This channel was created to just have some fun with bowling, and maybe pass along a little knowledge. We plan on having friendly competitions, plays some fun games, teach a few tips and techniques, and overall just talk about bowling. We are not professional bowlers, but each have bowled for more than 40 years and currently are high school coaches. Not everyone has a 500 rev rate or the accuracy of a professional, and we hope to bring content to bowlers of all skill levels.
I am not a pro but a couple of things I am working on for balance is. Insure my left arm is shoulder height thumb down and the arm should not be behind me! Also I tend to bend over to much which is a almost guarantee to fall off the shot. What u mentioned of bending the left knee can raise your torso, body position to be a bit over your knee where it should be. Keep up the good teaching love it!
Played on a sport shot/challenge pattern (34ft, 5to1) last night and our local PSO gave us some advice on how we might approach it and he was suggesting first arrow with a "tour" type ball (I have a Web Tour Solid), and it was a great lesson when I threw 3 gutter balls in the first game, but got a lot more focused by game 3 on hitting 5,6 or 7 board with target being 5 board, outside 5 seemed to be OB, but a great lesson learned. When I hit my target, I was rewarded, for game 2, I wanted to see what my normal line 20-12-8 would look like on a pattern like that, welll....it was not pretty even though I kept making small moves left, it was much tougher than our typically house shot to find the right combination of speed and rotation. All in all I enjoy this sport shot/challenge pattern League (non-sanctioned/scratch/no prize), it is a real eye opener and actually quite fun. Not to many challenge or sport shot tournaments in my area, but if I do ever sign up for one, I will take your tips from this video to prepare...Thanks for the video
Thanks for the comment. There are many sport patterns (especially short) where inching left gets you into flatter spots that hook a lot and require even more precision. It's the trap people fall into because it's the normal move on house. I shot a regional where game 1 was great, but as it broke down, I tried to inch left, and that was a mistake. I changed balls and move back to the right and found it again. It's also why you see pros start in urethane far right, and as the lane blends, they make huge move and change into reactive. Moving just a few left wouldn't have worked. Sports shots are tough, but they really enhance our games. Good luck in future events.
Most guys buy golf pants. Mine are actually a stretchy material. I have 2 pair from BYLT Basics (expensive but comfy) and 2 from CRZ YOGA (less expensive). I got them all online. But you could go to any golf store and check out the adidas, Nike, puma, and other brands.
What I have noticed for me is lowering from the hips helps with knee bend straightens the torso, so your not bending over as much, and points your body down lane easier. Put it all together, better balance! You are a good teacher keep up the good work!
... wow, this looks like fun! I might do this with my 5 balls, and have my wife draw from a hat which ball I throw lol. I have, in my arsenal... 15 lbs. RAW Hammer Hybrid (Orange/Blue), Black Widow Ghost Pearl, and Black Widow 3.0. 10 lbs. Storm Tropical Surge (Purple/Gold), 9 lbs. Brunswick TWIST (Blue/Green) The last two are my wife's, but this looks like a very fun format to just play around with. I might replace the Ghost Pearl with the Effect, or even pair them up in a 4 ball arsenal.
Good bowling this weekend, Keith! Looked like a lot of hits just didn't go your way. That stone 8 was brutal timing and the 7-pin hit is all too common at Sun Valley unfortunately. I also had to make the jump twice and wasn't a huge fan of that. Best of luck in Oklahoma next weekend!
My ball fits good but the pitches are off. With too much forward pitch the ball stays in my hand longer and with a negative pitch, I drop the ball on release.
Yes, that will certainly have an effect. I used a friend's ball that was too much reverse and the ball would come off too quickly. If you have the ability to, change pitches on an old ball just until you get the right feel, then adjust any other balls accordingly.
Certainly. I have arthritis in my wrist and index finger. The finger was causing most of the pain, so I worked with my PSO to try different grips. Ultimately I wanted the ball more in my palm and away from my index finger. A combination of the Sarge Easter grip and Nanu Nanu (spread the bridge a little wider), as well as a slightly offset thumb with a strong left pitch turned out to do the trick. No more pain. Now I just have to figure out how to fix my arthritis in my toe and my chronic inflammation in my knees and ankles. Dietary changes gonna need to come.
Good job on that practice session good flexibility for a man that is not in his early years. I focused in the same it lowered ball speed but made better ball reaction (better carry). Posting way more shots.
