Change in grip issue?

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svstar34
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Change in grip issue?

Post by svstar34 »

I wanted to reach out and see if anyone would have some advice.

For the past couple of years my span has been 4 1/4 cut to cut on both fingers. Thumb at 0 and 1/8 reverse. With this span my thumb would rub a little too much.

Recently I went to a trusted pso I know to check my grip and we went with 4 5/16 x 4 3/8 cut to cut. Thumb at 1/8 left(away from palm) and 1/4 reverse. My hand is in a much more relaxed position now and no issues with my thumb.

However, with this new grip, I really seem to have an issue of not being able to stay inside of the ball. I thought timing may have been an issue, but I've tried different things and keep ending up with the same issue.

I'm going to start working on my own equipment and looking to test on an old ball. I was thinking the 1/8 left on the thumb might be the cause of what I'm experiencing, so I've been thinking of moving my thumb back towards my palm back to 0.

I know this is long, but do I seem to be along the correct path?
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EricHartwell
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by EricHartwell »

You didn't mention pitches and laterals for your finger holes.

You are not able to stay inside of the ball, is it coming off your hand early or are you referring to working the inside of the ball and not coming around the outside of the ball at release.
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by svstar34 »

EricHartwell wrote:You didn't mention pitches and laterals for your finger holes.

You are not able to stay inside of the ball, is it coming off your hand early or are you referring to working the inside of the ball and not coming around the outside of the ball at release.
My mistake, fingers are just 1/8 forward.

Referring to working the inside of the ball and not coming around at release
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EricHartwell
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by EricHartwell »

What about your finger side pitches? I am guessing that only the thumb got redone to change the grip.

I utilize the switchgrip thumbs. It enables me to try different thumb pitches. Right now I have 3 different thumb pitches 1/8 1/8, 1/4 1/4 and 3/8 3/8
The 3/8 3/8 comes off my thumb the fastest or would make me squeeze more possibly resulting in coming around the ball but I am having a hard time believing your grip change is the culprit here.

I would suggest getting video of your release to analyse it. Possibly posting here in the coaching section so only the certified coaches can comment.
Last edited by EricHartwell on January 29th, 2017, 1:20 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by svstar34 »

Fingers stayed the same. Just lengthened span slightly and changed thumb pitches.

I didn't have an issue prior to making these grip changes, which is why I'm asking.

I've got 1 ball left with my old span and I dont have an issue with early turn, but my hand isn't as relaxed and some squeezing issues.
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by EricHartwell »

oval or round thumb hole?

I ask because if you have a well fitting oval thumb hole and you turn it early you will hang up letting you know you turned it early.
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by svstar34 »

EricHartwell wrote:oval or round thumb hole?

I ask because if you have a well fitting oval thumb hole and you turn it early you will hang up letting you know you turned it early.
Oval and I do hang up
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by EricHartwell »

If your old grip had a more round hole than you were getting away with the early turn because it didn't hang up, Now it is possible the new oval fits tighter/better and you are now paying the price, hanging up, for turning it early.

Sounds to me like you need to trust your new grip and learn to not turn it early.
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by bfweld »

Sounds to me like you need to trust your new grip and learn to not turn it early.
I agree with Eric...I made the change to an offset thumb grip and had some of the same issues until I got used to it and made a few adjustments. After I got used to it I can say that my consistency increased due to my hand being more relaxed and comfortable.
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by svstar34 »

Thanks for the suggestion. I think I'll stick with it a little longer before deciding on a change
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by TonyPR »

To learn not to rotate early do this drill:

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Then read and apply this:

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Good luck!
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Re: Change in grip issue?

Post by VLe »

Just to make sure you could do this simple check to see if the oval angle is correct:
Draw a small marks to the widest parts on your thumb with pencil. These should be at opposite sides on your thumb. Then put the fingers on the finger holes and slowly insert your thumb to the thumbhole. Draw marks to the thumbhole edge where the widest parts of your thumb goes to the hole. Then draw a line through these marks and measure this oval angle -line. Also check that the thumb exit the hole at same position.
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