Expert: joe foti - 2/20/2004

Question
Joe,

I am a straight on bowler with no curve.  I am told I have tremedous ball speed - maybe too much.  My high game so far for the season is a 188. My average is around 136 - after some 64 games now.  

I am interested in learning how to throw a curve or hook and I am told the first step is that I need a new ball that is drilled out for "fingertipping".   

Past that - is there any specific way you throw a curve or hook?  Is the ball being drilled out in this manner really the key to the curve?  Do you release any different (spin or turn your wrist) than when throwing a no curve ball?   

Thanks  

Answer
JB,
  A lot of ball speed isn't necessarily a good thing.
Look Brad Angelo, he has medium ball speed, and is leading the PBA points. Someone like Robert Smith, needs higher speed to keep the ball on line with his high rev rate.
The term is fingertip...it refers to how far in the ball your fingers go. What most people use is called relaxed finger tip, your fingers are in to the first joint. This grip helps you get good revolutions on the ball. The best way to explain a proper release is to get a football, place your fingers on the laces, throw an underhand spiral. If you picture a clockface, when you put your hand in the ball, you fingers should be about 7 o'clock, your thumb will be between 11 and 12. Lock everything in place, let the natural motion of you hand through the follow through rotate the ball. You can turn the ball, but this creates spin, which can be good on drier lanes, but you want roll, not spin most of the time. Watch the pro tour, look closely when they show a lane level shot of someone's release. You'll see what I mean. Their fingers rotate to about 5 o'clock. This is by natural armswing motion, not intentional turn. A true cranker, will cock his wrist deeper, when his thumb releases, he breaks his wrist back (toward the forearm) as the fingers release, he will violently snap his wrist back to the cupped position, straight up the back of the ball. This generates a lot of revs. How much they'll hook the ball depends on lane conditions. Give the basic release a try. You will need a fingertip ball. Joe