open hand vs closed fist

[rv driver]

I never paid attention to what my hand looked like after the delivery... I think it's open...

[Shaneshu87]

one thing my friend does is he always "punches" through. i assume this is what your talking about. at the time of his release he balls his fist up and punches through straight up towards the ceiling, he is not muscling the ball but he does create so high revs, me personally and kinda in the middle, remember the old school method of turning your hand into a gun with your pointer finger and thumb? thats what i do, i tuck my pink on the swing and "shoot" the floor on my down swing, as i come through to release i shoot the gutter, then follow through by shooting the ceiling, i create lower revs than my friend, i have tried the "fist" but find myself trying to muscle the ball too much

[mike_thomas93]

Sean Rash is another bowler that does that sometimes. Oh yeah, and Parker Bohn III. And I think Amleto Monacelli, as well. Just a few examples

[RobLV1]

It's the difference between two styles of release: lift and turn, and turn and lift. Lift and turn is where the weight of the ball causes the thumb to exit, and the release turns as it comes through the ball as exemplified by Chris Barnes. Turn and lift is a little more old school where the turn begins earlier and then lifts through the release as exemplified by Sean Rash. Lift and turn ends with the fingers more extended, with turn and lift ends with more of a fist look to the hand. Both are very effective.

[Beagle]

Marshall Holman used to make a fist also. As long as u project out, I think this helps those trying to throw a stronger ball. It seems like u go from cup to uncup to cup again. Kinda like a top slap on the ball.