Using a wrist protector as a training tool

[Rdmonster]

I have the Mongoose lifter as well. I've had some serious issues with both my thumb and my wrist. I solved the thumb issue through better fit. The wrist issue is tougher because I try to cup my wrist big time and when my game gets worse so does my effort to cup and increase my revs. This leads to lots of pain and I have trouble concentrating on my game because I'm trying to not hurt myself. The Mongoose allows me to keep a more "relaxed" wrist. This allows me to put more loft on the ball and get more rotation and repeatability. I used to practice with it but leave it in the bag on league.

I brought it out last league because my wrist was starting to sting. Had my first 600 series since last years league. I might leave it on for a while. I'm not sure (besides the obvious) why my wrist gets so sore. I'm actually quite strong as I have been doing weight training for years.

[zdawg]

If your wrist breaks back without the wrist support it might be because of two things. First, you just might have a weak wrist. Second, you might be using a ball that is too heavy for you. When I was younger I used a 16# ball. Then when I got older I went to a 15# ball because my wrist would hurt after I bowled my three league games. Now I use a 14# Blue Hammer ball. I find it easier on the wrist and it strikes just as good as my 15# on pocket hits.

I've thought of this, however I've been an avid weightlifter and jiu-jitsu/judo practitioner for most of my life (all three of which require exceptional grip/wrist strength). That said, it might be the intricacies of throwing a 15 lb bowling ball is more of a finesse move that my wrist isn't conditioned for properly? I dunno....but I had to really check my ego to buy the thing in the first place (I'm the only guy under 40 who uses one in my league), so at this point I'm willing to consider that my wrists aren't strong from a strictly bowling perspective.

Second, I'm about a 215 lb guy who again has been an avid weightlifter for over 25 years, I see guys half my size/strength thowing balls 6-8 mph faster than me and it leaves me wondering what's going on.

As I said, I've decided to check my ego at the door in order to get better, but I'm willing to suspect given my frame/strength/fitness level, that my wrist problems are more due to me squeezing the ball. One thing I have a problem with is my grip, the first time I went to a driving range I gripped the club so hard that the gripping part of the club tore the skin off both my thumb/fingertips by the end of the session. The one thing about bench pressing 430 lbs (or throwing a 220 lb man over your shoulder) you learn early on is that you have to have an iron grip, I'm willing to bet years and years of this type mindset/training might have a lot to do with it.

I dunno though, the first two months I was bowling I had no problem hooking the ball and zero wrist pain, the last month since I've experienced constant wrist pain/trouble hooking the ball, and I'm thinking that in turn is causing my wrist to break back.

I did get my thumbhole plugged and redrilled with some forward pitch the other day, not only is it drilled more snug but I think the fit overall is much better.

[zdawg]

I have the Mongoose lifter as well. I've had some serious issues with both my thumb and my wrist. I solved the thumb issue through better fit. The wrist issue is tougher because I try to cup my wrist big time and when my game gets worse so does my effort to cup and increase my revs. This leads to lots of pain and I have trouble concentrating on my game because I'm trying to not hurt myself. The Mongoose allows me to keep a more "relaxed" wrist. This allows me to put more loft on the ball and get more rotation and repeatability. I used to practice with it but leave it in the bag on league.

I brought it out last league because my wrist was starting to sting. Had my first 600 series since last years league. I might leave it on for a while. I'm not sure (besides the obvious) why my wrist gets so sore. I'm actually quite strong as I have been doing weight training for years.

This is exactly what I'm experiencing and is my major conundrum as well. And its funny you mention thumb AND wrist, because that is EXACTLY what I'm experiencing. My thumb problem is the ligaments on the inside of my wrist sometimes giving me some pain, but I'm hoping the new drilling of my thumbhole might help alleviate that.

[e-tank]

Seriously though it's a pretty neat brace, I've been using it with some of my clients learning to bowl fingertip to teach how to "get more finger lift" into their release.

maybe i should get my gf one. She rotates too early so she cuts some of her revs and it turn she has to adjust her speed. Ive been trying to get her to flatten her wrist and lift and rotate but shes stubborn

[sprocket]

I have a question about braces that hold the wrist in a sem-cupped position: One of my teammates uses one and I notice he has a tendency to go over the top of the ball. I think it might be becomes his thumb gets trapped due to being unable to un-cup his wrist at release. I suggested he may want more left lateral in the thumb hole but I'm not sure if that is correct. It just seems right when I visualize it. So my question is, is left lateral pitch in the thumb hole a good idea for those using this type of wrist device?

[dnhoffman]

maybe i should get my gf one. She rotates too early so she cuts some of her revs and it turn she has to adjust her speed. Ive been trying to get her to flatten her wrist and lift and rotate but shes stubborn

I would, it's a great teaching tool.

[dnhoffman]

I have a question about braces that hold the wrist in a sem-cupped position: One of my teammates uses one and I notice he has a tendency to go over the top of the ball. I think it might be becomes his thumb gets trapped due to being unable to un-cup his wrist at release. I suggested he may want more left lateral in the thumb hole but I'm not sure if that is correct. It just seems right when I visualize it. So my question is, is left lateral pitch in the thumb hole a good idea for those using this type of wrist device?

I think what you're describing is squeezing and spinning. This is usually solved by a proper fit and a relaxed grip.