Author Topic: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball? (Read 12051 times)

Sn · « **on:** December 08, 2005, 02:15:48 PM »

A friend of mine has just picked up bowling and he's bought a 14lb Power Groove Reactive as his first ever ball. He also has got his own bowling shoes. Now that he's just playing bowling for fun (not too serious) he doesn't want to get a coach.

Due to some skin problem on his arms he can't wear a wrist guard but his wrist is strong enough to hold straight.

However, his fingers are weak so he can't do much finger lift.

I've read Ron Clifton's tips on the bowlers' release but that may not be suitable for my friend as it's too advanced skill. It's difficult to teach a beginner to cock and cup the wrist and to uncock it and uncup it at the right time.

I think I should just teach him a release that require less energy and hand to execute, yet he'll enjoy the fun playing hook bowling. Also the release shouldn't create much axis tilt. I don't want him to spin the ball and think it's right to do it.

Any suggestions on how to teach this beginner?
I have no clues at all.
Thanks!

LuckyLefty · « **Reply #16 on:** December 09, 2005, 09:34:52 AM »

A little book by Dawson Taylor(he also co wrote a book with Earl Anthony) called "How to throw Strikes" for about 5.95 is awesome.

Available on some websites. He basically advocates having a guy take a properly drilled fingertip ball with thumbhole. And throw on a rug to a friend or into a pillow next to a couch accross a rug floor.

One starts with your thumb only barely in. Once you get the finger release down...you put the thumb in more....then more. If you don't get the proper finger role put thumb in a little less.

A series of confidence steps while not looking at pins.

Works....and works great!

REgards,

Luckylefty
--------------------
Proud owner of a 140 first game average this year! Don't bowl me the second two games though! (two warm up balls in league..thanks proprietors)

JohnP · « **Reply #17 on:** December 09, 2005, 10:15:45 AM »

Get your friend up on the approach and have him get set up with ball in hand. Then have him drop the ball straight by his side. Using both of your hands, hold the ball with him and swing it through the release point, using your hands to demonstrate proper wrist/hand rotation -- no approach and no release. Do this several times, then tell him to roll the ball with the same wrist/hand rotation, using his normal approach. I have used this technique to take bowlers from a back up release to a hook release in one shot. You have to observe carefully to be sure he doesn't go all the way to a spinner release, but if you've properly demonstrated a good release he usually won't. -- JohnP

bowling9883 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 09, 2005, 11:54:29 AM »

That stupid handshake deal was how I learned. I got rid of it early however. I knew there was a drawback the moment I heard it. I switched to a cupped position with a great combination of forward and side roll. Haha took me one year to average over 200 HA! As for advice, this is complicated.
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"NEVER settle for less."

Sn · « **Reply #19 on:** December 10, 2005, 08:10:41 AM »

After around fifteen games with my friend, he's been able to make the ball hook.

But the ball has too much axis tilt and it simply spins down the lane, skids long, and then come back when the backend is really, really dry.

He seems to be doing the "underhand spiral" right.
How do I correct his top spin release? Is it due to his weak fingers that impart too little lift on the ball?

Thanks!

CoachJim · « **Reply #20 on:** December 11, 2005, 03:46:20 AM »

Sounds like he is turning his hand around the ball as the ball is getting to the release point.

If you have read the articles in Ron Clifton's archives on
http://www.bowl4fun.com, You will notice that the release you are trying to achieve requires you to keep your hand in position (what position depends on what type of reaction you are trying to get from the ball) and let the ball turn your hand, not your hand turn the ball.

As you see, that spinner release may have a use on lanes where the heads are blown out and you need more recovery on the back end.

Sn · « **Reply #21 on:** December 11, 2005, 08:42:35 AM »

quote:
Sounds like he is turning his hand around the ball as the ball is getting to the release point.

If you have read the articles in Ron Clifton's archives on
http://www.bowl4fun.com, You will notice that the release you are trying to achieve requires you to keep your hand in position (what position depends on what type of reaction you are trying to get from the ball) and let the ball turn your hand, not your hand turn the ball.

As you see, that spinner release may have a use on lanes where the heads are blown out and you need more recovery on the back end.

Thank you for your advice.

I could see that my friend could really stay behind the ball and not go around the side too much. However, there was still too much top spin. I think the axis tilt is somewhere in between 45 to 60 degrees.

Could it be caused by weak fingers? He didn't drop the ball but I could see that the lift is not enough. If the lift is insufficient to impart a forward rotation, the ball would spin. Am I thinking right?

