I have a couple of youth bowlers who have recently moved up to reactive bowling balls. One is about 11, the other 13, neither one all that big or strong. The 11 year old is getting a 12lb ball (2lbs heavier than previous ball) while the 13 year old has a 14lb ball (also 2lbs heavier than previous ball). Neither one has the wrist strength to keep their wrist firm for the standard 10 second test with these weights, but each has been using a lighter ball and chunking it down the lane like it was a pebble, so I'm comfortable with the weights they will be using. What I'm not sure about is when to go to a fingertip drilling. I am thinking about leaving the 11 year old in a conventional grip, and taking the 13 year old to fingertip, as he has been using the 14lb ball with conventional grip for a couple of months and I've already had to open up the fingers some for growth. But I still wonder if it is time.
So besides physical size, what other factors should I consider? How good their form is? I know wrist strength is an important factor but will I be risking any physical harm in taking them to fingertip at a young age when they don't have the wrist strength? I know plenty of adults who barely have the wrist strength yet bowl well enough with a fingertip drilling, but they are also fully developed adults. Anything else that I should look at to help me decide?
Thanks!
When to put a youth in fingertip
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- MattInTheHat
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Re: When to put a youth in fingertip
I'm not a qualified coach, so what follows is strictly my own opinion. There are a lot of factors to consider, and I don't think you can set a age or weight rule. First, how long has the youth been bowling and how skilled is his game with the conventional grip? I would put someone who has been serious about the game and has a solid release with his conventional ball in a fingertip grip earlier than someone with more physical strength but less experience and expertise. Another consideration - how badly does he want a fingertip grip? If he really doesn't care, I'll leave him in a conventional grip longer. But I've drilled for a few youngsters that simply weren't going to be happy with anything but fingertip. Even if I didn't think they were really ready for fingertip, I've drilled it for them. And it's worked OK every time. Hope this rambling helps. -- JohnP
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Re: When to put a youth in fingertip
John , In this day and age ,I find if the bowler is wanting a finger tip drill go ahead and do it ..Finger tip is easier to get out of and roll it instead of knuckle balling it down the lane..After all a big part of this game is enjoyment ..If the bowler is not happy , why should they stay ...? I believe a bigger problem is the weight of the ball being used ...A 10lb ball rolling carries better than a 12 lb with no speed and no roll...Work on proper release and fundamentals with them and grow them ... I'll agree with you that some are not ready to move on though....steve s
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Re: When to put a youth in fingertip
It's a tough call I think, because you don't want to do any damage to their wrists and fingers, but you want them to bowl the best the can. I would say if they're strong enough to throw 14lb, their hands should be strong enough to handle a fingertip grip. That being said, I'm no expert in pediatric physiology so, I don't know that I wouldn't hold off if my daughter decided she wanted to go fingertip - when she's old enough of course. She's not even 2 year! LOL!
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Re: When to put a youth in fingertip
I think if they can get under the ball with conventional, they're ready.
Topping the ball is a big problem when moving up to fingertip too early.
Topping the ball is a big problem when moving up to fingertip too early.
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Re: When to put a youth in fingertip
Explain to kid and the parents the benifits of throwing a fingertip. If they deside to use it, take the time to show them the proper way to grip the ball, and if you have the area in your shop (as we do) have them roll it and show them how to keep from spinning and topping it. usually just requires keeping the elbow tucked into the body. As mentioned, its easier to roll off the hand, so i usually try to talk people into it.
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Re: When to put a youth in fingertip
When I was younger, I wanted to move up to fingertips, and the pro shop refused. They explained that finger tips put more stress on the hand, wrist and finger, that over time, (if too young and under developed) will cause the plates(?) in your bowling hand to grow at a different rate than your off hand, possibly causing length and size issues between hands.
How much of this is true, I honestly have no clue, but that's why I was forced to wait until I was... probably 12 or 13 I think.
How much of this is true, I honestly have no clue, but that's why I was forced to wait until I was... probably 12 or 13 I think.
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Re: When to put a youth in fingertip
I think I was 13 when I got my first fingertip ball. I've known a few that have gotten it at as young as 10.
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Re: When to put a youth in fingertip
MattInTheHat wrote:I have a couple of youth bowlers who have recently moved up to reactive bowling balls. One is about 11, the other 13, neither one all that big or strong. The 11 year old is getting a 12lb ball (2lbs heavier than previous ball) while the 13 year old has a 14lb ball (also 2lbs heavier than previous ball). Neither one has the wrist strength to keep their wrist firm for the standard 10 second test with these weights, but each has been using a lighter ball and chunking it down the lane like it was a pebble, so I'm comfortable with the weights they will be using. What I'm not sure about is when to go to a fingertip drilling. I am thinking about leaving the 11 year old in a conventional grip, and taking the 13 year old to fingertip, as he has been using the 14lb ball with conventional grip for a couple of months and I've already had to open up the fingers some for growth. But I still wonder if it is time.
So besides physical size, what other factors should I consider? How good their form is? I know wrist strength is an important factor but will I be risking any physical harm in taking them to fingertip at a young age when they don't have the wrist strength? I know plenty of adults who barely have the wrist strength yet bowl well enough with a fingertip drilling, but they are also fully developed adults. Anything else that I should look at to help me decide?
Thanks!
I'm a traditionalist when it comes to this. Because of the lack of maturity of kid's growth joints, I stay with conventional for a long time. I didn't put my youngest into a fingertip until he was 15. I taught him to slow hook a conventional and used surface. He's now 21 and gets PDW ball reaction because of his fast hand. Add reverse to the fingers and lengthen the span very slightly in the conventional to help it roll. Teach him to stick his finish, feed the ball into the lane and to the right to perfect his technique. That will be better in the long term, but it may be a struggle in the short term.
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