Quick Tip: How to Insert Bowling Thumb Tape
Erik VermilyeaDescription
Whether you are a beginner, or a seasoned vet at inserting bowling thumb tape, this quick tip can refresh your memory or teach you how it is done.
It’s always good to have a piece of bowling thumb tape in your thumbhole. You can always add one more if need be to tighten your grip, or remove them all together to loosen it. Whichever way you decide to go, the goal is to reduce grip pressure.
Coach Erik Vermilyea with Track demonstrates how to properly insert bowling thumb tape.
Inserting Bowling Thumb Tape
After removing the tape from the strip you’ll notice that there are both a round and a flat side on the bowling thumb tape. Generally, the round side of the white bowling thumb tape inserts into the thumb hole.
Next, use a tape insertion tool, small screwdriver, or a knife to insert bowling thumb tape.
When you insert bowling thumb tape, insert it at a 45° angle. This is an important step for both novices and pros alike. Your thumb does not squeeze straight towards the finger holes. Your thumb sits in the ball around 45°, so it important to match the angle of tape to the angle of your thumb, not just insert it at a 90° angle (straight on).
Finally, when you put your thumb in the ball, take a look at the way your thumb flexes. Make sure the pad of the tape matches the pad of your thumb. It should fit flush on both pads.
You can find more quick tips like this one in all of our categories. Make sure you check out when to replace tape and finger inserts to learn more on the topic, and you can always see more bowling equipment videos from our coaching experts at National Bowling Academy.
Hi there. Welcome to the National Bowling Academy. I'm Erik Vermilyea. And today's quick tip, I'm gonna talk about something pretty basic for ya today, but that I do see is confused and messed up quite a bit. Simply how to insert thumb tape. First thing you need, piece a thumb tape. Second thing is something to insert it with, either a small screwdriver, a small pocket knife, or there are also other tape insertion tools that are on the market as well, just something that will help you put the tape in. Couple of things to keep in mind. There's both have a round side and a flat side of the tape. Generally, the round side should be up towards the top of the ball, the flat side should be down, but that is personal preference. If you prefer the flat side up, feel free, whatever feels best on your hand. The only real thing keep in mind here now is your thumb doesn't squeeze straight up and down when you put it in the ball. It doesn't squeeze straight towards the finger holes. If you look at your hand when it's in the ball, generally everyone's thumb sits at an angle kind of around 45 degrees. So it's important to insert that tape to match the angle of your thumb. So when you put your hand on the ball, take a look at the actual direction your thumb flexes when you do squeeze the ball, when you gear up the ball, and make sure that tape is inserted to match the pad of your thumb or the back of your thumb flush. Keep these things in mind, you'll have more fun, knock down more pins, and enjoy the game.
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