Having problems with my release, please help!

[wonderstruck80]

I started bowling a couple months ago and seem to still have problems similar to when I started..

Began by getting a custom fit ball, 14 lb tzone. I've been back to the shop several times, once where they actually remeasured and shortened up the span and made the thumb hole smaller because I was complaining about pain near the base of my thumb. The primary problems i seem to be having is with the release.. I cannot consistently hit the pocket, the ball comes out early (apparent by the way it hits the lane), the ball comes out late and having a difficult time following through.

I've watched several videos on youtube and studied up quite a bit on these and other forums. Feels like I've got the timing between my footwork/upper body worked out but everything else seems to be out of sync. I'm beginning to wonder if I'd benefit from throwing a lighter ball, have the span shortened up again and/or opening up the thumb hole a little bit more. I'd like to put up a video of my swing but i've been tweaking it so much lately and the last one was about a month ago. I feel like the majority of my problems are stemming from the thumb hole and span but i have absolutely no way to confirm.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

[RobLV1]

As you are just starting out in bowling, the most important thing for you to do is to find a qualified coach and take a few lessons to get you going in the right direction. Keep in mind that just because someone is running a proshop and drilling bowling balls, that does not make him a coach. Check out the USBC website: bowl.com to find a certified coach in your area. It's much easier to start in the right direction than it is to develop all kinds of bad habits and try to fix them later.

[Tony]

Finding a qualified coach would be your best bet. If you have the option in your area to find a silver or gold coach I'm sure they would be able to help resolve your ball fit and determine how much work needs to be done with other parts of your game.

[JasonNJ]

I agree with the other guys about finding a coach but also since you had to have your measurements and span adjusted a few times, you might want to ask around if they guy you are going to is a good pro shop guy and maybe find a good pro shop to go to. Also, I personally wouldn't go under 14lbs unless there were so physical ailment that forced me to go lower.

One last thing, the TZone is a plastic ball so that may be one of the reason why you can't consistently hit the pocket, especially if you are trying to hook the ball.

[fokai73]

No disrespect to these USBC coaches who work to get where they are, and to other paper coaches, but there are many out there who shouldn't be coaching. There are non paper coaches who are far ahead of other USBC "coaches". Guys who were or are still in the (pro) industry who understands the physical game. And guys who are not in the pro industry.

I've seen many top level coaches, and one of which, I was really excited to work with. This person didn't make the cut. I totally wasted my time and money. Top 50?!! Not to me and another person who saw this coach. (I just happened to hear their conversation) Likewise, just because a driller is A HOF on tour, doesn't mean he can hit lines. Be careful on that too.

Bottom line, go shopping for a coach and driller. do some research, ask around. I had to search for a while locally 11 years ago when I relocated. Only one in my area (1/4 mile from apparent) did a good job, but he had poor customer service. So I didn't return. Now he works at.... One of you guys may know of him....'lol anyway I have to travel 1 hr to see a really good driller and PSO w/ A+ service.

Finally, on the other side of the coin, a bowler must be coachable too. And before seeing a driller, have basic idea about the proper grip - terms and pitches for example. Also, if a coach has a DVD or a book out, read it before seeing him/her. Get an idea of their teachings, so when they talk in their own terms, you'd understand.

Good luck and bowl well!!

[Hot_pocket]

Another thing Changing your span will definitely alter your release. I had a haywire drilled up an i intentionally shortened the span by like a 16th of an inch and I would grab at the ball more and have a horrible release because of it. It's an easy fix though that's why I tried it.

[Amyers]

No disrespect to these USBC coaches who work to get where they are, and to other paper coaches, but there are many out there who shouldn't be coaching. There are non paper coaches who are far ahead of other USBC "coaches". Guys who were or are still in the (pro) industry who understands the physical game. And guys who are not in the pro industry.

I've seen many top level coaches, and one of which, I was really excited to work with. This person didn't make the cut. I totally wasted my time and money. Top 50?!! Not to me and another person who saw this coach. (I just happened to hear their conversation) Likewise, just because a driller is A HOF on tour, doesn't mean he can hit lines. Be careful on that too.

