Working on an increase and consistency in revs.

[tumblebug1949]

Hi all,

I have been working the last two or three weeks with my first ball in years, a Reign, designed for a hook. I had always thrown a straight ball (plastic) but had not bowled in years. I have been reading a lot and working on getting some revolutions in my release using the Storm Reign. I have watched a lot of training videos on you-tube but try to only watch the certified coaches. The instructions have given two methods of putting revolutions on the ball at release.

Some basic info about me: I am right handed, 62, 6'2", 200 lbs, and fairly athletic

One method is with the hand behind the ball and the thumb around ten o'clock. As the thumb is withdrawn, the fingers give a slight turn adding rotation to the ball.

Second method was to rotate the hand around the ball so it is not directly behind the ball but in about a 4:30 or 5:00 position as you are looking down at the ball from the top.

I can get a little rotation using the second method but it is not consistent. I believe the biggest problem I am having using either method is the timing of the release. That and a little weak wrist.

From what I have watched and read, the thumb should leave the thumb hole when the wrist gets to the back of the sliding foot. Once the thumb is out, lifting the hand with the fingers that are still in the fingertip grips will put the rotation on the ball. That is where the hand comes up into the handshake position.

I am thinking I am understanding what needs to happen but just need to work on my timing.

I have a Brunswick Command X wrist support to help with the possible weak wrist but I haven't used it yet. Figured if I took the weak wrist possibility out of the release, it might help me narrow down the possible problems.

Any comments that might help me with getting the timing right would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for any assistance
and I hope I worded this so it is understandable.

Tom

[10-in-the-pit]

One thing that could help at the release is to bend the elbow rather than bringing your arm straight up. This creates a little "snap" that will generate rev's. The main focus is to keep your hand behind the ball in most cases (practice by throwing a football underhanded which you can search for).

[tumblebug1949]

I will work with bending the elbow and see if that will help.

I used the Brunswick Command X wrist brace and it did help put some revs on the ball but not a lot. It has to be helping because it is holding my wrist more straight allowing the thumb to come out first and leaving the fingers in slightly longer. I think in the past, my wrist was bent back so much that the thumb and fingers all released at almost the same time.

As I bowl more, I think my wrist will strengthen more making it easier to maintain wrist position and get more revs.

I do also have a Moro Extended Pro Release coming to assist in learning what the ball will do with the wrist held in different positions.

It is all a learning process.

Happy Holidays to all.

[littlelegs]

I struggled with revs for the longest time and found one of two things to work i.e. to help keep my hand properly behind/under the ball and ensure my thumb leaves it early enough.

The first was a bigger backswing. However, I have slight issues with that in that it really does drop my accuracy substantially. Perhaps with enough practice I can overcome that but as the second method is currently working for me I'm resisting for now.

The second way I've found that works for me getting my revs higher is simply cupping my hand as much as possible during the swing. It seems to ensure my hand is staying under the ball and my thumb releasing properly with impacting accuracy. It can be easier said than done though to keep the wrist tightly cupped but the rest of the arm relaxed. It's certainly taken me while but been worth the effort.