Fingers on release.

[GoodGorilla]

I did the drill yesterday. Releasing the ball at that hand angle threw off my accuracy. I have a video of the drill that I will upload sometime. I got to figure out how to transfer the video from my camera and post it here. I don't know how to do any of that stuff. Today I bowled using the tucked in elbow and rotating the elbow and wrist for the hooks. I got 2 games over 200, and a few 170s. I wasn't cupping the ball like I normally would because I am not use to the new release. It takes alot longer to rotate the elbow around on release, so I havn't started cupping, pulling on the fingers, or turning the ball to 7-8 oclock (That I can tell). I can tell the axis of rotation was changed, the ball moves slower because I'm not pulling on the ball, and the entry to the pocket has a much nicer angle. I've had some strikes that wouldn't have been otherwise because of the way the ball is reacting now.

[Tampabaybob]

Sounds like you were successful in seeing what the changes will do for you and that's great. Now, practice will be the key to hold a position that will be comfortable for you throughout a 3 game series. Again, when making a change like this, it will always fell uncomfortable at first but if you are seeing results that helps make the uncomfortable feeling go away faster. Glad to see it worked, keep up the practice and let us know how you're doing.

By the way, with the games you threw, the scores look good what have you been averaging prior to changing?

Bob

[GoodGorilla]

I think it's a little to soon to tell. I have had days like that prior to the change. However, the pin action looks superior. My concern right now is the ball speed dropping from 16.5 to 13.5, it seems strange and I will probably experiment throwing it harder. Also after a few weeks of practice I'll try doing that other stuff like cupping etc. I need to get some more video uploaded so I can work on some technique.

[Tampabaybob]

I think it's a little to soon to tell. I have had days like that prior to the change. However, the pin action looks superior. My concern right now is the ball speed dropping from 16.5 to 13.5, it seems strange and I will probably experiment throwing it harder. Also after a few weeks of practice I'll try doing that other stuff like cupping etc. I need to get some more video uploaded so I can work on some technique.

The new rule of thumb, is, if you want to increase your ball speed, lower the ball in your stance about 6 inches. It used to be where we would have bowlers raise their ball higher, but it's now been proven that lowering it will better increase it. A good speed to try to maintain would be in the 15.5 to 16.5 range. What that does, is it gives the pins more time on the pin deck (split seconds) to mix. A person throwing 17 - 19 mph will leave lots of corner pins because the pins will jump over the corners. Unless you have an extremely high rev rate a higher speed actually can work against you. Keep working on it and it'll come around. Glad you see the difference.

Bob

[btaylor]

I hope I am not highjacking this thread from Good Gorilla, but I caught a couple things in his observations that I am questioning plus I have a question about improving my release. Hopefully this will assist GoodGorilla too:

"The pro bowlers I watch rotate their elbow the opposite way on release, and do that funky side angle of the wrist to get that 7-8 oclock ball angle."
"Today I bowled using the tucked in elbow and rotating the elbow and wrist for the hooks."

This sounds like he is chicken winging, turn the ball with the elbow, which has been my problem for years. Shouldn't the observation be that the inside of the elbow is always pointing forward and the rotation is done with the wrist and hand, not the elbow?

In working on improving my release, I have finally gotten to do many sessions of Joe's backup drill where I am comfortable with the elbow forward and reaching with the follow through. But I run into problems when I try to uncup the wrist at the release point. I either accomplish a straight ball or seeing my hand (appears to) overturn.

Can you suggest any other drill or practice that will improve that stage of the release?

Thanks... Bob

[Ball99999]

My strategy so far has been to keep my hand on the left side of the ball for hook and to naturally pull it up through the follow through. Seems to maybe help me.

[Tampabaybob]

I hope I am not highjacking this thread from Good Gorilla, but I caught a couple things in his observations that I am questioning plus I have a question about improving my release. Hopefully this will assist GoodGorilla too:

"The pro bowlers I watch rotate their elbow the opposite way on release, and do that funky side angle of the wrist to get that 7-8 oclock ball angle."
"Today I bowled using the tucked in elbow and rotating the elbow and wrist for the hooks."

This sounds like he is chicken winging, turn the ball with the elbow, which has been my problem for years. Shouldn't the observation be that the inside of the elbow is always pointing forward and the rotation is done with the wrist and hand, not the elbow?

In working on improving my release, I have finally gotten to do many sessions of Joe's backup drill where I am comfortable with the elbow forward and reaching with the follow through. But I run into problems when I try to uncup the wrist at the release point. I either accomplish a straight ball or seeing my hand (appears to) overturn.

Can you suggest any other drill or practice that will improve that stage of the release?

Thanks... Bob

Bob......Chicken winging with your arm is a very difficult habit to break. As I told 'GoodGorilla' the best and probably the easiest way, to get away from doing that is to concentrate on "feeling" the inside of your elbow staying facing the pins. I teach, or try to teach, everyone to brush the inside of your arm against your side on the down swing and back again. So it's brush down and brush back. That's a drill that will "help" maintain keeping the inside of your elbow facing the correct direction.

As far as uncupping your wrist, try kneeling at the line (during a practice session !) and swing the ball, watching your hand come thru the delivery. This is so you can see it as well as feel it. Keep your thumb at 1:00 all the way thru your back swing (with you fingers under the ball) and as the ball is passing your slide leg start to uncup your wrist. Your thumb should start releasing the ball also at that point and "THATS" when your wrist and fingers do the work. Uncupping at the point of release is a split second (probably more like a micro second) move that takes many, many games of practice. But you have to feel it, and feel it correctly. Once you feel it and can feel the way the ball is coming off of your hand then you're half way there. Then take your regular approach and try it. Don't hesitate to do the kneeling thing again if it doesn't come off your hand right. If you or a friend has a video camera, have them take a video of you at the line kneeling and then during your normal approach. It helps immensely to be able to "see" what you're doing. It's very hard to fix something you can't see. Most dvd players now, or pc's, will give you a slo-mo function so you can see it almost frame by frame. Here's a video that may help you see exacty haw the pros do it. Let me know how you're doing with the practice and changing the swing..........Bob

[btaylor]

Bob and Ball9999... thanks for the feedback.

Bob, you have it spot on with that habit being the worst to break. I have videos of when I thought it was good and the turn was still there... argh.

I did a lot of foul line drills, 1 step and 5 step drills last summer to raise my slumping average from 167 to 194 book last winter. This year I want to raise my average another 15 or more pins; just another closed frame!

So the release has been my concentration as well as good release timing. So your suggestions (both of you) are added to the practice sessions.

I have downloaded the analysis video in the past and looked it over and over; great stuff but very hard to emulate, they're pros. Another good video (IMHO) is the Brian Voss seminar. He opened my eyes on the release at the 31 min mark.

I shoot practice sessions 5 days a week which will include 2 league days. I practice all my drills as well as corner pins. No scoring, just practice. Shot 620 in my early start league last night with a miserable 168 middle game where I was too stuborn to make the adjustment as my line broke down. This was all with the modified straight relase. So I am confident I have a B game as I work on my A game.

thanks again... Bob

[Fatal]

Video was really helpful. Any other ones?

[btaylor]

These are pretty good. Last couple have parts in the first "analysis" video:
Brian Voss Seminar: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZadcWDLD8NU
SloMo 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00q9veGknzg
SloMo 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIyiDCcbhs4