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General Category => Drilling & Layouts => Topic started by: chitown on November 21, 2005, 09:16:48 AM

Title: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: chitown on November 21, 2005, 09:16:48 AM
I have tried this season to do well with my forward thumb pitch (1/8 forward).  I have done absolutely crappy.  I hang in the ball half the time when I miss on my release.  It has caused me to be real inconsistent in my release.  I drilled an old ball with the same pitch's and span except for my thumb pitch.  I changed the thumb pitch to 1/4 reverse and 3/16 lateral toward the palm.  The lateral pitch was the same as before.  I had much better success.  Even when I missed on my release I was still able to have a good ball roll because I didn't hang.  Well i'm going into  the pro shop tonight to drop all of my balls in my arsenal off to change back to 1/4 reverse.

The moral of this story is that sometimes it's best to just leave things alone instead of always searching for something better.
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Steven on November 21, 2005, 05:30:32 PM
Chi -- At least you gave it a try. I went through the same circle of misery you just described, and like you, went back to my previous reverse pitch.

We're not all anatomically constructed for forward pitch. However, experimenting is something everyone should try to find out what's really optimal.

Just a thought: There is a big gap between 1/4 reverse and 1/8 forward. Have you considered trying 1/8 reverse just to get a hair more hang than you had previously?
--------------------
"Yeah...what Jabroini said"
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Sawuser on November 21, 2005, 05:40:49 PM
I agree, if you can't use it, you can't use it. If your span is not adjusted perfectly or if your thumb is not flexible, or a number of other things wrong, it won't work. I went to 1/4 forward & for my span it was too much & I had the same problem. I now have 1/8 forward with the correct span & will never go back to using reverse. Just always remember if you want to try something different, don't be afraid, because nothing ventured nothing gained. Just don't change everything until you're sure it's going to work for you.
--------------------
Wayne
FOS HARD CORE MEMBER
Bomb Squad & Diamond Cutter

And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgement
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: a_ak57 on November 21, 2005, 05:48:43 PM
"Forward pitch" is all a relative concept anyways.  Relative, in terms of span.  A measured 1/2" of reverse on a 6" span will feel like it has more forward than 1/4" foward in 4" span ball.
--------------------
- Andy
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Doug Sterner on November 21, 2005, 06:02:25 PM
aak57 is exactly right....ANYONE can use forward or reverse pitch but the span needs to be right.

I had a girl who came to me and wanted a new ball. I hooked her up with a new ball but told her I did not like her old span and pitches. She and her dad agreed to let me refit her since she regularly needed skinpatch and such to repair her hand due to rubbing etc. Her old span was 4-1/2 cut to cut with 5/8 reverse and 1/8 left lateral.

I changed her span to a more comfortable 4-1/8 with 1/8 forward and 1/8 right. She now has no rubbing and is throwing the best ball of her life.

What she had was "OK" but what I gave her was better.
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY

http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Join the FOS by throwing the newest Wave of Destruction from Lane#1...
Get your hands on a Tsunami today!
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: LuckyLefty on November 21, 2005, 06:05:29 PM
Hmmmm...Idon't know if I've ever agreed with AK_57 before..

Let me pause and enjoy the moment.

On the side of the forward crew.  A move to dramatic forward often causes the need for an increase in frong bevel.  If anyone ever goes to way froward from where they are and gets pain and black marks under the front of thumb....stop...don't bowl anymore you are causing nerve damage which can be permanent.

Now add front bevel to front of thumb hole(under flat part of thumb) (no need to increase side bevel probably).  For AMOUNT of forward bevel do ring finger test.

I have had guys bound and determined to have move front bevel and by increasing this front bevel we ended pain and they were able to do experiment safely.

I don't like it for everyone but this at least can give the test a fair try!

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS I can see when someone if the timing is what I want to see in the interaction between thumb release and finger but over the web....hard.
REcently we added reverse to a guy and stretched span 1/8....new bowler!  He can't believe it!
--------------------
Proud owner of a 140 first game average this year!  Don't bowl me the second two games though!  (two warm up balls in league..thanks proprietors)
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Sawuser on November 21, 2005, 06:25:41 PM
LL, Ithink this is one of the very few times I have disagreed with you. Since going 1/8 forward on my thumb & adjusted my span accordingly, for the first time in my life, I can bowl with absolutely NO bevel on the thumb. As I stated earlier & repeated by AK & Doug, THE SPAN MUST BE CORRECT!!

Quote:
On the side of the forward crew. A move to dramatic forward often causes the need for an increase in frong bevel. If anyone ever goes to way froward from where they are and gets pain and black marks under the front of thumb....stop...don't bowl anymore you are causing nerve damage which can be permanent.


