Expert: Chip Aki - 1/12/2008

Question
I recently started bowling, and I purchased a Tornado bowling ball. I bowl for a high school bowling team, and my coach is trying to get me to develop a hook. She has me standing to the right of the center dot and throwing over the second arrow. The ball hooks slightly but not as much as I'd like it to. I do not have finger tips, and I don't know if that has something to do with it. I'm not quite sure how to hold the ball either. If you could give any advice at all it would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
If your ball is drilled with a conventional grip, changing it to a fingertip grip will help you get a better feel for the release needed to create a hook.
If the ball is polished or shiny, you could dull it or sand it for the ball to get a better grip on the lane..

As far as your hand position goes, you can start with your thumb and fingers at the 10 and 4 oclock position.  This would give you some rotation.  If you get a feel for that you can start with your thumb at 1 and rotate it to 10 during the release for more hook potential.

Good luck,
Chip