Pros and cons of wrist guards
- Thread starter mickyd213
- Start date
me personally, have started using 1 last year after a serious finger injury on my ring finger, which is now permanently bent and basically useless to me, i cannot lift with it so i find the guard good for a bit extra hook.
but the key thing i have found is the consistent release i have got, well more consistent than before, and this has improved my game by about 10 - 15%, which is huge on a 200+ avg.
it has worked well for me so far but they definately are not for everyone.
but the key thing i have found is the consistent release i have got, well more consistent than before, and this has improved my game by about 10 - 15%, which is huge on a 200+ avg.
it has worked well for me so far but they definately are not for everyone.
wchester
Bowling Tragic
wrist guards are for sissies...lol
On a more serious note,....Wrist guards, while enablng a bowler to maintain a consistant release, will at the same time hinder ball action and multiple axis tilts.
In other words, what you gain in one facet of the game, you lose in another.
If you are really serious about the sport, then go without the artificial aid (wrister). Just for an example...have a look at the top 20 PBA Tour players and you'll see only one bowler who wears a wrister.
On a more serious note,....Wrist guards, while enablng a bowler to maintain a consistant release, will at the same time hinder ball action and multiple axis tilts.
In other words, what you gain in one facet of the game, you lose in another.
If you are really serious about the sport, then go without the artificial aid (wrister). Just for an example...have a look at the top 20 PBA Tour players and you'll see only one bowler who wears a wrister.
Michael Little
Active Member
IMHO, wrists guards should not be allowed and have no place in bowling except for the possibility of a training aid at best. Especially the robocop wrist guards, so many bowlers use these days.
You don't see golfers being able to wear braces to keep their elbows etc at correct angles to help them play.
At best any device for the wrist should be a support option only ie similar to shoulder strapping in football and not something that enables someone to compete at a level similar to other players who have worked and developed their games through as Robbie said, practicing correct technique and developing muscle strength.
And before you start saying not everyone can throw revs etc, you don't have to have a million revs to throw an effective shot if you bother to put the time and effort into your game, especially with the carry in a box options that have been available for the best part of 10 years plus.
You don't see golfers being able to wear braces to keep their elbows etc at correct angles to help them play.
At best any device for the wrist should be a support option only ie similar to shoulder strapping in football and not something that enables someone to compete at a level similar to other players who have worked and developed their games through as Robbie said, practicing correct technique and developing muscle strength.
And before you start saying not everyone can throw revs etc, you don't have to have a million revs to throw an effective shot if you bother to put the time and effort into your game, especially with the carry in a box options that have been available for the best part of 10 years plus.
I used to have a wrist guard but not like some of the robocop types I see all too often. When I started getting coaching I was asked if I had a wrist problem. WHen I said no I was told to take it off and put it away. It took a while to get the proper strength into my wrist and learn to control the ball naturally but it certainly has helped get more of a feel for my release.
Unfortunately I am out with a broken hand at the moment but have been told by both my specialist and my physio that I should use the guard for a while when I return until it is fully healed and the strength returned. This will enable me to return to bowling a lot quicker. I am sure it will feel funny after not using it for over 12 months but I am waiting to see.
Unfortunately I am out with a broken hand at the moment but have been told by both my specialist and my physio that I should use the guard for a while when I return until it is fully healed and the strength returned. This will enable me to return to bowling a lot quicker. I am sure it will feel funny after not using it for over 12 months but I am waiting to see.
RHs_rule300
New Member
im definitely not a fan of them but on the other side of the argument i know a few people who need them because of weak wrists, ie broken it in the past or early arthiritis etc. so maybe they shud be allowed to use them but not the "ill hold the ball and you bowl it for me" kinda wristguard... just the supporting ones that keep the wrist straight.
xballs
bujinkan budo taijutsu
Ok I have bowled with & without a wrist guard for most of my bowling life. I wish some came and told me to throw it away before I even started.
