QuestionI am 61 years old, love bowling, my question is how much grip should I put in the bowling ball with my thumb? And on my release should the ball come off my hand or should I open my hand to release the bowling ball?
Answer
www.TrueBowlerAdjustme
Hi John, knowing what it do when delivering the ball is pretty simple but physically accomplishing it is the hard part. In my new book I describe what I would like for a bowler to do when projecting the ball down lane. It's nicely detailed so you get the process that will work for you.
In general you want to "not" grab the ball at the bottom of your forward swing. I know that is the standard feelings of any coach.
You grip the ball with the thumb just enough to hold it in three crucial areas: Your push away or down swing, so it does not fall off your hand, through the up swing of your back swing, so it doesn't fall off your hand, when you go into your power step, (the step prior to your slide step) which at this point the ball is on it's way down and then forward.
There is a point as the ball is swinging forward that you can literally let your thumb fly out of the ball, push the ball just a bit, relax the hand and wrist, "flick" the fingers upward and impart forward roll or spin on the ball with ease. Always remember it's your swing and speed of your steps that often get the ball down the lanes.
On of the biggest keys to delivering the ball is the ability to "set the hand" prior to any movement. This gets the ball in the correct position to score.
I have the ability to throw many releases. The big wheel hooking the lane to the pocket, the straight shot down the 3 board with hook, the smooth curve, loft, or the straight-straight ball for a spare shot.
The overall goal for me in any of the deliveries is to "mentally" realize that ball is about to come off my hand the way I want it to! So, the last thing I want is for the thumb to drag in the thumbhole, or to drag as it comes out and over the edge of the thumbhole, as I deliver the ball.
Even if a bowler has a habit of squeezing the ball in their swing because they like to have a measure of control.
It is imperative that they learn to completely relax the thumb as they project the ball down the lane. It takes a little work to learn to clear the thumb for increased revs. Some just naturally do it. Others encounter fit and "bad habit" issues that often take months or years to overcome without the guidance of a coach. A certified coach will take a look at you to see if you have a hitch in your "giddy up" at release.
In summary John, you have to hold onto the ball in your swing. Otherwise, the ball will fall the heck off and everyone in the settee area will clear out or run when the bowler goes into his / or her back swing!
The real work comes when you get to the delivery point either behind your ankle or in front of your ankle, (depending on your delivery).
At this point you have to allow the thumb to exit the ball with the weight of the ball transferred to the hand, fingers, joints or fingertips, so they can do the work, project the ball down the lane in the proper axis rotation and axis tilt, so that you can score consistently.
As far as opening or closing your hand. I mentioned above that the ball will come off your hand, fingers, finger joints or fingertips. Overall it depends on your release. When throwing the big wheel or high hook, "personally" my hand and the hand of other PBA bowlers I have observed, are always open. When throwing the straight ball I ensure I close it more, for a great follow through.
Many bowlers "think" they are just doing it all wrong! Well, there is no absolute way of delivering a great shot. You have to find the way you are physically comfortable with, and work with it from there.
Getting help with "your" way, or learning from a "certified coach", a better way to project the ball is always my best recommendation to validate that you are delivering the ball correctly.
Happy Holidays John, and God's Blessings to you and your family!
-Gary
Las Vegas, NV.
www.TrueBowlerAdjustments.com (It's a great book!)