Bottom line, go shopping for a coach and driller. do some research, ask around. I had to search for a while locally 11 years ago when I relocated. Only one in my area (1/4 mile from apparent) did a good job, but he had poor customer service. So I didn't return. Now he works at.... One of you guys may know of him....'lol anyway I have to travel 1 hr to see a really good driller and PSO w/ A+ service.

Finally, on the other side of the coin, a bowler must be coachable too. And before seeing a driller, have basic idea about the proper grip - terms and pitches for example. Also, if a coach has a DVD or a book out, read it before seeing him/her. Get an idea of their teachings, so when they talk in their own terms, you'd understand.

Good luck and bowl well!!

I believe what you stated here is good advice but not just when dealing with PSO's or "Paper" coaches. I don't have a lot of experience working with as you call them USBC Paper coaches as there are not many in my area but I have found it true that not everyone who thinks they are capable of being a coach is and that not every coach fits every bowlers style. We have 1 silver level coach in the entire state and about 6 bronze coaches who don't actively coach they just have it so that they can "coach" the high school teams and that is it.

We do have quite a collection of former PBA players, PSO's, good bowlers, and regular league bowlers all who think they can fix your game in 10 minutes. The largest percentage of whom think they can fix you by trying to teach you to bowl like them or just repeat every tired retread of advice they heard while bowling junior leagues 30 years ago. I think I got lucky and got referred to a guy who drives up from an hour a away once a month or so to coach here locally. Current Senior PBA bowler but not a certified coach after the referral I found out at one time or another he has worked with most of the top level bowlers in the state. I've only had two lessons so far so it's really to early to judge so far but I'm liking what I am seeing. I spent a lot of time with other PSO's and self styled coaches and got very little out of it in the past so asking around and experimenting are your best options.

[RobLV1]

The USBC Coaching Program is one of the most misunderstood programs to be found anywhere. Many people perceive that all you have to do is to pay your money and you automatically attain that level. That is most definitely NOT the case. There is a finite goal for each level. Level One teaches coaches to teach beginning bowlers. It focuses on the basics of bowling for all bowlers. Bronze Level goes on to address mid-level bowlers. It teaches coaches to start from the beginning of the approach and work forward to the foul line, correcting problems along the way that may affect the final outcome of the shot. Silver Level focuses on the final position at the line and works backwards to the beginning of the approach. At this level, coaches are taught to merely identify potential problem areas along the way, that may adversely affect the shot.

At each stage, the program deals with other issues besides bowling; it deals with teaching and learning. There is a reason that every teacher that you've ever had from Kindergarten through post graduate school has been required to complete education courses in order to teach.

Does attaining USBC Certification automatically make anyone a great coach? Of course not. It does, however, greatly increase your chances of finding a coach that may help your game, and certainly won't totally mess it up, regardless of how much they think they know, or how good they are at the game themselves.

[NewToBowling]

Sure they have the knowledge, just some have a better way of expressing it. Some are stubborn and will tell you the only way to properly bowl is with their style. Others will amend the rules and let you do what's comfortable to an extent.

[wonderstruck80]

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=679E8D79755CD444!1356&authkey=!AHLZ_RuJgBOv8sM&ithint=video%2cmov

here's a video, please be critical i need it.. The ball seems to be dropping off my hand and I can't figure out how to correct this. I imagine the problem is not staying behind the ball?

[JasonNJ]

Are the finger holes in your ball really loose? The way you drop the ball looks like the ball is falling off your hand before you even attempt to release the ball. You should be able to hold your ball with minimal finger pressure but I have a feeling you are gripping it really tight so you don't drop the ball behind you and this is causing you timing issues because you can't have a relaxed pendulum swing. The first ball your threw the ball slipped out of your hand straight into the right gutter. On the 2nd shot, you were gripping so hard that it made you throw your arm to the left.

Definitely get your grip and span checked by a good pro shop guy and then you can focus on timing and doing a nice relaxed pendulum arm swing.

[wonderstruck80]

I've already had the pro shop adjust my grip/holes one time. I believe they didn't tighten up the finger holes like i asked them to. They did shorten up the span and tightened up the thumb hole though.