I think they have there uses but you should way up why you want to use one. If it is just to get more instant revs then I would just work on building your wrist up. If it because of injury then only use it whilst you have to.
I think you get much better feel without one- I dont think I would ever bowled my 847 with the wrist guard on.
I think they have there uses but you should way up why you want to use one. If it is just to get more instant revs then I would just work on building your wrist up. If it because of injury then only use it whilst you have to.
I think you get much better feel without one- I dont think I would ever bowled my 847 with the wrist guard on.
jason_doust
The Bowling Geek
I wrote a long piece on this a while back and I don't believe that uninjured players need strap on wrists. Go do some exercises and you'll get the strength you need and better feel on the ball to boot. $20 worth of weights (talk to your coach and local gym for advice) and a month of mild effort while watching the TV should do the trick. You don't need to be Popeye. Just develop some muscles to support the pincer side of your hand (index and middle finger side, which is 40% stronger than the other side.) When you do wrist curls, isolate the muscle group by placing your forearm on a bench or your thigh if sitting. Make sure it's very stable before beginning the exercise and don't over do it. Again seek the advice of a physical trainer.
Decades ago, I had a Scorpion which I used to get LESS revs on the shot. Today, I occasionally use one of those “Wrister” devices Wayne mentioned, but probably not for it's intended purpose. While it warms up my wrist on cold Canberra mornings, I mainly use it because it reminds me to keep my wrist straighter than usual (i.e. Uncupped) when I need LESS revs.
When I unthinkingly cup my wrist with this thing on, the muscles in the base of my hand bump into the Wrister and I immediately know that I should back my wrist off. (Everyone chuckles when I show them why I'm wearing it.) Other than that, it just gets sweaty and smelly. (Hmmm... used it at the Sport Series – must get it out and wash it...) As Wayne says, it's a pretend device but it does provide that one useful piece of feedback.
If you really like wearing a wrist device (they don't guard anything that I'm aware of), knock yourself out. Mick reckons we should outlaw them. I can't say I'm opposed to it unless you can produce a medical certificate stating a pre-existing condition.
So there you have it. If you want less revs and more pong, strap on a device. If you want revs and more feel, put a bit of effort in and you'll be rewarded for it. You'll smell nicer too!
Cheers,
Jason
Decades ago, I had a Scorpion which I used to get LESS revs on the shot. Today, I occasionally use one of those “Wrister” devices Wayne mentioned, but probably not for it's intended purpose. While it warms up my wrist on cold Canberra mornings, I mainly use it because it reminds me to keep my wrist straighter than usual (i.e. Uncupped) when I need LESS revs.
When I unthinkingly cup my wrist with this thing on, the muscles in the base of my hand bump into the Wrister and I immediately know that I should back my wrist off. (Everyone chuckles when I show them why I'm wearing it.) Other than that, it just gets sweaty and smelly. (Hmmm... used it at the Sport Series – must get it out and wash it...) As Wayne says, it's a pretend device but it does provide that one useful piece of feedback.
If you really like wearing a wrist device (they don't guard anything that I'm aware of), knock yourself out. Mick reckons we should outlaw them. I can't say I'm opposed to it unless you can produce a medical certificate stating a pre-existing condition.
So there you have it. If you want less revs and more pong, strap on a device. If you want revs and more feel, put a bit of effort in and you'll be rewarded for it. You'll smell nicer too!
Cheers,
Jason
GeorgeF
Hypercell = Hyperhook!
I have worn one for over 20years and I've done ok but if I was right handed I would have been forced to develop a more powerful shot (higher rotation) to be competitive both Nationally and Internationally.
Lefties can get away with it because we don't ever play inside 3 arrow and our condition holds up all week which means we don't need the extra rotation to shoot through the middle if the track area or heads ever got burnt. I throw about 12 revs per shot on average with the wristguard on, for me thats enough to win alot. It creates strong angles and with the help of strikes in a box my ball can hook as much as I need it to.
