As a silver coach I'd like to commend the maker of this video. You do not need to "force" the ball to hook. Proper release will allow you hook without having to snap your hand over / around the ball. A few points to add: 1) Point 4 in this video is very important; let the ball fall in your swing. Do not try to throw the ball; let your body and timing control the speed through a free swing. 2) Let your bowling shoulder drop as you start the approach to help your body at the end to be in position for release behind the ball. Notice the bowler's dropped shoulder on approach through release. This bowler has great body position to demonstrate it. 3) Rotate the bowling hand open on the back swing. If you were to pull the thumb out of your ball at the top of the swing it should point towards the sky (not necessarily straight up) This will help keep the arm straight and get the hand in the proper position behind the ball on release. This bowler is not doing that but is able to get a nice release without it. 4) Start the acceleration (add muscle) only towards the bottom of the swing and through the follow through. I tell my students to feel the "load" build on the thumb. When the hand is in the proper position, once the thumb is released the weight will quickly shift to the finger tips and cause a "snap" on the rotation. You need to be accelerating at this point and following through to get the maximum rotation on the ball. 5) As they say in the video... You need "time" and lots of practice. This is easy mechanics once you learn it, but it will feel funky as you learn. People have a tendency to think bowling is "easy" but it's a skill that needs to be built. Not only do you need to build skill, but you'll need to build muscle and muscle memory. (or unlearn bad habits) On a proper release you should see a low access rotation on the ball (not looking like a helicopter and it should "appear" to accelerate as it starts into the hook through into the roll. You do not need to force the ball to hook, normal mechanics will cause the most powerful hook you can create without "funky" hand / wrist mechanics. Very well done. Thanks.
I 100% agree I'm a bowler. Everyone thinks it's all about power, if you power it the pins explode and you don't get enough pin action. People don't understand that power is not the key
AntariMysteec sorry, but I strongly disagree with #3. That is not in bowling handbook, taught by coach, or coaches dad who was a pro in the 40-50's. In order to get to that crazy position you are teaching, one almost is forced to open and close their shoulder, risking huge injuries. Also, #3 cannot possibly assist with accuracy, so why teach that? Im a female posting on mans account. I could throw 15lbs at age 11 without opening shoulder. I could move ball 25 boards without any of that wrist play. The only wrist movement endorsed by coach was not outside in, but inside out😎. For a great example of inside out, check out Marcia Kloempken from Storm bowling. She was amazing when she was 10 and I was 7 bowling y.a.b.a. She has 3 regionals and was on team USA 2007. My coach endorsed this lady when she was a child.
Thank you. One of the few videos that is reassuring that it really ISN’T easy and takes a lot of practice. Some of the old pros casually say things like “oh just pull your thumb out first” or “it’s easy if you pretend your going in for a handshake as you throw the ball”. In theory, I get what they’re saying but this was one of the few videos that thoroughly explained it and still said (essentially) “you will suck at this for a while but if you practice you’ll get there. The other videos I watched just left me feeling stupid for not getting it. Thank you for this.
I gotta disagree. The only problem I see is that I'm not allowed to switch hands and bowl lefty for certain splits or pickups as needed that would make the game much easier for me. However, these guys are allowed to bowl using both hands at the same time. It doesn't seem right to me. Does that mean I should be able to bowl left handed as long as I keep my right hand on the ball? As for cheating, I don't see it as that at all and quite frankly if it seems so easy to you, I suggest you pick it up and improve your average. I have tried it and I can assure you it isn't an advantage, it's a skill set.
This was fantastic! I've been bowling recreationally forever and nobody has ever explained this to me...can't wait to practice with the football & then try it out at the bowling alley!
That's actually really well described to be honest. The foam football idea really brings it full circle to fully understand the movement. Really this is actually a great video
Went bowling yesterday never hooked a ball in my life, asked the guy in the lane next to me how to do it since he was really good at it. He took 2 minutes to teach and show me how to do it. After about 5 tries I learned how to hook the ball onwards and outwards. I feel like this video is a little over the top
Wow, this completely illustrated what I was doing wrong which was blocking me from what I thought was a good swing. I have not been keeping my wrist behind the ball and have been letting the ball hang from my fingers. I had one randomly good swing today (before seeing this video) and I after seeing this video, it became clear what I did right; hand/wrist behind the ball. Can’t wait to start bowling better now. Thanks so much!