--------------------

Oh, yes, I also have the CLT with 5/8 reverse in both fingers.

Oh, yes, I've been bowling for 45 years, have 4 700's in the last 3 weeks & averaging 220 in two leagues. Not bragging, just HAPPY with my new drillings!

Wayne
FOS HARD CORE MEMBER
Bomb Squad & Diamond Cutter

And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgement

Edited on 11/21/2005 7:17 PM

Edited on 11/21/2005 7:21 PM
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Sawuser on November 21, 2005, 06:41:40 PM
STR, exactly what you say,RESULTS! What works for me, may not work at all for you & visa versa! You gotta do what works for you, & if you do try something new, just do one ball & try it for a while to be sure. Don't change your whole arsenal & then get upset when you find out it's not working!
--------------------
Wayne
FOS HARD CORE MEMBER
Bomb Squad & Diamond Cutter

And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgement
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Strider on November 21, 2005, 09:27:48 PM
quote:
I tried that forward pitch and short span junk after about 10 years of no problems what so every with my hand and thumb.  It might be ok for the bowler who hasn't been around for a long time...but for established players who are used to a span and a pitch over the years, it doesn't useally work.



I agree with your results, but not your reasoning.  As you said, you keep what works for you.  Kudos for experimenting.  Obviously your old span and pitches were best for you.  But I am an established player (been bowling for 30 years, more than 10 competitively) who used the same span and pitches for years.  After a little coaching, I went from 5/16 reverse to 3/8 forward (all at once) to 9/16 forward (a few weeks later).  My span is almost 1/2" shorter than before.

Neither reverse or forward is the magic cure for anything.  You just have to keep trying things until you find out what works.  If I didn't already drill a bunch of stuff with 9/16, I'd probably try further.  I can still feel myself squeezing the ball sometimes.  Once I had the first drilled 9/16, I kept dropping the ball with "only" 3/8.  I'm certainly no guru, and not an advocate for moving everyone forward, but I'd be willing to bet a lot of bowlers are squeezing the ball more than they think because of their thumb pitch.
--------------------
Penn State Proud

Ron Clifton's Bowling Tip Archive (http://"http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm")
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: chitown on November 21, 2005, 09:38:48 PM
quote:
How about 1/2 reverse + 1/2" palm(or right lateral) for a RH plus a CLT pitch on the fingers.    Don't knock it til you try it.


I also use a CLT pitch.  It makes the thumb look off set.  It feels great BUT FEELS BETTER WITH 1/4 REVERSE AND 3/16 LATERAL TO THE PALM FOR THE THUMB. LOL
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: chitown on November 21, 2005, 09:41:42 PM
quote:
I tried that forward pitch and short span junk after about 10 years of no problems what so every with my hand and thumb.  It might be ok for the bowler who hasn't been around for a long time...but for established players who are used to a span and a pitch over the years, it doesn't useally work.

what would be my normal fingertip span is 4 9/16th x 4 8/16th with 1/8 reverse thumb

The short what was measured at around by two drillers one being Mo at 4 x 3 15/16 and another guy around 4 1/4 with 1/8 Forward

What I've used for the last 10 years and went back two last week...

4 3/4 x 4 5/8 with 1/4 to 3/8 reverse and 1/4 right side....

I went back to what I used as a kid, and I've had 3 700s in 2 weeks....after not having anything at all for the first 13 weeks this year useing these NEW and IMPROVED drilling ideas.

Sometimes it's better to keep the dog useing his old tricks..instead of the new ones..



--------------------
Bowling Sucks....

Edited on 11/21/2005 7:11 PM


I totally agree.  I'm not saying I won't try new things but I will not change my span and pitches anytime soon.  After my balls get fixed it will be back to making money.
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 21, 2005, 09:48:18 PM
quote:
Chi -- At least you gave it a try. I went through the same circle of misery you just described, and like you, went back to my previous reverse pitch.  


I agree with Steven here. I too also went thru the circle of misery and went back to my previous reverse.

--------------------
Brick
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: chitown on November 21, 2005, 10:39:54 PM
Hey we tried to find that perfect fit when all along we laready had it.  I don't know why I changed to begin with because I wasn't having any problems with my old span and pitches.  

I'm finding out that the more I read the posts on this site that it kind of gets me thinking too much about my game.  I need to learn that what I have is fine and just go with it.
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: LuckyLefty on November 21, 2005, 11:25:30 PM
Saw...

IN reading my post you must realize many of the guys I observed getting black marks and coming to me. (I am not a professional driller).  Were guys who left the spans the same and went and made dramatic moves forward.