It's well within todays rules and considering the current environment of bowling worldwide (I mean technical advances in covers and cores) I can be successful nearly anywhere. It's more about matching up these days anyway.
I did contemplate learning to bowl without one with the help of Ron Hoppe but that would have meant taking 1-2yrs off and starting from scratch. Considering bowling proved to be a profitable casual weekend income I refused the offer. If you want to bowl for a living (not sure why you'd want to) you HAVE to learn to bowl without a wristguard and throw AT LEAST 16+ revs per shot (left or right handed).
If your a weekend hack who loves bowling on weekends and love to buy new hookinabox balls every 3 months and maintain your 220 league avg, knock yourself out! Your well within the rules. If people say you can't be successful wearing wristguards ask them to explain why I've won over 12 National titles in the last 5 years and have been Australia's No.1 ranked boler 3 out of the last 5 years.....
each to their own
Lefties can get away with it because we don't ever play inside 3 arrow and our condition holds up all week which means we don't need the extra rotation to shoot through the middle if the track area or heads ever got burnt. I throw about 12 revs per shot on average with the wristguard on, for me thats enough to win alot. It creates strong angles and with the help of strikes in a box my ball can hook as much as I need it to.
It's well within todays rules and considering the current environment of bowling worldwide (I mean technical advances in covers and cores) I can be successful nearly anywhere. It's more about matching up these days anyway.
I did contemplate learning to bowl without one with the help of Ron Hoppe but that would have meant taking 1-2yrs off and starting from scratch. Considering bowling proved to be a profitable casual weekend income I refused the offer. If you want to bowl for a living (not sure why you'd want to) you HAVE to learn to bowl without a wristguard and throw AT LEAST 16+ revs per shot (left or right handed).
If your a weekend hack who loves bowling on weekends and love to buy new hookinabox balls every 3 months and maintain your 220 league avg, knock yourself out! Your well within the rules. If people say you can't be successful wearing wristguards ask them to explain why I've won over 12 National titles in the last 5 years
and have been Australia's No.1 ranked boler 3 out of the last 5 years.....each to their own
safadao
Jason >=)
I don't bowl with a wrist guard, and I don't intend to, but comments like this annoy me.
Boxing - wear gloves and strap their wrists.
Swimming - wear these new suits to aid their swimming
Motor sports - where do you start, computer assisted breaking, paddle shift gear changes ....
limited lunch time, so will leave the examples.
If it is legal, and helps people, let it go.
jockey
Member
I've used one for at all but the first couple of years that I have been bowling. I can bowl without one but the reason I use it is that I broke my wrist twice in the same place as a teenager skateboarding (the first time the stupid doctors only put a half cast on it so sure enough a couple of days after being told I don't need to wear the half cast anymore I had rebroken my wrist).
I have over the years developed a technique to bowl a perfectly stright ball while using the guard so you can develop different releases while using a guard.
I would prefer to not use one but due to my small build it is not possible for me to develop enough strength through that arm area due to the double break.
I had experimented with the adjustable types but find the fixed Cobra type the most comfortable. As I stated above I can produce different releases as required but of course I don't have the full range of flexibility that those not using one would have.
Put simply if I couldn't use a guard I just would not be bowling anymore. This is even more true as recently I have started to feel the effects of 23 years bowling on my wrist, hand and knees.
I have over the years developed a technique to bowl a perfectly stright ball while using the guard so you can develop different releases while using a guard.
I would prefer to not use one but due to my small build it is not possible for me to develop enough strength through that arm area due to the double break.
I had experimented with the adjustable types but find the fixed Cobra type the most comfortable. As I stated above I can produce different releases as required but of course I don't have the full range of flexibility that those not using one would have.
Put simply if I couldn't use a guard I just would not be bowling anymore. This is even more true as recently I have started to feel the effects of 23 years bowling on my wrist, hand and knees.
I'm sure we all hear that...
