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Author Topic: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip  (Read 12151 times)

ccrider

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What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« on: July 16, 2008, 05:31:56 AM »
Is there a general age at which you should change your child from full finger grip to fingertip grip?

Thanks

CC
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SVstar34

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #1 on: July 16, 2008, 01:40:48 PM »
I'd say somewhere in the range of 8-10 years old
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ccrider

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #2 on: July 16, 2008, 01:47:36 PM »
My youngest is 10, almost 11, my oldest 12, almost 13. They both throw the ball good, especially, my youngest. Just wondering when to make the change.
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ValentinoBowling

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #3 on: July 16, 2008, 01:54:46 PM »
I did it when I was 13, my proshop operator at the time said that my fore arms weren't strong enough to hold a finger tip grip ball and cup my hand. The way I remember, It was an easy transition.
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Edited on 7/16/2008 1:56 PM
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SVstar34

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2008, 01:55:04 PM »
remember when you have them throw a fingertip ball, they'll be able to throw a ball that is a pound or two heavier than a conventional grip
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LuckyLefty

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2008, 01:56:27 PM »
My daughter at 8 1/2 is throwing a conventional just beautiful.

Many say much better than many of the good bowlers in our area from a form basis.

8 pound ball.  Timing, hook, speed, free motion....super.

I am hesitant to change her I'm thinking when she can throw a 10 as well I'll be ready....

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS I believe too heavy leads to a lift in the backswing.
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Pinbuster

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2008, 02:11:06 PM »
A properly fitted finger tip is no harder to hold onto than a conventional.

But fit is more important on fingertip. When kids are growing so fast it is hard to keep up with hand changes. Kids that change earlier sometimes need span changes 2 times a year.

We tried to keep them out of fingertips until around 13 or 14 when the growth of their hands slowed down and their bodies matured a little more.
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BrunsNick

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #7 on: July 16, 2008, 02:32:53 PM »
I think it comes down to skill level, but generally, I don't recommend it until they are around 12.
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OddBalls

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #8 on: July 16, 2008, 02:37:54 PM »
quote:
I think it comes down to skill level, but generally, I don't recommend it until they are around 12.
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I started using one at 13 (yes, they made bowing balls back then and no, they weren't made of stone).

BTW, Nick. The Gold Label is sweet. Nice continuation and great back end reaction.


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JMORRIS

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2008, 02:38:00 PM »
I was 8 when I started.  I didn't have or develop any problems from the change.

Jermey
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Edited on 7/16/2008 3:23 PM
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KDawg77

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #10 on: July 16, 2008, 02:39:35 PM »
Considering most kids today are veals with little to no muscule tone from sitting around all day playing video games, it's now probably closer to 13-15. I'm only half-joking.
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ccrider

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #11 on: July 16, 2008, 03:01:20 PM »
Thanks for all of the responses guys. I will likely change the youngest first as he is more atheletic and adopts to change faster. Then, I will try the oldest. Adjusting the span will not be a big deal because I drill some  of my own stuff.

I think I will start them off with no fingertip grips. Any suggestions.

CC
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Mike Austin

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #12 on: July 18, 2008, 05:36:19 PM »
quote:
remember when you have them throw a fingertip ball, they'll be able to throw a ball that is a pound or two heavier than a conventional grip
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Who told you that?  A pound or two heavier than with a house ball yes, not fingertip over conventional.  You can have a custom fitted conventional grip.  If anything, you should be able to use more weight with a conventional grip, just not be able to spin the ball as easily.


anyway....
CC-  I agree with Nick, depends on skill level, weight of the their present ball, and how into bowling they are.  Some kids just want it.  If your youngest is still possibly using a ball that is slightly light for him, I say go for it.  Don't go up in weight because you are switching to finger tip though.

I agree with Pinbuster too, may have to plug the thumb and move it more often.  Fit is still key no matter what, hands are going to change more often when they are young and growing.

BTW, I didn't change to fingertip until I was about 17.  I was hooking the ball plenty with conventional.

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Edited on 7/18/2008 5:39 PM
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ccrider

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #13 on: July 18, 2008, 05:53:42 PM »
Thanks. I won a scorchin inferno 12lb a few months ago for my wife. She says it is too heavy for her, so I laid it out 3 3/8 x 3 3/8 for my oldest (12). I will see how he likes it.

I will have to get my youngest a new ball now because he will not rest until he has one drilled fingertip like the grownups. When I get my camera, I'll post some video of them. My youngest is a gator. Gets better every day.

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Doug Sterner

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Re: What Age To Change Child To Fingertip Grip
« Reply #14 on: July 25, 2008, 09:52:40 PM »
I just switched my daughter to fingertip at the ripe age of 9. She is slight in build but averaged 115, 121 and 118 in her 3 leagues last year. She is due to move up to 9# as her 8# is getting pretty light for her but I wanted to switch her to finger tip now and let her get used to the new grip before drilling her a new (and heavier) ball. I figured the transition would be easier than to go up in weight AND finger tip all at once.
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