Good ball for "helicopter" release?

[Noy]

Hello all, I recently got my friend into bowling and he naturally developed a helicopter release.  I told him about the release and he's unsure if he wants to develop that release or learn the conventional way of hook-bowling.  He asked what a good ball would be for the heli-release and whether or not he should get conventional or fingertip drilling.  I had no idea what to tell him so I'm asking you guys.

Can anyone give suggestions to what type of ball and layout to use for "helicopter" bowling?
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Bowling Since March 2006

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[dizzyfugu]

No, no recommendation. For spinner, look for medium to high RG balls since they maintain energy better for the back end. With his style, it is needed there and not in the midlane. Depending on lane condition, I'd suggest something polished and not overly strong for medium to dry conditions, and a sanded solid particle ball for heavier conditions. A friend of mine with a low track has good success with MoRich equipment, another low tracker does woundrous things with a Track Slash even on scorched lanes. But I would not generalize this.

I'd go with a fingertip drilling (I wonder how he could put some good recs on the ball without hurting himself over the long run?), anyway.
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DizzyFugu - Reporting from Germany
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[CoachJim]

I would recommend he change his release because of the short lifespan of most heli bowlers, meaning tendonitis in the wrist. The problem is the torque applyed at the release is sent mostly back into the arm instead of the ball.

If your friend is looking for a fast rise to a 200+ average on extremely hard lane conditions then stay with what he is doing, and go for a plastic ball not more than 11 lbs. The lighter ball will bounce off the pins more and take out the 10 or 7 pins, and use plastic simply because it is cheaper and reaction isn't going to matter with this type of release since it rolls so straight anyway.

[Atochabsh]

From what I understand about this technique is that MIXING the pins is the main goal.  Therefore lighter ball weights are used (12lb max).  It was developed through having very dry drastic lane conditions.  But here in the US, you don't have that.  So I'm not so sure how effective such a style would be given our basic house condition.  But you do want a fairly light ball that will deflect off the pins, thus scattering them.  I had heard that which pocket you aimed at didn't matter.  Just go for the middle.   But I cannot assume that such an easy approach to this style is all it takes.  I know on our local conditions that we have so much oil that at a very low axis pin (spinner) the ball is just going to skid through the pins and not ever get into any kind of roll that would create any pin scatter.  It a style created for every extreme dry lanes.  

Like CoachJim, I would suggest him learning a basic 3/4 roller hook shot, which is what dominates here in the states.  

Erin

[tjj300]

Also, I seem to remember that helicopter bowlers use a conventional grip, not a fingertip.

[Sn]

quote:From what I understand about this technique is that MIXING the pins is the main goal.  Therefore lighter ball weights are used (12lb max).  It was developed through having very dry drastic lane conditions.  But here in the US, you don't have that.  So I'm not so sure how effective such a style would be given our basic house condition.  But you do want a fairly light ball that will deflect off the pins, thus scattering them.  I had heard that which pocket you aimed at didn't matter.  Just go for the middle.   But I cannot assume that such an easy approach to this style is all it takes.  I know on our local conditions that we have so much oil that at a very low axis pin (spinner) the ball is just going to skid through the pins and not ever get into any kind of roll that would create any pin scatter.  It a style created for every extreme dry lanes.

I don't agree with a few points here.

Firstly, the helicopter release is not created for extremely dry lanes. It is a style that is less affected by lane conditions than playing hook. You can play helicopter in flooded conditions, because the ball is not supposed to "roll" as you said.

Secondly, simply going for the middle is not the best way to play the helicopter style. Theoretically you have to aim for the 1-3 pocket while standing on the left side of the lane to get a perfect heli strike.