How Do I Release a Bowling Ball?

    Now that you have practiced your timing (the walking and arm movements together) and you feel comfortable on where to stand for your strike ball, it is time to discuss the “BALL RELEASE”.
 
Remember to insert the fingers into the ball first and the thumb last and you can put your opposite hand under the ball to help support its weight, or rest your elbow on you hip to help support the balls weight. As you walk on the approach, remember on the slide to try to get low with a deep knee bend and have the body upright and shoulders square to the target you want to use (use the 2nd arrow as a starting point).
    To RELEASE the ball, release it smoothly onto the lane as you get to the end of the slide and on the DOWNSWING when your hand is down by your left ankle. Pretend you are landing a plane and loft out onto the lane, NOT into it, as the ball will lose power if it hits the lane too hard. The THUMB comes out first, and then you can LIFT with the fingers that come out last. Remember to place the trailing foot out behind you or just slightly out to the left, and the left arm should go to the side to assist with your balance (opposite for left-handed bowlers).

1. STRAIGHT BALL RELEASE: In order to be able to throw a straight ball, you just need to keep your hand FLAT and the stance, through the downswing, and all the way through the release. Do NOT turn it at all. If you think of your hand as a clock, holding it out in front of you with the palm side, the thumb should be near the number 3 and your middle finger will be at the 12. This release is great for spares because there is hook involved which increases accuracy. I also use this release when going for my 10 pin (7 pin for the left handed bowlers).

 

1. 10:00/11:00 RELEASE: In order to throw a hook, you can hold your hand flat at the stance, the back lift, and through the downswing, and just at the point of release turn your hand only (not the entire arm) so your thumb is at the 10:00 or 11:00 position on a clock and your fingers straight up pointing to the pins (on the right side of the ball for right-handed bowlers). You also need to LIFT your two fingers toward your palm during the ball release. This turning and lifting action will give you a nice HOOK shot. (The lefty’s thumb will be at the 2:00 or 1:00 position and hand finishes on the left side of the ball).

 

1. You can also try holding your hand in the 10:00/11:00 hand position at the stance, backswing, and on the downswing and release. Or try holding your thumb so it is at the 5 on a clock and your pinky pointing at the 11 at the stance, downswing and just before the release, turn back to the 11:00 position. This will put a nice rotation on the ball and give more REVOLUTIONS or turn on the ball getting more ACTION at the pins. 

 
 
 
    The idea is to try these different hand positions on the release to see what works best for you during your practice sessions. 
 
    When lanes change from oily to dry after a game or two, you may want to use the straight hand position if the ball starts hooking too much, so you’ll have more control and more accuracy.
 
    Take notes in your notebook during your practice sessions to help you recall what you did just before you start bowling on league nights. There’s lots to remember and easier to just review your notes from time to time.
 
    Join me next week in discussing some exercises to help improve your stamina and strength ultimately improving your scores. Good Luck!