Need help with my hook

[billf]

I think of balancing the ball on my thumb throughout the swing. at the last second, I extend the palm as if shaking hands with the pins. YOu can do this with a basketball, soccer ball, what have you. Just hold the ball as you would a bowling ball making sure it rests on thumb and finger tips, with palm UNDER the ball. Sustain that position throughout a gentle swing as long as you can. When you reach the release point immediately snap to handshake position. Feel the ball free itself from the the thumb and the fingers will naturally cause it to spin.

Listen to this man, he has some great drill ideas!

the thumb exits before the hand turns. Don't worry about adjusting for tilt. Most people, even many pros, can't alter tilt at will.

[Tampabaybob]

One of the best analogies, I've heard of and use a lot, is comparing your release to that of turning a door knob and opening a door. It put's everything in the correct position and will accomplish the correct position upon release. Try it, it works !

[classygranny]

One of the best analogies, I've heard of and use a lot, is comparing your release to that of turning a door knob and opening a door. It put's everything in the correct position and will accomplish the correct position upon release. Try it, it works !

Not if you are right handed and turn door knobs from left to right...just saying.

[billf]

I had a youth bowler do that to me! We walked over to the door where I then asked her to turn the knob. She reached up with her right hand and turned it clockwise then looked at me and said, "Like that?". Not laughing was one of the hardest things I did that day. She did go home and practiced turning the door knobs though and now has a nice hook. Of course her mom thought I was insane.

[classygranny]

I had a youth bowler do that to me! We walked over to the door where I then asked her to turn the knob. She reached up with her right hand and turned it clockwise then looked at me and said, "Like that?". Not laughing was one of the hardest things I did that day. She did go home and practiced turning the door knobs though and now has a nice hook. Of course her mom thought I was insane.

LOL LOL - now that I've picked myself up off the floor from laughing so hard...I thought it was only me that turned knobs that way because no one had ever challenged that analogy.

I think I'm too old to start opening doors the other direction, so I guess I will stick to "answer the phone and put the phone to your ear" method. Of course, this only works with us "oldies" as no one has a landline phone anymore. Coach according to age does wonders as well.

Although, if Donna opens a door clockwise, that would be a great drill for her as well.

[billf]

After that I started to pay attention and did a little study with my friends, without them knowing. When I reach for a door with my palm down, I turn the knob clockwise. Palm up, counter clockwise. All my friends did the same. I didn't have any females attempt this. That wasn't on purpose, just weren't any around at the time.
Now I'm wondering if the extra elbow flexibility females generally have that allows for a back up would also show on the door knob test.

[dnhoffman]

See your thumb position when you finish tells me you're coming around the ball with your hand instead of behind it. Relax that thumb and come through the ball with your fingers - the rotation to the side should happen naturally.

[aussiedave]

Hi,

I'm trying to learn hook correctly and I'm having some kind of hook curse I know that hand must turn on to 45 degrees position, I know that thumb must exit first and that I need to turn ball with two fingers. I try to do this as hard as I can but my hand overturns every time It turns to 90 degree position most of time and feeling is that I did not turn this hand at all or very very slightly, best I was able to achieve was 60-70 degrees. Can anyone help me with some advice or good drill to overcome this curse?

Here is a video of me:

http://youtu.be/oasNp2VW16U

Thanks in advance.

Watched your vid and the first thing I saw was that you are rotating your wrist way too early.
I hardly roll my wrist at all by (design) and get enough hook to do the job and I bowl with a blue hammer urethane ball with about 150 games on it.
I would suggest a drill for you, and it is more about the follow through than anything else so is easy to learn and remember.
You want to hold the same hand position right through the swing.
The ball will ideally be just a little past a flat position - the thumb should be just a little past 12 o'clock. You will still naturally turn the hand a little anyway and this is more than enough to generate hook and is more natural.
bring your hand up to the same place each time and try to touch the four fingers to your forehead - this will ensure you don't over-rotate.
Last but not least - let it pendulum, don't muscle the uplift.
Good luck.
ad.

[Tampabaybob]

LOL LOL - now that I've picked myself up off the floor from laughing so hard...I thought it was only me that turned knobs that way because no one had ever challenged that analogy.

I think I'm too old to start opening doors the other direction, so I guess I will stick to "answer the phone and put the phone to your ear" method. Of course, this only works with us "oldies" as no one has a landline phone anymore. Coach according to age does wonders as well.

Although, if Donna opens a door clockwise, that would be a great drill for her as well.

You know, I really never paid that much attention to how others open a door ! LOL Now I'm wondering, the people/kids I've used this with must've thought I was nuts for telling them that IF, they also opened the door clockwise !! Oh well, you do learn something everyday. Thank goodness the young girl I helped on Saturday with her new bowling ball happened to turn doorknobs the "correct way" LOL AGAIN !!

After that I started to pay attention and did a little study with my friends, without them knowing. When I reach for a door with my palm down, I turn the knob clockwise. Palm up, counter clockwise. All my friends did the same. I didn't have any females attempt this. That wasn't on purpose, just weren't any around at the time.
Now I'm wondering if the extra elbow flexibility females generally have that allows for a back up would also show on the door knob test.

Bill, I guess I should've known you'd open door(knob)s the opposite way !! And yes, ladies that have a natural bend to the right, would naturally turn their wrist clockwise. Gosh, now I'm going down and check every one at the lanes this week. Problem id there aren' many doors with knobs !

[billf]

Watched your vid and the first thing I saw was that you are rotating your wrist way too early.
I hardly roll my wrist at all by (design) and get enough hook to do the job and I bowl with a blue hammer urethane ball with about 150 games on it.
I would suggest a drill for you, and it is more about the follow through than anything else so is easy to learn and remember.
You want to hold the same hand position right through the swing.
The ball will ideally be just a little past a flat position - the thumb should be just a little past 12 o'clock. You will still naturally turn the hand a little anyway and this is more than enough to generate hook and is more natural.
bring your hand up to the same place each time and try to touch the four fingers to your forehead - this will ensure you don't over-rotate.
Last but not least - let it pendulum, don't muscle the uplift.
Good luck.
ad.

.

Good drill for a pure Stroker. Power players usually follow through with a finish out in front. Not as obvious as Stu Williams but still...