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General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: shakezilla9 on June 11, 2018, 02:38:29 PM

Title: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: shakezilla9 on June 11, 2018, 02:38:29 PM
Hello all, half way through my two current leagues, I'm done letting thumb injuries, blisters, and swelling dictate my progression as a bowler.

After two practice balls on my Friday league, the callus on my thumb began to fill with blood, and I realized I would not be able to use my conventional delivery for the night (or for the next week for that matter). After apologizing to my teammates, I informed them that I would do my best at attempting a two-handed style.

Ended up averaging 186 for the night, about 10 pins lower than my book average, not a bad night, all things considered. Especially when accounting for the fact that I had no clue how to line up for spares. Striking was seemingly effortless as long as I was within 3 boards of my target and kept my speed up.

Now I am seriously considering making the switch full time. I just have a few questions/concerns about committing to the transition.

1. Health - I'm worried I will destroy my left knee with all the extra energy I'm putting on it. I didn't have any pain, but what are the things I should focus on to ensure I stay healthy?
2. Slide - I outright slipped on two shots, both went into the gutter. Do two handers use less slippery soles? Is it worth the money to buy a performance shoe that I can adjust the soles to my needs? Or is it poor balance on my part?
3. Transition - towards the end of game two, finding the pocket was difficult as everything wanted to turn early. I think my speed began to suffer as I got tired. Should I be making big adjustments left or is balling-down on the same line more appropriate (it's a relatively long, relatively flat house shot.)
4. USBC Rules - Am I allowed to use a ball with a thumb hole and a weight hole? I know about the rule changes coming in a couple years, but is this legal for now?

I know a lot of people despise the style...I did too, until I had no other option. Thumb issues are what made me quit competitive youth bowling, and the idea that I could completely eliminate my biggest weakness immediately is becoming more and more attractive.

Any advice is appreciated, I will be trying this style for the second time tonight, this time in my sport league (boardwalk pattern - 35 feet, high volume, practically flat)
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: Mako on June 11, 2018, 03:30:32 PM
If you have that many thumb/hand issues, if you haven’t already you should have your drilling specs checked again, if not changed.  Possibly consider going to a diff shop and see if they come out with a similar span/pitch/sizes etc...
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: BowlingForDonuts on June 11, 2018, 03:51:16 PM
If you are serious about making the switch also I would recommend a good coach that knows and can teach the 2nd handed style as well.   Don't want to develop bad muscle memory early on if you are going to switch, that as you mention might lead to injuries later on.  By the way the people who look down on it often have one foot in the grave anyway from what I have seen and its just as legitimate as any other style imo including the one handers who use no thumb or half thumb like Tom Daugherty or Tom Smallwood.  Not a 2 hander myself but respect those that can do it well.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: shakezilla9 on June 11, 2018, 04:33:53 PM
If you have that many thumb/hand issues, if you haven’t already you should have your drilling specs checked again, if not changed.  Possibly consider going to a diff shop and see if they come out with a similar span/pitch/sizes etc...

I've had my stuff checked by numerous shops. My current driller is PBA bowler Buddy Lucas. The problem is my thumb swells and shrinks drastically from week to week, and even frame to frame.

This is mainly an issue because my Friday league is a 5 man team Baker. 2 games are bowled individually, then 3 games of Baker format. My thumb swells massively in the Baker games due to the length of time between frames.

Also, I was messing around with different wrist/finger positions for my sport league trying to find my best matchup. I improve every week, but I'm sure all the changes I've been working on have put added stress on my thumb.

I have a spade shaped thumb. I had recently started to wrap the base of my thumb to equalize its circumference from the joint to the knuckle, which helped dramatically, but was only a band aid to flesh wound.

I kinda draw the line when I'm forced to poke my thumb with a needle to drain the blood. I'm just over it. I still plan on shooting spares 1 handed, well, at least the 6/9/10 pins 1 handed. But that's it.

My only concern with 2 handed is my left knee. If I can develop a slide that keeps me healthy, I'll just need to work on my endurance to maintain my ball speed after the second game.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: shakezilla9 on June 11, 2018, 04:36:25 PM
If you are serious about making the switch also I would recommend a good coach that knows and can teach the 2nd handed style as well.   Don't want to develop bad muscle memory early on if you are going to switch, that as you mention might lead to injuries later on.  By the way the people who look down on it often have one foot in the grave anyway from what I have seen and its just as legitimate as any other style imo including the one handers who use no thumb or half thumb like Tom Daugherty or Tom Smallwood.  Not a 2 hander myself but respect those that can do it well.

