My buddy keeps spinning the ball.  Leaves a ton of flat 10 pins.   No matter what I suggest we cant fix it.  He just aint staying behind the ball.  Any suggestions?

I have showed him videos.  How would you go about staying behind the ball.  Any drills out there to practice?

With the couple people I've worked with, I found the best success when I had the person try to throw the ball end over end consistently. Once they got used to throwing the ball end over end, I worked with them on starting to turn the ball but soft so they don't try to hit on it and go right back to spinning it

I have been trying to bring up my rev rate in an effort to become more versatile. In trying to do it, i turn the ball too early and end up spinning the ball. So you are saying less is more?

you can have him try throwing a back up ball slowly. Stand behind the foul line, stand like he's posting up (to clear the hips), and slowly do a 1/4 swing back and forth and release a back up ball after the third or fourth swing.

I say slowly for several reason.
1. Not everyone can throw a back up ball, doing it slow will prevent injury.
2. Doing it slowly also allows him time to get used to the feel of the release, but the key is being aware of the hand position throughout the swing.
3. We all know everyone have different levels of learning a new skill. Some are quick and some just need more time. He seems he needs time.

Once he get used to this drill, increase his swing another by 1/4 and focus on his swing and and hand position.

Performing a movement while being aware of our body is important. Every move has a meaning and a purpose. If one component (hip rotation) in throwing a punch, for example, is ignored, the whole movement is wasted - lack of effectiveness, power, and/or speed.

Right now, it seems he's not aware of his hand position.

simple thought to try and get him to see different reaction
hold it like a suitcase throughout the release, that should get his hand around the ball a bit more - hopefully

adjustable wrist positioner would help also or some lessons if available

I know a couple spinners; and most of them don't keep their elbows in.  as part of the bad release the elbow flares out, away from the body. 

IF this is part of the issue, "the towel" drill might benefit.  I likely will garble up the explanation, but basically you put a towel between the arm and torso at the arm pit.  if the arm swing stays close to the body the towel will fall to the ground at the foul line.  if you flare the elbow away from the body, the towel will drop early.

Quote from: SG17 on December 27, 2015, 07:29:48 PM

I know a couple spinners; and most of them don't keep their elbows in.  as part of the bad release the elbow flares out, away from the body. 

IF this is part of the issue, "the towel" drill might benefit.  I likely will garble up the explanation, but basically you put a towel between the arm and torso at the arm pit.  if the arm swing stays close to the body the towel will fall to the ground at the foul line.  if you flare the elbow away from the body, the towel will drop early.

I've never tried this, but it seems to me the towel would fall out at the height of the backswing, before the ball/arm would start moving forward, wouldn't it?

Its been a long time since I have used this; it was taught to me by Brian Voss many years ago when I was at some event for junior bowlers (similar to the Bowl with the pros thing, but before it). 

I suppose with a high enough back swing, you are correct.  the towel would fall at the height of the swing, perhaps sooner if you have a Mike Fagan like back swing.

how high of a swing will it take for this to not work/be invalid?  I don't know.