Learning to hook

[outdagutter]

My son has taken an interest in bowling. He is mainly a straight bowler, but is trying to develop a hook. Aside from a coach, what are some other ways he can learn to develop his hook...ie books, vids, etc? I am working with him, but I want him to work on some things on his own so he can feel he accomplished something on his own thereby boosting his confidence. Any and all suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
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"You keep doing what you have to do until you're called to do what it is you were meant to do."

[shelley]

Bowling  Execution by John Jowdy is a great book.  Easy to read, and strongly advocates a free armswing.

SH

[dizzyfugu]

There are several good bowling books available, including the Jowdie book. That's not a bad idea, since reading about technique gives a good reference for what you are doing on the lane, and rises attention. Knowledge is NEVER wrong.

I also have an english language training bok for beginners at home (I do not remenber name and author at the moment - I guess it is this one: http://www.amazon.com/Bowling-Steps-Success-Activity/dp/0873225813/sr=1-15/qid=1162466184/ref=sr_1_15/103-5250946-0901428?ie=UTF8&s=books), and this would also be very handy because it adresses to absolute hook beginners and offers lost of drills and control mechanisms to work on on your own, with a partner or a coach.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
Team X website & more about me
"Put some make-up on your face
 Make this world a better place!"
Kahimi Karie, 'Good morning world'

[azus]

Its good to let him develope a hook on his own, but it can lead to bad habits. A good way to learn how to hook a ball is to watch the pro´s. Ive learn so much by looking at vids with chris barnes and walter ray.
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I like my coffee black, just like my metal.
What would Chuck Norris do?

[outdagutter]

Thanks guys for all the great info. I will try them all and hope that he can get his hook going the way he wants. Thanks again.
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"You keep doing what you have to do until you're called to do what it is you were meant to do."

Edited on 11/3/2006 11:14 AM

[Spider Ball Bowler]

I learned to hook the ball with trial and error.  No one in my family is any good at the game, and there were no people in my home center who would work with the youngin's so I just practiced a lot.

I was told one time to let the ball go and have your hand in the position of a hand shake.  So I stood all the way left, dropped the ball off the gutter and threw it really slow and it was hooking.

I was throwing Urethane at the time and was shooting 180's consistently in practice, but I knew there had to be a way to get to the next level.  I tried different things, like throwing the ball harder and I started to find the pocket.

Once I figured out what to do in the house I bowled at I went from a 115 ave. at 13, to a 157 at 14, 187 at 15 with my first 300 and 2 700's, then by my Senior Year in Highschool I was averaging over 205.

I worked hard, but it was worth it.  Unfortunately now I feel I am a worse bowler than I was back then.  I need to find time to get out and practice.
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Stephen

Made in the USA

[janderson]

Keep in mind that even with a coach, there is no one "silver bullet" way that will work for your son.  It will be a matter of finding the right approach or vizualization process and/or physical practice method that works for your son.  So if one method fails, don't be afraid to try another.

Encouragement always works well with sons and daughters

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J.J. "Waterola Kid" Anderson, the bLowling King  : Kill the back row

[BrunsMike]

To get the child to get the ball at least rolling in the right way have him hold his hand at his waist in is athletic pose before he starts his approach. Now with out the ball in his hand, have him hold his hand palm up. Then have him put his fingers at 11 and thumb at 5. This is the natural hand position for a beginner of hooking the ball.

You want him to go through the steps of his approach without the ball and just make sure he is comfortable with the hand in this position from start to finish. Make sure he comes out of the ball with the thumb at 12 or 1. This should get the ball to start rotating in counter clockwise motion (if righty).

If he is a Lefty, just reverse everything I just said. This should help hopefully.
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Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 197
Thur. Nite Ave: 217
http://www.BrunsNick.com

Edited on 12/3/2006 10:19 PM

[outdagutter]

Thanks BrunsMike. He's doing much better. He won his first award a few weeks ago for his first 200 game, getting a 204. He started averaging around 119, his current avg is close to 140. Fundamentals still need a lot of work, like turning his foot at the foul line, arm swing and such, but he is improving. But we will work on those things.
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"You keep doing what you have to do until you're called to do what it is you were meant to do."

