I have a question!!! (about thumb)

Player1 SG

hihi...to those who knew about it, I went to widen the inside of the thumb plug already. Now the problem is I am uncomfortable with the new taping method..the Remy Ong style. Erm, tape from thumb nail downwards. My main problem before widening was the inside of the thumb at the side of the joint. Erm...give a Hitler salute, look at the joint of the thumb touching the whole palm. That part of the thumb.. Confused
Ok, anyway, that was the part where it was getting stuck. Now I widened the thumb plug, it felt better. But a tad little wider than expected. I know I can tape my thumb to solve this problem, but do I stick to the old method of taping(thumb inside to outside at the sides), or the Remy Ong method? Neutral
I tried the ball and felt if my thumb was slightly moist, the portion sticking to the thumb plug was still that area....
Aw man, I'll just explain again on Thursday during training...
very hard to ask here without visual aid. But for those who know what I'm tokking about, HELP!!! Sad

[email protected] SG

hohahahahahaha....
hohohahahahahaha.... Very Happy
finally there's a question that i can answer comfortably..
hohohohahaha Mr. Green
opps..im getting carried away. anyway....

player1, you are facing a problem that used to cause me great distress.
fret not.

Now the problem is I am uncomfortable with the new taping method..the Remy Ong style. Erm, tape from thumb nail downwards. My main problem before widening was the inside of the thumb at the side of the joint
that was the part where it was getting stuck. Now I widened the thumb plug, it felt better. But a tad little wider than expected.

the reason why you are getting your thumb stuck at the joint area is probably bcos you are gripping your ball too hard.
the new taping method is to smooth out the loose skin area below the nail which is likely to increase friction restricting a smooth release.
to overcome your original thumb stuck problem, you have to make the thumb hole snug so that it is the skin and more of your fingers that is holding the ball weight, not your thumb.
that is exactly what remy ong is doin ..making his thumb snug by creating moist in the thumb hole by blowing in air. (if that is what you are refering to)

so first of all before you can make any improvement, you have to make sure the thumb hole is customised to fit your thumb snugly.
i did the hole at Sam's pro shop (eastside) but the difference here is i did it with the advise of Uncle Fox.
Sam no doubt is a very good driller bt you have to couple it with Uncle Fox's coaching expertise to phase out the probelm.

you would definitely face many problems bcos we are aredi used to our past release. i was demoralised and frustrated bt you have to press on.
it all comes with nothing bt consistent practice. bcos you have to get used to the new release and forget the old one.

I know I can tape my thumb to solve this problem, but do I stick to the old method of taping(thumb inside to outside at the sides), or the Remy Ong method?

you shd not tape the inside cos it wd defeat the purpose of making the hole snug and you end up gripping the ball too hard again.
as uncle fox said, the strength you use to grip the ball shd not be more than the strength you need to hold a chick. (squeeze too hard and the chick wd die.) Shocked

we can exchange pointers during thurs training if i had fail to clear your doubts. Cool Wink

Player1 SG

oh...ok.
i know some people find the loose skin on the top of the thumb the factor, but it didnt give me any.
so far, the point of pressure i have is that area on my thumb, which i agree is due to me gripping.
But there are times where I didnt grip at all(my mind concentrate on not gripping), and although the ball went kinda shitty, but my fingers and thumb felt pressure-less.
Rolling Eyes
Ok, I'll bring my ball on Thurs and we'll see how. Unc Sam is getting me a 2nd hand ball anyway, so my current will become my spare in time to come. So that new ball, must be drilled to perfection... (cross fingers...) Confused

chuanish SG

Jason, my grip on the ball can kill a grown chicken. Not just any chicken, but one which has undergone intensive weight training and a healthy dose of steroids. Gripping too damn hard lah.

Fox's "anti-wussy" method of using thumb tape is helping though. A nice snug fit results in a more relaxed grip, as well as the ability to throw it smoothly. Smooth-er at least.

Starting to understand what you meant by "...throwing till you feel high...". Not second nature yet though, but hoping to get there.

Ding SG

Don't worry, u r not alone...... my thumb use to stuck too...... until I practise till I have smooth release(thumb not bend at point of release).

