win a ball from Bowling.com

Author Topic: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?  (Read 14565 times)

johns811

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1095
Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« on: September 04, 2007, 12:58:55 AM »
A buddy of mine let me borrow his extra Cobra wrist brace. I haven't thrown any real shots with it yet but I threw an old cracked ball across my yard about 20 times. With this thing on I think I might finally be able to get a nice relaxed straight arm swing. I've been struggling with dropping the ball, bent elbow, and really slow ball speed but with this Cobra on I feel like I can really launch the ball out and get a really nice thumb release. I will try it today but I was wondering if anybody else has had success with it. I'm hoping with some practice it might really help me. My wife watched me throw a few shots from behind and said that was the best she has seen me swing the ball in years. I hope the grass comes back

My friend that uses it shot 834, 793 the first 2 sets this year. He can not bowl without it.

 

billy2gun

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 382
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #1 on: September 04, 2007, 09:07:24 AM »
On this past Sunday, I bowled 4 practice games and an experienced bowler struck up a conversation with me and he uses a an old Cobra 3 wrist brace. He let me try it on, and it was the most awkward feeling thing. I tried to bowl with it, but my ball ended in the gutter both times.

I found it difficult to put on and to put my fingers into my ball.

Other may use the Cobra and bowl well with it, but for me, I didn't like it

I typically wear an Ebonite wrist support, which is more comfortable.

Billy

JessN16

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3716
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #2 on: September 04, 2007, 09:40:59 PM »
I've had both the original Cobra and the Cobra3. In my opinion, there are much better options. The Robbys braces will spoil you -- after you use them, you won't want to go back to something else.

I'm brace-free at the moment, but I have a Cobra3 that I'll probably give to someone here locally or to one of the coaches to use as a teaching tool. It actually makes my wrist hurt sometimes to use it, it's heavier than similar braces and a little awkward.

I will say this, though -- if you want hook, you'll get it with that d*mned thing. It causes me to low-track the ball pretty badly but I do get revs.

Jess

Glen Hershberger

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 504
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #3 on: September 04, 2007, 11:46:15 PM »
I have used one of these things forever. The orignal Cobra first and now the Cobra 3. I had no problem getting use to it. I do know bowlers that have tried using them and it just did not work. Everyone is different.
You can check my USBC Stats because all of them came using a Cobra product.
--------------------
Glen Hershberger

There are no bad balls, Just bad bowlers.

E-Mail
lanemaster299@msn.com

www.mba300.com (Local monthly tournaments)

www.bowlingthismonth.com

www.morichbowling.com (The Best Balls out there)
Glen Hershberger


E-Mail
lanemaster299@msn.com (Elkhart, In.)

www.bowlingthismonth.com

www.morichbowling.com (The Best Balls out there)



Spike2112

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 570
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #4 on: September 05, 2007, 05:11:11 AM »
I still use an original Cobra. Bought my first one in 1988 and although I took a few years off in the 90's, I'm on my third Cobra. I tried a couple others like the Storm Strong Arm, but always come back to the Cobra. I get good revs from it, come out clean, and my wrist never hurts after bowling. I never recommend a wrist brace when someone asks if they should use one, but if they ask how I like mine, I tell them the truth- I can't bowl without mine. Call it a crutch if you like, I don't care. If I beat my opponent, it's probably NOT the Cobra's doing... more likely the Hammer I'm using! lol.


Spike

handmeDN

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 290
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #5 on: September 05, 2007, 06:07:50 AM »
I've used the Cobra3 in the past and found the SCORPION a better feel. It does not have the added finger ,just the wrist support. I've also tried the robbies line and found that these types of support DO add the relief, of wrist support failure. This way I can concentrate on timming and release the ball not to mention hitting the mark more often. As for the pro bowlers you see more and more pros useing weaker wrist supports. NOW if you look at the PRO SENIOR tour you will see they use them alot. (John Handigar)etc...
              just my 2 cents. handneDN

Dan Belcher

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3954
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #6 on: September 05, 2007, 03:52:29 PM »
The guys on TV are good enough for the most part to be consistent without a wrist brace.  That doesn't mean everyone else is that good.

What does a wrist brace do?  It keeps your wrist in the same position every pitch.  It also keeps your wrist from breaking back if you have a weak wrist.

Like everyone else in my family, I just have a weak wrist and cannot keep my hand underneath the ball well without a wrist brace.  Therefore, for somebody like me, a wrist brace makes a HUGE HUGE HUGE difference.  When I started wearing one, not only did my rev rate go up, but also I was releasing the ball at the same point every pitch, so my accuracy went up as well.  That's because it fit my game and my physical limitations.

Wrist braces aren't for everyone, but man, what's with all the people on this site that hate on people who use them???

billy2gun

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 382
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #7 on: September 05, 2007, 04:03:03 PM »
quote:
The guys on TV are good enough for the most part to be consistent without a wrist brace.  That doesn't mean everyone else is that good.

