Simplify Your Bowling Release Technique

By: bowlingball.com, Originally Posted: 12/24/15; Updated: 4/15/2022

If you are trying to improve your swing and ball delivery, simplify your bowling release technique?

As an experienced bowler averaging between 150 and 175, you are likely not a power player with a high amount of revolutions applied to your bowling ball but rather a player with a slight hook delivery who relies more on accuracy than a great amount of hook.

It is always a good idea to use basic keys to making an effective release so you do not sacrifice accuracy or loft distance control when working to improve your release technique.

The first point of focus to develop a reliable and proven technique releasing the bowling ball is to swing your bowling arm close to your hip and under your bowling shoulder on the forward swing.

Next, visualize your arm (where blood is commonly drawn in the lab) facing the pins as your thumb exits your bowling ball.

This arm position entering into the critical moment of release is the standard most highly skilled bowlers, including the professionals, use regardless of how much power and revs are added to the ball.

Rely on only a slight finger rotation when delivering your ball. After your thumb leaves the ball, rotate the fingers perhaps only an inch without rotating your arm along with your fingers.

This is an important key to release consistency. Your fingers are able to rotate slightly with your wrist but without your arm also rotating.

Avoid forcing your release but rather gradually accelerate your forward swing to a full follow-through position.



Key your release at the same relative time to your bowling sliding shoe laces. You may release your thumb back at the heel of your sliding shoe or at the toe of your sliding shoe depending how much loft beyond the foul line you wish to use.

The important thing is consistency in the actual moment your hand exits your bowling ball.

Keeping your bowling arm behind the ball and close to your hip on the forward swing, reducing your finger rotation to avoid any chance at overturning your ball, and exiting the ball with your hand at the same moment each shot are the three factors to strive for when you wish to simplify your bowling release technique.