Furthermore, could you kindly explain more on "letting the ball turn my hand"? I don't quite understand how it's done.

So many thanks!

KR300 · « **Reply #22 on:** December 11, 2005, 09:09:49 AM »

I personally have had a lot of success teaching my students to have their fingers at 7:00 (right handed) at the bottom of the swing just before release. This position also helps to keep the elbow from flying out or "chicken winging".
You may tend to "spin" the ball more than desired initially, but focusing on bringing the fingers from 7:00 to 3:00 at the finish has really worked well for most of the kids and adults I work with that are looking for a little more hook.
Hope this helps.
--------------------
If you blame the lane conditions for your bad scores, then you had better thank them for your good ones!!

Sn · « **Reply #23 on:** December 11, 2005, 09:34:17 AM »

quote:
I personally have had a lot of success teaching my students to have their fingers at 7:00 (right handed) at the bottom of the swing just before release. This position also helps to keep the elbow from flying out or "chicken winging".
You may tend to "spin" the ball more than desired initially, but focusing on bringing the fingers from 7:00 to 3:00 at the finish has really worked well for most of the kids and adults I work with that are looking for a little more hook.
Hope this helps.
--------------------
If you blame the lane conditions for your bad scores, then you had better thank them for your good ones!!

Thank you for your advice!

But if one brings his fingers from 7:00 to 3:00, will it create too much top spin? It sounds to me that turning the wrist in this extent will make my hand go too far to the side of the ball.

Maybe I've mistaken. But would you kindly elaborate more on this kind of release? For example, when to start turning the fingers from 7:00 to 3:00? What is the wrist position? Do I have to release the ball later so that there is more finger lift?

Thanks!

KR300 · « **Reply #24 on:** December 11, 2005, 11:47:55 AM »

In response to your question about over spinning the ball.
You may see a little overspin initially, but with some practice you will find that the fingers will come to 3:00 very naturally. Think about it..hang your hands at your sides, look at the hand position. that is your natural hand position(fingers to the side). 7:00 is not a natural position. So with practice staying relaxed with the armswing and focus on bringing the FINGERS not the hand around naturally, the fingers will come around to 3:00 very naturally, not forced. Reply if you have any other questions. Hope this helps
--------------------
If you blame the lane conditions for your bad scores, then you had better thank them for your good ones!!

CoachJim · « **Reply #25 on:** December 14, 2005, 04:30:09 AM »

envoyohio, gave a very good description of the release.

The modern game requires bowlers to learn more than one release. If you read Ron Clifton's article on http://www.bowl4fun.com about "The Dancing Fingers". It will explain different hand positions and what reactions they impart on the ball.

As far as spinning the ball and too much axis tilt, that is caused by the thumb leaving the ball a bit too early and the fingers spinning around the side of the ball as the pass the sliding foot.

To get more forward roll you will need to have your friend keep his thumb in the ball a little longer. The thumb should still clear the ball before the fingers.

As far as letting the ball turn your hand instead of your hand turn the ball. Put your fingers and thumb in the ball, and get in your starting position (you can do this at home you are not going to release the ball in this exercise).

Next I want you to place the weight of the ball in your opposite hand and let your index finger of your bowling hand (your hand still in the ball) point toward an immaginary target. Next let the weight of the ball roll back into the bowling hand with your index finger pointed at the target and fingers pointed toward the inside. Next let your thumb come out of the ball as you lift up on the ball and let it roll back into your non bowling hand and watch the ball rotate on it's own without you having to turn it. You can modify the rotation by pointing your ring finger toward the target this will give you an almost end over end rotation, or point your middle finger at your target giving you about 45 degrees of rotation, or spread your index finger and get 75+ degrees depending on your flexability and wrist strength.

JohnP · « **Reply #26 on:** December 14, 2005, 09:26:31 AM »

I worked with a teenager last night. He wants to hook the ball, but was using a slight backup release or was completely spinning the ball. I used the technique described in my earlier post and within 15 minutes he was throwing a good rolling ball with a slight hook. It took the 15 minutes to get him to stop spinning the ball. Now, that's not where he needs to stop -- he needs to learn to get more rotation. But it's certainly a good starting point. -- JohnP

Author Topic: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball? (Read 12051 times)

Sn

How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

LuckyLefty

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

JohnP

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

bowling9883

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

Sn

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

CoachJim

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

Sn

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

KR300

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

Sn

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

KR300

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

CoachJim

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?

JohnP

Re: How to you teach a beginner to hook the ball?