Thanks. My next thing is delaying my pushaway slightly so that I am done sliding right before release. We will see how that goes. Always tweaking to improve. Thanks for watching.
I like your progress many would be happy to achieve such good results. How old are you? I’m 63 i’m fighting that problem for years. My hero on knew bend is Parker Bohn III. Nobody is/was so great at the line like him, right?
Subscribed!!! 65 yo here and I'm gonna try and apply the simple knuckle-in method on my only league tonight. I tried the whole open shoulder routine a few weeks back. It did increase my revs but I noticed I was spinning the ball. I had a good set (600+), but like you pointed out, there's just too many factors to incorporate vs my normal delivery. Wish me luck 😄and I'll update with the result.
You throw it really good physically. It's just a simpler, more compact game. If you don't mind me asking, why are you wearing the knee brace? Is it just for preventing injury or is there an injury history with it? I noticed something that could cause balance issues from time to time, and it's that you're still sliding through your release rather than having stopped already for the release. It's really visible on the side view shots. Check out the side view shots of a lot of the pros, and you'll see that most of them have stopped sliding by the time they're performing the release.
Thanks for the comment and praise. I tore my patellar tendon just over a year ago, and I also have chronic inflammation, so the knee brace is largely preventative now. When I forget to wear it, my knees flare up and hurt pretty bad. I just played pickleball for the first time, and forgot my brace. My knees were mad. I really should wear one on both, but in bowling, there is more pressure in the slide leg. As for the slide thing, you are 100% correct. It becomes an issue when the approaches are tacky like in the FireLake regional a few weeks ago. When the foot sticks a little, it turns and I can fall out of balance. I worked on planting about 2 years ago, but my speed dropped significantly as did my accuracy. I am hoping this deeper knee bend will help me reduce the slide over time. It's gonna take some work to break my muscle memory and build new. Thanks again.
@@baldbrothersbowling That's tough. I really don't like planting either. It never really worked for me. I'm sure you've already tried a bunch of different heel/sole combos to try and get you to stop sliding a little earlier. The only other thing that could help with it is changing your timing to start your swing a little later, but I'm not sure that's worth it either since you already throw it pretty good
@@grillmaster95 Yeah, I am going to experiment with starting later. My timing is good as far as when I start my downswing and my slide step, but because I slide so long, I am still sliding while I release it. I have tried different soles (and even using street shoes), which because I slide so long, the only way to accomplish this is to slow way down, and my ball speed drops way too much. But, that said, I am going work on my timing to start the push away a little later and see what I can produce from that. If I can get close to planting, I can change slide soles. I just don't want to do that until I change my timing a little or I will either face plant or destroy my knee. :)
I have been working with a coach, and one key he has given me is my off arm. I focus on getting it higher, almost pointing to the sky type of feeling. It does a couple of things, it allows me to have more shoulder tilt, and that allows me to be closer to the floor and get behind the ball a little more. The more I work on it the better I finish and balance at the end of the shot.
For us old Farts this is even more of a challenge. Try looking at the dots (8 ft first then work your way back to the foul line). Gets you lower without trying and as a bonus you get get great ball roll.
Yes, and having torn a tendon in my left knee and needing a knee brace also is a mental block from bending too much. Getting old isn't super fun. 😂 Thanks for watching.
Excellent video! Gonna take some of your tips to work on increasing my rev rate with the mechanics I am capable of. I’m at of age where this lovely sport always remind me where I “squeak”. So my body send that signal to my mechanics to simply slow down. The kid in me say, just throw the ball…HARD! But remember to do this, that, this, oh and don’t forget that…inside of 2 seconds, 3 tops for me. Keep up the great lessons and thank you for making these lessons easy to understand. Not too much heavy bowling lingo to try and decipher along the way.
Thanks for the content... the struggle is real. I went +137 in 9 games in a county tournament last month to get 1st place in my division. Most of those points were scored across 4 of those games .. started with 244-245-226, then I was struggling with carry for the next 5 games and managed to punch out a 258 in game 9. Good stuff... not bad for a part time bowler... keep bowling. ❤ 🎳
Oh nice, I was a few pairs behind you all day in qualifying (started on 21/22 I believe)! Scores were crazy, I figured it'd probably take +150 or +160 to grab a check and it was basically +200 to get there...
@@baldbrothersbowling yup that's me! Pretty sure y'all were a few pairs away since I only followed onto Boog's pair once or twice, but definitely not far away. You bowling the Edmond stop next month?
