Staying Behind the Ball

[zman1974]

My main problem with technique has always been staying behind the ball. What that means to me is that sometimes my wrist will break to the right (I'm right handed), and the ball, instead of going straight, will actually roll to the right initially. Obviously, this can cause major problem if I am playing up 1st arrow

I was wondering if anyone else has this issue, and if so, what do you do to correct it? I find that if I mentally focus on keeping the wrist straight I will actually come over the top, and pull the ball left. A solution that I think might work would be to break the wrist to the right on setup stance, and then coming back over the top on the downswing.

I know I am costing myself 20+ pins a game because of this issue. Any thoughts appreciated.

[swingset]

I've fought it for a long time. I try to point the inside of my elbow down the lane (forcing my hand behind) until I feel the ball leaving my hand then bring it up and through.

[mxjosh]

Im similar to swingset. Starts at my elbow. I constantly have to fight coming up the right side of the ball which slows my speed down and makes the trajectory of the ball travel around the oil rather than through it. When I really focus on keeping my elbow tucked and inline, the hand seems to follow.

[noeymc]

wrist device

[mxjosh]

I've used a wrist device and still found a way to come up the side.

The only wrist device that really prevents over rotating is the Reistrictor by Robbys.
http://www.robbys.com/positioners.php

[zman1974]

Thanks, guys. I will work on keeping the elbow in at practice tonight. Really don't want to use a wrist device, but might consider it for practice sessions to build muscle memory.

[UBowling]

Build the muscles in your wrist to be able to cup it more. But until then, try leading with your ring finger as you release the ball. Don't tuck your pinky if you want up the back revs, if you want more side roll tucking the pinky can help.

[GeoLes]

I found that if I focus on keeping my index finger pointed at the pins throughout the swing my hand stays behind and under the ball. Once the ball clears the front leg, I simply turn the wrist sideways on the follow through. This provides the lift that helps the ball to hook.

Practice at home with a nerf ball on the wall. Push the ball to the wall and feel it roll off the finger tips as the wrist rotates in the followthrough.

[zman1974]

Interesting. I will definitely try that tomorrow at league.

[Tampabaybob]

My main problem with technique has always been staying behind the ball. What that means to me is that sometimes my wrist will break to the right (I'm right handed), and the ball, instead of going straight, will actually roll to the right initially. Obviously, this can cause major problem if I am playing up 1st arrow

I was wondering if anyone else has this issue, and if so, what do you do to correct it? I find that if I mentally focus on keeping the wrist straight I will actually come over the top, and pull the ball left. A solution that I think might work would be to break the wrist to the right on setup stance, and then coming back over the top on the downswing.

I know I am costing myself 20+ pins a game because of this issue. Any thoughts appreciated.

ZMAN..... AN additional thing to try. If your elbow is going outside on your delivery try this... make sure you "feel" your elbow brush your side on the way down and the way back during delivery. I teach this all the time as "brush down, brush back" and have my students do it with out the ball in their hands so they can feel what I'm talking about. This should keep your arm in alignment. Also, AFTER you release the ball, hold your arm in your finish position, and look at where the "INSIDE" of your elbow is facing. It should be facing the pins. That's where you want it to be on EVERY shot.

Good luck let us know how you're doing.