I'm going to have to give this a try when I go bowling tomorrow. I've never really honestly thought about releasing the ball with my hand faced forward opposed to pointed downwards.
Thanks for posting this! When I was young I had a natural hook from day one. At about age 13 I broke my right wrist and ever since my natural hook disappeared. Not knowing how to do it I've always assumed it was from breaking my wrist. Well now I can practice getting a hook on my ball again.
This video rules. Helpful, informative, excellent. I am very happy that I watched it. I will take what I've learned here and go to the lanes and try it. Thanks
What videos like this never point out is that most of the weight of the grip should be on the thumb not across the palm of the hand. That is why thumb hole size and angle very important in your custom drill.
I've watched a lot of videos about hooking a ball and you have some of the best camera angles and demonstrations of all of them. Cheers man. I need a small football now...
Thank you for this video! I am 46 and began bowling in 4th grade. I have been away from it for many years now because I just started getting bad. I've strung together 9 in a row (honestly stuck at the foul line on the first 10th frame ball...PIIIIIISSED! LOL) Anyhoo, I began overpowering the ball which resulting in poor control and less hook...I now think you have solved my other problem. I never realized (and nobody told me) I am breaking my wrist at the bottom of the swing, and it was probably gradual (which is odd). I am ready to try my hand again and will let you know the results. Sadly enough, the bowling alley in our town is up for auction, I believe, tomorrow! *sigh*
Ok so I'm currently changing my bowling style from two finger to utilizing all 3 fingers. This makes alot more sense to me seeing it in slow motion. I have actually been doing it wrong wondering why I wasn't getting any rev rates. It seems I'm trying to hard to spin the ball myself rather than letting my fingers roll it off in the natural way this shows. Once I get my new hammer black widow I'm going to be doing this drill to help myself before league starts up. Thank you for this very informative video
Thank you for posting this, will definitely try this. Finally someone giving lots of details and close ups now it doesn't look as hard as it appeared before.
One serious flaw to the instruction. The Grip, swing, release all combine in the video to create a very near impossible to control hook. Offering little or no chance of consistency. The Video directs to keep the hand directly behind the ball at all times (as if you planned to roll the ball straight) and only at the last second allow your hand to move out to the side. As shown in the video on one example swing, at one point he actually had his hand inside so that it was between his body and the ball. Had the ball slipped or he released too soon this would have resulted in sending the ball straight into the gutter or even put him at risk of breaking a finger or his thumb. Instead... When you first set up and position your hand in the ball. Hold the ball with your hand slightly outside at about a 45 degree angle relative to the lane. Much like you would hold the handle of a brief case so that the front of the case pointed out away from your intended path. You do need to keep your wrist straight. At all times keep your hand holding the ball at that same angle through your approach, back swing, and into your release. On Release simply allow the ball to roll off of your hand and follow through so that your index finger traces the intended path of your ball through your target and to your expected hook point. For the record, having your ball drilled for finger tip grips can make throwing a hook somewhat easier but it is not required.
Draconus Spiritus I do feel fingertip grip (with finger inserts) are the way to go if you are a serious sportsman. The ball is more stable during approach with most of your hand spanning it. Ball does not hang on your fingers at the line ever like conventional or semi fingertip grip might. I also have an easier time adjusting at the line if my timing was off because I am all the way behind the ball.
lol I'll tell you what. a good percentage of beginner bowlers or people who bowl occasionally do the no thumb release (with i'm sure it being cupped). not the prettiest or something to be proud of, but to each its own i guess
Jack Rainfield there are wrist supports/braces for things like that I believe (don't quote me on it as I've never used one and aren't sure exactly if that's what they're for)
Hi I am a duckpin bowler and at the same time a ten pin bowler. I find duckpin to be more challenging when it comes to accuracy. The level of concentration is higher.
Really good guide in breaking down the hook process. This helped me a lot! Recently switched from 1 handed to 2 handed though, but I still use 1 hand for tough spares or if the lane conditions are better for it. 2 hands just gives me more power and rev overall. I just put up a 2 hand training session on my channel, I'd appreciate any feedback. Thanks again!
