beginer tecnique

[tampavav]

I am just starting out, 165 avg.I am throwing a Staight ball.I was wondering if I should develop a hook shot or stay Sraight?

[John D Davis]

Watch the bowling on TV... Does anyone on there throw a staight ball? Let me think... Thats a BIG NO sir. So take that thumb out of it and start hooking the whole lane with a tropical storm!

[MC]

quote:Watch the bowling on TV... Does anyone on there throw a staight ball? Let me think... Thats a BIG NO sir. So take that thumb out of it and start hooking the whole lane with a tropical storm!

You were off to a good answer before it went horribly wrong.

No, none of the PBA bowlers throw straight balls. I also have not noticed any of them not using their thumbs?

So to answer the question: Yes at some point if you want to improve you will need to develop the hook. I would suggest that you find a good coach and take a few lessons to get things started correctly.
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"Don't Give Up...  Don't Ever Give Up."
                    -Jim Valvano

"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."
                    -Vince Lombardi

VISIONARY TEST STAFF 07/08

Tag Team Coaching success story



Edited on 9/15/2007 11:39 AM

[John D Davis]

I have now developed one of the best releases in bowling... I learned by trial and error how to hook the ball. After 5 -6 months I then put my thumb in it but taking the thumb out helped developed the motions needed for hooking. What I said wasnt wrong. Look at people on the lanes... teenagers cant stick their thumb in the ball and get it to hook. But they can however take the thumb out of it and get house balls to hook! I went from throwing it backwards when I first started, to taking my thumb out, to then using a cobra for a little help with my wrist, to now throwing the ball like Mike Machuga...Need I say more?

[MC]

Now that was a good response.
--------------------
"Don't Give Up...  Don't Ever Give Up."
                    -Jim Valvano

"Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence."
                    -Vince Lombardi

VISIONARY TEST STAFF 07/08

Tag Team Coaching success story

[chaos10187]

quote:I have now developed one of the best releases in bowling... I learned by trial and error how to hook the ball. After 5 -6 months I then put my thumb in it but taking the thumb out helped developed the motions needed for hooking. What I said wasnt wrong. Look at people on the lanes... teenagers cant stick their thumb in the ball and get it to hook. But they can however take the thumb out of it and get house balls to hook! I went from throwing it backwards when I first started, to taking my thumb out, to then using a cobra for a little help with my wrist, to now throwing the ball like Mike Machuga...Need I say more?

Wrong? Many teenagers I know can throw a good ball and have it hook with their thumb in the ball. Taking your thumb out creates bad habit by rotating your wrist and puts strain on your forearm and wrist. You don't need a lot of wrist action to hook the ball, this I feel is a misconception.

If you want "immediate" results, yes take your thumb out and crank away. But if you want to take your time and learn to throw it (in my opinion) the correct way and have more consistent results, then get a coach and use your thumb.
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Brian
Northside Pro Shop Staff

[LuckyLefty]

I believe I picked this book up years ago when I first started.

People would say...."How do you throw such a big hook?".

I'd pull this short little booklet out.

Dawson Talor "how to throw strikes"

I believe similar to what John Davis said...he showed a method of learning to throw a hook that was various steps of starting with your thumb barely in and then more and more and more while throwing into a few couch pillows on a rug in your den or living room.

It is an effective method to gradual teach oneself to hook the ball I believe.

Best of all it is done without being "PIN bound".  One can focus on the technique.

REgards,

Luckylefty
PS Dawson coauthored a bunch of bowling and golf books, one with Earl Anthony and another with Gary Wiren in golf.
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Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..

Edited on 9/15/2007 1:09 PM

[VIXIV]

I'm pretty much new, too, as I just started in June. I'm not going to say that anything that's already been suggested to you in this post is right or wrong. It's only right or wrong whether or not it works or doesn't work for you. I suggest at the very least that you consider what these guys have to say, try out their suggestions, and then eliminating the ones that don't work for you. It's all about comfort and having fun, right?

BTW, I find these articles pretty useful
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip35.htm
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip36.htm
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip37.htm
http://www.bowl4fun.com/ron/tip38.htm