Terrible Form - Help

[kilopoper]

Suggestions to better my technique is greatly appreciated..
I'm particularly concerned with my backswing.. I've been working on that for quite some time now, still it ends up looking like that.





Video quality sucks..sorry about that.

[vgw]

Here are my suggestions:

1. pick up the ball with both hands, then place fingers then thumb into ball when you are standing up.
2. as you pointed out, you're backswing is curving around your back, which affects accuracy and causes you to muscle your shot. your arm should be basically straight after the push-off until close to the release point. try just taking a one-step approach near the foul line by swinging the ball (let the ball swing like a pendulum). practice that and let the arm swing alongside your body.
3. get your buddy to take a better shot with the phone; that was horrible.
4. let us know how it goes; it will take practice and you will need to retrain your body/muscles for this.

Good Luck!

[The Mayor]

I wouldn't say "terrible" You're solid at the line which is good.

What pound ball are you throwing? I think if the ball was the correct weight you wouldn't be able to bring the ball that far behind your back.

[kilopoper]

I wouldn't say "terrible" You're solid at the line which is good.

What pound ball are you throwing? I think if the ball was the correct weight you wouldn't be able to bring the ball that far behind your back.

I'm throwing 15 pounds.. correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm starting to think my problem has something to do with me "opening up my shoulder" too much.

[Josch]

I'm throwing 15 pounds.. correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm starting to think my problem has something to do with me "opening up my shoulder" too much.

It looks like that's it. You turn your entire upper body on your back swing. You might want to try to just bring your arm back without twisting at all.

[aussiedave]

I'm throwing 15 pounds.. correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm starting to think my problem has something to do with me "opening up my shoulder" too much.

Josch is right - try concentrating on keeping your chest facing the pins at all times and in an upright position.
You don't need a huge backswing for the pace you are releasing at - the pace generated by a more natural pendulum swing, accompanied by good lift technique will give you plenty of pace.
ad.

[martin]

I'm throwing 15 pounds.. correct me if i'm wrong, but i'm starting to think my problem has something to do with me "opening up my shoulder" too much.

what's your body weight? i read once somewhere that the ball we use should at most be a certain percentage (can't remember how many %.. but if i'm not wrong, 10%) of your body weight..

[kilopoper]

what's your body weight? i read once somewhere that the ball we use should at most be a certain percentage (can't remember how many %.. but if i'm not wrong, 10%) of your body weight..

i'm currently 162 lbs...

can someone suggest techniques or drills that might correct this problem?.. just got back from playing in my league, and my series was nothing but shameful.

[The Mayor]

You have to keep your hips and shoulders square with the foul line. Also, when you get onto the approach you can stand with your feet together, shoulders square to the line and just swing the ball back and forth a few times. You want your arm as relaxed as possible. Hopefully this will give you the feeling of how your arm is supposed to feel when you actually go up to bowl.

[J Anderson]

what's your body weight? i read once somewhere that the ball we use should at most be a certain percentage (can't remember how many %.. but if i'm not wrong, 10%) of your body weight..

10% is a good rule of thumb for people just starting out especially kids. Experienced adults, Pros Chris Warren and Norm Duke come to mind, develop the strength and technique to be able to throw balls more than 10% of their weight.