Coming over top of the ball

[AlecV]

It has come to my attention that my hand is going over the top of the ball when I release, and it is why my hook is not entirely consistent. To make this short, any videos/photos/tips that will help me stop doing so? Also, what should it feel like?
Thanks for any help!

[JasonNJ]

Imagine the center of the ball has an equator, your fingers should be under the equator when you release the ball which will give you proper revs and rotation. When you are going over the top, your fingers are above the equator and most likely you are just spinning the ball. So concentrate on staying behind the ball with your fingers below the center of the ball and focus on making sure your thumb releases from the ball first followed by the fingers.

Here is a video of slow motion releases from all different pros, while they all have different motions the one thing in common is the fingers at the equator or below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZNVJql7hH8

[AlecV]

Imagining this helped a great deal with the understanding. I don't throw until tomorrow, but then I throw everyday for 4-5 hours until next Tuesday. Before trying this, is there usually a learning curve in terms of speed? Just watching it makes me think that for atleast a game I will be slowed down and over hook a bit.

[JasonNJ]

Imagining this helped a great deal with the understanding. I don't throw until tomorrow, but then I throw everyday for 4-5 hours until next Tuesday. Before trying this, is there usually a learning curve in terms of speed? Just watching it makes me think that for atleast a game I will be slowed down and over hook a bit.

The learning curve will be different for everyone. You might throw it and feel the way the ball comes off your hand and it just clicks. For some others it may seem unnatural and will take some time. I would say focus on keeping a firm wrist and staying behind the ball and that should go a long way with keeping your fingers under the equator.

[djp1080]

Alec, While you're on YouTube, try taking a look at two searches. Search one for Foul Line Drill. Search two for One Step Drill. These are two drills which will demonstrate to you that throwing a ball with revs isn't all that difficult with the proper hand position at the release point. The difficult part is getting your body to accept it and allow you to roll the ball with your fingers on the bottom of the ball. Your thumb should remain to the right. The videos that should come up for you will be Joe Slowinski and/or Richard Shockley. Both excellent bowling coaches! Hope this helps...

[ChuckR]

Have your pro-shop check to be sure staying behind the ball will NOT create a straight ball. Offset the fingers allows the index to come off a bit later and will generate the revs more naturally.
In the early days, I am 73, you were taught to throw as if you were throwing a football. This easily can cause spin and negate the action of todays equipment.

[Tony]

Alec, While you're on YouTube, try taking a look at two searches. Search one for Foul Line Drill. Search two for One Step Drill. These are two drills which will demonstrate to you that throwing a ball with revs isn't all that difficult with the proper hand position at the release point. The difficult part is getting your body to accept it and allow you to roll the ball with your fingers on the bottom of the ball. Your thumb should remain to the right. The videos that should come up for you will be Joe Slowinski and/or Richard Shockley. Both excellent bowling coaches! Hope this helps...

One way to view the different releases is the static hand position where you simply hold your hand in the same position throughout your swing, typically with your thumb pointed from about 9:30 up to 12 for varying amounts of hook, the 1/4 turn rotation where you come through with your thumb closer to 12 and as you release your rotate the fingers a 1/4 more or less to vary your hook, the third is more of the cranker with a cupped wrist and a powerful release, uncupping your wrist at release. There are also some other releases people use

The Coaching video's suggested are a great resource to help learn the correct form and position, having worked with Coach Shockley I can't say enough good things about him and his coaching ability, you can learn a great deal by studying his video's. If you happen to be in the Northern Illinois area you can even take one on one lessons with him.

[AlecV]

Have your pro-shop check to be sure staying behind the ball will NOT create a straight ball.

I'm very fortunate in the fact that I have two High School coaches that are Silver. One might even be Gold as a matter of fact. I'll ask them to watch me and see if I have improved with it after a few days of trying.

[AlecV]

If you happen to be in the Northern Illinois area you can even take one on one lessons with him.
Just curious, how far north? I live in the Eastern most part of Iowa. Around The Quad Cities.

[djp1080]

I believe Coach Shockley is in the Rockford, IL area and associated with Bowlers Mart...

[RobLV1]

The single most important thing to teach bowlers who learned to bowl before the introduction of reactive resin balls with dynamic cores, or those who were taught to bowl by others who learned before that time is that you don't have to hook a modern bowling ball: they do it all by themselves. In the old days the bowler's release had to come around the side of the ball to encourage rotation. Today, you just have to stay behind the ball until the thumb comes out and then rotate THROUGH the ball, rather than around it. Any certified Silver Level Coach should be able to show you how do do this very quickly. Unfortunately, the existence of U Tube has not eliminated the need for coaching except in the minds of those who don't realize coaching's value.

