Can the release be something that happens naturally?

[Hammer]

When my forward swing starts the only thing I am focused on is to let the ball fall on it's own and to feel my index finger staying behind the ball as long as possible. When my thumb comes out of the ball my hand automatically makes a little turn to start the revs on the ball. I don't have to think of doing it it just seems to happen on it's own. Does anyone else here have this happen on your release? There are probably some people that have to think about doing this. Some can't do it so they preset their hand and keep it that way through the release to put revs on the ball. I just have to feel my index finger staying behind the ball as long as possible and then my hand reaches a point where it turns on it's own. Maybe it is just muscle memory from doing this for years and I just never really thought about it until now.

[sprocket]

You're lucky. Maybe it's just the way my muscles and tendons are built, but it feels like there is pain and stress on my forearm and wrist if I rotate the ball out enough so that the weight is on my index finger. If the ball is in a comfortable position, I don't think I am quite behind it. Because of this I have to fight to play the "inside of the ball". I have to be aware of my tendency to come over the top of the ball and turn it early. I do overcome it but it requires thinking about what I do, which is never a good thing because I want the swing and release to be automatic.

[Perrin]

When I am bowling well I don't have to think about it .. It just happens .

Every now and again I get lazy and just kindof drop the ball on the lane and lose most of the revs. Usually just takes a mental reminder to follow through to get it back to normal.

[Hammer]

You're lucky. Maybe it's just the way my muscles and tendons are built, but it feels like there is pain and stress on my forearm and wrist if I rotate the ball out enough so that the weight is on my index finger. If the ball is in a comfortable position, I don't think I am quite behind it. Because of this I have to fight to play the "inside of the ball". I have to be aware of my tendency to come over the top of the ball and turn it early. I do overcome it but it requires thinking about what I do, which is never a good thing because I want the swing and release to be automatic.

If you want to see how far to turn your hand to keep it behind the ball extend your forearm in front of you and turn your hand so it faces the sky. You should be able to do this without pain in the forearm or elbow. If you do have pain you might have some kind of issue there. If that is the case you can get around that by pre-setting your hand in your setup. At first you can turn it a little and go further from there until you see what position works best to give you the hook you need. When you do pre-set you have to remember to keep the hand in that position all the way through the release and not change anything by turning it more through the release.

[billf]

When I let it happen naturally, whether pre-set or not, it hooks better than when I try to put more revs on the ball. Letting it come off the ends of my fingertips is a different matter

[jbeck]

Wish mine felt natural...but if I don't feel like I'm actually forcing a turn, my ball won't hook. Maybe because I'm still new to it. I've tried lately to play inside and feel my wrist turn in order to get more consistent revs and hook, otherwise I either hook to early or not at all if I play outside in which I have to be precise. I've pretty much plateaued playing outside.

[Greenday]

I have a very smooth natural release. That was before my lessons. Now I have a smooth approach, just working on a free arm swing and releasing the ball later in my swing.

[Hammer]

If you want to see if your hand will turn naturally try this. Sit in a chair and tilt your upper body a little to your bowling arm side. Next with your arm hanging relaxed next to you face your palm forward and while swinging your arm back and forth try to keep your palm forward and don't let it turn. Now keeping your arm relaxed swing
it back and forth and let your hand to whatever it will do on the forward swing and when your hand reaches the top of the forward swing look at your hand. If it turned from palm forward to a little to the inside you have a natural release move that has enough turn in the hand through the release to make the ball hook nicely. When I do this drill I can feel it in my forearm that on the forward swing my hand wants to turn a little to the inside which would be through the release area when throwing a ball. The key is to leave your arm relaxed. If it is tense your hand will not turn. That is why when you are swinging a bowling ball the key is to keep a relaxed arm so the mechanics of the swing will work like they are supposed to.

[MisterSinister]

My latest delivery is not natural. I had to work hard at it. However, I've bowled so many games with it, it is no longer forced, and is now second nature. I had the help of a great coach. He really helped me get my arm swing loose, and helped get my footwork better, and helped get my hand in a consostant position over and over. I actualy tried my old delivery last week, and nearly dropped the ball on my foot.

[Tampabaybob]

having a natural hand position is something many people wish for. Some people literally have to constantly remind themselves to do it until it becomes muscle memory. That takes many, many years of practice and hundreds upon hundreds of games. Good practice and a constant awareness of what's happening during your swing helps someone get there sooner than someone who isn't aware.

One other thing; if you are experiencing some sort of pain in your elbow, chef to see if the inside of your elbow faces the pins all the way through your delivery. That should ease it.

Bob