Ball release/track issues

[Bowling Wonder]

Last season, both my bowling balls (Maxim and Avalanche) would roll in the spinner style. Recently, however, I've added a push-away to my release. When I rolled my Maxim after this change, the track somehow changed to being mostly semi-roller, and occasionally full-roller. I think that I'm somehow consistent in the semi- or full-roller release with my Maxim using this push-away. My Avalanche, though, persists in having a spinner track. I've read that the spinner style results from "snapping" of the wrist- I'm not exactly sure what's meant by "snapping". Further, I use a wrist support, which inhibits wrist action ("snapping"?). Given this information, the fault wouldn't be in my wrist, correct? My coach says that my biggest mechanical issue is that my arm is bent on the backswing. Is the bent arm in the backswing causing the spinner release, or something else? What can I do with my mechanics to make the change to semi- or full-roller?

[striker12]

im not fully sure about how to make changes to get semi or full roller i use to be one when i musled the ball on my old bowling style but took some time to get into my new release but about the bending of the arm in the backswing could or couldn't make you throw the ball in a spinner style cause i also have a bending arm in my backswing but i dont got the spinning i eather have a high track or depending on the lane i will adjsut my wrist for less hook make my track above my fingers but still come down beside the fingers on a angle.

but maby you could try some release drills where u stand the distance that u slid away from the foul line and throw your arma back and forward 3 times but on the 3rd time forwar u would throw the ball and on the 3rd time backwards u would do your step/slid and it helps with your timing and keeping your arm streght i did this for awhile till i got use to it but dont worry about putting any revs on the ball at first but then later on put revs on the ball, this might help not sure we will have to wait till bowl1820 posts he probly knows away.

[Tampabaybob]

Last season, both my bowling balls (Maxim and Avalanche) would roll in the spinner style. Recently, however, I've added a push-away to my release. When I rolled my Maxim after this change, the track somehow changed to being mostly semi-roller, and occasionally full-roller. I think that I'm somehow consistent in the semi- or full-roller release with my Maxim using this push-away. My Avalanche, though, persists in having a spinner track. I've read that the spinner style results from "snapping" of the wrist- I'm not exactly sure what's meant by "snapping". Further, I use a wrist support, which inhibits wrist action ("snapping"?). Given this information, the fault wouldn't be in my wrist, correct? My coach says that my biggest mechanical issue is that my arm is bent on the backswing. Is the bent arm in the backswing causing the spinner release, or something else? What can I do with my mechanics to make the change to semi- or full-roller?

It appears that when you changed to a push-away you were keeping you thumb more at a 1:00 position through your backswing, which will give you more of a semi-roller track. Your best bet probably would be to try and keep your thumb at that position longer thru your backswing and start rotating your wrist as it passes your slide leg. The reason you were probably throwing a "spinner" was because you were releasing the ball late and basically going over the top of the ball with your thumb. Remember your thumb is there only to help you hang onto the ball. As your thumb starts to exit the thumb hole your fingers and wrist should be doing the rotating....not your thumb. Watch this you tube video, it's one of the best on the web and will show you in slow motion what you should be doing upon your release.



Now go out and try it in practice. Your best bet, by the way, is to stay with the semi roller and not a full roller. Also try to keep your arm looked straight in your backswing (see the video again) as it will give you more leverage at the line and point of release.

Bob

[Bowling Wonder]

It appears that when you changed to a push-away you were keeping you thumb more at a 1:00 position through your backswing, which will give you more of a semi-roller track. Your best bet probably would be to try and keep your thumb at that position longer thru your backswing and start rotating your wrist as it passes your slide leg. The reason you were probably throwing a "spinner" was because you were releasing the ball late and basically going over the top of the ball with your thumb. Remember your thumb is there only to help you hang onto the ball. As your thumb starts to exit the thumb hole your fingers and wrist should be doing the rotating....not your thumb. Watch this you tube video, it's one of the best on the web and will show you in slow motion what you should be doing upon your release.



Now go out and try it in practice. Your best bet, by the way, is to stay with the semi roller and not a full roller. Also try to keep your arm looked straight in your backswing (see the video again) as it will give you more leverage at the line and point of release.

Bob

Excellent feedback, Bob! Right on target with the 1:00 aspect. That's also a really cool video. I'll work on this, and my backswing, during practice/the new season.

[Tampabaybob]

Glad you liked it. I think it's one of the best videos that has been put out in a long while. My understanding is these three coaches will be adding more videos in the future.

Bob

[Tokes]

Thats was a really informative video Bob.
Could you elaborate on whats wrong with being a full roller?

[bowl1820]

Thats was a really informative video Bob.
Could you elaborate on whats wrong with being a full roller?

The full roller has almost no axis tilt and it limits the amount of flare the ball can produce.

While this might be useful on a dry lane (where it works best), on a fresh or oily condition it will be less effective and produce a lower pin carry.

It will have less entry angle and will tend to deflect more, plus it won't hook as hard at the breakpoint or recover as fast.

There are also limited layouts for a full roller.

The USBC puts it this way:
"The term “full roller” refers to how the bowling ball tracks down the lane. A full roller tracks between the finger holes and the thumbhole, over the full 27-inch circumference of the ball.This is the major reason why the full roller is an ineffective delivery in today’s game; only half of the bowling ball’s mass is turned into the pocket, resulting in poor pin carry. This is why USBC Coaching does not advocate using this release."

That's not to say you can't bowl well with that release, you can be very accurate with it but you will be limited.

[Tampabaybob]

Thats was a really informative video Bob.
Could you elaborate on whats wrong with being a full roller?

Glad you like the video. It gives bowlers a great opportunity to see how the best of the best execute their shots. Watch and learn and try some of the techniques you see and see if they work for you. Copying someones style is the greatest form of flattery. (especially if it helps you score higher !!)

As far as the full roller goes, I used to throw a full roller many years ago. When I finally decided to change, it took me a "full" summer of practice to make the change to a semi-roller. By the time the season had restarted I was back to the original average I had with the full roller and somewhat better. I totally agree with BOWL1820 on his assessment of a full roller. You will have less deflection with the semi roller and the ball will push through the pins stronger and your carry should improve greatly.

Bob