Releasing the ball properly

[zfollmer1]

Hello my name is Zach and I have been bowling for 10 years now. I first started when i was 8 years old throwing a straight ball, and i threw a straight ball for 4 years before switching to a hook. I am still in a really bad habbit of gripping the ball with my thumb, and when i release the ball, i have a tendancy of releasing my thumb at the same time as my fingers. This makes my ball spin down the lane with a higher rev rate, and does not allow the ball to grab into the pocket. Is there anyway i can break this awful habbit i have? Here is my email.

Zfollmer1@gmail.com

if you have any advice please email me, im trying to break this habbit but im not sure how. thank you for your time.

[ursus]

Usually when your thumb and fingers release at the same time you get a sort of knuckle ball action that doesn't have any spin until you get quite a ways down the lane. That doesn't sound like what you are describing your ball is doing. Can you videotape yourself with it zoomed in on the release to see exactly what is going on?

[billf]

Evidently not. When my thumb comes out late the ball spins. spin and revs are not the same thing although they appear that way to people who don't know.

[jimlc2001]

Having a video or pictures would help. What grip are you using; conventional or finger tip? When you throw it, where is the oil on the ball?

[billf]

Get a nerf football. Full size or miniature doesn't make a difference. Throw the football underhand creating a spiral. This is the same motion as needed to properly release the bowling ball and can be done almost anywhere. Just remember to release your thumb first and eventually it will become second nature.

[bowl1820]

Get a nerf football. Full size or miniature doesn't make a difference. Throw the football underhand creating a spiral. This is the same motion as needed to properly release the bowling ball and can be done almost anywhere. Just remember to release your thumb first and eventually it will become second nature.

The nerf ball drill isn't too bad, but I think they found a better one. They show it on the USBC DVD.

On it they say the Nerf drill can cause you to come around the ball too much, which would cause you to have a flying elbow (Throwing your elbow out away from your body) making you over turn the bowling ball.

What they recommend is using a softball just hold it in the palm of your hand with the thumb relaxed. Then start tossing it up in the air to yourself giving it a little roll with your fingers. Once you've done that, advance to putting some side turn on the ball.

Side turn:

[Tampabaybob]

I haven't heard about the softball but it does sound better that the nerd football. I've tried that with a couple of my Saturday kids and you're right it does force the elbow out and then you're dealing with another problem. Thanks for the tip. Gotta throw one in my bag for next Saturday.

Bob

[billf]

I've heard of the softball during the conference but that's it. I must be odd as I've yet to have anyone move the elbow out with the football (at least not when I was watching). It say thumb relaxed. Is it still on the softball though?

[bowl1820]

I've heard of the softball during the conference but that's it. I must be odd as I've yet to have anyone move the elbow out with the football (at least not when I was watching).

In the video he demonstrates what happens, it's easy to see how it could cause it then. When you do the nerf ball, the whole arm can move/rotate which can cause the elbow to go out. with the softball way only the hand and wrist/forearm move.

Here:
green arrow: hand come around and over the ball.
which causes:
red arrow: the elbow comes out from being tucked in by the body

It say thumb relaxed. Is it still on the softball though?

Here's what I'll call the starting position:, the thumb is relaxed to the side

[billf]

Thank you. I'm all for new drills or variations of existing drills but they don't do any good if not done correctly.