Robert, think you can make a video showing your hand cocked to the right vs to the left and what it does to the bowling ball motion? I’ve had success both ways but would love to hear your take on it. And also if you start your hand in a cupped position. Thank you, Jim
Million dollars worth of information, for free! Robert, you are seriously a very humble individual. Thank you for being a great ambassador for our sport. I wish you success. You deserve it!!
Holy crap. I’ve been bowling for less than one year, and I have watched 1 million RU-vid videos on how to release the bowling ball. this is easily the most understandable explanation of the details I have ever seen.
I agree. I thought i was doing it and here im not. I couldnt understand it. My elbow goes all bent and all over and it isnt straightening at all and here this video is. Practice in my yard. Our neighbors probably think im nuts.. i mean a little 😁
Had lessons from some high level coaches. Names that most folks would recognize in the industry. This was a simple but better explanation then all of those lessons combined. Went out on the lanes and noticed an immediate improvement in my release and repeatability. Thanks!😁
Thank you for the kind words, and the donation. Hopefully at worst it gets the students thinking about what can be done to the ball. Again thank you. Robert Smith
I'm an old guy and everything is so very different today. I'm 70 now so my game has changed considerably. It happens to us all, unfortunately. Years ago I started trying to improve my release and rev rate by asking people who already had the rev rate I was after. I spent hours, not just a few hours either but probably over 100 hours working on this one thing! I didn't think I'd ever get it but it just wasn't ever explained to me the way that you just explained it! Truth is, a bunch of things I just figured out by accident as I practiced this. I appreciate you posting the video! Good stuff!
An epitome of the most complete HOW to increase rev rate , yo-yo and thumb timing release. Best and Generous teaching, - also made simple for intermediate and advanced bowlers. More Power to Maximum BoB !
Robert, you explaining the "release window", and how it starts "back here" (3:21-3:34) was super-enlightening! I'm one of those people who assumed it all happened in a fraction of a second by one's ankle. Thanks so much for making this video. You have a permanent follower!
I watched Robert at Sam's Town for awhile. Been watching him for decades. Best release and best motion of them all. Now I understand how he does it. GREAT video. After all these years he's still got it. 👍
i have never left a comment on a you video ever but felt i had to here, that is without a doubt the best release video i have ever seen, and i have watched them all! ( obsessed ) did some drills in the living room and have to say after watching i can fell what he is talking about ! exited to give it a try
Nice video , but in order to not confuse people, where he talks about "TILT", he really means "Axis rotation". Axis tilt is the other oxis which almost no one can change with repeatability.
when I was younger in my prime I had a very good release and excellent timing. I'm trying to get back to do some senior events and some over/under 50 tournaments with my son. The other day while I was practicing I was able to finally fix some of my timing issues and my release came back to me just as you demonstrated in your video. For those that are watching you throw the ball can not feel how slow and effortless the ball feels like when it comes off your hand. This video is right on the mark.
my son and i both bowl in Ventura county and see Maxium Bob around at various tournaments. legendary bowler and great person too. he really cares about the youth program at his local house(buena lanes) and goes to the youth tournaments in our area to support the kids and coach them. class act 100%
What an awesome way to explain this. As someone who struggles when trying to lower ball speed because I end up decelerating and being unable to maintain my strong ball roll, the part about slowing down the release is what I need to go try out and work on. I never would have thought of that. Thanks, Robert. Long time fan here
R thank you so much……. I was thinking some of the things you explained but didn’t know for sure…. So this video clears up all the doubt……. I’ve watched you bowl since you shock ed the PBA with your technique….. as a rookie…….. so I’m gonna work on it with a different mindset now…… thank you ROBERT
Thank you for this excellent video! This lesson is going to inspire the next generation of bowlers to roll the bowling ball with the same amount of passion you have!
Thank you very much Robert Smith. This is a great piece of information. Very informative and easy to understand. Show exactly the important points of a modern powerful release. Love it
I am thanking you with a smiling heart... You are making tons of bowlers very happy with this video... May God bless you and your family with the abundance of joy and happiness in your career, life and everything that you do... Great life for a great man like you... Again and thank you so much...
Thanks Robert! Every other youtube videos just asked you to have a quick release and not breaking your wrist after the hit zone, it might be a good way to do it reversely and slow everything down instead to achieve the Less is More principle . I will definitely try it and see if it can make a difference to my game.
Great video, all the other release videos on youtube are good until you get to the point of the release. Yours by far explains rotation and tilt the best. Great job.
