I'm not great at analyzing video, but it looks like you have the same problem as me to where you start coming around the ball and getting alot of side rotation. For me, once I start to struggle I always go back to the basics.

smooth swing, firm wrist, and try to get more end-over-end roll.
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My Arsenal:
Twisted Fury
Raw Hammer Pain
Blue Vibe

Definitely not getting out of the Sure Strike cleanly. Check pitches and also make sure the oval part of the thumb hole isn't too snug.

You look pretty solid to me. On the Rampage I think you could slide further left and maybe even target 1-2 boards left and get a much better read on the lane.

You could fine tune the release slightly, by staying behind it a split second longer, but for playing up the boards you really shouldn't be worried about anything except getting out of the ball cleanly.

One thing that I do when I'm playing closer to the friction (outside) is to start my hand on the side of the ball more. In your case maybe 7 o'clock or 7:30 position, and just maintain that position all the way through the swing and release. Do not allow the wrist to collapse, though.

For most people they will clear the thumb more quickly, and the fewer revs will help the ball stay under control at the break point, and maintain hitting power since you're on the "dry" longer. When playing outside the idea is to "let the ball hook, don't make it hook". These are ideas that help me. I hope they will help you, too.


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Lane Carter, Strike Zone Pro Shops - Salt Lake City, Utah
Brunswick Amateur Staff

try to stay behind it more looks like your comming around way to early that

you are grabbing with your thumb in the sure strike or a bad drilling . the black hammer you roll the ball real good just stay behind the ball longer.

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high game 300
 high series 810
 high ave. 223
 bronze level usbc
 high school coach

Edited on 8/16/2008 9:21 PM

Thank gents!  I'm trying to incorporate your suggestions but don't seem to be getting the knack of staying behind the ball.

This is a video I shot yesterday during practice while I was trying my best to stay under and behind the ball.  It looks like I'm improving a little, though I realize that my wrist is still breaking and I'm still coming around too early.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TopJ6aoKSpY

Does anybody know of any exercises or practice tips that can help me stay behind the ball longer and strengthen my wrist position?  Again, any and all tips will be greatly appreciated.

P.S. I don't know if I mentioned that I recently gave up the wrist brace in order to improve my ability to adapt to changing conditions.  Maybe I just became too dependant on the brace to hold my wrist in place...
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220...221...whatever it takes.

Ron Clifton helped me out a little with the same problem.  One thing he had me practice was to turn the ball out away from your body a little bit. You see some bowlers turn their hand and ball away from their body quite a lot but I don't think its necessary.  For me this did two things, it helped to keep my hand behind the ball longer and also helped to keep my elbow in (closer to the body.  I have very wide shoulders and by the time I was coming down with the down swing, my hand was already on the side of the ball and my mind telling be to lift topping the ball and the thumb would wind up left or down (just like you were doing when throwing the Rampage). This worked because though I was telling my self I was turning my hand out and it felt like it, I was really staying behind the ball but my muscle memory felt as though I turning the ball out.  It has worked wonders in teaching me to keep thumbs up on release.

The other old school tip I worked with a lot was a towel under the arm pit (throwing arm/hand).  If the small hand towel or bowling towel under your arm pit falls out too early, your arm/elbow is bouncing out away from your body.  The tip is to work on that drill until eventually the towel doesn't fall at all during your follow through.

Ron has a lot of great bowling tips on his website.  I believe its bowl4fun.com


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Nicanor (Ten On The Deck)

Edited on 8/18/2008 9:48 AM

Still seeking free lessons and tips because I absolutely suck!. (Yes, I'm working with a coach...gold certified, in fact.  But he's off in Malaysia coaching their national team for the upcoming world championships and his replacement is useless, so I'm resorting to begging for help since league starts tonight.)

Here's three videos from yesterday's practice.  Still more of the same problems, but I think I'm improving.  Again any suggestions about what to focus on, how to change my hand position for a better result, or anything else would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h1fpa2TtSVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CidDcMK1BMc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRsNCJ6DtXo

Thanks again!


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220...221...whatever it takes.