Expert: - 5/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: i currently use a "stroker" style release, keeping my hand in the same position throughout the backswing and swing. this results in too little revs and too much speed, thus not much hook. i'm a 174 average league bowler. should i give up the release and add some wrist rotation (crank)?

ANSWER: Bobby,
Please explain what you mean by stroker release? Axis tilt, axis rotation and rev rate, as well as speed, all come into play to create ball reaction.

You sound like your game is dominated by your ball speed. Ball speed, more oil or longer oil, shiny ball, and a lower track are elements that a lot of bowlers struggle with, because they result in more skid, later reaction, too late a move to the pocket. The more you can encourage the ball to read the lane (utilizing: larger track - smaller degree of axis rotation - more up the back at release - more surface) when you throw harder, the easier it is to get the reaction you are looking for. (Occasionally the equipment you use is not set up for your style. Before I make that assumption let's look into a couple things.)

How large (or small) is the distance from first revolution (first ribbon of oil or sign of friction), in your ball track (nearest your grip center) to the first evidence of your track, directly across the ball (90 degrees from gripline and track)?

Do you know your ball speed? Axis rotation? Positive axis point? Please also share what ball(s) you currently throw? Lastly, can you characterize how you play the center/lanes? (straighter 'cause they're oily, swinging 'cause they're drier, what path to the pocket do you prefer?)

Thanks for the questions. Let me know more and we can get closer to what we need.

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

QUESTION:  thank you for your response. By stroker release, i mean that i keep my wrist at around 45degrees, or thumb at around 10 o'clock, throughout the swing and release. Generating the revs soley by lifting with the fingers after the thumb comes out.In other words, i dont rotate my hand from under the ball to the side of the ball.my track is around 3 1/2 inches wide. I bowl in a center with synthetic lanes and a lot of oil, and i usually use the 4 or 5 board as my mark. sort of a fade shot (outside, in). i throw the Morich awsome hook, the hammer bite, the rising, from track, no mercy beatn.

Answer
Bobby,
Thanks for following up.

Your delivery should allow for a fairly controllable reaction. My concern knowing you have a couple expensive high end balls in your arsenal, is, the surface and/or layouts aren't allowing your ball to pick up a roll soon enough or strongly enough.

Two quick suggestions while we delve further. If your hand position with thumb at 10 o'clock starts in your set-up, rotate your hand to thumb at 12 o'clock in the set-up and throw the ball with the same delivery (muscle memory should take over) and you should see slightly stronger rotation off your hand.

Also, adjust your set-up to lower the ball and try to hinge the ball into your swing. (how much you lower the ball at set-up will generate different results, play around a little in practice and judge the effects with lowering a couple inches, then more, then more, to directly below your shoulder with arm extended down fully.) Check out: http://www.alansproshop.dk/images/TIPS2.pdf

The graphic is from the Pure Approach Bowling Clinic organized by Del Warren, Track Inc. and Mo Pinel, MoRich Bowling.

Let me know which of your bowling balls hooks the most to the least and if possible describe the condition (old and beat up, new, smooth, surface adjusted) and layouts (location of your gripping holes in relation to the pin (top of the weight block), the center of gravity (usually between pin and mass bias), the mass bias, a small, marked locator pin (usually 6 3/4 inches from the main pin), and location of any weight holes in your equipment.

The axis tilt question measures the track all the way across the ball, sometimes only 6 or 7 inches to as much as 13 or more. I asked: How large (or small) is the distance from first revolution (first ribbon of oil or sign of friction), to the first evidence of your track, directly across the ball on the bottom? Is the ball track close to your gripping holes or more than 2 or 3 inches away? Do you know or would your ball driller know your positive axis location (horizontal and vertical coordinates measured off your grip center)?

Lastly, Do you know your ball speed? You've mentioned you throw hard, but the set-up position adjustments should slow things down a bit, allowing you to have more time at the bottom of your swing to turn the ball more. Let me know how these two adjustments work and what happens as a result, and any additional info on the balls and your delivery stats. We can maybe improve what your balls are doing.

Thanks for the questions. Good luck and good bowling.