Would I need a coach who is experienced training 2 handed bowlers? Obviously that would be best, but would a normal coach know how to address my plant/slide foot concerns?
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: avabob on June 11, 2018, 04:53:02 PM
A couple of thoughts.  I think there can be physical issues over time going 2 handed.  More likely to be back and hip related than knee.  As for adjusting, always get deeper first, then ball down if necessary.   
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: HankScorpio on June 11, 2018, 05:33:25 PM
I disagree with the notion that two handed is a more style injury-prone than one handed. An overaggressive two handed shot can certainly lead to injury, just like an overaggressive one handed shot. I do agree hips and back are more susceptible, but your approach will dictate the likelihood of injury.

See a coach and develop proper mechanics, sound timing, and a smooth approach, and you should stay injury-free regardless of style. Of course, genetics always has a say...
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: tommygn on June 12, 2018, 08:29:46 AM
9 times out of 10, thumb issues (when pitches and the span is correct) are related to applying pressure with the tip of the thumb, and not the middle of the thumb (difference of holding a pen compared to operating chop sticks).

Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: avabob on June 12, 2018, 10:14:28 AM
I dont think it is more injury prone.   More about long term wear and tear making it more difficult to  perform at a high level two handed. 
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: batbowler on June 12, 2018, 12:38:26 PM
An issue not covered, but you did mention! You can't bowl two handed with a thumb hole and a weight hole! It's giving two handed bowlers two weight hole and this rule changed about 4 years ago. Just be careful if you use these in league, your scores won't count if someone protest! Just my $.02, Bruce
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: shakezilla9 on June 12, 2018, 04:44:16 PM
An issue not covered, but you did mention! You can't bowl two handed with a thumb hole and a weight hole! It's giving two handed bowlers two weight hole and this rule changed about 4 years ago. Just be careful if you use these in league, your scores won't count if someone protest! Just my $.02, Bruce

Thanks for clarifying. I only have one ball that I can't use under those rules, and I refrained from using it that night.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: shakezilla9 on June 12, 2018, 04:53:39 PM
Tried it out for the second time in my sport league last night. Only shot 3 pins off my sport average of 166 on boardwalk (35 foot flat pattern).

Still had high average on my pair (and the two pairs next to me). Basically, if I hit the headpin at all, it was a strike, and if I missed, I took out the 4-7-8 for 3 pins.

I just got so tired trying to keep my speed up. The shots I fell off of were the only ones I got to hit pocket, as I put more top spin on it making it push longer.

Spares were still my biggest issue, as I was shooting them left handed for anything right of the headpin. Had 50% accuracy.

Noticed that I'm tracking over my middle finger though on the ball that was giving me the best look. It's the only one I have that's drilled pin down. Are pin down balls off limits for two handers?

Not gonna lie, only being off 10 pins on my house shot average, and 3 for my sport average with zero formal training or practice really is encouraging. I think my ceiling will be a lot higher with this style.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: 2handedrook12 on June 14, 2018, 06:24:31 PM
Tried it out for the second time in my sport league last night. Only shot 3 pins off my sport average of 166 on boardwalk (35 foot flat pattern).

Still had high average on my pair (and the two pairs next to me). Basically, if I hit the headpin at all, it was a strike, and if I missed, I took out the 4-7-8 for 3 pins.

I just got so tired trying to keep my speed up. The shots I fell off of were the only ones I got to hit pocket, as I put more top spin on it making it push longer.

Spares were still my biggest issue, as I was shooting them left handed for anything right of the headpin. Had 50% accuracy.

Noticed that I'm tracking over my middle finger though on the ball that was giving me the best look. It's the only one I have that's drilled pin down. Are pin down balls off limits for two handers?

