If you don't feel that your thumb is coming out fast or clean enough i would suggest the tri-grip, i don't think i have hung up once since i started using it, i believe it upped my rev rate also.
Help With Low Track
I am looking for some drills and advice on getting my ball to track higher. I have been practicing a ton and my release and approach are improving greatly but I am having the toughest time with tracking too low and ball reaction that goes with it. I believe this caused by my thumb not getting out of the ball quickly enough and coming over the top. I am steadily increasing my revs and scores but with low track and high axis tilt prevents me from playing deeper inside that would provide a bigger advantage at times.
Also with sport shots this summer I feel I will need a much higher track to read the heavier oil. Any help is appreciated, and I am ready to put the time in for improvement.
If you don't feel that your thumb is coming out fast or clean enough i would suggest the tri-grip, i don't think i have hung up once since i started using it, i believe it upped my rev rate also.
I have been wanting to try that grip, but no one around me does it. I think the closest is a few hours away, maybe a road trip is in order.Originally Posted by Geneo2u
Unfortunately, there is no drilling secret that is going to move your track higher, though pin down balls tend to track higher than pin up balls.
There is an exercise that you can do to learn to raise your track, but having done it myself, I can tell you that it takes a whole lot of work and commitment. What you do is to take a golf glove for your bowling hand and cut off the thumb and the ring finger. Leave the finger for the middle finger on the glove. You'll have to replace the grip in your middle finger hole with a larger one to accommodate the glove on that finger. As you bowl with the glove on, learn to feel the ring finger stay behind the ball. The best advice that the late, great coach John Jowdy ever gave was to "lead with the ring finger." This is how to learn to keep your hand behind the ball, and avoid coming over the top. The result is not only a higher track, but a much more powerful release.
As I said, this takes a long time and requires a lot of dedication, but I can tell you from personal experience that it's well worth it.
Rob Mautner
What happens if you try to throw a back-up ball? Is the track higher then? I'm not suggesting you actually change to a back-up ball but in the attempt to do so you may find your track much higher.
Ball speed: 17 - 18.5 mph Rev rate: 400ish
PAP 6 1/8" over 1/4" up
13° axis tilt / 30°-60° axis rotation
Thumbless bowler
High game: 300 High series: 804 High average: 217
sprocket: Great suggestion! Speaking from my own experience, when I finally learned to stay behind the ball, it FELT like I was throwing a backup ball, though it's not. Staying behind the ball does raise the track significantly.
Thank you Rob and Sprocket for the advise. I have been throwing back up balls as a drill to help me stay behind the ball, it is helping and will continue to do it. I am willing to put in the work, I practice at least 2-3 times a week not including league and will do what is needed to get better.
When it comes to getting the thumb out cleanly: This is a big problem for me as I am not staying behind the ball on the inside long enough and turning early (getting better but not there yet), will staying behind the ball and learning a correct powerful release solve this problem, or is there another key/drill to getting the thumb out cleanly? Thanks for the help!
I just recently switched to a thumb slug on both of my new balls and it is amazing how much better it is - I use to use a ton of powder and either had too much or not enough I was constantly focused on getting my thumb out. Now I don't use powder and I don't even think about it. It is amazing how much better it feels.
What is your hand and wrist position during your swing? Going based on Norm Duke's coaching video (and personal experience) the easiest way to help stay behind the ball is to not let it get in front of your hand during the pushaway. Keep your palm under the ball at the start so that it doesn't break the wrist down during the swing. Practice pushing away without your fingers in the ball so that it stays on the palm. Keep the wrist firm so that it doesn't break back at the top of the swing. All of these things will keep you behind the ball more and improve the way your thumb exits the ball.
make sure you are not having to squeeze to hold onto the ball. the ball should hold onto your hand and simply come off of it at the bottom of the swing without having to consciously think about releasing it. learn to use tape to adjust your thumb fit.
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