Shoveling style to conventional, any tips?
I started bowling this year for my high school team, and i have been using my dad's ball lately because i did not have one and he didn't want to buy me one until I made sure it was what i wanted to do. His ball that i was using was a 1997 AMF Whip, and the thumbhole was way to big, so i was shoveling the ball, In a way. I was bending my elbow so i could use the ball without dropping, i still had my thumb in the ball though. This last Friday i got a Ebonite Game On bowling ball, that was drilled for me and everything. I want to start bowling with a conventional approach now that it will be possible without dropping the ball, or without excessively squeezing the ball to keep from dropping it. When i bowl with my arm straight, It sounds like i am dropping the ball when i release it. I try bending my knees, and it still sounds like i'm dropping it. Could it be because my release is too early/late? and also, are there any other tips on switching styles? Because currently, i am doing some sort of mix between the two, my elbow is still bent, not as extreme as it was before, but it's still there. I would greatly appreciate your help on this. Thanks everyone.
Does sound like you might be releasing a bit early.
You could try practicing your swing at home to get the bend out of your elbow,if you have some place in your home where nothing is likely to get broken if you forget and let go of the ball.
Both Norm Duke and Dick Ritger have release drills that you can find on Youtube that may help you release the ball correctly and at the correct moment.
John
Okay, thank you very much. I appreciate your help. It still feels kinda awkward and i have a bowling tournament next week. So im trying to figure out as much as i can. Thanks.Originally Posted by J Anderson
Since you are bowling for your HS, I strongly suggest finding a local USBC certified coach and take some lessons soon. Bowling with a crooked elbow may have worked for Don Carter, but it doesn't work in this day and age. Your arm swing has to be relaxed and repeatable. Find a coach.
I've found someone. He bowls on my highschool team, but he took the test to be certified and he's able to coach people now, and he's helping me out.
One of the best investments you can make is getting a coach!
A tip just before putting your thumb in the ball. Blow some warm air in the hole, this will give you just a little moregrip in the hole . Let you hang on to it better if needed.
Right handed Stroker, high track ,about 13 degree axis tilt. PAP is located 5 9/16” over 1 3/4” up.Speed ave. about 14 mph at the pins. Medium rev’s.High Game 300, High series 798
"Talent without training is nothing." Luke Skywalker
I've been "shoveling" the ball ever since I started bowling... Would I like a conventional release/arm swing? Absolutely. However, after practicing throwing the "correct" way, I just can't seem to do it. I've watched every video on how to do it, read everything, listened to great bowlers, but I just can't. In my mind, I understand what I have to do, or at least I think I do but I think my muscle memory prevents me from doing it. So at this point, I've just stopped trying. I average over 200, so I'm not a terrible bowler. I just think if I threw the "correct" way, I could hit my mark easier and my game would improve. Its hard to hit a mark with a "shoveling" style, either that, or I'm bad at hitting a mark. I still have good form, good approach, I just don't have the proper arm swing/hand release.
Bowling in a tourney today, I got to really see some great bowlers with fantastic releases and arm swings generating high revs and ridiculous hook. I still have a lot of revs, but not like some of the guys I was bowling against. I'd love to be able to emulate their styles, I just don't know if I can. Maybe I'll figure it out one day.. I'll get an old ball of mine drilled correctly to my hand and practice some more at it. Until then, I'll just keep maxing out at a 205-210 average without any hope of getting better. Let me know if you do figure it out though, maybe it will give me some hope! lol.. good luck.
Okay and one more question. When i go to throw my ball with the conventional swing, the left side of my thumb, right below the middle of my fingernail gets raw after 3-4 throws, and after a few games it'll turn really red, is that because im doing something wrong or my ball is drilled wrong?
My guess is that it could very well be an improper drilling, but I believe defense skin protector could help until you get it fixed. I get blisters and redness right where you're talking about all the time but if I put this and the little patch it comes with on that area, it's perfectly fine. Your pro shop should have it.
Yeah newskin has helped me out a ton. Thank you. And i went bowling tuesday with my team, and i was wondering if anyone had any ideas to help me from stop cupping my wrist?
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