Not gonna lie, only being off 10 pins on my house shot average, and 3 for my sport average with zero formal training or practice really is encouraging. I think my ceiling will be a lot higher with this style.
Depends on your track. If you're going no thumb, you would have to change your pitches to allow "pin down" layouts.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: djgook on June 15, 2018, 12:05:05 PM
As a two hander myself, if done right and just learning it, you will be extra tired in the beginning. As for the thumb issue, have you tried ITS? as you can switch thumb sizes as needed.
Two handers slide likes one hander. Some slide, some plant. Your track will go threw the fingers most of the time.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: shakezilla9 on June 18, 2018, 01:26:04 PM
As a two hander myself, if done right and just learning it, you will be extra tired in the beginning.

I noticed that too. After the first week my left glute was painfully sore. After the second week though, it was only slightly sore, and now it's just a little tired without soreness.

I am getting a little tenderness on my middle fingertip joint, but I'm guessing that's due to an inconsistent release as I try to narrow down my viable wrist positions.

Do you have any advice on where/how to hold my wrist before I begin my approach? I basically have two positions I can consistently pull off. One is straight, where my wrist is in line with my forearm, which give me an early rolling end over end reaction. The second is where I basically put my middle finger at the 10 o'clock position, playing more of the inside of the ball which gives me a long side roll.

Also, what is the biggest cause of pulling a shot for two handers? When I miss my target, it's usually by about 4-5 boards inside.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: bowling_rebel on July 05, 2018, 05:46:28 PM
This post was the last thing to motivate me to switching to 2 fingers (like Mike Miller and tom daugherty).

It just got to a point where I can't get any better where I am and it's not the drilling, or lack of opinions. I've gone to the better ball drillers, I've experimented with probably over 100 variations. And at the end of the day what feels good one month, feels not just poor, but unusable 2 weeks after and it's not fun to bowl when 90% of what I do is fiddle with my grip.

I think palming it, if it can be done, is less of a game adjustment. ie. studying what Mike Miller did, it's same basic 5 step delivery. So I can keep my otherwise fundamentally sound game and feel I loose nothing but my thumb problems.

sometimes just need to cut your losses and move forward.

anyway, thanks for the motivation.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: BowlingForDonuts on July 05, 2018, 06:26:44 PM
This post was the last thing to motivate me to switching to 2 fingers (like Mike Miller and tom daugherty).

It just got to a point where I can't get any better where I am and it's not the drilling, or lack of opinions. I've gone to the better ball drillers, I've experimented with probably over 100 variations. And at the end of the day what feels good one month, feels not just poor, but unusable 2 weeks after and it's not fun to bowl when 90% of what I do is fiddle with my grip.

I think palming it, if it can be done, is less of a game adjustment. ie. studying what Mike Miller did, it's same basic 5 step delivery. So I can keep my otherwise fundamentally sound game and feel I loose nothing but my thumb problems.

sometimes just need to cut your losses and move forward.

anyway, thanks for the motivation.

Might also look at guys like Tom Smallwood who only put up to the first knuckle of the thumb into the ball.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: tunaman4u2 on July 17, 2018, 04:49:39 PM
I'm 38 and a physical therapist... I throw with 2 hands as it's easier on my body IF I don't bend down too far. I hurt my back trying to get real low, it also flared up my left glute pain.
Fun to see the progress
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: storybook123 on July 19, 2018, 02:49:05 PM
I have been making this transition as well, I have a 13lb plastic and a 14lb intel. My left glute is getting a work out for sure, but the more practice I have the easier it is. It is very new moving about 10 boards left with my feet and moving my target 5 boards right due to the amount of revs I now generate. The main reason I changed was to help with wrist and knee pain which I have accomplished.
Title: Re: Making the Switch to Two-Handed
Post by: tunaman4u2 on July 21, 2018, 09:01:54 AM
I have been making this transition as well, I have a 13lb plastic and a 14lb intel. My left glute is getting a work out for sure, but the more practice I have the easier it is. It is very new moving about 10 boards left with my feet and moving my target 5 boards right due to the amount of revs I now generate. The main reason I changed was to help with wrist and knee pain which I have accomplished.

Exactly. As long as I stand tall at release I have no pain in wrist knee or shoulder. When I watch Tackett or Lavoie those guys can extend their shoulder way back & up, Impossible for me and really hard on my shoulder. I can go pretty painfree with 2 handed. Theres a reason Walter Ray is giving it a go here & there