What does a wrist brace do?  It keeps your wrist in the same position every pitch.  It also keeps your wrist from breaking back if you have a weak wrist.

Like everyone else in my family, I just have a weak wrist and cannot keep my hand underneath the ball well without a wrist brace.  Therefore, for somebody like me, a wrist brace makes a HUGE HUGE HUGE difference.  When I started wearing one, not only did my rev rate go up, but also I was releasing the ball at the same point every pitch, so my accuracy went up as well.  That's because it fit my game and my physical limitations.

Wrist braces aren't for everyone, but man, what's with all the people on this site that hate on people who use them???


A question regarding wrist braces...

To get the ball to hook with a wrist brace, do you still need to "flick" your wrist, or do you just throw the ball without any flicking?

Billy

JessN16

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3716
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #8 on: September 05, 2007, 05:31:16 PM »
quote:


A question regarding wrist braces...

To get the ball to hook with a wrist brace, do you still need to "flick" your wrist, or do you just throw the ball without any flicking?

Billy


There's the rub. I *can't* "flick my wrist" with a brace on. I get a lot better result not using one at all. My last move was from an original Robbys to no brace, and when I dropped the Robbys, I actually gained revs.

I lost a little speed, however (which I probably needed to do, anyway) and I did have some pain for awhile. I'll still have pain if I bowl an inordinately large number of games.

The Robbys, I could bowl with for hours and hours and never hurt. But I was much less versatile. I couldn't change my tilt very easily, and I had a limit to the overall range of tilt I could impart.

I used one for years because of an injury; I don't need it anymore, and won't use one again unless I hurt my wrist again.

Jess

Dan Belcher

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3954
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #9 on: September 05, 2007, 06:21:54 PM »
quote:
A question regarding wrist braces...

To get the ball to hook with a wrist brace, do you still need to "flick" your wrist, or do you just throw the ball without any flicking?

Billy
That's why I wear a wrist brace -- because I CAN'T flick my wrist.  My wrist is too small and weak.  My mom, my dad, my grandparents on both sides all have small wrists.  My dad's in great shape and plenty muscular, but even he can't keep his wrist from breaking back when he throws a ball unless he wears a wrist brace.

If you can keep your hand under the ball and still consistently keep your wrist straight, or even flick it up to get more revs, you don't need to wear a wrist brace.

Of course, one of the benefits of a brace IS that there's less chance of injury to your wrist since it doesn't have to support as much weight.

billy2gun

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 382
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #10 on: September 05, 2007, 08:08:32 PM »
quote:
quote:
A question regarding wrist braces...

To get the ball to hook with a wrist brace, do you still need to "flick" your wrist, or do you just throw the ball without any flicking?

Billy
That's why I wear a wrist brace -- because I CAN'T flick my wrist.  My wrist is too small and weak.  My mom, my dad, my grandparents on both sides all have small wrists.  My dad's in great shape and plenty muscular, but even he can't keep his wrist from breaking back when he throws a ball unless he wears a wrist brace.

If you can keep your hand under the ball and still consistently keep your wrist straight, or even flick it up to get more revs, you don't need to wear a wrist brace.

Of course, one of the benefits of a brace IS that there's less chance of injury to your wrist since it doesn't have to support as much weight.


I use an Ebonite wrist brace, the "glove in one" doo-hickey with the small metal plate inside the glove. I've been using that since I start bowling.

BOWL119

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1728
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #11 on: September 05, 2007, 08:18:13 PM »
Due to a serious wrist injury, I need a wrist brace. I have tried many and the one that I keep going back to is the Original EAGLE. It does not seem to be uncomfortable.

Only problem I have found with them is the palm strap seems to tear easily. But using a little duct tape I can repair it or even stop it from tearing.
--------------------
T.J.

BOWLING IS FUN NO MATTER WHAT YOU SCORE. BUT A 300 IS ALWAYS NICE.

Awesome Revs, Finish, Fury, Mammoth, Flip

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD BOWLING!!!

Support the Military they are the reason we have freedom...

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #12 on: September 06, 2007, 12:19:16 AM »
Explain what is "flicking" your wrist?  In parlance where bowlers can understand.
--------------------
Scott

Scott

scotts33

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 8452
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #13 on: September 06, 2007, 12:46:06 AM »
DB--I knew you'd know!  
--------------------
Scott

Scott

Dan Belcher

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3954
Re: Anybody use a cobra wrist brace?
« Reply #14 on: September 06, 2007, 07:03:39 AM »
quote:
Explain what is "flicking" your wrist?  In parlance where bowlers can understand.
--------------------
Scott



At the bottom of your swing as you are releasing the ball, you can "flick" your wrist up and cup it more to impart extra revs on the ball.  This is, of course, not possible with a wrist brace really as it locks your wrist into place.