Develop An Effective Bowling Release
bowlingball.com,
Originally Posted: 5/3/15; Updated: 3/23/21If you are averaging between 140 and 165 and wish to develop an effective bowling release, consider a few of these time tested tips:
*avoid squeezing the bowling ball prohibiting a quick and consistent release of the ball.
*use a very light gripping pressure with your thumb while keeping it straight down in the ball. Avoid bending the knuckle joint mid-way down your thumb when swinging your bowling ball.
*maintain a firm gripping pressure on the pads of your gripping fingers (not your thumb). This will enable your fingers to rotate the ball consistently each delivery and at the precise "moment of release" at the bottom of your forward swing arc.
*maintain constant finger grip pressure from the stance position on the approach and throughout the entire swing motion and into the critical release area at the bottom of the forward swing as your hand nears the back of your sliding shoe.
*the closer you can regulate the moment of release at the bottom of your swing arc, the more consistent your release will become.
*to produce a small and consistent hook, less finger rotation at the moment of release is required than if you wish to produce a larger hooking action.
Less hook is easy to control. A strong hook requires more discipline because of a faster and larger rotation by the fingers during the release of the ball.
*for a modest, smooth hook and one which is easy to control, set-up on the approach with your hand holding the ball flatly underneath the ball. Rotate your fingers perhaps one to two inches of rotation.
*for a minimal hook release, set up with your hand on the outside of the ball in a near “handshake” position and do not rotate the ball at the bottom of the swing.
*for a strong hook, set up with your hand on the inside of the ball and rotate your fingers at the bottom of the swing arc perhaps three to four inches of rotation.
*regardless of how much you wish to hook the ball, avoid at all costs to rotating your entire arm but rather only your fingers which also revolves your wrist.
*a good practice technique is to use a wrist device when scores do not count in competition. A wrist device serves the purpose of keying your thumb to exit the bowling ball at the same relative time each delivery which, in turn, helps control ball skid distance and produces a controllable ball reaction.
*the more your wrist is propped or tilted up, the faster your thumb will exit the ball.
*setting your wrist in a collapsed position hinging back, the slower your thumb will exit the ball producing fewer revs on the ball and reduces hooking motion.
*it is recommended when attempting any release change to work with a knowledgeable instructor to help you develop good technique, one that you can rely on during the pressures of competition.
