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Author Topic: Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...  (Read 14319 times)

Strapper_Squared

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Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...
« on: May 28, 2005, 02:39:52 AM »
For a typical right handed bowler, which direction (most often) is the lateral thumb pitch (right lateral-under the palm or left lateral-away from the palm)?  The reason I ask is because I had always used (and assumed) that left lateral (away from palm) was the normal thumb pitch.  Today my copy of Bill Taylor's fitting & drilling book came in the mail and upon reading, I discovered that his recommendation is right lateral (under the palm) for a right hander, to varying degrees depending on the standard bottle grip test.  Although I have never tried right lateral pitch in the thumb, it seems as though it would be restricting....  

S^2
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LuckyLefty

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Re: Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...
« Reply #1 on: May 28, 2005, 10:47:05 AM »
Gives more rotation more naturally.

It makes sense when one thinks about it.  If your finger tip points to your ring finger when grabbing a bottle do you see how it makes sense to be 3/8 right in the ball?

On the other hand if your thumb tip points at your index finger do you see how for a righty it would make sense to be 1/4 left?

It's about your anatomy.  Most righties should be right most lefties should be left.

But they are what they are.  VAriations from this will often result in the thumb not going down the barrel of the thumb hole and catching at two points.

VAriations to affect ball roll around your most natural point are certainly allowed.

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS there is another set of tests that results in less lateral pitches.
Is it bernier???  
pPS tendancy on protour is for less variation off 0 I've heard.
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Strapper_Squared

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Re: Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...
« Reply #2 on: May 28, 2005, 11:25:25 AM »
Interesting...  I may have to play around with this some...  my current pitches are 1/4 left lateral and 1/8 forward.  According to the book, I should be somewhere around 3/8 right lateral and 1/16 forward...  again this can be altered some for adjustments.. but basically that should be "my" standard for my span and hand...

S^2

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Borincano

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Re: Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...
« Reply #3 on: May 28, 2005, 01:09:28 PM »
n regards to the thumb pitches. In what direction is more common to have the pitches for a quick thumb release? Right hand and left hand

Borincano

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Re: Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...
« Reply #4 on: May 28, 2005, 09:28:25 PM »
Thanks for the answer

quote:
Right hand:  right lateral under the palm promotes more side roll.  reverse thumb pitch promotes more quicker release.  The more left lateral you go away from the palm the more the ball stands up and promotes foward roll.  The opposite for left handed.

splendorlex

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Re: Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...
« Reply #5 on: May 31, 2005, 01:02:12 PM »
Can anyone explain this bottle test to me?  I feel like my pitches on a couple balls are just "off."  No matter how big I make the thumb hole, no matter how much easy slide I use, it still hangs on my thumb and flies halfway down the lane with little to no power.

Sir Bowl-A-Lot

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Re: Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...
« Reply #6 on: May 31, 2005, 01:05:44 PM »
quote:
Today my copy of Bill Taylor's fitting & drilling book came in the mail


Is it back in print?  Where did you buy it?
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Borincano

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Re: Lateral Thumb Pitch Question...
« Reply #7 on: May 31, 2005, 09:53:50 PM »
Found this site with some interesting info:
http://www.bowling-info.com/index.php?template=FAQ#AFFECTS%20OF%20SPAN%20AND/OR%20PITCH%20CHANGES


DRILLING

AFFECTS OF SPAN AND/OR PITCH CHANGES  back to top
All L/R pitches are from a RH point of view when refering to soreness.
When refering to L/R for fingers and thumb it is when looking at the back of the hand.
Thumb Pitches:
+ Reverse = Earlier thumb exit, increased grip pressure may be required, possible soreness to the front or back of the thumb.
+ Forward = Later thumb exit, reduced grip pressure may be required, possible soreness to front or back of the thumb.
+ Left = Reduced axis rotation, possible soreness to right side of the thumb at the tip and left side at the base.
+ Right = More axis rotation, possible soreness to the left side of the thumb at the base and right side at the tip.
Finger Pitches:
+ Reverse = Less lift, earlier finger exit, reduces rotation, possible soreness to the pad side.
+ Forward = More lift, later finger exit, increased rotation, possible soreness to nail side, or broken blood vessels under the nail.
+ Left = Axis tilt enhancer if all pitches are biased left from your normal pitches, possible soreness to right side of finger tip.
+ Right = Possible soreness to left side of finger tip.
Span:
+ Span = More loft, more axis rotation, more reverse required, possible soreness; thumb tip nail side, thumb base away from nail, blood under thumb or finger nails, finger pads.
- Span = Less loft, less axis rotation, more forward may be used, possible soreness; at the crease of first knuckle on fingers away from nail, thumb knuckle nail side, blood under thumb nail (clipping), thumb side away from palm.

SPAN CHECK  back to top
With your thumb fully inserted into the ball lay your fingers across the finger holes the midway point between the first and second knuckles should be even with the edge of the hole closest to your thumb.

SARGE EASTER GRIP  back to top
Drilling middle finger fingertip while drilling ring finger conventional.
Mostly used by power players to get more consistent release, cut down some revolutions and sideroll

COKE BOTTLE TEST  back to top
This test is used as a starting point for finding your ideal Lateral Thumb Pitch. If you do not have a Coke bottle you can also use your no bowling forearm/wrist by placing your hand around the point on your arm to where your thumb almost touches your fingers.
Table:
Index finger = 1/8 lateral away from palm
Between Index and middle = 0
Middle = 1/8 lateral under palm
Between middle and ring = 1/4 lateral under palm
Ring = 3/8 lateral under palm