Thumb Sticking…then slipping...

[Stormed1]

One of the reasons I use interchangable thumbs is my thumb varies between morning and night leagues and also between Monday and Friday due to dialasys. I have between 1 ans 3 pieces in all my thumbs

[dnhoffman]

1) The ball should be so tight on your thumb that it will not come off unless in motion.
2) If you have a regular thumb hole or slug (not an IT or tg) then you'll want it about two pieces of tape larger than the above (1)
3) Stop gripping the ball with your thumb - it should be so tight that you KNOW if you don't have your hand completely relaxed then it WILL stick and you'll loft halfway down the lane and miss.
3) As your thumb swells and you get some slight stickage (when hand is TOTALLY relaxed) then remove 1 piece of tape.
4) Repeat step 3.

This should get you through any 1 league night. If you think the above does not apply, then you're gripping the ball and don't understand the modern release yet. Best of luck.

[Aslan]

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.

I actually used tape on the tri-grip back-up ball I carry because the thumb was slipping quite a bit and I had to "pinch" my thumb...which was causing pain. And I DID use the white, textured tape (VISE I think). 3 pieces. And the problem was alleviated. I ended up taking one piece out during practice once my thumb started to swell a little.

So I'm not opposed to ever using tape...I just, if I DID choose to have the thumb hole drilled slightly larger to use tape, would probably use the smooth tape on the back of thumb rather than the textured in the front. I just don't like the feel of the textured tape. Some people can't bowl without that textured tape...I guess it's just a feel thing.

And like I said, I totally agree with Iceman that the BEST solution is thumb tape (I've been using Turbo tape). When I have that tape on...I usually don't have to worry about taping the thumb hole or powder...perfect fit, easy release every time! UNTIL....the tape starts to come off my thumb.

But, good things to think about when I consider having my next ball drilled. Thanks.