Is Your Hand Behind Your Bowling Ball?

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 6/17/17; Updated: 10/10/2021

Ask yourself is your hand behind your bowling ball as it prepares to release the ball determines how you deliver your bowling ball?

This question is something highly skilled players understand the importance in knowing the answer.

Generally speaking, there are about three basic positions your bowling hand will be positioned at as you begin to release your bowling ball.

Many “strokers” (direction players) who go “up the boards” toward the target have their hand on the side of the ball whereby the palm of the hand faces the sliding leg.

This hand position means the ball has completed its rotation and any further rotation creates an over-the-top delivery which may cause errant shots unless the given bowler does so on purpose.

Many skilled players strive to have their hand behind the ball where the palm of the hand faces the pins as their hand enters the release zone near the bottom of the forward swing arc.

From this position the player has the option of staying directly behind the ball with very little finger rotation or the player can rotate the fingers as much as two or perhaps three inches of rotation toward the outside of the bowling ball.

This hand position creates either a strong forward roll movement by the ball with low rotation of axis and tilt or it creates a higher axis of rotation and tilt depending on how much finger rotation is imparted on the ball as the thumb exits the ball.

Players who have their hand positioned on the inside of the ball when preparing to release the ball are generally considered power players.

This hand position reflects the back of the hand facing the sliding leg and requires a fast finger rotation to get the hand to rotate towards the back of the ball or perhaps to the outside of the ball.

Of course, a player can have their hand half way between the back of the ball and toward either the outside of the ball or toward the inside of the ball. These are two common intermediate hand positions.

It is up to you as a player to understand where your hand is positioned as you begin to release your ball and to also understand how much finger rotation is needed or is necessary to gain a desired ball reaction.

It is also up to you as a player to understand that because you might position your hand one way in your set-up before beginning to bowl does not necessarily mean your hand will be in the same position at the top of your backswing or at the bottom of your forward swing when you are releasing your ball.

For you as an advanced and skilled bowler it is important to understand what your hand position options create in the way of a ball reaction. It is important to also know how to generate a matching forward swing path swing to accommodate the direction you must release your ball to travel toward your aim point on the lane. Knowing how much to rotate your fingers, to do so on time, on the proper delivery path, and knowing with certainty is your hand behind your bowling ball at the moment of release are essentials of the game and of winning bowling.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



Most Popular Articles To Improve Your Game:

Bowling Ball Loft Distance

Develop A Clean Bowling Release

How Can I Get A Consistent Bowling Ball Release Without Losing Too Much Power?