Do YOU break your wrist right before/at point of release?

[Ball99999]

Every time I watch a slow motion release video such as here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pyVY1UFopE4#t=32s

I noticed a whipping motion, where the wrist suddenly projects forward. I hadn't realized what this was until now, even though I've heard Norm Duke speak of it, but are they breaking their wrist (uncupping) at this point?

If so, what is the advantage of cupping? Advantage of this breakage?

[Trex]

Every time I watch a slow motion release video such as here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pyVY1UFopE4#t=32s

I noticed a whipping motion, where the wrist suddenly projects forward. I hadn't realized what this was until now, even though I've heard Norm Duke speak of it, but are they breaking their wrist (uncupping) at this point?

If so, what is the advantage of cupping? Advantage of this breakage?

I can't speak for others, but for me it happens naturally...Meaning I do not think about it, it just happens!!

If I think about it and try to do it, it does not work...LOL :rolleyes:

I know that makes no sense, but for me it has to happen without me trying to force it ....I guess is what I am trying to say. :cool:

As for the advantage of either cupping or breaking, I have no idea!! I have always been told to break the wrist when trying to reduce hook, and cup the wrist to increase hook, so how this comes about I really am not sure, I only know it happens when I release the ball. :confused:

If I had to guess...
I would say it is the weight of the ball pushing my hand/wrist backwards as I am trying to lift up on the ball with my fingers at the point of release after thumb exits.

But this is only my opinion of how it seems for me when I am bowling.

[billf]

You uncup just prior to release, starting this as your thumb is coming out. This promotes higher revs. Like anything in bowling, the more you try to force it the less it happens.

[Josch]

Like anything in bowling, the more you try to force it the less it happens.

I wouldn't say anything. What about focusing on your target?

[billf]

Ever focus so hard it gets fuzzy?

[billf]

Do you have to force looking at your target or can you just naturally focus on specific point?

[Ball99999]

I'm finding it so difficult to coordinate all this. It would seem easier if I could just keep my hand in one position but everyone tells me to turn it and I either overdo it or turn my arm.

[bowl1820]

590
I'm finding it so difficult to coordinate all this. It would seem easier if I could just keep my hand in one position but everyone tells me to turn it and I either overdo it or turn my arm.

Your basically just starting out, So Yes Keep it simple at first. There's nothing wrong with keeping the hand in one position.

Here's something I posted in another thread.

Just hold the ball with a firm straight wrist, hold the hand at about a 45 degree angle and hold this position through the swing.
http://s19.postimage.org/426j213sz/45deghand.jpg
This will give you a good basic roll on the ball, a little bit of hook.

Your not going to swing the whole lane with it, so you might have to move right with it some. Your just working on a consistent release.

Remember keep your elbow in, do a nice straight swing (Stay in the 4" groove)
Look at the two videos in this thread:
Click here for Keys-to-a-Good-Aim-Swing (http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/10204-Keys-to-a-Good-Aim-Swing)

Once your consistent there, then you can work on adding more hook, cupping and uncupping the wrist, cocking the wrist etc.

[billf]

Whenever I start to struggle I do what Bowl1820 posted above. It gets me back on track every time without fail.

[Ball99999]

So I was studying/thinking last night. What if I start my hand (and keep it this way during the swing) twisted to the left a little bit, then as I'm coming through at a certain point starting lifting in a way where my hand ends up in a vertical/handshake position. So it's more of a transition into a followthrough and not a focus on twisting the hand right at the bottom?

[Tampabaybob]

I'm also in agreement with bowl1820. Keep it simple to start. This should be you basic starting and finishing position. Once you're able to maintain this position comfortably and with some degree of accuracy towards your spot, then move on to changing your hand positions at the release. As the old saying goes "You need to learn to walk before you run."

Watch the video very closely. At the point of release Tommy's thumb is on the outside of the ball and using 'only' just his wrist and fingers to turn the ball. It's an excellent shot of a proper release to get a great turn and roll on the ball. Work on getting the simple hand position down then move on and experiment. If you get the basics down you'll always have that to fall back on if things aren't going well in a particular game.

Bob

[Ball99999]

Do you HAVE to turn the hand or can you get good revs by good followthrough etc?

[Tampabaybob]

Yes, the more rotation and quickness of it will give you more rotation. It's a split second reaction that takes lots of practice and you want to try to repeat the same motion exact the same way on every first shot. I say first shot only because many people will flatten out their sec on shot purposely for spare shooting. If you feel comfortable rotating on your second shot than try to keep the rotation the same on both shots. I teach people and kids, to always shoot spare using the middle 10 boards to shoot at spares. That's third arrow to third arrow. That's the heaviest concentration of lane oil and the ball will, should, hook less and slid further, giving you less break on the hook. It just helps your accuracy.

Bob

[backahead]

590

Your basically just starting out, So Yes Keep it simple at first. There's nothing wrong with keeping the hand in one position.

Here's something I posted in another thread.

