How to throw a BACKUP BALL (and why you should learn) 

Backup bowler here. This is a great technique to learn because it can help you pick up the 10 pin easily and over time the right side of the lanes will be dry because majority of bowlers are right handed leaving you with mostly an oily left side; less intense hooks. It will take time to learn but once you get the hang of it, it can be a useful technique you can add to your bowling arsenal.

I started as a str8 bowler not knowing how to hook it and than eventually my form started bowling back up balls.. thanks for this video, it took me a while to find it

I’m 33 with a learning disability . Thank you for this video this approve my back up ball . I will keep trying and not give up. My average is 128 the highest average is 130 or 140 . sometimes 177 it’s not to often to hit that. The lowest is 119 or 114

I didn't know there was a name for this, my friends thought it was weird that I was "curving it the wrong way." I injured my thumb playing another sport before going bowling with friends. I ended up only using two fingers and it felt natural to do a two handed backup balls. The first game I got 140ish with a bunch of strikes toward the end, and the second game I got over 230 (my best game ever). Now I only backup bowl.

I actually learned to throw a back up hall before I knew it was called that. I’m still learning to make it hook right to left. But somehow was able to naturally hook it the back up ball way left to right. I thought it was a bad thing. But this video helped me see it is a actually method of play!

love how you showed it for two handlers too i appreciate it

Thanks for showing this. Most impressive!

This is perfect content for you to double your subscriber growth for sure ........ bravo!

Thanks for this video! I can't hook the ball due to my wrist, but I can throw decent backup ball. I noticed that you follow through across your chest. Since trying that I have seen an increase in my average (maybe 5-10 pins a game), but still, it has helped. Thank you!

Heyy, backup bowler starter here. I've learned this is how i can bowl my best by the way i always end up throwing it. & I really want to get better. I also 4 step instead of 5.

Thanks for this video! Right now, I naturally throw a straight backup ball. Everyone at our alley is amazed by it. I also hold a pen/pencil like a lefty so I think there is something muscular or skeletal about me so I can't really change it. I want to learn how to hook the ball and bowl better. I'm struggling to improve with all the advice out there. I'm hopeful this will help me refine and improve my natural ability.

great video, but how do you layout your ball for back up release?

Back up bowler here and I am really good at picking up splits. When I see them, I know I have a good chance at picking them up.

Thank You, Dad! Very Informative!!!

always waiting for your videos!

I went to the alley and tried some shots. It was kinda fun. Today I went to the alley, I bowled my normal shot and averaged about 172 for 5 games. Pretty decent for me. On a whim I decided to bowl a full game using the back up ball style. First game 203, second game 200 with an open in the tenth. Third game 224. It was so simple. Like I was made for it. A little flick of the wrist, no cranking my hand trying to get more hook, it was just so natural. My arm isn't tired, my wrist doesn't ache. I love it. I won't be going back to "normal". I am sure this is not normal for most bowlers. But it sure fits me.

It’s 4:20 am for me and this man is uploading lmao good morning for me

I play the style "straight" back up ball.. i aim the second arrow...questions..where do i put my feet on the aproach? Do i use power on my fingers or wrist? the ball goes 1 1/2 arrow and then curves? Do i need to throught the ball far in the lane in order to spine?

Does your thumb and fingers exit at normal times or is it closer to coming out at the same time for the backup ball

Too bad you didn’t do this video back in March. During league warmups I decided to give it a try. When I released it, there was a loud “pop” and a sharp pain at the tip of my middle finger. Surprisingly the ball struck, but at the cost of breaking the tip of my middle finger. I did continue to play (definitely shouldn’t have) but I did it with my middle finger out of the ball. What happened was that I allowed the ball to roll off the side of my hand instead of my fingers.

Guys this one time I shot 8261 on a single game with backup ball it was insane

Ty for advice

Hey 220 I have been watching you for some time now, is there a way you can do a video on the hand a release of the ball I’m struggling with that park quite often

Love the frequency of posts. But def should post when most people are awake. 😅 Keep up the great content making.

My mom is a really good bowler and she throws a backup ball on every shot. what would you recommend in the storm line of bowling balls for her style of bowling she has a axiom ball currently and some times it stops turning for her I'm going to buy her a new ball any information would be great and it would have to be a 12 pound ball thanks

You couldn't have timed this better. I'm just starting to have a ton of 10 pins left over and wanted to learn how to do this. I didn't know it had a name or anything. I can hit a 10 pin while bowling normally but this is wayy easier.

I love your videos sir specially this one! I'm 54 years old now and rekindled my love for bowling last couple of months. 30 years ago this is how I bowl and tried so hard to correct it. If only we have this kind of videos back then :) Keep on doing vids like these sir. Btw, what is the weight of the ball you're throwing? Thanks a lot!

Where are you standing when you do this? Thanks so much, I'm definitely going to try this.

Omg I didn't even know it had a name to through it that way. I been throwing it like that for years to look cool 😎

Can i ask something? Is this legal on tournament?

Could you make a video throwing a backup ball at the 10 pin please

I really needed this I rarely throw a backup because it hurts my wrist figured I was doing it wrong 😵‍💫😵‍💫

i've been a backup bowler for as long as I can remember. for some reason though lately now Im getting a blood blister on the tip of my thumb.. (i do have a custom drilled with fingertips)

so I can't turn my wrist so all the way so my palm does not completely face the selling so would that make it impossible for me to do it right handed?