Thanks for watching. Sometimes it's hard to throw in commentary during, but I can start maybe adding text like I did with the moves. Thanks for the feedback.
Question if you don't mind. Why is it bowlers like yourself and others do not use the more modern yo-yo release? Your release is similar to mine in that it's more of a stiff wrist going up the side of the ball'ish with a more thumbs up hand finish.
Thank you for asking that question. I can certainly answer that. For me, there are a couple of things at play. First, I have been bowling for 45 years, and the Yo-Yo is a somewhat newer teaching style to increase revs. Because I have decades of a more "traditional" release, I have muscle memory built into my swing that is hard to break. Second, I also have arthritis in my wrist which limits my flexibility (also why I have to tape up my wrist as I do otherwise I experience a lot of pain). All this said, I have been working on having more yo-yo (and I coach younger bowlers who don't have the muscle memory that I do to use this). It's not pronounced because of the items I said above, but there is a little there. I did a video recently about increasing revs using 1 tip: focusing on getting your knuckles in towards your calf right at release, and another that talks about going from cupped to uncupped back to cupped (which is another way of saying yo-yo). I can't do it quite as much as I'd like, but the little bit that I can has increased my rev rate from about 330 to 386 (in that video). So I am achieving a very slight yo-yo, it's just very slight and hard to see compared to the big rev guys. If I could get more of it, I certainly would. I am working on getting a little more each time I practice, but I have to break 4-1/2 decades of muscle memory, so it's a slow process. Thank you for watching and for the comment!
@@baldbrothersbowling Thank you so much for that reply. Im in almost the exact situation you are. been bowling for 30 years, came back and this yo yo thing has taken over. Ive spent the last 2 months doing nothing but 0 step and 1 step drills to try and learn this thing. Man, its so tough bc like you said, I have decades of muscle memory that just doesnt want to let go. This last weekend I actually had a break through and am super excited to keep the momentum. This has easily been the hardest thing Ive ever tried to learn in bowling. Again, super appreciate the detailed response.
I can throw all those balls but cant get my bowling ball to do the same. I pitched fast pitch softball my whole life, slingshot and it has thrown me off now for bowling. I want to go straight like head pin is the catchers glove and thats not what i want. The hole throw in a angle has me lost. I have got it a few times but not consistent. Practice, practice, practice lol I think im going to hollow out my cracked old ball and add sole weight and practice in back yard instead of it bwing so heavy until i get it. I am a med to low track player my tilt is 20 degrees my rotation i need to get up its low low almlst up the back or i spin the ball which means im coming over thetop. Bowling and golf is the hardest sports i have ever played. 😅
Nice. Great explanation... thank you im struggling on i guess im dropping the ball. Some times its before the foul like sometimes right on it. I cant get it out
If you are dropping it sooner than you like, it is likely one of two things. 1.) it might still be too loose. I know you watched part 1 about the right fit, so you might be almost there, but might need to add another piece of tape or two. Just make sure that if you follow part 1 after adding it, it's not too tight. But it should be fairly snug. 2.) You might just be releasing your thumb too quickly. It is a challenge to get that timing down. I would start with no-step or 1-step drills first to get the feel of exactly when you should be releasing the thumb and lifting the fingers. At first, intentionally holding it longer may feel like you are lofting it a little bit because the difference between what you currently doing (dropping it) and what you need to do is extremely slight and quick. But do that no-step over an over until you feel that you are coming out at the right time, and then bring the steps back in. If you are still dropping it too soon on a no-step drill, I'd add a little tape to the thumb hole. Give that a try and let me know how that works.
I did the same thing a year ago, was a big diff in hitting the pocket.. now Im on the front dots and throwing just as fast as I was on the back dots and keep going Brooklyn. I guess form and everything are falling into place I just need to lay out weaker ;)
Wow I'm truly learning soooo much fundamentals, Thank you so much! I'm going to find a use for all those RIP cracked Roto Grip balls and practice throwing in the back yard 😊
I just purchased a new membership to Epidemic Sound for music. Cost is reasonable and they have a lot to choose from. I started with some electric funk. I was channeling my inner "Fletch." Excited to check out the other genres.