All of this information is correct. There is one thing missing though. When you begin to rotate your hand/fingers, accelerate through with your thumb up.
Andrew Austin The idea is to keep wrist locked or cupped behind ball as long as you can. Your hand will naturally come out with thumb pointing at 2oclock for righty, 10 oclock for lefty.
I’m buying my first hook ball tomorrow. I hope this video was right. I’m just going to do what it said here but take my time, so I don’t humiliate myself. Did I mention that I’m kinda nervous that I’ll fuck up big time
When I do this I don’t even put my thumb in the ball... I put my fingers in to the first knuckle... and don’t swing all the way back... about halfway and when I release I twist my wrist.. perfect spin everytime! Once you have your spin down and how hard your gonna spin it. Now you can adjust where your going to stand. I usually stand as far left as possible as I throw with my right. I’m no pro but I get a fair share of strikes... put it this way... my best game was like 200. So far from perfect. But if I had to put my thumb inside I doubt I would be able to hook it without breaking some fingers.
In the first step you said put your index and middle finger in.... which of course it's wrong...but in the video you did put your middle and ring finger in...good job
At 3:01 that is just not the proper way to get through the ball. Your fingers should be driving through the middle of the ball, not the right side. The release you show there is one way to reduce revs. Your follow through should also be much closer to your body with your hand tracking underneath your head. Spine is slightly tilted right so as to drop your right shoulder so that your arm may swing freely under the head.
mikeandike1966 truth be told the hook just looks cool. Without proper release of the ball you are not generating forward roll, which is what causes a lot of pin action. It does this because when ball hits pins using forward roll the pins bounce horizontally, taking out more pins. Forward roll also gives you extra driving power and plows through pins as opposed to being deflected. The heavier your ball is, the more pins you knock down with ball itself.
I have had skin torn on my thumb a few times in the past. luckily I had Some thing to put over the torn skin so I could keep bowling. Its fully healed now but it hurt a lot.
Great Bowling Tips - Thank You For This Valuable Information. We Have Tips Too. and Will Be Share and Posting Your Videos On Our Fanpage and Websites and Blogs!
the most important thing to be able to throw a proper hook is having a ball drilled to fit your hand. The ball should easily leave your fingertips last when this is done properly, automatically imparting revolutions to the ball. Modern bowling ball tech lets you actually roll a ball "end over end" and still get late lane reaction if correctly drilled. I have given my older balls to teammates and they have been redrilled for them. It has resulted in an instant 20 pin average increase across the board. Find a local pro shop that is independently owned and operated, and let them see you throw a game. Next thing you know, they will have you averaging over 200. Trust the people that love the game.
+John Yost I'm 14, and am on my High School Bowling Team. I made the team, while my Average is about 130-140 I would say. I used to use a Conventional Ball, but one of my coaches was kind enough to bring a $230 ball in for me to use, and it was a Fingertip. My VERY first game I bowled with it, I got a 172, only 6 pins from my Record. I still need to get it drilled , for it is a teensy bit too small, but I'm hoping I can get better. I wanna get atleast ONE 200+ Game, before Competitions start, which Is in about a month. I checked this Video out, because I know how to curve now, but I wanna learn to curve it consistently. Right now, sometimes, it goes in the pocket, but other times, it goes way to the left or way to the right. I don't know why I told you all of this, but oh, well. It happened. Lol
everything is ok, except showing the release, which is a spinner release, with the fingers around the ball and very high axis tilt eq very low track- demonstration from 2;32 forward... the final shot is totally different, with the wrist on the exterior of the ball , going "through" the ball
I thought that was just me that saw that. I would like to see a hook shot with a release through the ball. I want to see how ir when to release the thumb
I picked this up almost instantly bowling without the thumb. Don't bowl with too heavy of a ball doing this because I used a 16lb ball for 2 straight hours of bowling and injured my wrist
My friend always recommended not to stick my thumb inside the hole. I have been doing that for so long; can you tell me if that is a proper way of holding the ball?
For me it's SOOO hard to have the ha d behind the ball. I think I have very weak wrists. so I have to work out or is there a teqnique to make it easier?
