Thumb Sticking…then slipping...

[Hammer]

Maybe your thumb sticks for one of two reasons: First I think you said somewhere on this FORUM that you muscle the ball instead of using the gravity swing. If you do chances are that you grip the ball tighter on the way forward to the release area and when you do the knuckle of your thumb rises in the thumbhole and if it does your thumb will hang up. You have to keep your thumb flat in the thumbhole
so it can slide out quickly. In practice concentrate on keeping your thumb flat all the way through the swing until you release the ball.
Second, another thing that will hang up a thumb is if you start to turn the ball early before the release area. When this happens your thumb is more on top of the ball and has a harder time slipping out of the ball. I did that once and I had a 16lb ball coming back towards my face. YIKES! You don't want to have that happen believe me. I have my thumbhole drilled a little bit loose and adjust with one inch wide rough surface white tape. I find this works for me because of the temperature changes from the start of league season which is September and the end which is in May. Sometimes it is hard to figure out why a thumb is hanging up. Good luck.

[Stormed1]

Are you using a slug or a hard hole. If your ball fits properly you should not have to use powder. If you are not using a slug I would recomend getting one as it will make for a much more consistant release.I keep my thumb very tight and have no trouble with release

[Aslan]

Are you using a slug or a hard hole. If your ball fits properly you should not have to use powder. If you are not using a slug I would recomend getting one as it will make for a much more consistant release.I keep my thumb very tight and have no trouble with release

I'm just using the standard thumb hole, no slug. And the fit is snug. It actually feels like a very good fit...it's just that it's right on that borderline where on some days, with a good release, no issues. But on some days, maybe a little higher humidity...the thumbhole seems too tight. Usually the powder works to keep it from sticking...but then I gotta be careful that it doesn't slip. Using the tape on the back of my thumb solves the problem...but then the tape starts to fall off and bunch up after 1-2 games.

2013-09-29 15.05.33.jpg

But there's no pain or anything. On the tri-grip ball, I was getting pain and developed a callous because the thumbhole or angle was a little off and I had to over-grip with the thumb. And I fixed that issue with tape in the thumbhole. But on the Frantic (see photo)...the thumbhole seems to be a perfect fit...unfortunately my thumb doesnt want to be "perfectly the same size" every time I bowl.

Maybe on my next ball drilling I'll try using a slug in the thumbhole instead of just the thumbhole.

[vdubtx]

Maybe on my next ball drilling I'll try using a slug in the thumbhole instead of just the thumbhole.

I won't have a ball without a slug. Just plain feels better than a regular thumb hole in a ball.

[Stormed1]

Keep in mind that the coverstock can be grabby due to it's tackiness. a URETHANE SLUG WILL GIVE YOU A CONSISTANT RELEASE. i USE THEM IN ALL MY BALLS INCLUDING MY SPARE BALL

[Perrin]

I have to agree with vdubtx and Stormed1

I get the urethane slug in all my bowling balls. makes for a consistent feel and grip in all of them.

Another thing to consider with the slugs is that if you want to change the oval, span, or pitch of your thumb (within limits of course) you don't have to plug the thumb you just replace the slug and redrill.

[btaylor]

Is your driller IBPSIA certified? If not find one and get the ball properly fitted. If he is, then you should have your hand remeasured to ensure the grips and pitches are correct for you.

You should not have to use powder if the thumb hole is properly fitted. Use white tape on the pad side of the thumb hole to adjust for hand swelling or shrinking.

You should not have to grip the ball to hold on to it. Your hand should be relaxed with no grip pressure.

I use thumb slugs with oval vinyl inserts. I use white tape with the Slowinski taper and thumb tape on the back of my thumb.

HTH... Bob

[Aslan]

I might try a slug on my next ball.

I don't like the tape idea. To me, it seems like if you're using a lot of tape in the thumb hole, your thumb hole was drilled too big. I feel like my thumb hole is actually a perfect fit to my thumb…it's just "so perfect" that if my thumb swells or humidity or whatever…suddenly it goes from "perfect fit" to "just a little too tight".

And the powder works fine. I just have to not "overdo" it. And sometimes the difference between a good amount of powdering and a bit too much…is a fairly fine line.

Early on in my Friday league…I had quite a "scare" because I didn't use enough powder…thumb stuck…and well, lets just say now I know why the drywall above the lane is patched. Mine released…just before dragging me over the foul line…but it went straight up…and straight down…and yes, that was embarrassing.

[vdubtx]

I might try a slug on my next ball.

I don't like the tape idea. To me, it seems like if you're using a lot of tape in the thumb hole, your thumb hole was drilled too big. I feel like my thumb hole is actually a perfect fit to my thumb…it's just "so perfect" that if my thumb swells or humidity or whatever…suddenly it goes from "perfect fit" to "just a little too tight".

And the powder works fine. I just have to not "overdo" it. And sometimes the difference between a good amount of powdering and a bit too much…is a fairly fine line.

Early on in my Friday league…I had quite a "scare" because I didn't use enough powder…thumb stuck…and well, lets just say now I know why the drywall above the lane is patched. Mine released…just before dragging me over the foul line…but it went straight up…and straight down…and yes, that was embarrassing.

Honestly, I used to think that same thing about using tape. Then I used 1 piece of white tape to try it out, and it was like a whole different feel. Had all of my thumb holes opened up just a bit to accommodate 1 piece and that is all I have used so far. At Nationals this past spring I saw this guy while we were in the squad room working taping his thumb holes on his balls, and he was putting 6-7 pieces in each ball. Now that is overkill.

Powder can only get you so far. The feel of the tape is a more secure fit and you won't ever have to worry about powder being too much or too little on your thumb again.

Trust us that just 1 piece of tape can make a world of difference.

[btaylor]

Well, all I can say, is if you have to use powder your drilling is not correct. Take it or leave it!

Tape is the standard. You CANNOT comment on my drilling if you don't know why or how it was drilled the way it was.

One of the things I can emphasize is to get a good "qualified" driller behind you that can get your ball properly fit for your hand. If he suggests powder, go somewhere else!

If you don't like the tape idea, then you are going to be stuck where you are. Learn why and how to use tape.

Open your mind and read! There are tons or articles on how to manipulate your thumb hole to get the best fit. Joe Slowiniski, a gold level USBC coach, is one of the best. Go to his website, http://bowlingknowledge.info and download and read his PDF articles he posted for BTM. Learn what the tiered tape method is.

Go to Ron Clifton's site, http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm and read his articles.