[BrunsMike]

quote:Thanks BrunsMike. He's doing much better. He won his first award a few weeks ago for his first 200 game, getting a 204. He started averaging around 119, his current avg is close to 140. Fundamentals still need a lot of work, like turning his foot at the foul line, arm swing and such, but he is improving. But we will work on those things.
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"You keep doing what you have to do until you're called to do what it is you were meant to do."

A solid fundamental game is 1 part to several parts that makes a bowler good. With him turning at the line, sounds like a high paced approach. If I'm accurate with this then I have a suggestion. Move him a half step closer to the foul line, this will force him to slow down and should also stop him from turning at the line. Just remember this, when you take someones approach and make a drastic adjustment, like stop turning, developing a hook, these things take quite some time to learn but longer for your body to repeat the same motion time after time again (muscle memory). If im not mistaken, any approach change takes between 70-100 games before you do the same thing consistantly.
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Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 195
Thur. Nite Ave: 216
http://www.BrunsNick.com

[bigz]

a good technique is to get a small football and having them throw an "underhand" spiral to you.

i hope this helps..
chris
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BIGZ-
BIG ON THE LANEZ!

GO STEELERS!!

[BrunsMike]

quote:a good technique is to get a small football and having them throw an "underhand" spiral to you.

i hope this helps..
chris
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BIGZ-
BIG ON THE LANEZ!

GO STEELERS!!

One of the best ways to learn!!! Thats how I learned.
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Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 196
Thur. Nite Ave: 218
http://www.BrunsNick.com

[cyzey]

great way to learn is the football trick.  when i was a kid, my dad used to have me just turn and lift the ball into a couple of couch cushons that he would brace.  just to get a feel of the thumb coming out and the lift on the fingertips.  best of luck, i hope he is the next walter ray, and by saying that, be sure to let him know that a big hook isnt always the best way.  make sure he learns to be versatile.  that is the one lesson i was taught that has paid off the most.

[BOWL119]

I agree with cyzey on the football thing. My kids are 17-14 & 11 and we still do football drills in the backyard on days we do not bowl.

Also there is a device called EZ-BOWLER that will also help with the release for a hook. Teaches a person the stay more behind the ball rather then rolling the wrist.
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T.J.

BOWLING IS FUN NO MATTER WHAT YOU SCORE. BUT A 300 IS ALWAYS NICE.

STRIKE ZONE & PYRO. STAND 22 AND THROW 10 OUT TO 5 AND CRUSH THE POCKET. AT LEAST THAT IS THE PLAN OF THE NIGHT...

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD BOWLING!!!

[BrunsMike]

quote:I agree with cyzey on the football thing. My kids are 17-14 & 11 and we still do football drills in the backyard on days we do not bowl.

Also there is a device called EZ-BOWLER that will also help with the release for a hook. Teaches a person the stay more behind the ball rather then rolling the wrist.
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T.J.

BOWLING IS FUN NO MATTER WHAT YOU SCORE. BUT A 300 IS ALWAYS NICE.

STRIKE ZONE & PYRO. STAND 22 AND THROW 10 OUT TO 5 AND CRUSH THE POCKET. AT LEAST THAT IS THE PLAN OF THE NIGHT...

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD BOWLING!!!

Where can this device be found?? I have a bowler that loves to hook it but cups the ball extremely too much and comes through the side and pretty much over the top of the ball. Ive been trying all sorts of things and nothing seems to help.
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Mike Zadler
Using the best brand in the nation, BRUNSWICK!!!
Below, my stats from previous seasons:
http://members.bowl.com/FindAMember/memberView.aspx?ms=12886&mp=552&s=2005-2006
Winter season averages at Sunset Lanes in Waukegan IL.
Wed. Nite Ave: 197
Thur. Nite Ave: 217
http://www.BrunsNick.com