What are the different types of Bowling Styles?-Part 1 "The Cranker Style"

    There are basically THREE types of Bowling Styles that a bowler may have-"CRANKER, STROKER, or TWEENER". Today I''ll be discussing the "CRANKER" style of bowling.
    
    Lately there is another FOURTH style where bowlers do NOT insert their fingers into the ball at all.! They throw the ball with both hands and get a tremendous amount of Revs on the ball. This style is very hard to master though and I don't really recommend it because it is difficult to maintain accuracy which is a crucial factor needed to convert spares.

    Have you ever seen a bowler that throws a very large hook, and then when their ball hits the pins, they look like they are dancing around all over the pin deck or just exploding off the pin deck? These are the big power players who are labeled as "Crankers". It's very interesting to watch someone with this style because they need to be very flexible, and have to be quite athletic.
    Cranking requires a lot of strength and skill to be able to get many more revolutions on the ball which does give a higher chance of achieving strikes. A stronger releasing action helps the fingers quickly rotate the ball about 45-70 degrees giving a greater Axis Tilt and a much larger hook. Axis Tilt is the spin that is put on the ball by the way a player throws it. A lower axis tilt creates a smaller more gradual hook that is easier to control. A higher axis tilt gets the ball farther down the lane before it begins to hook which creates a larger hook. It's difficult to control a large hook and there is a higher chance of cutting into the pins in such a way that the bowler may leave some nasty splits because of the larger angle the ball is coming in at with this Cranker Style.

Steps a Cranker Takes:  They usually start on the left side of the lane and aim between the center and third arrow to accommodate the large hook.
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    1st- For a four step approach, the first step begins with the right foot (for a right handed bowler) going straight out in 
          front of the body.
    2nd- Left foot actually steps 4-5" to the left of the body (does not walk in a straight line).
    3rd- The third step is slightly to the right and towards the center of the body, opening up the shoulders with a very high    
          back swing (the shoulders are turned slightly to the right and Not square to the target).
     4th-The last step has very little slide and the left foot is planted solidly and the ball is pulled upward on the
         release.The left foot arrives at the foul line before the ball, giving the body a solid foundation to assist in the 
​         stronger releasing action.   

​Wrist and Hand Positions:

    1. Some Crankers  don't insert the thumb into the ball and may also hold the ball up higher at the stance for extra
         power.

    2. Some may over rotate the thumb to the 5:00 position at the stance to help get extra revs on the ball at the release.

    3. Crankers keep the wrist under the ball in a CUPPED position and move the elbow out slightly from the body. If you're not sure what a cupped position looks like, you can check out my Blog Post from 10/4/21.

    4. Keep a tilted wrist position just before the release.

​    5. Pull the fingers quickly to rotate the ball with the thumb finishing straight up. 

    
    To feel what it's like, at your next practice session, try bowling without your thumb in the hole. It forces you to keep your hand under the ball so you don't drop it.
     If you think you may want to give this style a chance, I recommend taking lessons from a pro who specializes in it so he can give you the best advice in developing it properly. 


​Check out my ebook available on Amazon/Kindle--"Let's Rev Up Those Bowling Scores"!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09ZSMB99G/ref=sr_1_2?crid=P3PQWHFB1WYS&keywords=lets+rev+up+those+bowling+scores&qid=1652035291&sprefix=lets+rev+up+those+bowling+scores%2Caps%2C76&sr=8-2
   

​Join me in 2 WEEKS when I'll be discussing "What Are The Different Types of Bowling Styles?-Part 2

    
​Good Luck and High Scoring!!

    
    

    

    

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