Over the past few years I have seen more younger bowlers after they release the ball they follow through across the body to the left side of their head (right handers). I was always taught to follow through to your target. Is this the new way that is being taught? What is the benefit if any of it? Remember I have not been bowling for a few years myself, I have seen this while taken my son bowling and watching other kids. Now I am not saying that this is wrong or terrible so don't rip on me for that. I am just wondering is all.

The modern style bowler drops his shoulder and tilts his body to keep the elbow inside of the hand, the forearm straight and the hand inside of the ball. the follow through can come directly through the face which is straight or slightly accross the face depending on the amount of turn at release.

True/pure strokers are in the endangered list.

It'll become a style known mostly used for seniors or women.

Let's keep it alive!!:D

I think the important thing is to remember that we all cannot bowl the same way. Some of us are tall, some short, some are quite flexible, while others are not, some have slower feet, some faster, you get the idea.

If your mechanics are sound your ability to repeat shots will be enhanced. Therein lies the secret to great scores. Just bowl like you do and take your chances...

IMHO, this is a consequential development, when "hook" becomes more relevant than "accuracy", for whatever reason. While I won't 'condemn' this style, it is either the result of trying to create more (side) rotation, or it is the consequence of "full body motion", as someone stated. But I am not certain if it is a real style (to be tought), or rather a flaw that creeps into one's game?

Matt Mcneil who is the USBC champion in his videos does this on the left side, he looks real good doing it.  So does Ryan Ciminelli.

Mike Fagan does this at the beginning of the release and then goes back out for the final finish position.

I don't understand it except for the fact that they probably have less under palm  lateral thumb pitch than their anatomy calls for.

It seems to work real well in this more varied modern game for some!

Regards,

Luckylefty

The modern style bowler drops his shoulder and tilts his body to keep the elbow inside of the hand, the forearm straight and the hand inside of the ball. the follow through can come directly through the face which is straight or slightly accross the face depending on the amount of turn at release.

I wanted to add that a key part of the armswing across the body is these players are keeping their hips open. With the hips open and shoulder dropped their body is out of the way allowing them to have a free armswing.

I've been a classic style bowler forever and was always told I had a pretty free armswing. I worked with Steve Kloempken last August and he recommended I change to being more open with my hips and my armswing coming across my body like that. He said I was actually too closed at the line. Trying this change freed up my armswing so much more I was 20-21mph at the pins where I was 16.5-17.5 before. We ended up shortening my approach and lowering my pushaway a little to get my ballspeed back down to where it should be. I decided to stay with that change because of how much further it freed up my armswing and it's been a good change for me. I don't rev the ball anymore than before, everything is just more free and requires less effort - a good thing IMO.

I've never been afraid to try different things to see if it improves my game. I keep the things I like and discard the things I don't. Is this style for everyone though? No. Hank Boomershine said at a clinic I was at if there was an ideal way to bowl every PBA player would have the same game.

Me either. As I posted before, the young lady from Wichita State who was in the Singles that was televised recently was bringing her arm across like she was trying to start a lawnmower.

Not just dropping her shoulder and bringing her arm up in front of her face. It was a very distinct right to left movement of her arm after the release.

Quote from: sdbowler on May 14, 2012, 11:06:11 AM

Over the past few years I have seen more younger bowlers after they release the ball they follow through across the body to the left side of their head (right handers). I was always taught to follow through to your target. Is this the new way that is being taught? What is the benefit if any of it? Remember I have not been bowling for a few years myself, I have seen this while taken my son bowling and watching other kids. Now I am not saying that this is wrong or terrible so don't rip on me for that. I am just wondering is all.

This is the part I haven't seen explained. It basically states the bowler's right hand after their release is over their left shoulder. Would a release like this be close to a spin.

I have seen bowlers release late and their hand is over the ball as they release with their arm extended over the lane.