When's the "kneeguard" going to become a standard fixture in the sport? It can't be far off, I see plenty of people strapping up already (not that I have an issue with that, by any means)
Michael Little
Active Member
The point that I am trying to make here that people seem to be missing is that a wrist guard is a device to increase your scoring potential because you are lacking enough fundamental development and correct technique in your game. This allows you to compete at a level higher than you really should be able to. Yes it is in the rules, but this was more of a question of opinion and this is mine. I am with Jason as well, the last time I used a wrist guard and pretty much every time I have used one has been for the purpose of cutting out ball reaction.
Some have commented that they have small frames, they don't believe they are strong enough etc. That is the idea behind developing yourself. I can however fully understand the use of a wrist guard if suffering from a physical problem again, as a means to being used as a training aid until suitably fit again to compete without one.
All other sports listed such as football with strapping, more protective and supportive and every player can benefit from it, boxing, wrist strapping and plaster under the gloves is injury prevention and the same with gloves, everyone wears them, it doesnt give any particular player an advantage, swimmers and suits to go faster, again, every swimmer can benefit from using a suit, car racing, sorry but do u expect them to use peddle power like the flinstones or old cable or drum brakes that would last 1 lap if lucky. Most technology in a race car has an origin or some similarity to normal road going cars, but again, all of this technology is available to all. Just about all sports have restrictions that prevents one team, car, swimmers, whoever having an advantage over others.
If bowling was to be a sport reduced to equipment that only everyone had access to or absolutely required and a players natural ability, then a wrist guard wouldnt be included.
And don't let George fool you, he may not be able to bowl a totally similar shot without the use of a guard, but the amount of time and energy he has expended on his overall game coupled with having a simple game with little error would most likely have given him similar results anyway and I am sure if he had spent that time allocated to developing a shot without the use of his robo cop arm, he would still be successful due to the other areas of his game.
Some have commented that they have small frames, they don't believe they are strong enough etc. That is the idea behind developing yourself. I can however fully understand the use of a wrist guard if suffering from a physical problem again, as a means to being used as a training aid until suitably fit again to compete without one.
All other sports listed such as football with strapping, more protective and supportive and every player can benefit from it, boxing, wrist strapping and plaster under the gloves is injury prevention and the same with gloves, everyone wears them, it doesnt give any particular player an advantage, swimmers and suits to go faster, again, every swimmer can benefit from using a suit, car racing, sorry but do u expect them to use peddle power like the flinstones or old cable or drum brakes that would last 1 lap if lucky. Most technology in a race car has an origin or some similarity to normal road going cars, but again, all of this technology is available to all. Just about all sports have restrictions that prevents one team, car, swimmers, whoever having an advantage over others.
If bowling was to be a sport reduced to equipment that only everyone had access to or absolutely required and a players natural ability, then a wrist guard wouldnt be included.
And don't let George fool you, he may not be able to bowl a totally similar shot without the use of a guard, but the amount of time and energy he has expended on his overall game coupled with having a simple game with little error would most likely have given him similar results anyway and I am sure if he had spent that time allocated to developing a shot without the use of his robo cop arm, he would still be successful due to the other areas of his game.
muxies
Muxies
I rarely post on this website, but I do read, watch and listen a lot. This topic has caused some interesting responses.
There are several aspects that have not been considered, which I wish to raise.
The female aspect, apart from a small elite group, very few female bowlers have the strength to impart sufficient revs to obtain the carry necessary for high level competition. One only needs to watch a few female tournaments, the majority of the top bowlers use some form of wrist support.
The average bowler aspect, where your 1 league a week bowler seeks a small edge over their fellow league bowler. They may not have the time nor money to invest in coaching, gyms, etc to improve their physical game. Sure they may be able to improve muscle tone by using weights, this must be in addition to putting a lot of time/money into throwing a large number of shots to refine the release. The avergae league bowler may simply wish to use all the tools/equipment that is legally available to them to improve their scoring ability. The cost of a wrist guard is insignificant to the amount a league bowler will spend per year on bowling costs. If the argument that the wrist guard improves one's scoring ability is valid, then we should all go back to using plastic balls of yester year as the modern balls should be deemed illegal!
