Expert: Chip Aki - 1/29/2007

Question
i am 12 years old,and i have been bowling for two and a half years, and i still use a straight ball(i average 134), i think that i am ready to learn to hook the ball(it is a 13# brunswick groove with a little side weight), could you give me some tips on  how to learn to hook the ball?  

Answer
The most important thing to do is to keep your wrist firm.  You do not need to "cup" it to learn to throw a hook.  In the future, with proper timing, you will be able to do that as well.  In your swing, keep the thumb at 1 oclock and at the release point, rotate your thumb to 11 oclock.  This will give you enough side rotation to create hook.  Over rotating will create spin, but not much hook.  Once you master this, you can create more skid by rotating your thumb to 9 or 10 oclock, but dont jump to that too soon.  Be patient.

Good luck,
Chip