These black marks and jolting electric shocks were serious issues.

Fixed in a few swipes of the bevel knife.

The other situation(yours I think) is that one decides on a certain forward pitch and shortens the span to accomodate it.
Forward pitch added for it's own sake does have the tendancy to cut down how far the hand can stretch out over finger holes.

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS any more....I just like to watch and see a couple of things.  Relationship between thumb and finger timing.  Thumb out early enough...ball staying on fingers long enough
PPS second item...where is arm path in relation to initial ball path.  Not enough palm under lateral...arm frequently inside initial ball path.  Too much under palm lateral....arm swing dramatically to the gutter side of the initial ball path....usually!
--------------------
Proud owner of a 140 first game average this year!  Don't bowl me the second two games though!  (two warm up balls in league..thanks proprietors)
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: chitown on November 22, 2005, 10:02:36 AM
From my understanding was that the whole idea of forward thumb pitch was so a bowler didn't have to squeeze his thumb.  Well I feel that if you use reverse in the thumb and have a tight hole that you could acheive the same thing.

When I bowled on Sunday half way thru league I pulled out my new redrilled ball with the reverse and bingo; back to normal.  I'm surprised I waited this long to change back to normalcy.
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: scotts33 on November 22, 2005, 10:17:51 AM
I haven't seen all these pro's bowl but here's an observation.  I am sure there is some folks out there that say I am nuts....what the heck.

Parker Bohn - 5/16 reverse with a 4 5/8 x 4 3/4 span <---relatively straight player comes around side of ball.

Brad Angelo - 3/8 reverse with a 4 1/x8 x 4 1/4 span (That's so unguru like)<---likes to circle it more comes around side of ball.

Mika K - 0 reverse with a 4 1/8 x 4 3/32 span<---pretty straight player likes to use loft and end over end roll more.

Mike Fagan - 0 reverse with a 4 3/4 x 3 3/8 (Sarge Easter)<---haven't seen mike bowl much but I seem to remember him jamming the ball into the lane more end over end but opens up the lane when he can.

See any correlation?  From my experience which is not vast as drillers go but not cursory either.  I see players that like to exert more side roll and more axis tilt like 0 to reverse.  Players that like more forward roll like very little reverse to forward.

I maybe all wet but it just made me think about it a bit.
--------------------
Scott

Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Sawuser on November 22, 2005, 10:38:21 AM
Mika K - 0 reverse with a 4 1/8 x 4 3/32 span<---pretty straight player likes to use loft and end over end roll more.
---------------------

Wow! As lanky as Mika is, his span is that short?


--------------------
Wayne
FOS HARD CORE MEMBER
Bomb Squad & Diamond Cutter

And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgement
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 22, 2005, 10:42:36 AM
quote:
Wow! As lanky as Mika is, his span is that short?


Does he have a lot of forward pitch in the fingers?

--------------------
Brick
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: TheDude on November 28, 2005, 01:39:12 PM
quote:
Mika K - 0 reverse with a 4 1/8 x 4 3/32 span<---pretty straight player likes to use loft and end over end roll more.
---------------------

Wow! As lanky as Mika is, his span is that short?


--------------------
Wayne
FOS HARD CORE MEMBER
Bomb Squad & Diamond Cutter

I am the same size as Mika. hands very similar, games as well, now less loft and more letting the ball onto the lane sooner. I use 3/16 forward as well, but i will admitt is not for everyone. those with very free relaxed arm swings can use it, but i look most importantly at the bottom of the swing. if you are going past your ankle very quickly you need to exit your thumb fairly fast, and if you have the ball sitting lane level longer i would say less reverse.

With zero i loose the ball behind my ankle most times. i work here at buffa bowling and most of the staff can agree with trying it out.

