BallReviews
General Category => Miscellaneous => Topic started by: marauder181 on September 10, 2015, 01:14:28 PM
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I'm trying to help out my dad get out of a major slump he's in. He uses a wrist brace, throws around 12 mph. He's gotten into a habit that when he goes to release he's coming way over the top of the ball and the ball is at best getting brooklyns and at worst missing the pocket completely. When the ball does contact the line it's not going down nearly long enough and starts hooking way to early.
I'm trying to think of things to help break his funk like trying to go with a shorter arm swing and maybe trying some different start hand positions so maybe he finds a different release. He's throwing the Knockout.
If anyone has some pointers I can try to have him work on let me know.
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I definitely would not go with a shorter arm swing. If he has no physical limitations he should try to lengthen his backswing. I would also work on getting him to relax his grip and try to get his swing more pendulum. Hand position is a major change, but if you go that way emphasize the feel you get from spiraling a football under hand.
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I have suffered from similar problems over the years and I found that concentrating on rolling the ball is the only thing that helped. That means starting slow, usually doing no step and one step drills at the foul line. It also means bringing your target closer to the foul line, if not the foul line. It's easier to get your brain to co-operate this way. You can also look for Ron Clifton's videos on early hand turn and prevention. Those drills help as well.
For me, the football drill was utterly useless. I can throw an underhand football as well as just about anyone. Fast, accurate, and with a ton of revs. I also pitch multiple times a week in slow pitch. Again, no problems. It does not always translate to bowling. A bowling ball is much heavier and your fingers are in the ball. Also, your thumb might not be in the same position as with those other balls. Definitely not for me. It's why I went 2 handed for a couple of years before switching back. I actually bowled well 2 handed, but I cannot see sustaining that for long (41 now). Had my best season the year I switched back. So I'm sure that also helped me.
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Thanks for the input guys. I bought him one of those kiik swinging training pins to help get his swing back. I think it's one of those things where he's trying too hard and gripping tighter and tighter which just exacerbates the issue.
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A simple 15# kettle bell has improved my swing and release.
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There are a lot of reasons for coming over the top of the ball. One common problem is fast feet. If that is an issue, I agree that the football release probably wont be of much use. It is very difficult to stay behind a ball if you start accelerating your arm swing before you hit the bottom.
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if he is grabbing the ball why not shrink the thumb hole? that way he will relax his thumb and wont grab de ball, that helped me alot and now I have a better release
best regards