Sticking in thumb....

[Amyers]

I was getting a callus on the crease of my thumb where it connects to my hand. I had my span shortened 1/4" and that problem dissapered.

To all others that posted I have to look for that tape I guess, but doesn't all that stuff on your hand make the hole too small? Do you need to enlarge the hole to fit the tape in?

Tape in the ball yes it does. The tape on your thumb actually removes friction if my and others that I know experiences are anything to go by and you will probably have to add additional tape to the thumb hole to keep the ball on. Seems strange but I eventually went from 1 piece of white in the back to 3 in the back and one in the front to sometimes in the winter months I have as many as 5 pieces in now. My thumb does change with the weather and I do have to adjust my tape some. I always try to make sure I get to the alley early and always slide my thumb in and out of the ball a few times before practice even starts to make sure I have the right feel.

[Amyers]

The thumb feel and fit can be very tricky. Having the right pitches like mentioned is not as easy as some may think. Bevel is an important part of the fit and many over or under do it. I know bowlers who don't know how to place tape in their thumb hole and use non bowling tape - some make it work, but if they can repeat the same tape placement every single time which allows them proper TIMING, more power to them. Many use bowlers tape and never replace it too. The use of tape is an art on its own. (I use magic carpet tape in the rear and white tape in the front.)

When I returned to the game over a decade ago, I had bad release mechanics - I didn't know. I went with a thumb fit and feel that allowed me to get out of the ball (the wrong way). To me, I thought that's how it should be. Also, My tape placement was all over the place. Over the years learning from friends who were/are in the industry I've been bowling with a very snug thumb with forward and left pitches. The ball can stay on my hand with my hand/arm TOTALLY relaxed on my side leg and the ball wouldn't drop unless I turn my palms forward (release position) and the ball falls on its own. If a person holds the ball on their side and they have to grip it to keep it from falling, an adjustment may need to be done with their grip. But IMO, any reverse pitch a bowlers has in their thumb hole, they will grip it. Gripping anywhere in the swing, it's hard to repeat shots. In a house shot setting, mistakes are hidden, but mistakes make themselves known on difficult patterns. Likewise. if bowlers are bowling on THS and don't have a big goal, don't over think it. Just have fun. But if improvement is ones goal, it takes time and effort to get the release mechanics sound, but having a bad fit is just going to prolong that improvement. (There are those above average bowlers who have reverse pitches who make it work, but they are no Joe bowler.... unless they just bowl house patterns and are big fish in a small pond lol.

This is good stuff. Everyone on this site should read this post. Not sure that I would lump all bowlers into the forward pitch camp (I think I am 0 at the moment) but good info.

[LOUVIT]

This is good stuff. Everyone on this site should read this post. Not sure that I would lump all bowlers into the forward pitch camp (I think I am 0 at the moment) but good info.

I agree about the forward pitch, as I said I just had my zero converted to back yesterday. I would not consider a forward pitch right now for ME. I think with a lot of work on my part and more reading I will get out of the ball and stop pulling it!

[fokai73]

This is good stuff. Everyone on this site should read this post. Not sure that I would lump all bowlers into the forward pitch camp (I think I am 0 at the moment) but good info.

Forward pitch isn't for all or solves all, that's for sure. Proper release and proper timing is the ultimate goal that we should strive for.

[JasonNJ]

I was getting a callus on the crease of my thumb where it connects to my hand. I had my span shortened 1/4" and that problem dissapered.

To all others that posted I have to look for that tape I guess, but doesn't all that stuff on your hand make the hole too small? Do you need to enlarge the hole to fit the tape in?

That is why I like using Blue Tape. Makes the thumb fit snug but its very slick so there is actually less friction with the tape than with your bare skin.

[djp1080]

To all others that posted I have to look for that tape I guess, but doesn't all that stuff on your hand make the hole too small? Do you need to enlarge the hole to fit the tape in?

About protective tape most of the them are stretchable and I was surprised from the start that they didn't seem to affect the size of the hole. The tape fits on the thumb. Regarding the black and white tape, these do effect the size of the hole but not to the point that you should have to enlarge the hole to fit it in. Get the width of the black and white tape that fits the width of your thumb. Get enough in there so that the crease of your thumb grabs hole on the downswing just above the crease. Your thumb should slide in and out of the hole easily. I like it when I can feel the tip of my thumb touch the tape on the front of the hole.

[fokai73]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MzKaKz1odbo

Using Tape is all about personal preference. Protective tape down to thumb tape, everyone uses tape differently. It's how you install it in the thumb hole or on the thumb that is important for consistent release, fit, and/or feel.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/magiccarpet/magiccarpet.htm

[djp1080]

Since we're going crazy on taping and thumb holes, here's a link to Part 1 of taping methods and, of course, there's a Part 2 as well: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9e7mH5t7YE
They even get into tiered taping in this one...

[classygranny]

after I had the pitch put in yesterday the hole is sized correctly. I didn't go for the bigger hole this time. It was a larger hole before. I may just have to get used to the right size hole and learn not to squeeze since the hole is not sized. the first game after the re drill with pitch was a 190+ with a triple and a double which is pretty good for me. second and third game just got lower and lower as my hand sweated and stuck again. I refuse to have this hole made larger this time I need something to make my thumb come out after it sweats and sticks. I think I am not relaxing my hand

Louvit...since you made it through one game, and since you say your hand sweats - perhaps you have some thumb swelling going on and it is sticking because of that. Also, if you sweat and stick alot (we do because of the heat here in Phoenix) then try to wash your hands between games and start with fresh skin rather than sweaty skin. I have to do this quite frequently. In fact, new people on our leagues usually think I am really, really fast on my trips to the ladies room - until they realize I'm only washing my hands (:>

[bowl1820]

If you have a problem with sweating hands. They actually have antiperspirant for hands, some proshops carry it.

There's Master "Control Grip" , Kegel "No Sweat" and there's "Dry Grip" for golfers and some spray on Right guard should work also (Just matter of how long it lasts). Put it on a little while before bowling after you've washed & dried your hands first.