As the discussion got to changing tilt at release, that got me to realize how much you can change the shape. The emphasis of the middle finger vs. the ring finger can get a ball shape to work for you without a ball change. Then you can with little thought make the ring finger be the lifting force at release. Ah, then Teacher Smith brings in another aspect, the pinky finger doing some work into the ball at release. Something new to myself after 57 years of bowling is the pinky finger of the hand. Maybe have a hole drilled for the pinky finger too.
Great video Robert. I used to live in California around the Ventura County area. I moved years ago. Back then there were more centers. I bowled league at Conejo Bowl in Thousand Oaks and Harley Bowl and Simi bowl in Simi Valley. Bowled in Camarillo, Santa Paula, Wagon Wheel bowl in Oxnard. Woodlake bowl in Woodland Hills. You were probably just a young boy back in those days. Great to see you on YT giving invaluable tips and instruction. One of the greats for sure.
Wow!!!, I've watched a LOT of videos on release...but u made that so much easier to understand!!! And as u mentioned that's gonna take a lot of practice!!! Thank you so much for this informative demo/ video!!!
This guy throws it phenomenal besides my guy TJ. Of course they all throw the ball good though too. I’m working on getting down low and getting my foot closer to the foul line
This IS THE BEST ‘ explanation of hand release, from forward roll to snapping the wrist to hook the ball 16:23 nice spare shot. I would love to have a few hours with Robert to fine tune what I know. Hands down best video that I have seen in a few years. Well Done R.S
Yaaaay Finally!!! I cannot thank you enough for this detailed explanation of the modern release, I've been 4yrs trying to figure it out by just watching videos. with this video I can work on it for myself then pass it on to my youth bowlers. You Are the Man 😄
Thank you sir you have taken me from being lost to finding my way close to the target of being a good bowler. Thank you. Please keep the video’s coming
One of the best to do it, loved watching you growing up. All of the modern power players owe you a debt of gratitude for your part in the modern power game. Keep the vids coming, and TY.
without a doubt the best bowling release video ive seen explained so perfectly now i see that ive been trying too hard robert i want to thank you for this
Helped my game a huge ton! Broke my PB by a hell lot just from one tip alone from this! Thank you so much Maximum Bob! Have been a fan and always will be! Hope to see you one day to thank you for this! 😊
Awesome. Took this to the lanes subbing in a morning league. 720, 1 split-open, without doing much w/ finger pressure; ball driving pocket in med-hvy oil. I'm 82. Thank you.
Thankful for your explanation! I always was curious about emulating you and now we have it straight from the horses mouth. Amazing videos! I'm a huge fan of the content and really hope to see more.
Thank you so much for this. Watched this along with some of your old tournaments to help visualize it for myself. Tried it at league yesterday with medium speed - 695 series (about 100 pins above average). What helped the most is when you mentioned taking your time and being thorough. Because it does look fast watching it. But it feels very efficient and like you said - I can feel it down my arm where it rolls off of my hand. What I have done in the past is over-emphasize lifting the ball - which ends up with me hitting up on the ball. Not anymore. Thanks again.
Mr Smith, thank you! I saw you when you were just a kid. Cannot even remember the center but I got to sub in a league you bowled in a few times (Was it Del Rio?) and like so many, it was fun to just watch what "Maximum Bob" did. Sure wish I had learned this stuff way back when. My time bowling the Senior Tour might have gone a bit better.
Great information! I think it's cool to hear you talk about the "window," because I had literally put that down in my notes a few weeks ago; not joking 🤯 I've been working on my release and thinking of different ways to visualize all the mechanics involved, so to hear it from you, it lets me know I'm on the right track! 🕺🏻
Thanks so much for the amazing explanation; I can't wait to hit the lanes and try some of this out. I would LOVE to see you post some slow motion videos of your release doing your fast, moderate, and slow releases just to see the differences and where your release movements correlate with your approach and delivery.
This is a great video. With regards to that little bit of thumb pressure that you supply to the ball, at what point in the release are you relaxing it? Does your thumb relax at the start of the window or just before you roll your wrist at the end? I can clearly see your motion from that super slow-mo in the beginning, but understanding what your muscle tension is doing is just as important. Any insight you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the instruction and inspiration.
Hey Robert, are you turning the wrist and causing the thumb to go to 12 o clock an the fingers continue around or how does the wrist actually work with the shot?
nice video.. question I have a unique throwing style. I start with my hand sideways. I am a left hand bowler so my thumb and fingers are pointing to the right. Should I cup my hand in when I begin my approach?
What if you wear a wrist brace on hand. I broke wrist six years ago and I have a titanium plate in my wrist so have to wear a brace. With this release you are talking about work for me. Thanks
Best release video I’ve ever seen. I have been struggling with my release for so long(always lifting the ball). I think this video is gonna help me out alot. Thanks Maximum BOB
