I am 58 years old and still a scratch bowler. I have a question about lifting the ball with my fingers as opposed to rolling the hand around the ball with an open-hand release. I love watching both Pete Weber and Doug Kent, who both employ the open-hand release. What do you think about this technique? -- Doug Pacevich, Orlando, Fla
Both Pete Weber and Doug Kent used to have strong fingers during their release, but with the advent of high-friction bowling balls, that type of release worked against them. Through many practice sessions and some adjustments in their ball drilling, they developed a release that is more compatible with today's equipment. You should remember that changing your release is not something that you can learn overnight, and many practice sessions are required to successfully implement such a change. Muscle memory can be tough to overcome, especially for people who have been bowling as long as we have. Just as important, I'd urge you to work with your ball driller to develop holes that put less stress on your fingers during the release. This usually means decreasing the degree of forward pitch in the fingers and perhaps eliminating grips in the finger holes.

THE RIGHT APPROACH TO DRILLS
I coach a girls' high school bowling team, and would like to know what you recommend as a good drill to create a good armswing and release. Most of my girls are hard workers, but sometimes I think that I am talking above their heads. -- Todd Robbins, Louisville, Ky.
The best way to develop a good armswing is to take one step with your right foot (for right-handed bowlers) and push the ball away at the same time, so that the arm is fully extended. At this point, let the weight of the ball swing the arm downward and back. If you practice this one-step pushaway as part of a regular drill, the new bowlers will get the feeling of the ball swinging the arm, and not visa versa. After they get accustomed to that feeling, you can then transfer this to a full four-step approach, with the ball swinging the arm both back, down and through the release point. Remember, if the ball swings the arm, you naturally have a straight armswing that will follow the contour of the body -- and this is the best way for a new bowler to learn good technique.

GETTING IN SHAPE FOR COMPETITION
I would like to know what kind of exercises I can do to help me with my bowling. Should I use weights or not? -- Rich Love Jr., Mishawaka, Ind.
I have always been a big proponent of both running and bicycle riding to improve leg strength and endurance for bowling. This is especially important if you are a tournament bowler, because many competitive events involve a lot of games, during which endurance will come into play. When you are bowling six- or eight-game qualifiers, the increased leg strength will help you maintain timing in the later games, when other bowlers may be getting tired and unable to perform at their peak level. As for weight training, I would concentrate on lighter weights that develop flexibility rather than bulk.

INSIDE OR OUT?
When the lanes are in transition, is it better to go inside with a stronger ball (and open up the lane) or outside with a weaker ball? -- Mike Henry, Alvin, Texas
Picking the right ball for transitioning lanes is a matter of trial and error, based on an individual bowler's game and comfort level. Some bowlers feel more comfortable moving inside with a stronger ball, while others move outside and still others stay in the same place on the lanes and use a weaker ball. One of the main challenges bowlers face involves knowing when they've thrown the ball well and the lanes have changed, versus when they've simply made a bad shot. During your practice sessions, work on recognizing the feel of both good shots off the hand and less-than-perfect releases. This will help you make better decisions about possible equipment changes when the lanes are changing.