Beginner bowler question on release.

[JoeBeavis]

hi,

New to forum and the sport in general. I'm 44 years old and up to about 3 months ago my bowling experience consisted of going once or twice a year, grabbing a house ball and grip it and rip it. Anything over 100 was an achievement.

About three months ago my wife, who had league bowled before in the 90s suggested we try bowling in a league for fun. We went and got new balls, shoes, bags etc. Well needless to say, I became an addict. Bowling 4-6 times a week atleast 4-5 games a night.

That's where I realized that this game is only paralleled by golf on the frustration scale. That's where my questions come in.

My biggest issue is consistency. In trying to discover "my form". I feel I have accomplished the ability to throw the ball 100 times and get 100 entirely different forms. I do have momentary periods of "being on" but they don't last. My average the last three weeks or so is about 140 and I have had several games in the 170-180 range. I even pulled off a 201 earlier this week. I've also had some games that come dangerously close to being under 100.

Question 1...any advice or thoughts on setting up a good practice routine?

Question 2...my release. I realize just about every bowler releases the ball a little different. I keep hearing things like hand behind the ball. This video is the closest thing I can find to how I release the ball. IF I start and finish my swing with my hand in a position where my palm is facing my body then I usually have my better games. I feel this is not hand behind the ball and I am developing bad technique. Thoughts or advice on developing good release?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=oXroTWvIpM8


Question 3...in my approach I most often start with my right foot on the dot to the right of the center dot. My target area is just a bit to left of second arrow. When I finish my right foot winds up in the center dot area which means I am not walking straight towards the foul line but instead am drifting right. This allows my the best chance to get a strike it seems based on path my ball takes. If I start on center dot, use same target and finish center dot my ball goes way left. I think I have a pretty low rev rate.

OK, I know that's a lot but any and all replies are welcomed and appreciated.

[RobLV1]

As a total beginner, there is nothing better for you to do than to find a USBC Certified Coach (Bronze or Silver Level) in your area and take a lesson. It is so much easier to get started correctly, than to develop all kinds of bad habits on your own that you will have to break later.

[J Anderson]

First, I second Rob's suggestion of getting some coaching.

Until you can find a good coach, here are my suggestions:
In bowling, there are a lot of moving parts; walking,sliding or planting, push-away/hinge, swing, and release. It's impossible to think about all of it while doing it, and often counter productive to think about a particular part while trying to do it. There are a number of drills, some of which you can do at home, to isolate and improve elements of your delivery. You can find many of these on the internet.

Bowling is a "lazy" game. I don't mean that it doesn't take real effort to get good at it. I mean that the swing and the release need to be relaxed, and let gravity do as much of the work for you as possible. Likewise, a simple release that you can execute consistantly is better than a complicated one that gives you a ton of revs but only comes out right a third of the time.

While the modern game has become one of stringing alot of strikes, spares are still important. Spend at least some time in each practice session working on spares.

[Tony]

The video slow motion almost gives the watcher the impression that the bowler is turning their hand to the side to impart rotation, what actually has happened is the bowler is keeping his hand behind the ball and letting the thumb slide out then the fingers stay in a bit longer and by natural follow through come around the side. The idea is keeping your hand behind the ball to the release point and letting your fingers turn the ball after your thumb slides out.
Here is a different video that shows the whole motion and that of several tour players.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fo29U0iXd8

[JoeBeavis]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I really appreciate them. I have watched the Kegel video and tried to implement what I watched but just am not getting the hang of it. I know this is an issue with my thumb not coming out at the right time. Is the motion used to remove thumb from ball caused by moving the thumb or is it wrist movement that pulls the thumb out?

[Tony]

Here is a video from a gold level coach about release

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSOorSbT0mI

[NewToBowling]

Thanks for the replies everyone! I really appreciate them. I have watched the Kegel video and tried to implement what I watched but just am not getting the hang of it. I know this is an issue with my thumb not coming out at the right time. Is the motion used to remove thumb from ball caused by moving the thumb or is it wrist movement that pulls the thumb out?

I had thumb issues also and it was because I was not keeping my wrist firm. When you have broken wrist upon release it naturally is harder for thumb to come out. Which a firm wrist and slit rotation of your hand the thumb will apnaturally come out first. At least it is this case with me

[Tony]

In case I forgot to mention it, I third, forth and fifth the suggestion of Rob's that you get in contact with a certified coach that can get you started on the right foot.
For a reasonable cost you can take some lessons and learn things correctly the first time. As you had mentioned with all the equipment, conditions, and mechanics to learn it's a complex game and having some expert hands on guidance can make a big difference.

[JoeBeavis]

Thanks again for the replies. I appreciate them all.

I will be finding coaching help in very near future. I like to think there's hope for me. The mental battle can be a struggle. Going from a 180 to a 115 can be bothersome but I try to remind myself I'm only 3 months into this.

It's amazing a game where you throw a ball and try to knock stuff down is so simplistic yet complex at same time.

Kegel center is close to my area. Trying to talk wife into doing a 4 day mini camp with me there.

[bobforsaken]

you sound like where I was exactly about 8 months ago. Looking at the same videos for answers even. Coaching will definitely save you a lot of money on wasted practice time for sure. As for the release, my break through really came when my fit was checked and altered to allow me to get out of the ball clean while "behind" the ball, along with building up the wrist strength to cup my wrist. What I use now is a Cupped to uncupped release with basically no wrist rotation. From the cupped position with my index finger spread, pinkie tucked... My fingers are on the inside of the ball. Ie.. if I were to draw an equator on the ball running from front to back (front being facing the pins), the bowling fingers are on the left hemisphere. When I uncup, the fingers are now on the right hemisphere (outside of the ball). The cup/uncup release feels a lot like throwing a yo yo. If I want to change axis of rotation I move my index finger out further and add a little bit of a wrist cock, but the release is the same.

I'm not saying that is what you should do.. just what worked for me.