Bet. Thank you.

When you were showing your hand position at the moment of release I thought: "This is the exact hand position for the modern high rev release. If 220 would just keep his hand there and come up the back of the ball he would be good!"

This is a great video especially slow motion. If you look at your Thumbnail this is the setup for a PRO Release. I recall a previous video you are trying to develop a Pro Release, look at the picture and then look at Forrest release, its the same. Paul

That how i shoot at my 10 pins and any split where i have either a 4 or 8 pin standing.

I'm new and trying to learn how to hook and somehow I keep doing the "backup" by mistake and i havn't been able to figure out what i'm doing wrong. thanks to your video I'll be able to figure out what i'm doing wrong and reverse it. I Need elbow away from body and fingers on the right side. I'll give it a shot next time.

I throw a backup ball on some spares mainly on the right side of the lane and certain splits.Someone told me this is illegal.What does the rules say? I've seen Bellmonte through one at certain splits.

Good tip. I throw this at wonky spares but never practice it so…not a great plan

i started using the backup ball for ten pins.

Doesn’t it also help new bowlers feel working the inside of ball and keep elbow in?

Any tips keeping wrist bent/behind the ball? Foul lines and 1-steps I’m able to keep it bent and behind the ball but on my full approach, my wrist seems to break just before the flat spot.

Backup ball 300 challenge video

How is it for a one hand bowler but still no thumb?

I threw a backup ball as a kid until I was about 12 or so. Shot 240 something doing it and thought i was a pro 🤣. Then switched to "normal" right before high school. I still throw a straight or slightly backup for splits and 10 pins

Hey is the ball drilled for the right hand and you can still throw it like a lefty. I trying to figure out what I'm seeing

i swear my forearms were built wrong because any attempt to throw a backup ball feels like my fingers and wrist will shatter and holding my hands further inside than what your showing gets me a regular 45º axis rotation.

It's my natural style can't hook balls normal only can backup but I do have huge speed adjustments I can do like I go from 23kph to 48kph so I can do straight or hook shots and i shot left hutter to left pocket or I shot right cutter and entre left pocket iam right handed too pro shop guy hates drilling my balls for me everything is like backward for you pitches and that

Lefty here. Always throw a backup for those pesky 7 pins.

I've thrown a backup ball my whole life, I know no other way. I've tried to throw a "normal" ball but can't do it. In league, I've got up to a 192 average. I've always thrown with a three-finger and have found that if I command the rotation with my ring finger instead of my middle, I can more easily control the spin. I line up on the 5 dot and throw to the 2 arrow (lh even thought I am a righty)

I only bowl backup can you make a conventional how to video 😆

do u have a video of you hitting a 300?

How to back it up!

I want to use this to try and pick my 10 pins up but can't get enough hook on the ball should I get it drilled for back up?

I only throw backup. But it's lower on the release. I can't do normal

I’m a two handed and when I throw back up ball I can’t put my fingers in the ball because they get stuck and it messes up my middle finger😢

As a lefty, would it be easier to be more consistent in making 7 pins with a backup ball?

I already been shooting with my right hand on the left side for the last 12 years

Backup ball 300 video, when?

I attempted a back up ball “2 handed” about 5 months ago and still regret it , messed my middle finger knuckle up really bad

this is the only way I can hook it

how is there already comments bro

I literally do this naturally 😭

I like Back Up And I cannot lie.

lol of course your follow through looks way better on your backup ball than your standard release

SOMETIMES the left side is easier lmao.. sometimes

Always use a backup for the 10 pin

thank you 2 thousand average bowler my mother gets very angry when i throw backup ball

Throw it two handed 😊

Bruh I throw backup righty 2 hand all the time I can’t bowl regularly 😂

I don't know anything about bowling but I thought you would throw it behind you and then a crowd of people would jump

Throwing backup is painful for me, and as an old man, I don't want to break anything. You know, "old dog, new tricks" also.

You're more of a modern release as a backup bowler than as your nornal release

Thats a good way to pop a bicep tendon. I popped mine.

Your external rotator cuff muscles are generally weaker than your internal rotator cuff muscles. When throwing a backup ball, you're putting the strain on those external rotator cuff muscles and since they're weaker you're putting yourself more at risk of injury. It's not a guarantee of course but a rotator cuff injury is not something you want to have an increased risk of. Also think about this, your arm and wrist don't want to move in that particular twisting motion naturally. Rotate your arm like throwing a backup ball and it's uncomfortable. Add a bowling ball to the end of your arm while making a throwing/twisting motion and it's easy to rotate too far. So I know what you're thinking and that it could give you an advantage if you're on the Tour, but the benefits for a casual league bowler just don't outweigh the potential cons. Also, I'm a lefty so stay off my side lol

Bababooey

I assume that’s a plastic ball you are spinning left to right

Just be careful, I tried learning and my middle finger got hung and broke it and tore the tendons, I now only use my ring finger and thumb smh.

The left side is not that easy

Why don't you throw a Backup ball with your crocs

First

Dang, hit 10,000 subs and now riddled with porn bots. Yay internet.

i average 300 backup 🥱