Expert: - 3/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Warren,

I was hoping you could help me.  I bowl in three leagues, one of which is a PBA experience league.  As I'm sure you know, the "modern" game puts an emphasis on getting out of the ball quickly, cleanly and without "grab".  I have (finally) trained my self to do this.  Until today I had thought that "grab" was any conscious effort by the bowler to turn the ball, essentially that "hit" is the same thing as "grab".  As a result, I have completely relaxed my hand during delivery and do not "hit" the ball, I just let it come off my hand.  This has resulted in improved accuracy and greater ball speed.  Unfortunatley, I seem to no longer be able to hook the ball, except on the driest of lane conditions (such as Saturday afternoon open bowling).  I have had my teammates watch my release and they have assured me that I am not turning the ball early.  So, I am completely flabbergasted as to why my ball doesn't hook nearly as much as it used to. Is it correct to consciously rotate the fingers ("hit") as long as you don't increase tension/grip pressure ("grab")on release?

ANSWER: Steve,
"Grab" is up hit as the ball exits your hand.

A comfortable fit allowing for no grip pressure helps in execution, but stress in crucial situations occasionally translates to a muscled exaggeration at release. Wanting to "get it all", a player might hit up, causing the ball to start rolling earlier, the later delivery looses leverage, often resulting in a shot turning to soon, inside of target, with less power at the pins.

Getting lift and turn (hit) in your release at the maximum leverage point (below the shoulder) allows a clean delivery, good energy in the ball (revolutions) allowing the ball to skid, hook and roll as needed.

Check the roll pattern of the equipment you've used recently. A change in delivery will often change your Positive Axis Point (PAP). When your roll (see a change in the track) changes, the layout of your ball changes. The pin, Mass Bias, weight hole (if present) and CG all have a different orientation to a change in your track/axis.

Increased ball speed (a good thing) may be pushing the ball down lane farther, and your current layouts are not influencing the ball to slow down and hook (enough). If the PAP has changed and you are more behind the ball, a long pin becomes longer (maybe too long). You should consider surface adjustment, getting the ball to read the lane earlier, will help to involve the core/layout and benefit you with more ball reaction down lane.

Specific suggestions would demand much more information. What balls you throw, what kind of layouts do you use, how do you play the lanes? and some specifics of; PAP, rev rate, ball speed, axis tilt and rotation for a start. Thanks for the questions. Let me know what works?

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

QUESTION: Thanks.  I used to squeeze the ball due to an incorrect span.  During that time I used mainly label (1:30) drills and had a track of about 5 1/2 over by 1/2 up.  I'm a tweener (well, until recently).  

I generally like a smooth reaction and tend to use weak(er) equipment and/or surface (2000).  Generally the CG is near the center of my span and the pin will be in the ring finger area, either even with, below, or slightly up, depending on what I want the ball to do.

I do not know my axis rotation or rev rate.  My rev rate was estimated @ around 300, but this was when I was squeezing.  I definitely feel I get out of the ball quicker now, so it may have increased.  

When I'm right (physically), I cross the arrows around 12 and depending on friction/length/volume I'll play a little bit of a swing.  I generally do not play inside (nor do I have to), but I cannot play straight up the boards either.

I practiced the underhanded football release last night and I definitely felt the difference.  I was not doing this before.  I was getting a good reaction and repeating shots decently (when I was concentrating) and shot a high game of 288.

I have noticed that now that I dont squeeze the ball, my track has lowered.  I dont think it is tilted all that much (track appears to be equidistant away from the finger and thumb holes), but it is at least 2 inches away from both.

Is this a bad thing?  I do not feel like I am spinning it or topping it, just throwing a football underhanded.

I am going down to Kegel next week.  Hopefully they can help.  I would like to keep you updated after I get back.



ANSWER: Steve,
Your lower track is a result of your work on your release. The release is still a little late that is why the track dropped slightly.

Say hello to Del Warren and the staff for me. I've known Del since his days with AMF 15 years maybe.  

Kegal will be able to provide all the necessary info you want to know. Rev rate, tilt and rotation, ball speed and a great evaluation of your equipment and how it matches up for you. Randy Stoughton, the newest Gold coach is an mega-experienced driller (former Player Services Director for the Pro Tour). You will be in great hands.

Please keep me informed. Thanks for the questions. Good bowling.

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

QUESTION: Warren,

Wanted to keep you updated.  I have back from Kegel about a month.  According to them, it takes about 6-8 weeks for everything to "set".  I am throwing it better, although I will still have an occasional disasterous session (one of which I had last night) where I can't repeat.  I think the lack of being able to repeat at this point is from two things a little muscle/tension in the armswing and probably more likely, trying to correct to many things at once.   I am definitely getting there.

Had my rev rate, axis rotation measured.  Axis rotation is 45-60 degrees, although I can manipulate it somewhat to greater than 60 and around 20.  Rev rate is around 325, ball speed is about 18 off my hand.  PAP is 5 * 1 & 1'16.

It is the latter that concerns me.  I would like to be able to manipulate my tilt.  It seems no matter what I do I cannot change it (except make it higher). I had convinced myself that it was because I had a flying elbow, and tried to correct it last night and had a disasterous series (514).  Upon some examination and reflection, I think I was trying to fix something that wasn't broken...  Upon some additional reflection and research (mainly Ron Clifton's website) I think the tilt comes from not "collapsing" my wrist upon delivery, (i.e. going from cupped to un-cupped), so that my fingers never get straight underneath my thumb, so I come out @ an angle. Randy and I didn't discuss how to get rid of the tilt, we concentrated on fixing my timing.  Does this explanation sound plausible?  Any drills you know to help achieve the collapse in the release?

Answer
Steve,
You've undergone major "surgery" on your game. If your not able to repeat, why are you thinking about manipulating another aspect of your delivery?

The football release drills help with feeling the wrist. You can translate them to the lanes, with the ball and a one step drill at the foul line.

Work on feeling all that you've worked on, one step at a time. I provide a reminder card for my instructress, to record what we do each instruction session. We plan each session. But we don't move on until each element is understood and integrated into their game.

Lot's of things have no doubt been thrown at you. Work on the major issue(s) until you've got them down with out thinking about them. As you incorporate new elements (or adjusted elements) to your game, other things are effected.

You need to be able to think about, and address in setup or lane play strategies, what you want to do, but when you step onto the approach, you need to let your body do what you taught it (with a minimal amount of interference/second guessing).

You've got physical issues you're working on. The tilt issue can be addressed somewhat in ball fit. Work on the Kegel stuff and when you feel you're ready, drop a note with your fit sheet and we can talk about fitting for performance (adjustments). Thanks for staying in touch. Sounds like good things are happening. Good luck and good bowling.