The aspect that a wrist guard improves scoring ability by allowing the bowler to increase the number of revs is only half the story. The wrist guard also allows the bowler to impart the same amount of revs more consistantly on each shot, which will also result in higher scoring. So consistency of release is also a key advantage of the wrist guard.
Furthermore, not every bowler is strong and youthful. There are many bowlers that are getting on in age and to them the wrist guard allows them to achieve more revs so that they can remain competitive with younger bowlers as they are not able to develop the physical part of the game due to the potential for injury. So the wrist support effectively keeps them in the game. Considering the cost of the sport today we definitely need to do everything possible to keep as many bowlers in the sport rather than making it more difficult to score.
After about 20 years bowling only one league a week, achieving not much better than 180 average I wanted to improve my scoring potential. I now bowl two leagues a week and have done so for about 18 months, in two different centres. One centre using a wrist support and the other with no wrist support. I agree that the wrist support can definitely reduce the amount of revs as it will prevent maximum wrist cup. Depending on the centre and the oil condition one may need more revs to be able to score well, while other centres can be played with fewer revs and still be able to score well. For me its about learning what shot scores well, in which centre and on what type of oil pattern.
So I dont have a personal preference for either, but I DO have a lot of FUN exploring the potential of each.
Martin
There are several aspects that have not been considered, which I wish to raise.
The female aspect, apart from a small elite group, very few female bowlers have the strength to impart sufficient revs to obtain the carry necessary for high level competition. One only needs to watch a few female tournaments, the majority of the top bowlers use some form of wrist support.
The average bowler aspect, where your 1 league a week bowler seeks a small edge over their fellow league bowler. They may not have the time nor money to invest in coaching, gyms, etc to improve their physical game. Sure they may be able to improve muscle tone by using weights, this must be in addition to putting a lot of time/money into throwing a large number of shots to refine the release. The avergae league bowler may simply wish to use all the tools/equipment that is legally available to them to improve their scoring ability. The cost of a wrist guard is insignificant to the amount a league bowler will spend per year on bowling costs. If the argument that the wrist guard improves one's scoring ability is valid, then we should all go back to using plastic balls of yester year as the modern balls should be deemed illegal!
The aspect that a wrist guard improves scoring ability by allowing the bowler to increase the number of revs is only half the story. The wrist guard also allows the bowler to impart the same amount of revs more consistantly on each shot, which will also result in higher scoring. So consistency of release is also a key advantage of the wrist guard.
Furthermore, not every bowler is strong and youthful. There are many bowlers that are getting on in age and to them the wrist guard allows them to achieve more revs so that they can remain competitive with younger bowlers as they are not able to develop the physical part of the game due to the potential for injury. So the wrist support effectively keeps them in the game. Considering the cost of the sport today we definitely need to do everything possible to keep as many bowlers in the sport rather than making it more difficult to score.
After about 20 years bowling only one league a week, achieving not much better than 180 average I wanted to improve my scoring potential. I now bowl two leagues a week and have done so for about 18 months, in two different centres. One centre using a wrist support and the other with no wrist support. I agree that the wrist support can definitely reduce the amount of revs as it will prevent maximum wrist cup. Depending on the centre and the oil condition one may need more revs to be able to score well, while other centres can be played with fewer revs and still be able to score well. For me its about learning what shot scores well, in which centre and on what type of oil pattern.
So I dont have a personal preference for either, but I DO have a lot of FUN exploring the potential of each.
Martin
Puss
"Moderator" Kick arse champion - Want your arse k
Me tooI have been wearing one for years, why, cause I am a hack, and can't bowl without one.
Puss
I have been wearing one for years, why, cause I am a hack, and can't bowl without one.
Me too... But recently, after dropping down in weight, a major grip overhaul, I can finally bowl without pain.
Some people reckon I just grew a set!
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