I am looking for some assistance. I have a friend who is learning how to bowl and he is struggling with dropping the ball behind the foul line at his release. Is there anything I can suggest to get him to stop doing this?


--------------------
Trash Heap (exflinger wannabe)

I could use this advice as well.  From my video that is one of my big problems, I seem to turn my hand prematurely and drop the ball because of that.  I have to work on keeping my hand behind the ball.  

One tip I got was to lay a towel down just past the foul line and try to make sure the ball hits beyond it every time.
--------------------
If you aren't watching 'The Wire,' the government should be forced to come to your house and repossess your television. END OF STORY!

Mr. Lebowski, this is Bill Salnicker with the Southern Cal Bowling League, and I just got a, an informal report, that a member of your team, uh, Walter Sobchak, drew a firearm during league play. If this is true of course, it contravenes a number of the league's by-laws, and article 27 of the league...

BOB:  Did you see the way she was lookin' at me?
DOUG:  Yeah, because she thought you were some kind of freak!

I had a problem with dropping the ball.  My first coach had me go from reverse to forward (toward the palm) with the thumb pitches.  I went from 1/8 reverse to now at 3/8 forward.  

Another technique for early turn and release, this from my current coach, tell yourself wait, wait, wait and when the ball passes the ankle then turn.  It has taken me many months to get this one down, but I finally have the ball out in front of my ankle before turning and releasing the ball.
--------------------
"I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to reach my destination." Jimmy Dean
http://www.allbowling.com/journal/public.php?uid=156&leagueid=53

One thing that I was shown was to start with your heels at the foul line (back to the pins), and take 1 and 1/2 steps. Turn around and face the lane. Start your arm swing and when it reaches the top start your slide. This focus' on the timing of delivery and if you combine it with the towel drill it really helps on getting the ball out on the lane. Good luck!

Mike
--------------------
Frankenstein never scared me. But Marsupials do, .....cause they're fassst!!!!!

Thanks...MC...I used to do that drill and had stopped using it!

When used...it was a big aid to me!

Also...regarding Dizzy comments...re forward and reverse pitch.

Most people say too much REverse in the thumb...away from the center of the grip leads to dropping.  I believe your term forward is bass...ackwards.

REgards,

Luckylefty
--------------------
Open the door...see what's possible...and just walk right on through...that's how easy success feels..

There are many things that can cause you to drop the ball early.
First and foremost is improper fit: thumb too loose, excess reverse pitch, excess left pitch (RH), span too short/long some of these will have other indicators in the form of soreness/redness of the thumb.
Incorrect timing and/or excess bend at the waist will cause you to have a too steep downswing, often caused by getting the swing started too early.


With a straight wrist you should be able to hold onto the ball with virtually no grip pressure actually it is more like the ball is holding on to you. This may seem too tight but there is a point where inertia/momentum takes over and the thumb will clear quickly and cleanly.
What I was told to do was add tape to the ball and throw it at about half speed and keep adding until I felt the ball start to hang. At this reduced speed the momentum of the ball is reduced causing the slight hang but at normal speeds the ball will not hang assuming you don't change grip pressure when increasing speed. Until you have this correct level of tightness you can't properly determine the accuracy of the fit, due to the fact that excess grip pressure can give false indicators.

When I feel that I may be getting to much bend at the waist I will throw some shots in practice and only concentrate on keeping my upper body in a more upright position with my chin over the tip of my slide foot and the center of my chest over my slide ankle when in the finish position. This position should give you the best compromise of power, balance, and leverage which will give you a good swing plane.

Hope this helps.
--------------------

*****Re-Evolution*****
Evolve to a smarter game.

www.Bowling-Info.com
BR.com's unofficial FAQ section



Edited on 1/4/2007 2:53 PM