Finding the ropes

[samltk1977]

Hope I don't bore you guys. :eek: Some background first before the questions

Started bowling near the end of last year, was using house balls and playing backup (AVG 140?) till my friends bugged me into getting something decent and learning the Orthodox way of bowling. Got a T-Road Solid and then a BWP from 2 seperate pro shops.

Now the questions:

Is there anything such as a "correct" method of bowling releases?
From my limited knowledge its only either Stroker Cranker or Spinner. I am trying to Stroke and hopefully to master the power stroking method? Any exercises to strengthen the technic or the muscle groups required for the technique?

Yeah I tried reading up various sites, getting my friends to give advices. But maybe it is the "backup" memory or for whatever reasons, now my right hand can only stay at the "handshake" position throughout the swing and release. Resulting in very little rev and can only play from the outside line (and it's BORING!! albeit alot more consistent) . If I try the stroker method, my ball will be so inconsistent that I'd feel damn frustrated after awhile.

Now to increase the revs I am flicking my wrist at the release point so that my palm is facing down during the follow thru!! Tho I can play somewhat deeper :eek:

Also my friends are saying the ball should not be less than 10% of your body weight if you can help it. Something about you can't "feel" the ball if it's too light and also the pin carrying issues. True or myth?

Hope I do get some help and please don't flame me!! heh

[JaraTo]

Great place to start and learn releases/hand positions.
Has helped me alot in adjusting my release. When it comes down to its actually much simpler and easier than you think to get a good release and decent revs.

http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/roncarchive.htm

[BubbaRay]

The way to increase the revolutions is to be able to have your hand in a stronger position. This is done by having the wrist cupped at the bottom of the swing and letting the ball roll off of your hand. If you ever played with a yo-yo, this is the type of motion you need to increase your rev rate. Watching someone like Sean Rash and Chris Barnes will give you the idea.
The other thing to look at is the surface of your ball. If the ball has too much surface, it will hook too soon and may not hook down the lane like you are expecting it to. You might try polish the ball and see what happens.

[uberamd]

Resulting in very little rev and can only play from the outside line (and it's BORING!! albeit alot more consistent) .

As the line goes, "There are 39 boards, throwing a ball that covers 38 of them does not make you good, it makes you stupid." Having said that, the straight an in method is the most consistent method for many people. Standing in the center and throwing to the gutter and having it hook in may look cool, be more fun, etc, however it will likely, as you said, not be as consistent.

If you are looking to improve your game, do what works. if throwing down and in gets you 200 scores, and trying to throw a sweeping hook gets you 140's, it should be a no brainer what method to use. A book I have, "Bowling Execution" states that in PBA history, strokers, who throw a more straight and in ball are more consistent than other players. Keep that in mind, straight and in can be a GREAT, effective method. In league, people won't be in awe of a huge hook if you cant score, but if you throw straight and in and get good scores, people will be in awe.

[idlehourlegend]

As the line goes, "There are 39 boards, throwing a ball that covers 38 of them does not make you good, it makes you stupid." Having said that, the straight an in method is the most consistent method for many people. Standing in the center and throwing to the gutter and having it hook in may look cool, be more fun, etc, however it will likely, as you said, not be as consistent.

If you are looking to improve your game, do what works. if throwing down and in gets you 200 scores, and trying to throw a sweeping hook gets you 140's, it should be a no brainer what method to use. A book I have, "Bowling Execution" states that in PBA history, strokers, who throw a more straight and in ball are more consistent than other players. Keep that in mind, straight and in can be a GREAT, effective method. In league, people won't be in awe of a huge hook if you cant score, but if you throw straight and in and get good scores, people will be in awe.

Yea but Im also sure that all of those PBA guys playing down and in as their A game, have a B game that they can swing the ball with, as I've been saying if you want to go anywhere in this sport you have to be versatile, being able to do only one thing means your going to do good on some patterns and bad on others, being able to do both makes you dangerous on everything.