There really doesnt have to be so much thought into this that youre starting to overthink. Cup the wrist, stay under the ball slightly to the inside, firm grip specifically in your two fingers at the bottom. Use your legs. Once the ball feels comfortable off your hand you can start practicing your accuracy
It's really not that much thought and the exact opposite of overthinking. The thought is literally just thinking about getting the knuckles in towards the calf at the release, and that's it. The issue I find when coaching is that people try to do too much at once, and this video is about stripping out all other thought, and only thinking about the 1 thing right at release. It's actually a super simple technique that works pretty well. What you listed above is 1. Cup the wrist, 2. Stay under the ball slightly inside, 3. Firm grip with the fingers, and 4. Use your legs. All of that is correct and will work for some, but 4 things for people to think about is too much for a lot of people. They have to pick 1 thing and get that down, which is why this video focuses on that release point. I certainly appreciate the comment, though.
Im back. Now to know where fonger holes should be drilled. Should the center of thumb and the center of ring fonger and middle finger be lined up or would that be off and poont beside my thumb. Im still not sure where the ball should be sitting most of the weight of the ball? I know my thumb if not tigjt it bends all crazy very flexible. I hope thats understandable. Hard to explain when im not a full year into bowling with a fitted ball and really getting into it. Im so determined east sleep repeat with bowling. I csnt stop until i can fully understand everything. Yes im MADD as the hatter😂😂
Thanks for the comments. On the location of the holes, usually the pro shop will draw a center line, and the thumb is centered on the line, and the line splits the fingers. However, I think it depends on thumb flexibility. If you look at the palm of your hand, your thumb is not directly below those two fingers. With a traditional layout, the base of your palm will be off the ball. I don't like this, and I have arthritis and needed to figure out how to get it more in my palm. My pro shop draws the center line, but then offsets my thumb hole. Additionally, because my thumb is not flexible, I have a lot of left pitch. This all puts the ball more in my palm. This isn't normal, but I think way more people should try it. I hope this all makes sense.
Holy chit what a huge difference!!! This is awesome. This along with relaxed wrist and arm it is easy to to the "yoyo" Now to make some molds instead of just drilling a hole to get a better fit. Using my couch to test this out o can not wait to get to the alley. I am consistently doing everything wrong i see. I hope you have other vidoes. New to channel. Im excited to learn more. Thank you for this video
I hate the feel of all the slugs. I just drilled a ball the thumb the size a rubber grip put thumb in rubber grip and incerted in ball. And i love the feel way better. Would that be a bad idea to use?
Don't think I have seen anyone use an external thumb grip. I have seen some use a glove with a thumb. As long as you can get a consistent release and the grip doesn't come flying off, I suppose that would be okay. I also find that I prefer the feel of tape, so prefer a larger thumb hole, and then insert tape to get right fit and feel.
I've tried 2 Venoms and a Jackal. Motiv just seems unpredictable and too weak for me. Lot of light or 3 pin hits with them. But hey, they work for some people!
Yeah, the motion is different. I used to throw SPI, and they were great out of box, but didn't last. Motiv is very smooth, and last, but not the best motion. I have been throwing more B7 and so far, I am digging them. I threw a lot of c300 in the 90s, and loved them back then.
I have seen too many release videos to mention over the last ten years. This explanation combined with the two prior videos you posted The THUMB part 1 and 2 is the best explanation if the release in existence.👍
Thanks for the help. I was thinking I shouldn't jam my thumb in all the way and that's what was getting me at my follow thru. I'll have to hinge it next time see how that goes
I assume there is no thumb in the glove. If not, the fit lesson is the same. The only change is that if it is a brace and has a firm backing to hold your wrist, you won't be able to uncup at the release. You will stay in a cupped or neutral position the whole way. With these, it is important to not roll your hand over. These gloves help get revs for those with a weaker wrist who need a little help, but will limit your ability to get a ton of revs, which is okay. Usually players who require these braces I suggest trying to keep your hand at about 45 degrees, not behind or beside the ball. You still want to use a flat thumb to hold the ball, and relax the thumb and strengthen the fingers right at release to get the ball to roll off the hand. If your hand is positioned at 45 degrees or so, it should have correct ball roll. You can increase revs a little even with a brace by going from behind the ball and rotating to 45, but don't roll it over. Watch Shannon Okeefe videos. She uses a brace and does this better than anyone. Note that if you use a brace for support, you MIGHT NOT be using the thumb to pull back and cup the wrist. I would suggest trying that to see if it eliminates the need for the brace, but if you need the brace, then follow above. I hope this helps.