Just hold the ball with a firm straight wrist, hold the hand at about a 45 degree angle and hold this position through the swing.
http://s19.postimage.org/426j213sz/45deghand.jpg
This will give you a good basic roll on the ball, a little bit of hook.

Your not going to swing the whole lane with it, so you might have to move right with it some. Your just working on a consistent release.

Remember keep your elbow in, do a nice straight swing (Stay in the 4" groove)
Look at the two videos in this thread:
Click here for Keys-to-a-Good-Aim-Swing (http://www.bowlingboards.com/threads/10204-Keys-to-a-Good-Aim-Swing)

Once your consistent there, then you can work on adding more hook, cupping and uncupping the wrist, cocking the wrist etc.

I can't say what tomorrow will bring but this post smacked me in the face today and I did it tonight. Best night of bowling I've had yet, no hype. Thanks 1820.

[bowl1820]

I can't say what tomorrow will bring but this post smacked me in the face today and I did it tonight. Best night of bowling I've had yet, no hype. Thanks 1820.

Glad it worked out for you, remember keep at it, don't get discouraged at a bad shot learn from it.

[Ball99999]

Turns out I can't whip my wrist :/ not sure how to do it

[GoodGorilla]

I've been experimenting with this myself alot latly aswell. I am having a hard time understanding when and how to do the un-cuping process. The most fluid way for me is when I just focus on being smooth and not trying to really jerk the ball into motion. When I just uncup the ball like im trying to spin a top or football, it seems to work fine. But when I try to jerk the ball it hurts my wrist, and sometimes alters the direction of the ball. They say the faster you can uncup the ball the more revs you can put on it, to me that would suggest a jerking action. Also the more cup I put on the ball the more difficult it is for me to uncup it.

[J Anderson]

I've been experimenting with this myself alot latly aswell. I am having a hard time understanding when and how to do the un-cuping process. The most fluid way for me is when I just focus on being smooth and not trying to really jerk the ball into motion. When I just uncup the ball like im trying to spin a top or football, it seems to work fine. But when I try to jerk the ball it hurts my wrist, and sometimes alters the direction of the ball. They say the faster you can uncup the ball the more revs you can put on it, to me that would suggest a jerking action. Also the more cup I put on the ball the more difficult it is for me to uncup it.

You have figured this one out on your own. If you watch the slo-mo videos of the modern release you will realize that while the pros are un-cupping very fast, it is a very smooth process. You may need to work on your flexibility to use more cup.

[billf]

Learning the difference between fast and smooth compared to fast and jerking is the key to this. Unfortunately it's not a feeling or technique that can be taught or explained fully, with words.

[GoodGorilla]

In the uncupping process, does your wrist bend backwards in the opposite direction past your hand parallel to your forearm?

[billf]

Mine does but it took me quite awhile to get it that way. Lots of video to see what I was really doing compared to what I thought I was doing.

[striker12]

the way i do it is jsut atural if i forcuse on it too much i will mess it up soo i have not focused on it eversince i figured that out and i have been doing well with the release most focusing on my target and my release point sometimes im releasing to late but never to soon

[Tampabaybob]

Every time I watch a slow motion release video such as here

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=pyVY1UFopE4#t=32s

I noticed a whipping motion, where the wrist suddenly projects forward. I hadn't realized what this was until now, even though I've heard Norm Duke speak of it, but are they breaking their wrist (uncupping) at this point?

If so, what is the advantage of cupping? Advantage of this breakage?

I remembered seeing this article and thought you might get something out of it. The first time I read it, my lightbulb (in my head) came on, and it started to make sense. It's good information and may answer your question about the split second that you uncup your wrist. Let me know what you think.

Bob

The Flat spot

The Length of the Slide plus the amount of Knee continuation equals the length of an individual’s Flat Spot.
I have always equated the flat spot in bowling with that of the divot taken after striking the golf ball with an iron. Both are the result of proper technique……not a learned technique in itself.

In the first slide Doug’s foot is flat on the floor and he is about to begin his slide. If this were the beginning and end of his slide, the swing would follow the red arc defined by the swing center (white star #1) with minimal flat spot. The small amount of flat spot would be the amount the shoulder (radius point of the swing) would move forward in order to deliver the ball.

In the second view his slide is now complete and the swing radius has moved forward as a result of the slide foot moving from the yellow to the green line. This movement of the slide foot forward also moves the radius of the swing towards the foul line to position #2. Because the radius of the swing moved forward the ball path can no longer follow the original red arc. It is now on the path of the blue arc.
As the shoulders close and the body weight transfers to the slide foot the radius of the swing moves forward to position #3.
The body weight continues to move forward and so does the radius of the swing, now at position #4. From position #4 the swing will arc upward on a path very similar to the original red arc.

My summary: The length of the radius of his swing (shoulder to ball) never changes. The radius point of the swing moving forward as a result of Slide distance and Knee Continuation creates the length of his flat spot (orange line).



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