[uberamd]

Yea but Im also sure that all of those PBA guys playing down and in as their A game, have a B game that they can swing the ball with, as I've been saying if you want to go anywhere in this sport you have to be versatile, being able to do only one thing means your going to do good on some patterns and bad on others, being able to do both makes you dangerous on everything.

Yeah it is for sure good to versatile, however I am trying to get him out of the mindset that down and in is boring, as it is a good skill to have.

[JaraTo]

Case in point, I through my pearl more of a down and in... shot that I'm used to. Now I have to learn how to play deeper that I have my bwb. It looked cool last night and I got compliments about how smoothly I set that ball down on the lanes and let it sweep back, but my scores were horrible. I seem to always get that when I go out, some sort of compliment about how you can't even hear me put the ball on the lane yet I still generate a decent amount of revs.

[samltk1977]

Thanks for the tips people, dun quite understand about the yoyo thingy tho, does it means that there's not much strength used from the cupped position to the letting the ball roll? meaning U dun forcefully flick the ball to the handshake position?

Also besides the ball surface, how will replugging the ball help? will it affect the ball performance? now I am using the all purpose layout.

practising tomorrow. will update you guys if I can catch the hang of it. Thanks abunch.

[rrwatson]

Good luck and keep practicing. Jan 08 after a 425 league series with a whopping 167 average got mad and mentally decided to start all over since everything was outa wack after bowling for 30 years. Read everything I could find on the web and especailly HammerTalk advice about hand and ring position, small first step, trusting your mark, slowing down, reaching out, picking up spares and practice. While it was all overwhelming at first decided to practice three games a week and implement some of the Hammer advice each game and took a napkin and wrote down what was working and reminders IE> hand position, ring finger position, marks to shoot depending upon lane conditions, cup wrist etc. Before each league I review that napkin stuck in my billfold. First set after napkin review 525, weeks later every league/tournament set between 600 and 670 and average already in the 180s and being accused of sandbagging. Nope: Hammertalk teaching and stuborness that a 60 year old can keep up with the young guys works.

[samltk1977]

ya... anyway, how much does a game cost around you guys' location? and the equipment? just wondering hehe @ my side, a BWP plus drilling and inserts will cost around 228 USD. a Game will cost anywhere from 1.5 - 2.8 USD. Went to NZ sometime back saw that 1 game there can cost around 8 USD... hmmm okie... going off to the lanes guys... see ya :D

[idlehourlegend]

Around here a game ranges from 2.00 - 4.00 depending on where you go and at the pro shop I go to, I believe a BWP is 160 or 170 USD.

[samltk1977]

Around here a game ranges from 2.00 - 4.00 depending on where you go and at the pro shop I go to, I believe a BWP is 160 or 170 USD.


Okie... ball is definitely cheaper over there, game is about the same or more expensive. :D Hmmm anyway managed to change and practised my release today.Now it's definitely better and mo:D re consistent. More revs too without any awkward wrist movement... overall a very very good session... sliding foot @ 25 board, played it out to the break point @ 5 board thru the 15board arrow and it still came back in. Well, thanks for the tips everyone and will try to improve my games thru this basis. Thanks again.

[fitzy]

Around here a game ranges from 2.00 - 4.00 depending on where you go and at the pro shop I go to, I believe a BWP is 160 or 170 USD.

LOL i've just paid £180 (approx $360) for a BWB with drilling and inserts..im getting a No Mercy Beatn soon and im ordering it from the US.even with shipping its still cheaper

[samltk1977]

hmmmm I am @ a bottle neck now, hope can get some pointers. Bubba did mention about a "yoyo" action to increase the rev, but I seem to be lofting the ball according to my fren... and my ball do not have the energy to carry enuf pins. how how? but when I "drop" the ball like what my fren suggests, the ball do not have enuf revs.... *ponder*