Here's a piece of unorthodoxy...
My Bodhrans have crossed dowels. They are set about 13/4 iches clear of the skin, and would give more than a little discomfort to any one using the orthodox method--i.e/ hand between dowels and skin.
I play by hooking my thumb at the junction of the dowels, and spreading my fingers on the skin in conjucnt with whatever movement ---vertical, lateral, rotary or muffling on my body---is required for tonal variation.Perhaps not for everyone---I have long fingers, which can cover a fair percentage of the skin. I am able to get a wide range of tonal variation, and---I think I've said before---could comfortably play bodhran while doing somersaults; if only I could do somersaults-----!