And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgement

--------------------
Timothy @Juniors Pro-Shop
Staff Writer 7-10 Split Magazine,EGO Communications
Montreal, Quebec.
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: novawagonmaster on November 28, 2005, 06:24:27 PM
I wonder if it has anything to do with hanging up when sweaty. Dude on the PBA show this week (first time on TV and I cannot remember his name) was sweating like the groom in a shotgun wedding! Forward pitch requires a very clean thumb exit. I know when I get the least bit sweaty in the hands, I will have a tendency to hang in the thumb (I use 1/8 forward now). Could these guys be favoring reverse to allow a clean thumb exit? I went to forward thumb pitch and shorter span recently. I have noticed higher rev rates, no more dropping the ball at the line, and no more wrist pain.
--------------------
Jon (in Ohio)
CHROME WON'T GET YOU HOME!
F.O.S. Proud Saw user...see profile.
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: chitown on November 29, 2005, 01:02:19 PM
I don't know why the pro's use the pitches they use.  For me reverse is so much better than forward.  With forward i'm limited to coming up the back of the ball.  If I want to throw my dry lane release where I come more up the side of the ball I end up hanging.  If I miss on my up the back release I hang in the ball.  Now in my mind i'm worried about hanging.  Who needs those problems.  Now as far as more revs I notice that I can get more with reverse in the thumb.  However this is what works for me.  I tried this forward in the thumb from the start of this season until this past Sunday.  On Sunday I had all of my equipment drilled back to my normal 1/4 reverse and won money for the first time this season.  The hell with this magical forward thumb pitch.
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Doug Sterner on November 29, 2005, 09:10:09 PM
Hasn't anyone been paying attention?

Drilling and fitting a bowling ball is more of an art form than a science. Sure there are some guidelines but none are set in stone. There is an optimum release angle for you to achieve a clean release. I believe it to be something like 63 degrees. As long as you maintain this angle the release will still be clean. If you change your forward/reverse pitch, there must also be a span change in order to maintain this angle. If you do not change the span when you change pitch, you will either hang in the ball or lose the ball.

Bill Taylor has written a several part article on this very subject in BTM for those of you wanting to invest more thought.

You are right....forward reverse for some is a fad or perhaps even worthless but with the proper tweaks to your span, it can be a wonderful thing....
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY

http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Join the FOS by throwing the newest Wave of Destruction from Lane#1...
Get your hands on a Tsunami today!
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Sawuser on November 29, 2005, 11:10:53 PM
Doug, You stated it well. The pitch changes must be done correctly with the PROPER span adjustment. When I started going forward with thumb pitch, 1/8 was great. I then decided to try 1/4 and did not shorten my span any more, hence I started what chitown experienced. I now have my span & pitches CORRECT, & will never go back to using reverse thumb pitch. Keep in mind also, it depends on how your hand is built. Some would never be able to use forward.
--------------------
Wayne
FOS HARD CORE MEMBER
Bomb Squad & Diamond Cutter

And as it is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgement
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Brickguy221 on November 30, 2005, 03:38:49 PM
All of you people that promote forward thumb pitch can say what you want, but there are people like myself that have a thumb a bit on the stiff side and we cannot survive with forward pitch. I myself have been to a number of drillers, some of which are former pros and I have spent several hundred dollars shortening span, plugging, redrilling, etc. with no success at converting to forward thumb pitch. Say what you want, but everyone cannot convert to forward thumb pitch and there is nothing to prove that they can.

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Brick
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: chitown on November 30, 2005, 03:58:31 PM
Wether forward in the thumb is good or not doesn't matter because it's all in the eye of the beholder.  I don't like forward thumb pitch at all.  I bowl a lot better with reverse thumb pitch.
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Doug Sterner on November 30, 2005, 10:37:57 PM
Good point Brick....I stand corrected.

The exceptions to the rule are bowlers with any of the following issues:

1. excessively long thumbs
2. overly sweaty or sticky thumbs
3. thumbs lacking flexibility

If you have any of the above issues then you might very well not be able to use forward pitch.
--------------------
Doug Sterner
Doug's Pro Shop
Owego, NY

http://dougsproshop@aol.com
www.dougsproshop.net
Join the FOS by throwing the newest Wave of Destruction from Lane#1...
Get your hands on a Tsunami today!
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: Brickguy221 on December 01, 2005, 12:36:04 AM
quote:
1. excessively long thumbs
2. overly sweaty or sticky thumbs
3. thumbs lacking flexibility

 


Doug, believe it or not, I am a bit of all 3. My thumb is long, but not excessively long. Some days I have a problem with a sticky thumb and have to use some powdered soap stone that I made. Works better, lasts longer and is more consistant than Easy Slide. And last, I lack flexability of my thumb. For whatever reason, since I retired and quit working 4 1/2 years ago, my thumb is not quite as stiff as it once was, but it still remains somewhat stiff.

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Brick
Title: Re: the hell with my forward thumb pitch.
Post by: a_ak57 on December 01, 2005, 06:37:01 PM
quote:
It's true. CGNOMADDAH. If you honestly think about how a bowling ball is laid out, all you are doing it positioning the mass bias (be it real, or just a line from the pin thru the cg at 6 3/4 inches) in a different position.

But keep believing that.

Jeremy
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\m/
Viva La Metal Militia!
Long live the new flesh!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

WHY, Jeremy, WHYYYYYYYY??

Here we go....
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- Andy