Expert: - 3/23/2009

Question
I actually have three questions. I've been a bowling for a while, recreational 175-180 bowler. Even though I bowl every week, I don't see myself as a good bowler.
1. How can you visualize a proper finger tip release?
2. I have a mental block on how to release the thumb and then the fingers. I use a finger tip ball but I can't feel my thumb coming out first. I know I'm not following up the ball with my fingers. What can I do?
3. I noticed that the good league bowlers have their balls rotating immediately off the hand. How do they do that?

Answer
Roland,
You sound like the old adage "paralysis by analysis".

Bowling is played on a field only 40 inches wide. It's about balance and consistency. The sport of bowling is about teaching your body to do what you want, then LET IT DO WHAT YOU TAUGHT IT. Muscle memory is a wonderful thing. Your body (muscles) remember what you repeat. Your goal in practice is to address changes in muscle memory that you desire. Unlearn bad actions by replacing the muscle memory with what you want.

If you are trying to feel a difference, or control the execution, you are bringing muscle control into an athletic environment that you need muscle memory, fluidity and consistency.  

(Record and) Watch pro players on TV, record your and other releases and study them. When you know what you do and know what you want, a coach can help recreate the desired execution. Practice what you want, but try NOT to control the action. The more uncluttered the action is with mental or physical "assistance" the more relaxed your execution (and more consistent).

Your mental block doesn't stop you from rolling the ball. Focus on just your release, with a 1-step drill. Stand 3-4 feet back from the foul line, hinge the ball into your swing, at or near the top of the swing, push into your last step/slide, roll the ball off/out of your hand. The emphasis on the point of delivery will allow you to focus more on what's happening. I'm sure not every shot is different, try to feel what's happening when the ball rolls the way you want.

Practice, concentrating on getting the feel you want more consistently. Feeling and identifying an unwanted delivery is almost as important as doing it right.

The rotation question is about ball fit, finger, hand and wrist action. When you rotate a football, underhand, spinning it in a tight spiral, your hand and wrist are doing, to the football, what you want to do to a bowling ball. To assist in an improved release, practice spinning a football until your delivery is a perfect spiral. Practice the perfect spiral 30 to 50 times and you are changing your muscle memory. Feel what's happening. Try to duplicate it, with the 1-step drill and your bowling ball.

Thanks for the questions. You are well on your way to being the better bowler you want to be. Many players don't put in the effort you have all ready.  Remember, plan your path to the pocket, visualize it, but when you step onto the approach and set, don't think, DO. Your body is prepared to do what you want, unless you've taught it otherwise. If your body is prepared, you will, more often than not, do what you want it to.