 pounds lighter than strike ball. The ball almost falls of his hand, and goes about 10mph. So I guess it can be done, it's just harder to do. I may try it when I put pinkie holes in my balls.

ok, i would like to point out that i didn't say the two styles were the same i stated that at the point of release both two and one handed thumbless bowlers have essentially the same release, there are many difference to the two styles, but the actual point of release (from what i understand) are fundamentally the same and as such techniques can be transferable