I've been bowling for 35 years - can I get a little help?

[Batmite]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Thanks for reading.

I've had carpal tunnel off and on for almost 8 years. I used to average around 220+ on a standard house shot. The older I got the less I seemed to hook the ball. This was OK because the straight I threw it the more accurate I became and I got better. A couple years back I got into a rut and really don't know what the problem is. I've video taped myself bowling and nothing seems out the ordinary but everything just feels off. I was so frustrated at the end of the season last year that I took the entire summer off (which I haven't done since I was a kid). When I came back after the summer lay off it was worse than ever. My ball speed dropped to 11.5 from 14-15. Sometimes I hang onto the ball too long and it flys out to the 1-3 board. Other times I drop it and it goes brooklyn. I've had my friends who bowl me with tell me I'm topping the ball, others tell me my arm is wrapping around my body. I even bought a new ball from a new driller with an extended span (the previous driller was a half short) but that didn't help either.

I've tried more tape, less tape, not squeezing the ball (I used to just grip it and rip it even when thowing down and in), squeezing the ball more, counting my steps, walking slower, walking faster, ugh.

Frustrated and ready to throw the towel in.

Any advice?

Thanks.

[Mike White]

Any chance of posting some video?

[Tampabaybob]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Thanks for reading.

I've had carpal tunnel off and on for almost 8 years. I used to average around 220+ on a standard house shot. The older I got the less I seemed to hook the ball. This was OK because the straight I threw it the more accurate I became and I got better. A couple years back I got into a rut and really don't know what the problem is. I've video taped myself bowling and nothing seems out the ordinary but everything just feels off. I was so frustrated at the end of the season last year that I took the entire summer off (which I haven't done since I was a kid). When I came back after the summer lay off it was worse than ever. My ball speed dropped to 11.5 from 14-15. Sometimes I hang onto the ball too long and it flys out to the 1-3 board. Other times I drop it and it goes brooklyn. I've had my friends who bowl me with tell me I'm topping the ball, others tell me my arm is wrapping around my body. I even bought a new ball from a new driller with an extended span (the previous driller was a half short) but that didn't help either.

I've tried more tape, less tape, not squeezing the ball (I used to just grip it and rip it even when thowing down and in), squeezing the ball more, counting my steps, walking slower, walking faster, ugh.

Frustrated and ready to throw the towel in.

Any advice?

Thanks.

Very hard to analyze you're own bowling style and figure out what you're doing wrong. If you carried a 220+ average before then I've got to believe that's it's probably something very small that you've unknowingly changed. A video upload with shots from behind and side shots will help us take a look to help you figure out what's going on. Also if there are and "certified coaches" in your area it would be money well spent.

As far as the carpal tunnel goes a wrist guard or steel fingers could help a great deal. I had an injury a whilee back, bout the steel fingers and within 2 -3 week s the pain was gone. Best 20 bucks I ever spent.

Look forward to seeing a video posted soon and will give you all the help I can.

Bob

[75lockwood]

Like everyone else said, a video of you bowling would definitely help, but as a side note, what ball are you using and how long have you had it? if the ball hasn't been re drilled to fit your hand in x number of years the fit may be poor witch could explain some of the problems your having. also, what kind of grip are you using? conventional/fingertip

does the thumb go into the ball fully without being to tight or loose?

if the thumb is fine you can check your span (finger tip grip only) , fully insert your thumb and lay your fingers flat across the ball. the edge of the whole's should be half way between first and second knuckle without stretching for a proper span.

the below document explains it better than i can lol
http://www.athletics2000.com/andrew/...20Dynamics.pdf

Edit: WELCOME TO THE FORUMS!!!!

[J Anderson]

Long time lurker, first time poster. Thanks for reading.