[wonderstruck80]

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=679E8D79755CD444!1357&authkey=!AAmdh9cmrAD2Kks&v=3&ithint=photo%2cjpg

Here's a picture of what hopefully shows if the span is correct or not.

[AlexNC]

Not an expert here, but kinda looks like you are manipulating the swing instead of keeping it relaxed and free. It ends up coming behind your back. Your hand is also on top of the ball instead of behind it. I might be inclined to get in the finish position at the line and roll some balls, focusing on a free swing and staying behind the ball, and then move on to some one step drills.

Lots of posters more knowledgable here should give you some good feedback. Good luck!

[billf]

First, the span is extemely short. Get to a shop that knows what they are doing!
You are on top of the ball with your fingers and thumb. The fingers should be under the equator of the ball. Currently you are at the north pole. Getting the span correct will help ease the grip pressure and allow you to manipulate your hand position closer to ideal.

[NewToBowling]

Yeah, some shops either don't know what they're doing or hate newbies. They only want to cater to bowling professionals and having to deal with newcomers. They don't want to work with a new bowler to explain holes/span/pitch etc. They will just drill conventional leaving it extra tight as they think newbies want it drilled like a house ball. Honestly looks like they drilled it "houseball" style for you. Meaning extra large holes forcing you to grip.

[billf]

Get finger tip grip. It helps to reduce grip pressure and allows ease of learning to hook later on.

[Amyers]

Get finger tip grip. It helps to reduce grip pressure and allows ease of learning to hook later on.

Unless your drilling for someone who only wants to bowl a few times of year (and then why do you need a custom drilled ball) or a younger kid I'm just not sure what the point of drilling conventional gripped balls is. Unless someone specifically requests that. Why learn one style when eventually they are going to want to learn to hook the ball and have to start over.

[NewToBowling]

Unless your drilling for someone who only wants to bowl a few times of year (and then why do you need a custom drilled ball) or a younger kid I'm just not sure what the point of drilling conventional gripped balls is. Unless someone specifically requests that. Why learn one style when eventually they are going to want to learn to hook the ball and have to start over.

Conventional for straight bowlers also. My wife is a straight bowler and could never get used to fingertip

[wonderstruck80]

First, the span is extemely short. Get to a shop that knows what they are doing!
You are on top of the ball with your fingers and thumb. The fingers should be under the equator of the ball. Currently you are at the north pole. Getting the span correct will help ease the grip pressure and allow you to manipulate your hand position closer to ideal.

Can you elaborate on this? My ball is drilled for conventional grip and i've had the guy shorten the span already since i was having pain near the base of my thumb. Are you saying it should be longer for conventional grip?

[wonderstruck80]

Not an expert here, but kinda looks like you are manipulating the swing instead of keeping it relaxed and free. It ends up coming behind your back. Your hand is also on top of the ball instead of behind it. I might be inclined to get in the finish position at the line and roll some balls, focusing on a free swing and staying behind the ball, and then move on to some one step drills.

Lots of posters more knowledgable here should give you some good feedback. Good luck!

Thanks for this tip, will definitely work on this next time i'm having a practice session.

[wonderstruck80]

Sounds like it would be worth it, to go to another pro shop and have my grip re-measured and changed to fingertip grip?

[JasonNJ]

Sounds like it would be worth it, to go to another pro shop and have my grip re-measured and changed to fingertip grip?

I would definitely change to a fingertip grip especially if you want to hook the ball. I would also suggest getting a beginner reactive ball since the cost of plugging and re-driling a Tzone ball probably wouldn't be worth it. You could try to keep the TZone as a spare ball but the different grips may be difficult to learn with.

[JasonNJ]

Can you elaborate on this? My ball is drilled for conventional grip and i've had the guy shorten the span already since i was having pain near the base of my thumb. Are you saying it should be longer for conventional grip?

So a conventional grip is for straight bowling, since the span is close together when you release the ball, your thumb and fingers comes out of the ball almost the same time and the ball usually has a forward roll. Fingertip grip is for when you hook the ball. When you release, your thumb should come out first and then your fingers apply rotation to the ball which makes the ball hook.

This is a decent video showing you the release in slow motion.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_I7vlEJ8LzU