Cool

[email protected] SG

Shocked
the key is really not to muscle the ball.
even the shoulder must be totally relaxed during the swing.
right at the beginning of the approach, the entire weight of the ball shd rest on your non-bowling hand..(rightie: ball weight on left hand and vice versa)
this must be done so there is less tendency for you to grip the ball. Very Happy

Ding SG

How's ur thumb now, P1 Question

Player1 SG

Its pretty ok.
This of cos after Unc Fox opened it up even more!
I found that after a few throws, when the thumb expanded, I need to constantly powder my thumb for a smooth release. Otherwise I risk the ball getting stuck due to a moist thumb. I have a high-moisture rate thumb. Razz
Anyway, I also found that I cannot throw the ball if I use too much reverse pitch. But if I play a little in between forward and reverse, I can manage a smoother release. My fingers and wrist also feels natural with a little forward pitch. Smile
I might try for a slightly more forward pitch for my new ball than my current ball. Mr. Green

Ding SG

One advice, try not to use power. It's not advisable.

If there's a need for it, that would mean your ball don't fit Idea

Ding SG

Or it maybe that ur release isn't clean. Thump straight Question

Player1 SG

thumb straight Exclamation
well, straight but not to the extent I forced it straight. Relaxed kind of straight.

I just feel that the thumbhole had too much reverse pitch, and I was putting forawrd pitch. With the thumb fully in, its harder to get the thumb out unless I unlock my wrist. I cant unlock otherwise my throws will be terrible. So its getting stuck. I realised I cannot put my thumb fully in, so could be a pitch problem. and abit tight thumb hole at first.... Neutral

harmzuay SG

P1

How do you change the pitch of the thumb insert? By changing the way you hold the ball? That can't be consistent or a good habit to pick up.

Definitely do not muscle the ball either during the swing or the release. You are blessed with a larger build than most asians, so you really don't need a high backswing/muscles or otherwise to increase the leverage you get.

Just work with what you have (which is very good build for a bowler). Cool

Ian SG

harmzuay is right...
the pitch in the thumbhole, its already drilled in a certain angle. if u dun like it, redrill it, not change the position of ur own thumb by gripping or doing some other muscle work. get watever pitch u wan that suits u and relax in delivering the ball. thats the best way for consistancy.

Player1 SG

ohoh, i don't mean changing the pitch lah.
tat will be for my new ball....must do swee swee one time.
What I am currently doing is getting my fingers in place, then instead of widening my palm down to thumb hole, i use my fingers to grab the portions in the inserts, then slot in my thumb. The thumb feels relaxed so I'm definitely not grabbing...well, at least not gripping too much. Rolling Eyes
Unc Sam drilled the thumb that time said I can pull down my palm for reverse pitch, or push forward for forward pitch if I want. But the thumb hole was not specifically drilled with more forward pitch, as I would have wanted. But I didn't know about it back then. Only after I had the ball, threw a few times, then I realised it... Neutral
Anyway, I dunno if the termology (correct spelling boh?) is right but that's what i am doing now...i dun push my palm all the way in front, but so that my fingers can grab alittle, and the thumb is still relaxing. Just that I put a little more forward than the current drilling is made for. A WEEEEEE bit oni... Neutral

Player1 SG

And regarding my size...I'm still not the biggest ley.... Laughing
I think my height is alright....but I still feel scrawny....maybe cos never train upper torso before...duh. Rolling Eyes

Anyway, I'm now trying what coach Fox said...let the ball drop but don't totally drop the shoulder...I could do that, but still not used to it. So I have to keep trying... Smile

I like this game Twisted Evil

harmzuay SG

One doesn't have to be chunky or built like Arnold Schwarzzenegger to have the potential for power. Long limbs can also be a potent source of power.

Long legs mean more leverage in the slide and long arms mean you get more velocity in the shot (remember Force x Distance in physics?). Broad shoulders and narrow hips are helpful too.

Most of the taller people I know don't even require backswings that end up parallel to the ground at their highest point, but still generate immense torque on their releases.

If you've got it, use it.