I've had carpal tunnel off and on for almost 8 years. I used to average around 220+ on a standard house shot. The older I got the less I seemed to hook the ball. This was OK because the straight I threw it the more accurate I became and I got better. A couple years back I got into a rut and really don't know what the problem is. I've video taped myself bowling and nothing seems out the ordinary but everything just feels off. I was so frustrated at the end of the season last year that I took the entire summer off (which I haven't done since I was a kid). When I came back after the summer lay off it was worse than ever. My ball speed dropped to 11.5 from 14-15. Sometimes I hang onto the ball too long and it flys out to the 1-3 board. Other times I drop it and it goes brooklyn. I've had my friends who bowl me with tell me I'm topping the ball, others tell me my arm is wrapping around my body. I even bought a new ball from a new driller with an extended span (the previous driller was a half short) but that didn't help either.

I've tried more tape, less tape, not squeezing the ball (I used to just grip it and rip it even when thowing down and in), squeezing the ball more, counting my steps, walking slower, walking faster, ugh.

Frustrated and ready to throw the towel in.

Any advice?

Thanks.

1. If you could post some video one of us may be able to spot what's going wrong.

2. Are you doing anything for your carpal tunnel syndrome? I just happened to look over at my book shelves and spotted End Your Carpal Tunnel Pain Without Surgery by Kate Montgomery. I think my wife read it when she thought she was showing early signs of the problem.

3. A well fitted bowling ball doesn't require a lot of strength to hold on to but it does take some. Since carpal tunnel has robbed you of some of your grip strength, you really need the span, pitches and hole sizes to be perfect.

4. Since it seems that your problems deal with the release, check the FAQ thread for release drills, preferably ones that you could do at home.

[75lockwood]

check the faq thread for release drills, preferably ones that you could do at home.

wooot the faq is spreading! Lol

[Batmite]

I can post some video clips later today. I don't have any of me bowling from the side just from the back. I've never had a great armswing. It tends to move a bit but I was always able to straighten everything out at the bottom of release.

When I got refitted for my new ball a couple months ago (from the different driller) that's when I was told that my span was a bit short. He extended it and made the fingers tighter because I wasn't throwing a true finger tip at that point. It was actually going down a little bit past the first knuckle because that's what felt good. Keep in mind my problems started before I actually bought a new ball (which I barely throw now) but this is what I was told.

My armswing definitely isn't free, I'm grabbing everything like it was black Friday and if I get *any* speed on the ball (13mph tops) who knows where it will end up.

Thanks for all the tips.

[AZBowla]

A free armswing is key. By tightening up, your limiting how loosely and freely you can swing your arm.

I squeeze the ball too - I know I probably shouldn't, but that's what I'm used to, but I don't squeeze it until the top of my backswing and then only for a brief moment - once the ball is moving back down I loosen up again so that my thumb will come out of this new ball I've got. I might have the thumb hole drilled out just a little bigger so that I can have more confidence that it will actually come off my thumb when I want it to. It usually does now but it still sticks sometimes and that messes up my mental game from that point forward because every shot after that I'm worried that it'll stick to me again.

I also find I get better ball speed when I play down and in versus throwing a big arcing hook. The hook looks cool and all, but I get better carry when I'm not burning up all the ball's energy on making it look "cool". I still like to throw the hook ball now and then just for fun. It's really fun to do it when some kid in the next lane over wants to impress his friends with a hook so they throw it with no thumb, and then I go up after them and throw an even bigger one that goes coast to coast and then right into the pocket with my thumb in and watch the jaws drop as I calmly walk back to my seat. Hee hee...

[UBowling]

There are a lot of possibilities, but the most important thing to getting help is to remember to keep an open mind and to try something before you discount it, and not to try too many things at one time. Try one change and get it down, and then try the next one. Once video is uploaded I am sure you will get many ideas to try out.

[Zothen]

I had the same problem and after listening to those who helped me,I went to the grandfather clock method(my name for it). Think of your arm as a pendulam on a grandfather clock. All it does is swing back & forth,so apply the same method when you bowl. Allow the ball to carry your arm back as high as it wants to go,and when it comes forward,extend your arm straight out and let the ball go. Do not help it,just let it be natural. Your arm should be pointing towards the 1 & 3 pin right hander or 1 & 2 pin lefty.

Zothen