[AlexNC]

The single most important thing to teach bowlers who learned to bowl before the introduction of reactive resin balls with dynamic cores, or those who were taught to bowl by others who learned before that time is that you don't have to hook a modern bowling ball: they do it all by themselves. In the old days the bowler's release had to come around the side of the ball to encourage rotation. Today, you just have to stay behind the ball until the thumb comes out and then rotate THROUGH the ball, rather than around it. Any certified Silver Level Coach should be able to show you how do do this very quickly. Unfortunately, the existence of U Tube has not eliminated the need for coaching except in the minds of those who don't realize coaching's value.

Rob, re: the release what are your thoughts on keeping a firm wrist vs letting it break? I feel like I get a much better roll when I let my wrist break near the release, but it seems to limit my repeatability.

[RobLV1]

Rob, re: the release what are your thoughts on keeping a firm wrist vs letting it break? I feel like I get a much better roll when I let my wrist break near the release, but it seems to limit my repeatability.

Many modern elite bowlers let their wrist break; it's where they get their power. For a good example of a tremendous modern release, see if you can find some video of David Haynes.. past Team USA member. David's release features a wrist that is broken from the beginning of the approach, all the way up until just prior to the moment of release. It's a very effective way to roll a bowling ball.

[Amyers]

Many modern elite bowlers let their wrist break; it's where they get their power. For a good example of a tremendous modern release, see if you can find some video of David Haynes.. past Team USA member. David's release features a wrist that is broken from the beginning of the approach, all the way up until just prior to the moment of release. It's a very effective way to roll a bowling ball.

Rob. David does have a broken wrist for most of his delivery but I'm pretty sure he doesn't actually release the ball that way he cups it right before release which is what develops his power not releasing the ball with a broken wrist which only kills your power. Sorry Just didn't want Alex to get the wrong idea about his wrist breaking. What ever position the wrist is in before the release you've got to get behind the ball at some point before releasing it which is hard to do with a broken wrist or am I incorrect.

[Grouperdawg]

I've found for me, My worst throws r when my wrist breaks down, the ball doesn't hit with power, don't get the right revs. Sometimes I get away with it, but most of my pocket leaves come from this bad release. If I've bowled a lot of games and starting to get tired, sometimes I have one thought when get lined up and that's keep wrist firm. Maybe it has to do with my throwing style but I hav to keep my wrist firm or feeling like its firm

[AlexNC]

Rob. David does have a broken wrist for most of his delivery but I'm pretty sure he doesn't actually release the ball that way he cups it right before release which is what develops his power not releasing the ball with a broken wrist which only kills your power. Sorry Just didn't want Alex to get the wrong idea about his wrist breaking. What ever position the wrist is in before the release you've got to get behind the ball at some point before releasing it which is hard to do with a broken wrist or am I incorrect.

Its all good. I understood what he meant and was able to find some video. I was really just seeking clarification on his opinion for the moment of release as the ball passes the feet. (Letting the wrist unload vs maintaining a firm wrist.) The USBC Bowling Academy also has a video that talks about the two releases side by side. I guess the bigger question for Rob is his thoughts on the appropriate release as it pertains to different skill levels. There seem to be a variety of opinions from different coaches. In no way are any of them advocating the older style of giving lift or hitting up. But I do see a difference of opinions in letting the wrist break vs maintaining a firm but relaxed wrist. I have a lesson coming up and if I like the guy I will just do as is suggested; but I was still curious about Rob's feelings about it.

I don't want to hijack this thread either, but part of my struggles and questions probably go back to ball fit in general. I have gone from a span that was way to short, to one that is stretched with too much reverse pitch and have been frustrated with my proshop experiences in my area. No one wants to see you bowl (one shop even charges extra for that). They get frustrated when you ask questions or want to make changes - i don't get it - don't they want my money? Long story short, my span is probably 1/8 long on both fingers and with the reverse pitch that accompanies it the ball wants to fall off my hand unless I use excessive grip pressure or a ton of cup - which comes back to me having a better roll when I cup and uncup at release. I am trying a new proshop with the ball I just won - a bit of a drive but I don't care so long as I get some real service and a good fit. Its also run by the coach I'm getting a lesson from. My apologies. RANT OVER.

[RobLV1]

Rob. David does have a broken wrist for most of his delivery but I'm pretty sure he doesn't actually release the ball that way he cups it right before release which is what develops his power not releasing the ball with a broken wrist which only kills your power. Sorry Just didn't want Alex to get the wrong idea about his wrist breaking. What ever position the wrist is in before the release you've got to get behind the ball at some point before releasing it which is hard to do with a broken wrist or am I incorrect.

If you re-read what I wrote, you see that I referred to his wrist being broken "all the way up until just prior to the moment of release."

[Amyers]

If you re-read what I wrote, you see that I referred to his wrist being broken "all the way up until just prior to the moment of release."

I understood and figured Alex did too. I'm pretty sure you and I have discussed David's release before just didn't want somebody to take something the wrong way. Post highjack over. Lol

[rocketman1964]

What has helped me is to spread my index finger away from my middle finger, it helps me to get to the inside of the ball rather than over the top.