And she throws a hook!

[DLP]

Really boys and girls! The backup ball queen started throwing hooks tonight. They were slight but dangit there was hook! My epiphany happened when I realized my hand wasn't flat, as in the ball was not resting on my hand parallel to the ground and I was actually turning my wrist so that my hand was not exactly under the ball. When I made this tiny adjustment not only did my backup ball fade (pardon the pun) into oblivion, the little Fringe actually developed a mild hook. This happened at the start of our third game tonight. We went for four lines each so I still had a 2nd game to bowl with my newfangled way of rolling the ball.

First two games : 105/134
Second two games : 109/145

I'm high as a kite right now because that 145 was 3 pins OVER my hubby who wasn't experimenting (it's the only time I've ever beaten him before). It came down to the final frame. I threw the ONLY strike of that game and followed up with a spare. He led off with a strike, followed by 9 pins and open.

I told him I'm framing the print outs of our games.

Average ended up being a 123 for the series

p.s. At the rate I was bowling tonight - my spare game is gonna ROCK in leagues! 4 strikes over 4 games... 4 X the spares!

[billf]

Congratulations! It's always a great feeling when something starts to click.

[classygranny]

Whoo HOO! Congrats, I always feel good when something finally clicks. And I see you scores are steadily going upwards. Keep up the good work!

I know you worked with a coach and I am only going to suggest this as something for you to think about or ask your coach about...

The one thing I wished I had learned as a beginner bowler, and actually never was told until awhile ago, and has caused me much difficulty in changing due to my old habits...

Use a two or three-point grip. A two point is where you apply pressure with the base of your thumb (push your nail towards the ball) and your index finger. This allows the thumb to relax and stay straight, allowing a good, clean, quick release. We all seem to have a tendency to squeeze the ball or bend our thumb (a really hard habit to break-at least for me). By holding your ball with these pressure points your thumb, hand, and arm stay more relaxed. If you want to add the third point pressure, it would be with the ring finger. It helps to get more turn on the ball, without even thinking about turning the ball.

I can't tell you how much I wish I had learned this 25 yrs ago!

DON'T try this in league for the first time....you may, and probably will, drop a few balls. Just keep practicing but don't start to squeeze with the thumb, they tell me it will come to be more natural the more you practice. And, by all means check with your coach!

[The German Shepherd]

That is the epitome of coolness! Keep up the good work!

J

[Tampabaybob]

Donna....way to go ! I'm telling you, my crystal ball says you'll be averaging in the 120's of higher by this fall !! We can all see that you're working del hard at your game, and the progress is really starting to show. Great job.

One of the things Gayla just mentioned also, is about keeping a little pressure on your ring finger. Basically, you'll be pointing your ring finger toward your target.

Another thing I teach, and in fact did this yesterday to one of my Junior bowlers Dad's that I was practicing with, is to put just a little squeeze on both of your fingers and point your INDEX FINGER towards the target. What that will do is "slightly change the axis roll of your ball, help you stay under the ball with your hand, and give you a bit more of an end over end roll for stronger hits. He's a 170 average shooter and in three games didn't shoot under 200. i noticed he had left a couple of 5 pins and one 5-7 split when I suggested this. All of a sudden he started striking and every thing fell into place. It's an easy technique and all you want to do also is put a very little pressure with your index finger on the ball....just press lightly all the way through to your release. When you release the ball have your index finger pointing towards your target. Try it and see what kind of reaction you get. You may have to move a few boards left if the ball starts hooking more. Good luck, keep up the good bowling and let us know how you're doing !

[DLP]

Thanks for the advice!!! I changed my grip to feel it more in the pad of my thumb instead of bending my thumb. I fixed my "swelly thumb/floppy thumb" by slapping a 1/8" foam shur cushion up the back of the thumb and a single piece of white tape in the front. Felt weird for a little while and I think that's what triggered my "inserts" thread. Eventually I'll get this ironed out.

[billf]

If you can fit a shur-cushion in with your thumb, then your hole is too big! It's a great product though as it helps give you confidence on how tight the hole can be and the thumb STILL get out in time.

[DLP]

Is throwing a backup ball necessarily a bad thing? I'm back to "instinct" again, and while my first game tonight only clocked in at 97 (was trying to repeat what I did with throwing a hook, not matter how small), my second game (when I didnt give to hoots), was a backup ball beauty up into the 120s.

I have one of two choices: Keep trying/practicing/etc. at trying to throw a hook or try a different drill pattern on the Fringe to work with what I am doing already.

I know - two different schools of thought. One is "hook! hook! hook!" and the other is "stack the cards in your favor and go with the flow".

After getting advice from the Pro I work with, I'm leaning more towards the second. Maybe using what some people consider a weakness to my advantage, I'd be better off in the long run. I mean, other than lefties, who plays the left side of the lane anyway, right?!?!??!

[billf]

That's your choice. Females seem to have more flexibility in their elbows allowing for a natural back up delivery. The down side is the possibility of injury due to putting stress on a joint in such a manner. I'm no doc so there may not be a difference.

[classygranny]

A lady in my Friday morning league throws a beautiful backup ball....just don't call it that to her face as SHE throw a "reverse hook". She has averaged close to 160 I think for the last 6 or more years. Just bowls that one time a week, has one ball, and never picks it up in between league days, and doesn't always bowl in the summer.

Bill is right, women's arm bones are a bit different and it is easier for us to throw that way. I would just be careful in that you are sure your arm swing is the cause of the backup and not your wrist. If it is the wrist, then I (personally) would advise against it in the long run, I would see injuries and pains in your future.

Also, is the ball you throw the backup with drilled to move that way? If not, and you choose to go that direction, a ball that is drilled for a reverse hook could/would help your scoring and accuracy.

How about a video of both styles? Then we can really give a "what-for"...just kidding. Bowling is more about fun, than skill...right? NOT! At least for me...