Expert: - 11/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: Hi, I need some help..  I really don't have a exact subject
on what I am asking because I do not know.  Let me tell you
my problem.  I have been bowling for around 3 years now,
but have gotten serious about it since the last year.  I
started off last year with a  150 avg and now have a 189
avg.  I play very straight but that is my problem.  As well
as I might be throwing the ball at my age I am not happy
with the way I am throwing it.  I get hardly any
revolutions on the ball and I really would like to know how
to.  I tried different hand positions, cocked hand, cupped
wrist, I can snap my wrist but nothing seems to be working.  
it has come to the point that I don't even see the ball
rolling until it gets to the back end.  And this is with
all my balls, with different layouts on each one.  I look
at the track of my ball, its outside the finger and thumb
hole (I'm a righty)but when I look at the oil track, I'm
only getting around 6-7 revolutions.  I am 15 years old
(sophomore)around 5'7 and medium weight.  I don't know if
theres a flaw in my timing, which I don't think so, or if
its my release, which I am guessing it is.  I was thinking
maybe because my hands are skinnier than the avg. hand.  
Any help would be greatly appreciated.. thank you!

ANSWER: Christopher,
The basic hand action to hook a bowling ball is like throwing a spiral with a football UNDERHAND.

Get a nerf ball, or something you can use in the house. Flip the ball, underhand, attempting to get a perfect spiral (repeat, repeat, repeat). The wrist and hand rotation (practice it a bunch) will give you the feel to duplicate with a bowling ball. You may want to grab a lighter house ball, use a one step drill, and just feel yourself rotate the house ball, like you rotated the football.

Adding the cocked hand, cupped wrist, etc. when you have the basic rotation down is an option later. You need to practice enough (sometimes weeks, often dozens of games) and roll enough that the action becomes muscle memory.

What you're seeing on the ball is the residue from oil as it's picked up off the front of the lane. When the ball encounters friction, it starts to grab, but the drier part of the lane leaves no residue on the ball. Size of your hands shouldn't be an issue. Thanks for the questions.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: No, wait, I think you misunderstood..  I know how to hook
the ball, and that underhand spiral thing or however you
put it i can hook the ball, dont get me wrong, i just want
to know how i can get more revs on the ball so i dont have
to play such a straight line. thanks

Answer
Christopher,
The recommendation to spin the football applies to what you want to do.

Spinning the ball and getting a spiral is easy. Spinning it faster and faster, still maintaining the spiral is the trick. Your rev rate can be increased, like a faster spinning, spiraling football but with occasional consistency you get occasional success.

Practicing the action creates muscle memory. Having to think about every movement in bowling makes the game brutal. Teach your muscles what to do then let them do the action(s) or motion(s).

The same way you spin the football faster is the same way you can increase your rev rate. Keep in mind, if all your work is going into a ball you have to let go of, or the turn you impart is past your ankle, you are losing leverage and the revs you seek.

You didn't mention what weight ball you throw, but if the ball is too light or too heavy the delivery will be difficult to duplicate. Increasing your revs and spraying the ball all over won't help you become better, you need to be able to control the delivery to target the path of your ball.

Thanks for the questions. Matching up rev rate and ball speed will ultimately provide the best effect.

Congratulations on your success so far, I hope you will have an opportunity to bowl in High School, maybe even college. Good luck.